30Jul2013
Awwww yea. Honda 2000!
Movie quote. If you don’t know what it is from then shame on you. The first part of a 6 movie series (and still going strong with #7 in the works) “It’s all right. I ain’t losing. This fool is running a Honda 2000. I’ll win, it’s all good. Then, me and my dad can roll together when he gets out of prison.” Had this little S2000 come in for some quick maintenance. CEL throwing a possible rear O2 sensor …
21Apr2013
Squeeks Maintenance Day RennsportKC
I borrowed Squeeks the other day to replace a battery that was causing a slow start. About 7 years on the last battery, so it was about due for replacement. Once I got in it to drive it over to the shop, I knew I was going to be doing some suspension work as well. Up on the lift to check out a suspension clunk. I found bad tie rods on the lower bar, so I soaked everything up good …
09Apr2013
Chevy Suburban Backup Camera Install
Had a new Chevy Suburban come into the shop the other day for a backup camera install. Since the Suburban (in a very rare red BTW), was ordered without navigation, backing up the beast was a little tricky coming from a smaller vehicle for the owner. We installed an Alpine rear view camera, and an audiovox monitor. Maybe windshield navigation units will accept a plug from a rear view camera. The camera is setup to only activate when in reverse. …
After the Boxster was done, the next patient was put on the table. This guy also had a horrible howl from the front end. With 197k miles on the clock, I was really worried it might be something in the differential. After stripping off the brake caliper and rotor, I was able to spin the front hub, but with all the 4wd stuff also turning, I wasn’t 100% positive. There was definitely a crunchy hang up in the system somewhere. …
Wednesday Wes and I had “British Car Day” at the shop. 2 Jaguar projects and a cool little Triumph TR6. The V12 Jag had a bad ABS pump, and the replacement units are basically unaffordable. The XJ6 units though are slightly different, but the ABS solenoid unit which was bad are very similar with a little easy modification. We pinned out all the solenoids and the pin outs were identical. After a little work, we had them swapped and had …
14Dec2012
I’ve Been Wu’d
Not many people will get that, but it makes me laugh. Had this daily driver come into the shop this week after I turned down the job on the car. That’s getting Rich Wu’d. In fact I blame Rich. He called me and asked me about the repair for his brother, and not really knowing much about Nissan’s, other than the fact that girls drive them (and Rich, he’s had like 10), I turned it down as I was too …
Had this Jaguar in the shop last week for a V1 install. Owner wanted it hardwired in so he didn’t have the power cable dangling in his way. No problem! This is another powerful car that is a riot to drive. Lot of HP through the supercharged motor. To hardwire to switched ignition so the unit turns on and off with the start button, I tapped into the wiring in the overhead light area. Main harness connector for that overhead …
20Nov2012
Squeeks Maintenance RennsportKC
After knocking a bunch of work today, I put Squeeks on the lift for a quick oil change and tire rotation….which then turned into new brake pads….which then turned into new front rotors…..which then turned into new brake lines in the front…..which then turned into a new caliper on the front left side. GRRRRRRRR This evening was a giant kick in the balls. I knew pads and rotors were coming up as the fronts have the typical Jeep warpage, and …
If you have ever owned a Grand Cherokee, you are probably very familiar with the brake warping issue they have with the front axle. The lack of proper cooling to the front rotors causes them to heat up and eventually warp, sometimes due to a sudden over cooling situation, such as driving through a puddle of water that kicks it up on the rotor. The result is a very shaky vehicle on harder braking, especially noticeable coming off an interstate …
02Oct2012
Please don’t powerwash your engine…
If you have a modern car and like a tidy engine bay, wipe it down by hand. We had this SVT Cobra return after service (plugs were changed) with a check engine light and a miss in the engine. After popping checking for a faulty coil pack, we realized something was amiss. See that glint of light at the 12 o’clock above the spark plug? That is water reflecting the light. It is very hard to shoot a picture inside …