A plea to those who post for answers to automotive problems

[Oeditpus Rex]

...and I'm not singling out joeybee12, because this happens frequently in the Lounge.

When you ask "What's wrong with my car?" give us more information than "It runs rough" or whatever. Automotive diagnostics are very difficult when the diagnostician isn't hands-on with the car, so tell us as much as you can think of. The basics include:

• Make, model and year of the car and the mileage on it.

• Engine size, if you know it, and any particulars about the engine such as fuel injection, turbocharging, etc.

• Everything you can think of related to the problem. Does it happen when the engine's warm or cold? At high speed, low speed, all speeds, idle? While turning left? Only in reverse? On weekends? :)

• Perhaps most importantly, any relevant history of the car. ("Have you had this problem before?" "Yeah." "Well, you've got it again.")

Also please note that it's quite unlikely that you'll get the opinion of a qualified mechanic in the Lounge. I've worked on cars since I was a teenager, but the most important thing I know about cars is how much I don't know about cars. Thus does every opinion I offer come with a caveat: It's just a guess.

Thanks. :hi:

[Inchworm]

1. Poke it with a stick while drinkin beer

Sometimes it works :P

:rofl:

[Oeditpus Rex]

2. What kind of stick?

What year's the beer?



:P

[Inchworm]

3. I have the feeling I'll soon be tossed into a gorge

:P

[BarenakedLady]

6. I volunteer!

*grumblegrumble39grumblemumble*

:spank: :spank: :spank:

[Inchworm]

9. I'm still getting spankings?

That was soo 50 minutes ago! :cry:

;)

PS: Please continue.

[Oeditpus Rex]

7. How deep?

C'mon. Work with me.



:P

[Inchworm]

12. To begin with,

I would need basic kinematic data on the method of measurement.

Yea.. thats the ticket.

:D

[Oeditpus Rex]

14. In degrees Kelvin

[Inchworm]

17. With some further study,

I've determined that my estimates are accurate, though perhaps coincidental.

An actual study of two similar gorges in Sweden shows that weight is irrelevant but atmosphere presents a bit slower than my estimate

“Compared with other gorges of similar depth, this particular one has quite a low pressure, frequency and relatively tall trees.”

The maximum depth I could reach at 13–14 meters per second takes into account my relative cruising flight in particular, the most efficient trajectory being perfect, and depth proportional my airspeed in the range of 8–11 meters per second, wound make it 90–100° K.

:crazy:

I sure hacked up some guys research!

[Oeditpus Rex]

18. Is that 90-100° K

African or European?

:shrug:

[Inchworm]

21. European!

Kinematic data for both African standards was difficult to find, but the European kinematic data has been studied intensively, and kinematic data for that all of the above was readily available.

*freezes and looks dumbfounded*

[Oeditpus Rex]

22. I should've known

African kinematics are non-migratory.

[Inchworm]

26. *throws the Bridgekeeper in the gorge*

C'mon across Sir Robin. Don't be afraid.

:thumbsup:

*wipes brow*

[Call Me Wesley]

4. It was going fine, and then blam! Wouldn't start anymore after it.

You think it's the battery? :shrug: :cry:

[Oeditpus Rex]

8. I think there's something stuck in the engine

[Call Me Wesley]

13. You silly dickie old chum!

Can't be. It was brand new.

[Oeditpus Rex]

16. Maybe it's a sex problem

Okay, you've got this girl on the hood — she's really well stacked, got great big carbs...

[Call Me Wesley]

19. That's exactly what my mechanic said.

Ashtray was getting full anyway. I think I just get a new one.

[SallyMander]

5. We should get Click and Clack to join DU

:D

:bounce:

[Oeditpus Rex]

10. Oh, hells yeah!

And send 'em to GD: P. :rofl:

[SallyMander]

11. Nah, they are Loungers through and through!

Although their reaction to the craziness over there would be priceless... :D

[Oeditpus Rex]

15. That's what I was thinking

"I knew a guy who had this problem with his 1972 Hillary..."



:D

[marzipanni]

25. I would like to hear them reading the stuff out loud

it would lose something w/o being able to hear them laugh!
http://www.moviewavs.com/php/sounds/?id=bst&media=WAVS&type=Movies&movie=Cars"e=alwayslit.txt&file=alwayslit.wav

[SallyMander]

28. I got SO excited watching Cars

I didn't know they were going to be in it, and i totally flipped my shit! I was watching it with my soon-to-be in-laws, none of whom are NPR listeners... so they all just looked at me like i was nuts. :silly:

[Pierre.Suave]

20. oh GEEZ...

thats the best idea EVAR!!!!!!!!!

For Series!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If I could hug you for realz, I would for coming up with that idea.

Now, to make it happen.

[SallyMander]

29. I've been plotting calling into their show...

about the veggie oil conversion Iza and i are going to do on our honeymoon-mobile. We have a few friends who have done this, and we'd like to try doing it ourselves. I'd like their opinion, although they'll probably just laugh at me! :D

(Secretly i'm hoping they offer to help with it, so i can meet them! :bounce: )

[Oeditpus Rex]

33. Man, you've got it *bad*

Wait — you wouldn't just want 'em to give you a Glancing Dope Slap, wouldja? :evilgrin:

[SallyMander]

35. I hope not!

But here are instructions so i can do it back! :evilgrin:

[Oeditpus Rex]

38. OMD!

I didn't know they had that! :rofl:

http://www.cartalk.com/content/DopeSlap/technique.html









I didn't necessarily mean on your head, though.

[SallyMander]

40. ...

:spray:

[Omphaloskepsis]

23. Same thing goes when asking for computer help..

Please give as much information as possible.

"My computer is broken" is a shitty question.

[Call Me Wesley]

27. My mouse is very hard to handle.

They replaced the little trackball underneath it with some red light. Now I really have to watch my thumb moves. You think it's something in the registry?

[Omphaloskepsis]

37. Delete every file that contains DLL on your computer and restart..

[lukasahero]

41. BWAH! I'm going to use this on the next person

who tells me our application sucks! :)

[Call Me Wesley]

42. LOL!

How about just removing the person in front of it? Saves soooo many problems! :hi:

[Omphaloskepsis]

43. Give your wife a high-five from me..

And your gift should arrive soon. I am lazy and fucked up a few times while making it.. That will make sense when it arrives. And beware, it contains glass that might break during shipping. Open carefully.

[lildreamer316]

24. Could. Not. Agree. More.

I love to help, but you gotta give me more info than "it just made a noise".

[BarenakedLady]

30. I was driving my car and it just stopped going.

I don't know why.

There was a red light that came on that looked like this



What should I do?

:shrug:

[Oeditpus Rex]

32. Replace the muffler bearings

:P

[BarenakedLady]

34. I was thinking of just buying a new one.

That's what I did the last time.

[Oeditpus Rex]

36. You're welcome in Detroit, huh?

Shit, they probably throw you a parade. :D

[grace0418]

31. You've always given me wonderful advice on my car. So your guesses are

better than most. :hi:

[Oeditpus Rex]

39. Well, thanks

:)

Main thing is, if I don't know, I don't guess. I know my limitations.