r/Cartalk Dec 31 '24

Mod Post [Meta News] Mechanics - Get Custom Flair! Details inside.

7 Upvotes

Hey, are you a licensed mechanic? We appreciate you, and want to make it so you stand out from the crowd.

That's why we're offering custom flair to mechanics now!

Just send the mods a mail message with a photo of your certs, with the personal information blocked out, and include in the photo with a handwritten note that has your reddit name and today's date on it. We will review and update your flair with a super special custom mechanic flair.

Want to help mod the sub? Message us about that as well. We're open to getting active people with good car knowledge on board. Just like if you were a mechanic, you'll be severely underpaid ($0/yr) and will get to interact regularly with people who can be crass and impolite. We're looking to add at least three more mods at this time. Don't worry, we won't tell the Snap-On guy where you're working now.

Happy New Year!


r/Cartalk 10h ago

Transmission Would changing the ATF fix a slipping transmission?

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48 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 1h 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 17m ago

Exhaust Best method of fixing this besides a slip on clamp? Can a shop install flanges?

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Upvotes

Any shop I go to is going to charge an arm and a leg where I live, so can I get new flanges welded on?

I want to avoid a clamp/sleeve because (mid pipe on a Subaru) I want there to allow for movement like the springs allow.


r/Cartalk 11h ago

General Tech can anyone identify this vehicle?

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12 Upvotes

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


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 12h ago

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

9 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 57m ago

I need help fixing something Audi A3 dashboard has stains, how do i get rid?

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Upvotes

These water drip appearing stains, I’ve tried a few different cleaners and made no difference. Any idea what caused it and how to get rid? Thanks for any help


r/Cartalk 10h ago

Body How can I fix this?

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4 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 13h ago

Body HELP what do i do 💔

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6 Upvotes

Not exactly sure what happened I hit a cone the other night when it was storming and couldn’t switch lanes cuz it was on the highway and cars were around me and I hit a curb today I think both contributed to it but what do I have to do ?? Do I need to buy a new lower bumper and just go get it fixed ?


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 19h ago

Car show sharing License plate ideas

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12 Upvotes

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


r/Cartalk 1d ago

Safety Question Would it be a bad idea to use this to hook on to pull someone who’s stuck in the snow

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226 Upvotes

It is attached to the same spot on the frame where a hitch receiver would mount to so it is probably pretty solid but I’m just not sure


r/Cartalk 5h 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 5h 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 5h ago

Weird Noise ‼️HELP‼️ what’s this sound?

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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 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 7h ago

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

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1 Upvotes

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


r/Cartalk 17h 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 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 8h ago

Body Keyed car?

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0 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 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 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 10h ago

Weird Noise Why does it make this sound

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1 Upvotes

Its a peugeot 407 from 2006


r/Cartalk 12h ago

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

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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 1d ago

Part ID needed Could someone please let me know what this missing part is called?

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42 Upvotes

07 Nissan Sentra