Q. Car Doctor, what dash camera/recorder do you recommend? I am considering buying one. I travel pretty regularly from Florida to the Northeast. The way insurance companies and some people seem to be, a camera that could record an accident seems like a worthwhile investment.
A. A few years ago, I was thinking of buying a cargo trailer to move some things to Florida and although that never happened, I did get a dash cam for the reason you mention. The unit I installed is made by Garmin and in addition to the exceptionally good hi-resolution recording capability, it also adds some driver assistance features. The camera has lane departure warning, forward collision warning, and connects to their app. The installation is simple, and the camera is only about two inches long and sits up unobtrusively behind the car’s rear view mirror.
Q. I have a car without a spare tire (only an air pump) and recently noticed a screw in the tread of the driver’s side rear tire. I pulled it out and it was only about one quarter of an inch long. The air pressure was fine, and when I put soapy water on the tire there were no bubbles. I am planning lots of driving with the family over the rest of the summer. Is the tire safe?
A. Yes, the tire tread did its job and kept the screw from puncturing the inner liner of the tire. As part of your regular maintenance during your trips, check the tire pressure as well as all the vital fluids, and enjoy making memories over the summer.
Q. I inherited my grandfather’s Chevrolet Silverado and I love this truck for both its 25-year-old style and the memories of the time with my grandfather. The truck runs great and rides smoothly, but the blower fan for the heat and AC only works on high. Is this the switch or something more serious?
A. It is possible it is the switch, but more than likely it is the fan resistor. There is a large resistor mounted in the HVAC air box that, when it fails, the fan only works at high speed. Depending on where you purchase the part, the price runs between $30 and $60. It will take about an hour and a half to remove part of the instrument panel to get to the resistor.
Q. I am thinking about buying a used/classic BMW. Not one to drive every day, but a fun weekend car. I have seen a few, they all seem to need work. Are these cars safe both to drive and repair without tapping into my kid’s college fund?
A. BMWs can be great cars or true money pits. It really depends on what you want from the car. Do you want a perfect show car, or can you live with some problems? There is an expression: Do not let perfection be the enemy of good. This certainly can apply to keeping a classic BMW on the road. Some time back I had Rob Siegel, who has owned many BMWs and written several books on the subject, on my radio program. Give the program a listen and take a look at his book “Memoirs of a Hack Mechanic.” This may help with your decision.
Q. I am very fussy with my cars and recently I was washing my Nissan Maxima and noticed a slight oil film at the front strut. The car rides fine and is quiet but there is this oil. I took it to the dealer; they looked it over and said it was fine. If there is oil leaking, how can it be fine?
A. Some very slight seepage is considered normal. Nissan even has a procedure to look at the oily film. If it is a thick layer of oil that has collected dust and debris, the strut(s) need replacement. If it is a thin layer of oily film with no visible dirt/dust, it is considered normal. At this point I would just watch for oil, and do not wash it off if you see it start to accumulate.
Q. I have a 1970 Chevy Nova and want to replace the six-cylinder engine with a V-8. Nothing high performance, just more powerful than the little six-cylinder. Is it easy? Some people have told me to watch out for “marketplace-rebuilds.” What does that mean?
A. Easy is somewhat relative. The car was designed for a V-8 engine, so there is not a lot of modification to mounting the engine. Still, you will need to upgrade the cooling system, front springs (to carry additional weight), and some wiring and fuel line modifications. A marketplace rebuild sometimes refers to an engine that is listed for sale, that may have some new valve cover gaskets and a fresh coat of paint, but is hiding a lot of sins. A true rebuild includes at least the following: the engine was disassembled, parts checked for wear, timing chain/gears, bearing and rings replaced, cylinder heads inspected, valves reground and properly reassembled with new gaskets.
John Paul is AAA Northeast’s Car Doctor. He has over 40 years of experience in the automotive business and is an ASE-certified master technician. E-mail your Car Doctor question to jpaul@aaanortheast.com. Listen to the Car Doctor podcast at johnfpaul.podbean.com.
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