Misfires, Idles High, No heat, check engine light, the list goes on and on.

[shorod]

If there's water in the tank, isopropyl alcohol will work, and is usually the main (or sole) ingredient in gas line drier. My point was you don't want to use rubbing alcohol as it is already saturated with water and will not remove water. Rubbing alcohol and isopropyl alcohol are technically two different products.

It won't hurt you to try isopropyl or dry gas, but I don't have a good feeling it will fix your issue.

-Rod

[Bree_j]

I've tried misting the coil and starting the car to see sparks but there were none. Think I'll have to take it to the dealer so I can be charged out the butt.

[TaurusKing]

In my opinion, dry gas is a waste of money.. the only time that I can see moisture being an issue is when there are large temp differentials in the weather, such as the so-called January thaw, where the temps sometimes kick into the seventies, usually following an extended cold snap,, at least here in NY that's how it works... I know my house, block and stone const., gets considerably moisture-coated with that change,, I'm assuming the gas tank would encounter the same issue, however I've never used the stuff... if anything, maybe use an injector cleaner instead on a semi-regular basis, likely more benefits to that product... if you choose to use drygas anyway, that's your choice if you want, use the isopropyl as Rod suggested, I believe it's better then the cheaper ones that use methanol.. you will pay a little more.. as an aside, my mother knows my views on the stuff, she's old-school though, she already has her 12 pack of the stuff, in fact she's already used a can or two, it's only been down to 30 degrees, she won't listen, too set, too worried.

[Bree_j]

Could one of you guys tell me where to buy the isopropyl? I've only seen the stuff that Rod was talking about-- the 70%-- and I don't know where to get the other stuff. From what I've read on the net and on this forum a warm miss is often due to a faulty coil but as I mentioned earlier, there are no sparks when I mist the coil with water. I'd really like to try a few more "simple" trial and error deals before I bite the bullet and take it to the shop. I've been reading somehorror stories about how mechanics will charge you a fortune and do work that doesn't need to be done. I'm new to the Myrtle Beach area and I don't know a mechanic. So let me ask you guys, how do I find an honest one?

[shorod]

Isopropyl can usually be found at your local drugstore and sometimes even at a department store. Or, you can just purchase some HEET from the automotive section.

If you interface with locals on a daily basis, check with a few that you trust and see if they can recommend either a shop to take your car to, or a shop to stay away from. Either piece of information may help.

-Rod

[Salty25]

Originally Posted by Bree_j

Thanks Salty,

I never thought about that! Thanks! What are they symptoms of a failing water pump? Is there anyway to test it?

Bree

Bree,

I just popped off one of the top hoses on mine and started the engine. I didn't see any water flowing like it should have been with the hose off. I think I actually took the hose from the top of the resevoir.

Hope you get your car ready for the trip.

[Bree_j]

Update on POS car: Thanks for all the great suggestions guys. It turns out that my mechanic found that the transmission is bad, the car isn't shifting into overdrive, the engine mounts are bad and he believes a head gasket could go at any time. His advice: Get rid of the car asap.

My hubby went to speak with the dealer and he claims nothing is wrong with the car and he'll have his mechanic check it out and he "won't charge me a dime" WoW What a favor! Sell me a piece of crap car, but have your mechanic look at it for free! Ah! Ain't he a doll? The sorry SOB hasn't even gotten my tag and title back and we bought the car 4 weeks ago!

Anyway, thanks for everything,

Bree

[ilLUMINAteddriver]

Originally Posted by Bree_j

Update on POS car: Thanks for all the great suggestions guys. It turns out that my mechanic found that the transmission is bad, the car isn't shifting into overdrive, the engine mounts are bad and he believes a head gasket could go at any time. His advice: Get rid of the car asap.

My hubby went to speak with the dealer and he claims nothing is wrong with the car and he'll have his mechanic check it out and he "won't charge me a dime" WoW What a favor! Sell me a piece of crap car, but have your mechanic look at it for free! Ah! Ain't he a doll? The sorry SOB hasn't even gotten my tag and title back and we bought the car 4 weeks ago!

