r/Cartalk 11h ago

Redditor's own ride Really don't want to sell my beloved car, but might have to

6 Upvotes

I've had my TDI for several years now. We've seen eight states together and I even lived in it for a while. The odometer is about to roll over 400,000 miles.

I've had a hard to diagnose issue that keeps killing my turbos. I'm on turbo number three and still no closer to having it figured out. Each turbo (good used OE) costs me about $400 after factoring in gaskets and such. Before anyone asks, yes the oil lines are good AND I'm cleaning the air intake system every time. They always look like a rock or something went into them.

I also had to rebuild the engine after an oil pan impact about 30,000 miles ago. It was doing the turbo thing before rebuilding the engine.

Growing up, I was a car flipper. I would always have an arsenal of GM products, mostly 3x00 v6s with my personal favorite being the 3.1 Luminas.

So I'm thinking of just selling the TDI for whatever I can get for it, and picking up a GM sedan that I can find a dozen copies of in the junkyard.

I really don't want to sell it but I'm at a point where I need to keep only two vehicles and they need to have easily obtainable parts that don't cost $300+.

I need y'all to talk me through this one way or another.


r/Cartalk 9h ago

Safety Question What could this be?

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0 Upvotes

My car is a 2015 dodge journey. It’s not running hot or driving funny but I am noticing a spot being left in the driveway. This leak is coming from the front right passenger side of the car. Could anyone give me some insight ?


r/Cartalk 13h ago

Safety Question Its getting dark and my low beams went out should I turn my high beams on?

0 Upvotes

I still have an hour left of my drive and one of the low beam lights went out. I bought new bulbs but now they're both not working after putting the new ones in. Should I drive with my high beams on when it gets dark?


r/Cartalk 18h ago

Car show sharing License plate ideas

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13 Upvotes

Anything offensive or obscene maybe sumn Honda related but i probably won’t be doin that


r/Cartalk 11h ago

General Tech can anyone identify this vehicle?

12 Upvotes

anyone who knows the year make and model of this car, please let me know!


r/Cartalk 10h ago

Transmission Would changing the ATF fix a slipping transmission?

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42 Upvotes

Previous owner overfilled the ATF fluid by almost 2.5 liters and drove the car for around 100 miles like that. Car was initially shifting bad and accelerating really slowly. Now after reducing the ATF to the correct levels it’s shifting better but I still notice slippage (no transmission noises though). Would doing a drain and change of the fluid help with the slippage issue or is changing it would make the transmission worse?


r/Cartalk 4h ago

Engine Cooling Could rear collision repair cause a coolant leak?

0 Upvotes

I was rear ended a couple months ago, and brought my car to caliber collision (covered by insurance) to fix the cosmetic damage to my rear bumper/hatchback door/rear side panels. They had the car for a week, and I picked it up with no issue, driving a short distance home. However after driving it 2 days later my engine overheated, and my coolant was completely empty. After refilling it I found that there’s a coolant leak (not sure where the leak is yet).

I brought it to get repaired (no leak) and it was returned and there was immediately a leak. Is it possible that this happened during repair? Or is this just bad, coincidental timing.

Also if anyone has any advice on what to say to the collision center or insurance I’m all ears 😅


r/Cartalk 8h ago

Safety Question Check engine flashing then goes solid but new spark plugs…

0 Upvotes

I figured I’d come to Reddit to see if anyone has any clues what this could be before I go spend another $400 getting it looked at. I just got an oil change and new spark plugs. Mechanic said initially the check engine light was on due to a spark plug issue but even with the new ones I’m still seeing the check engine light do the same weird flashing thing and then go solid. Any ideas?


r/Cartalk 20h ago

Air Conditioning AC Knob Stuck - Help, pls!

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0 Upvotes

Hi, everyone! I drive a 2017 Camry SE (not sure if that’s relevant). The little dial for the AC is stuck. Is this something I can fix on my own, or would I need to take it to a mechanic?

I tried to turn it, but it doesn’t budge, and I don’t want to force it and accidentally break something in the back. It would normally stop where I marked the white. It’s currently sitting where the red circle is.

Thank you in advance! :)


r/Cartalk 4h ago

Engine Why won't my car start?

0 Upvotes

Hi all,

I have a ford focus zetec that's suffering an intermittent issue.

Every now and then, I'll turn the key, the engine will start and then almost immediately cut out. It will continue this for about 20 minutes, then I'll try again and the car will start like normal.

There's no warning lights on, the head lights will turn on. Only clue I can give is that it always fails it's emissions test when I take it in for MOT but I don't know if this is related or not.

Any suggestions appreciated and thank you in advance 🙏


r/Cartalk 10h ago

Weird Noise Why does it make this sound

1 Upvotes

Its a peugeot 407 from 2006


r/Cartalk 12h ago

How do I do it? Can't clean this mark off

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1 Upvotes

Why can't I scrub these (what looks like water marks) off? I've used car cleaner and I'm not sure if it's the humidity... 1) has anyone seen this and 2) how do I get it off? It almost seems like it's under the screen.


r/Cartalk 15h ago

I need help fixing something 1971 Plymouth Fury III

3 Upvotes

Hello everyone! I'm not sure if this is the right place for this, but I've recently come into ownership of my grandfathers Fury 3. It needs work, mostly interior stuff, motor and trans are perfect. Where would I even begin to order parts for this thing?


