Car problem roulette!
05-12-2005, 01:51 AM
#1
Senior Member
Certified GM nut
Thread Starter
Car problem roulette!
I've got a ton of issues with my car, so rather than making a million topics, I'll just consolidate them all into one big topic. Hope that doesn't **** too many people off.
All right, here are the issues I've got. Give me some solutions!
Well, that'* about it. Pick a question and help me out here. Sorry I've been asking a lot of questions, but I'm just not very qualified to give answers.
All right, here are the issues I've got. Give me some solutions!
- Blue corrosion (lead sulfate?) builds up on all exposed parts of my positive battery terminal. I have to go out there once a month and use sodium hydroxide (baking soda) dissolved in water to chemically dissolve it, and an old toothbrush for anything remaining. This is a natural process, but it seems to happen excessively. My mom'* car has a clean terminal. The terminal was replaced once before.
- The mechanics found a minor oil leak somewhere in the engine. However, despite this, I never see any oil stains under my car. I'm assuming this isn't severe, but where'* the oil going if it'* leaking and never reaching the ground?
- Likewise, they just found a minor transmission leak, but no fluids on the driveway... WTF?
- Those crazy mechanics, I'm wondering if they're just making this all up. They also wrote on the receipt "Vehicle stalling prior to service." Now, it'* never stalled on me. I should have asked them about that. Should I take action even though I've never had it come close to stalling?
- Don'tcha hate it when a bug splatters on your windshield? I got almost all of the splatter off, but there'* still streaks. Windshield washer fluid doesn't work, and neither does a washer fluid-soaked napkin. Ideas?
- When I'm steering at low/no speed (and consequently "cutting" the wheel), I can hear my power steering pretty well. It'* probably just the Magnasteer technology, but I thought I'd check. It sounds like a whirring sound from the wheels.
Well, that'* about it. Pick a question and help me out here. Sorry I've been asking a lot of questions, but I'm just not very qualified to give answers.
05-12-2005, 07:50 AM
#2
DINOSAURUS BOOSTUS
Expert Gearhead
Re: Car problem roulette!
Originally Posted by SignOfZeta
I've got a ton of issues with my car, so rather than making a million topics, I'll just consolidate them all into one big topic. Hope that doesn't **** too many people off.
All right, here are the issues I've got. Give me some solutions!
A certain amount of sound is going to come from the power steering normally with the wheels fully cut. Any performance problems or unusual noises?
Well, that'* about it. Pick a question and help me out here. Sorry I've been asking a lot of questions, but I'm just not very qualified to give answers.
All right, here are the issues I've got. Give me some solutions!
- Blue corrosion (lead sulfate?) builds up on all exposed parts of my positive battery terminal. I have to go out there once a month and use sodium hydroxide (baking soda) dissolved in water to chemically dissolve it, and an old toothbrush for anything remaining. This is a natural process, but it seems to happen excessively. My mom'* car has a clean terminal. The terminal was replaced once before.
Consider picking up a battery terminal sealer, or dielectric grease. Once you have cleaned it up seal or goop it lightly to stop or slow the problem. - The mechanics found a minor oil leak somewhere in the engine. However, despite this, I never see any oil stains under my car. I'm assuming this isn't severe, but where'* the oil going if it'* leaking and never reaching the ground?
This sounds like mine. I've got minor seepage but never see any leaking. Put the car up on ramps and slide underneath. You will probably see wetness on a good part of the underside, but no actual soaked or dripping areas. Clean it up and go back to look about 100 or so miles later, at that point you should be able to identifiy the source. - Likewise, they just found a minor transmission leak, but no fluids on the driveway... WTF?
Minor trans leak could have to do with the above, misdiagnosis is easy if they are guessing why everything is moist. Following the above clean and observe steps you will see if the tranny is leaking as well. Another area to look at is the tranny lines to the cooler, frequently the seep where the rubber meets the metal. - Those crazy mechanics, I'm wondering if they're just making this all up. They also wrote on the receipt "Vehicle stalling prior to service." Now, it'* never stalled on me. I should have asked them about that. Should I take action even though I've never had it come close to stalling?
