Car repair advice on the radio

Jun 29, 2024 Last reply: 2 years ago 5 Replies

Car repair radio.



Caller says 2012 honda is overheating and engine fan is not spinning. Talk show host says there are two fans, one for when the engine gets hot, and one for when you turn the AC on. Is this true? I have no trouble believing that 1 goes on with the AC, but don't they both go on if needed to keep the engine from getting too hot?



Another guy calls, noise from right rear brake. He wants to bleed the brakes and asks about whether brake bleeder valves are standard (because the one in there is messed up.) They talk about that, bBut it seems to me the host should have objected to his plan. Bleeding seems very unlikey to do anything, that is, the need for bleeding is not going to be the cause of the noise, right? Bleeding removes air in the line, which can make the brakes spongy, but doesnt' apply the brakes when they shouln't be.



Clare stopped posting, didn't he. Just noticed that.


3rd car: Didn't mention that the technical service bulletins are online for all of us to read, are they not?

Not every call is about repair.



There was a guy on over 10 or 20+ years ago who gave fantastic car repair advice, on WRC, so much so I tried to find an indoor radio that would get that station (which I could get in every car I had), so I guess this was before there were radio stations on the web. He was the only one whose advice always sounded great, and I learned a lot, but he retired (and the station changed format later) and this one seems to know no more than I do. Have I learned more over the years, or does he know too little?



He "has been in the automotive business for over 30 years in many different capacities. He started in the business as an auto salesman and graduated quickly to automotive sales manager. His automotive past includes dealer service department management, finance and insurance manager, and service advisor. From 1991-2002 he has operated My Mechanic, an independent auto service facility in Randallstown. Currently, he operates Vehicle Service Plus in Bel Air."



Not the best resume for his current radio job, is it? Btw, I drove by, still do, My Mechanic sometimes but it wasn't, isn't, close enough to go to the few times I need help. I did bleed my brakes once and couldn't get it right. Finally knew what they meant by "spongy". Wow, so true. Drove slowly with spongy brakes the 4 blocks to gas station and they bled them for me. Was able to walk home and back instead of sitting there making it look like was rushing them.


According to this YouTube video, yes some, if not all, Hondas have 2 fans. Both are electric , so no belts or pulleys. Video does go on with troubleshooting tips, but some may be difficult for average owner.

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micky wrote on 6/29/2024 10:34 AM:

My car (3,000 lbs of German engineering) is very fuel efficient. The engine doesn't generate too much excess heat. It takes a long time for the engine coolant to reach "normal" operating temperature after the engine has been running from a "cold start". The cold air coming through the front grill when the car is moving is enough to cool the engine in normal operation. That's why they use electric fan in front of the engine coolant reservoir and power on the fan only when the coolant temperature becomes too hot. If your car doesn't do that, maybe buy an import next time.

Or, your thermostat is not closing all the way.

The weekly column in our newspaper's automotive section - - where readers will send in questions for the "expert" - has devolved into a gripe-page for complaints, rather than any actual repair advice. Many of the complaints are a result of driveway mechanics or unlicensed shops - which the expert constantly warns people about. Another common theme is people who buy an old high-mileage clunker through a private seller or discount used car lot - and are surprised that it needs some expensive repairs .. I've had better luck finding useful info on youtube and on discussion forums - where you can search for specific issues for specific make & model. John T.

I can't imagine how that could ever happen!

I thought they were guaranteed by God for 250,000 miles.

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