Anyway, thanks for everything,

Bree

So take it back to the dealer and tell him that you had a mechanic check it out and that you'd like it fixed free of charge, very politely, or you'll have to talk to a nice man in a suit with a briefcase, but only after his mechanic has "checked it out". Usually threatening lawyers over sales of merchandise that was defective before it was sold will loosen up those purse strings a bit. Worst case scenario, tell him to take the car back and either give you another one off the lot, offering to pay the difference in purchase price or for a refund if you take a lower-priced one, or your money back flat out. Might work, might not, but it's worth a try. Bring hubby along, if you can, because he's less likely to try to cheat you (if he is in the first place) if you have backup.

On another note, it usually takes about six weeks to get the title and stuff in, at least around here (New York State).

Good luck!

[TaurusKing]

Doesn't it come with a used car warranty, even like 60 days or so????

[Bree_j]

Nope, no warranty. In South Carolina, (I'm told) they don't even have to guarantee you'll get out of their lot. Anyway, the dealer is swearing up and down that there's nothing wrong with the car and that my mechanic is lying. Here's the clincher (the mechanic I took it to is the same guy that his mechanic works with)! Anyway, the dealer has another car on his lot that's two years older with 20 thousand more miles and I think it's only reasonable that he AT LEAST take this piece of crap back and give me that car. Dont ya think?

Oh and my mechanic's exact words "You've inherited somebody else's problem and this car is going to nickel and dime you to death. You need to get rid of it while you still can." Cant get any more straightforward than that.

[Bree_j]

WOOHOO! I took the car to the dealer's mechanic and he said the only thing that was wrong with the car is the motor mount and that he'll replace for nothing if I buy the part. $107.00 for the part and that makes me very happy! (Beats the hell out of $2000 or $5000)

Anyway, my husband talked to our mechanic and he said, "We'll it could be a blown head gasket, a cracked head, a fuel problem and the transmission may need to be flushed." So that proved to me that he really didn't know what was going on. This other guys says there's nothing wrong with it except the motor mount.

Yay! I'll let you guys know if it works.

Bree

[shorod]

So let me get this straight, the dealer's mechanic says the engine mount will fix the oil leak, misfire, poor heat, high idle, clock losing time, and check engine light? I think your mechanic has a better idea of what's going on than the dealer's mechanic!

-Rod

[Bree_j]

Good point. According to the dealer, the misfire I thought I heard was the clunking of the motor because the mount was broken. He claims that the reason it fouls up 3rd gear is because it's a hydraulic mount and it has to come into sync with the transmission and motor at the same time (keep in mind, I know nothing about cars, so I'm ready to believe anything as long as I don't have to shell out 5 grand to fix my car) (yeah.... I know) Anyway, we believe the thermostat is stuck open and (we hope) this will fix the heating issue. I told my husband that I would drive the heck out of the car for the next few days to make sure its fixed and if not, I'll take it back to the dealer and have another go around. I know I need an oil change so I'm hoping a new oil filter will help with the oil leak. I believe the leak is coming from the filter.

I will pick up the car tomorrow or Wednesday and I'll post here what I've found out.


Thanks everybody!

[shorod]

You're right, if the mount does fix the "misfire" and the thermostat is the heat problem, you'll be in pretty good shape for a reasonable cost. In addition, if the filter was installed without removing the gasket from the prior filter, that would likely cause a leak and a careful oil and filter change could fix that leak easily. I hope all goes your way!

If all that pans out, you may want to consider buying a lottery ticket.

Good luck!

-Rod

[Bree_j]

Rod, you were right. It didn't fix my car. I drove it and let it get warm and sure enough, between 35 and 50, I felt a clunk. I took it back and they said they'd change they plugs (he said I goofed by putting Bosch plugs in and that Fords run much better off of Autolite). He changed the plugs and the coil pack and it made no difference. And then he called me with the news that the mechanic found out exactly what was wrong: one of the fuel injectors was bad. He says he'll have the car fixed in the morning and that he won't charge us anything so I'm so glad that he's standing by the car this way. (it makes me have alot more faith in him as a person). Anyway, I'll let you guys know tomorrow.

Bree