It starts fine every time for you, don't worrry about it. - Don'tcha hate it when a bug splatters on your windshield? I got almost all of the splatter off, but there'* still streaks. Windshield washer fluid doesn't work, and neither does a washer fluid-soaked napkin. Ideas?
Give the car a good bath. And either with a wash mitt that has one side super soft and the other side with a gentle scrubber of sorts keep going over it. That baby'* just baked on. Time, water and a little scrubbing will do the trick. Which is why i say wash the car...it'll stay wet for a while and come right off. - When I'm steering at low/no speed (and consequently "cutting" the wheel), I can hear my power steering pretty well. It'* probably just the Magnasteer technology, but I thought I'd check. It sounds like a whirring sound from the wheels.
A certain amount of sound is going to come from the power steering normally with the wheels fully cut. Any performance problems or unusual noises?
Well, that'* about it. Pick a question and help me out here. Sorry I've been asking a lot of questions, but I'm just not very qualified to give answers.
05-12-2005, 09:22 AM
#3
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Re: Car problem roulette!
Originally Posted by SignOfZeta
I've got a ton of issues with my car, so rather than making a million topics, I'll just consolidate them all into one big topic. Hope that doesn't **** too many people off.
All right, here are the issues I've got. Give me some solutions!
All right, here are the issues I've got. Give me some solutions!
- Blue corrosion (lead sulfate?) builds up on all exposed parts of my positive battery terminal. I have to go out there once a month and use sodium hydroxide (baking soda) dissolved in water to chemically dissolve it, and an old toothbrush for anything remaining. This is a natural process, but it seems to happen excessively. My mom'* car has a clean terminal. The terminal was replaced once before.
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Originally Posted by SignOfZeta
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Originally Posted by SignOfZeta
Well, that'* about it. Pick a question and help me out here. Sorry I've been asking a lot of questions, but I'm just not very qualified to give answers.
05-12-2005, 10:40 AM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
The battery cable will most likely need replacing...
The oil leaks are very slight and normal...
The tranny pan leak is a seep and normal ( will be cured when you change the pan gasket and filter )
The 96 models didn't all have magnasteer... I believe that you have the 2 flow electronic variable assist steering... The pump will whine a bit under load, this too is normal...
Good Luck
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The oil leaks are very slight and normal...
The tranny pan leak is a seep and normal ( will be cured when you change the pan gasket and filter )
The 96 models didn't all have magnasteer... I believe that you have the 2 flow electronic variable assist steering... The pump will whine a bit under load, this too is normal...
Good Luck
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05-12-2005, 12:52 PM
#5
Senior Member
Certified GM nut
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by jr's3800
The battery cable will most likely need replacing...
Originally Posted by jr's3800
The 96 models didn't all have magnasteer... I believe that you have the 2 flow electronic variable assist steering... The pump will whine a bit under load, this too is normal...
05-12-2005, 01:28 PM
#6
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Originally Posted by SignOfZeta
Originally Posted by jr's3800
The battery cable will most likely need replacing...
Originally Posted by jr's3800
The 96 models didn't all have magnasteer... I believe that you have the 2 flow electronic variable assist steering... The pump will whine a bit under load, this too is normal...
And when you get a chance or are at the trunk, Look on the spare tire cover for this code... T2V
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05-13-2005, 11:21 AM
#10
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Originally Posted by 1993 SLE
two flow electronic steering
Some bonneville have powersteering pumps that whine, others don't... Mine does... My cousins 95 SE has a quiet one, only makes whining sounds when pervoked...
SignOfZeta,
The whining may be normal for you... I have heard bonnies 92-99 that were both better and worse than my own... Mine has had a bit of a whining sound forever, and the PS pump is still with me... Might not be anything to worry about..
So How do you like that Magnasteer? I have heard good and bad about the system..
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