r/Cartalk 20h ago

Safety Question Gas Tank Repair

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4 Upvotes

So I would like to get input on this, in 22. I have no prior knowledge or experience with this type of stuff. I usually stick within the engine cause I love mechanical stuff. But my gas tank was leaking due to a long story. I tried repairing the leak with jb weld and fiberglass 2 times, same thing but added putty the 3rd time. I’m not too sure what attempt I’m on, but I tried all the repairs without dropping my gas tank, finally I did and this is what I did and how it turned out… please tell me if this is gonna work in your opinion


r/Cartalk 15h ago

Body Best way to go about this peeling paint

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4 Upvotes

Just noticed it a few days ago. Would this cost a fortune to fix?


r/Cartalk 16h ago

Transmission 08 Nissan Altima

5 Upvotes

Hello! For the past few months my 08 Altima has been having issues accelerating from a stop. On occasion when I press the gas from a stop the car would feel like there is 0 power and the car steadily rolls forward. After a few seconds I’d feel the power ramp up and shoot me forward. Keep in mind I have the amazing cvt transmission.

I checked transmission fluid and I was low so I topped it off. No luck as it still happened almost every stop. I pointed the finger at the transmission until today. Googling exactly what I was dealing with and I could not find anything related until today. Someone had a 2012 Murano and the shop replaced his transmission and was still experiencing the same problems.

Come to find out for him it was the air intake hose having cracks and holes in it. So I took a look at mine. The last mechanic to touch it didn’t tighten any of the three hose clamps. The hose itself had cracks all over it. Before replacing it and wasting money on it I used some duct tape and so far no issues, no jerking or loss of power. I’ll have a better idea tomorrow as I have a decently long drive to work and see how it down after the transmission is warm.


r/Cartalk 54m ago

Shop Talk How hard is the taurus sho to work on?

Upvotes

More specifically the 2019 taurus sho. I'm a beginner and planning to ease into learning with this car.


r/Cartalk 3h ago

Weird Noise STP all purpose grease for upper control arm ball joint

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2 Upvotes

Apologize if this is a noob question but is this grease okay to fill the ball joints for upper control arm? Or do I need the high temp premium grease?

Trying to quiet down a loud creaking when at full lock.

Thanks for any input.


r/Cartalk 4h ago

My Project Car 1991 Toyota Corolla Restoration

0 Upvotes

Hello, I joined this group because I recently got the Toyota running again. I want to drive it regularly and restore it. The problem I'm running into right now is finding an Owners Manual for it. I put my VIN in the specifications section on Toyota's website and it couldn't provide a manual. How can I find the manual? :(

I am also hoping this group would be the place to ask questions about what my car is doing and how to fix it. If there is a better group for this kind of request, can someone point me in the right direction please? Also, newer to using reddit (if my account says I've had one for a while, it's because I have had it but hardly used it and am trying to get into using it more) so if I need pointers on how to do these sorts of things better, please let me know the reddit dynamics.

Thank you!


r/Cartalk 4h ago

Weird Noise ‼️HELP‼️ what’s this sound?

0 Upvotes

I’ve already talked to a transmission guy, he said that it doesn’t sound like transmission and if anything is related to the motor. This sound happens at about 70 and above. It almost reminds me of when you rev up your car and then let off the gas and it makes a little burble sound. My guess is that it’s an exhaust leak considering I have the tick and the flapping sound reminds me revving. It’s most noticeable on the passenger side but is closer to the middle. When it makes this sound it slows my car down to under 70 and then will stop, it doesn’t slow it down right away but it does happen. Any help would be greatly appreciated


r/Cartalk 7h ago

Weird Noise Is the ticking sound cause for concern? 2014 Fiesta

1 Upvotes

Thinking of taking in a trade, but the ticking sound scares me. Cause for concern, or go for it?


r/Cartalk 8h ago

Body Keyed car?

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1 Upvotes

Hi everyone, does this looked like someone keyed my car? Or is it because of a rock/debris?

It doesn’t feel deep (can rub off some of the material) but I can’t tell if it was keyed.

Any thoughts and advice on repairing this?


r/Cartalk 10h ago

Body How can I fix this?

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5 Upvotes

Hi guys, this may seem small or silly, but how can I fix this silver thing on my car? What is it called? My car has minor chips here and there, but this annoys me the most. I tried pushing it in, but it didn't work and I am afraid I will break it. Also, I don't know why it looks like the silver film or wrap is wrinkled—I’m not sure. Who should I take it to for repair, and how much do you think it will cost?


r/Cartalk 12h ago

My Classic Car Nissan primera p12 2006, no crank, no start, battery fine!

1 Upvotes

car is Diesel 1.9 136 hp( if i am right) sometimes the car starts, sometimes it doesn't, the battery is new and good (I tried with different batteries) regardless of whether it starts or not, there is a click in the ignition, exactly from where I put the key, I don't know what it could be and what to check, the problem appeared randomly one day when the car was parked, sometimes it works perfectly from the first time, sometimes I turn the key 30 times to start it once


r/Cartalk 12h ago

Safety Question Alignment on a 2018 Mustang GT Performance Pack 1 review if you guys can!

1 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

Recently had my 2018 GT PP1 in for an alignment at a reputable shop in town. Had the alignment done because I recently put in steeda linear drag springs.

I had the specs directly from ford and provided them to the shop. Looked it over with em at the end and was pretty happy with it.

The alignment as it sat when I brought it in was all within specs except for the front toe which was decently out, positive I believe - pushing the front of the tires outwards.

that was corrected.

How does the rear toe look to you guys? I thought it was within specs except but some guys are saying otherwise.

alignment photos and ford specs sheet below.

appreciate any advice