In This Thread Rootbeer Answers Your Automotive Questions

[Rootbeer]

I'm a master certified advanced engine performance specialist and I own a successful car dealership and an independent repair shop where we work on just about everything up to 2 ton trucks.

Been doing this for 20 years now. If you have car questions I probably have an answer. Or I'll google it and make up something convincing.




btw, thanks to whomever cleaned up the membership roster so we can enjoy some lighthearted fun.

[Sudden Sam]

But who will correct you when you offer your answers to our automotive queries?

[Mikey]

Sometimes the AC in my Ioniq 5 just blows hot air when it should be giving me an icy blast. Is there a simple adjustment I can make, like tightening a screw or something?

TIA for solving this for me.

[Roach]

2023 F150 Lariat, supercrew, 3.5 L v6, 10 sp xmission, tow pkg, no f'ing auto engine off/on.

Anyway my peeve is as soon as I open the door, motors and shit start running everywhere (seemingly) for 3 to 5 seconds.

So far I know it is not easy entry seats, or mirror deployment. I've read the fuel pump takes off to pressurize, but that's all I can find.

Any ideas on this, I seek to silence these devils if possible.

[Rootbeer]

But who will correct you when you offer your answers to our automotive queries?

Good point. I didn't think this far ahead. I guess we'll have to link arms and plunge into the darkness together.

Hold me.

[Sudden Sam]

But who will correct you when you offer your answers to our automotive queries?

Good point. I didn't think this far ahead. I guess we'll have to link arms and plunge into the darkness together.

Hold me.

[Dr_Phibes]

Rootbeer, my 2014 F150 XL is in impound, the cops totally jacked my ride. If you could boost me over the fence tonight, I'll give you a ride anywhere in town.

Also, it usually refuses to come out of the garage and keys itself while the stereo plays at full volume. Maybe you could convince it to do something useful for once.

[Rootbeer]

Sometimes the AC in my Ioniq 5 just blows hot air when it should be giving me an icy blast. Is there a simple adjustment I can make, like tightening a screw or something?

TIA for solving this for me.

First thing we need to understand about modern vehicles is the primary influence on vehicle design is not consumer preference, cost, ease of manufacturing, or availability of raw materials. These are factors, for sure, but the #1 most influential driver is CAPA standards. What is a CAPA standard? It's an arbitrary emissions standard based on theoretical engineering. The EPA tosses out an emissions number and manufacturers scramble to meet the requirements.

I suspect what is happening to your Ioniq is the powertrain computer is managing emissions by turning off the a/c compressor while fielding the alternator. The reverse is likely true; the alternator turns off when the compressor is on. Operating both accessories at the same time burns too much fuel. It's possible a weak battery is contributing to the condition.

Can it be fixed? Absolutely.
Can you do it with a screwdriver? Nope. Anything emissions related is tamper-proof. The dealership can help though. Ask the sales manager if they still have the testicles you traded in when you bought this turd and have them reinstalled when you buy a 4Runner.

[Rootbeer]

lol I just realized your Ioniq is an all-electric vehicle. Oh well, not editing that. A board needs its tards.

In the case of a battery EV, your freon is probably low. The EV a/c systems are bodaciously small and it doesn't take much freon loss for the compressor to dry sump and you get hot air.

My take about trading in your testicles still stands. The 4Runner is the only new SUV worth owning.

[Mikey]

Why the love affair with a Japanese pickup built on and outdated platform?

I used to have a V10 F250 Crew Cab 4x4 with desert and mountain packages (which if I remember right was basically larger carb and oil cooler). Once my son aged out of Boy Scouts I didn't have that much use for it except for an occasional trip to the irrigation supply or Southwest Boulder and Stone, so it mostly sat in my driveway for about eight years.

I don't live in FOC, so what use would I have for a noisy, exhaust spewing truck with a bouncy ride? My Ioniq 5 comes came with dual motor AWD putting out 320 total HP and 447 lb-feet of torque. It's not Model S Plaid fast (and I would never own anything named Tesla), but C&D clocked it at 4.5 seconds for 0--60. It will leave your truck, and just about any other ICE vehicle, looking like it's standing still. Plus I can cruise down the freeway at 80+ with absolutely no engine noise and almost no road or wind noise, and plenty of juice left over with no hesitation if I need to pass or make a lane change into faster traffic. I occasionally have some fun with at stoplights with bikers who come up between cars on the lane line thinking that they're going to blast off ahead of all the cars. I've gotten a few surprised looks with that.

The AWD does fine in snow or on loose dirt. The clearance isn't huge, but I'm not planning on doing any mountaineering with it. I can still load a few 10 foot lengths of PVC with the back seat folded down and, if I need some rocks or mulch or whatever, I can rent a trailer for a few hours. It has a 2300 lb towing capacity. Not enough for a 30' Airstream but plenty for my purposes.

Finally, I charge it at home, basically for free.

[Mikey]

You may not put much stock in C&D's opinion, but I notice that the 4Runner gets 4/10 overall, well below either the Bronco or Wrangler. The Ioniq 5 gets 10/10. Different vehicles for different drivers.

[Rootbeer]

You're the one with a busted hooptie, Mikey. You shouldn't need me to tell you why it sucks.

I like the 4Runner for all the reasons Car & Driver doesn't like it. Their primary complaints were:
The design feels dated
It burns hydrocarbons
The powertrain has been around a long time

From a repair standpoint I almost never need to fix 4Runners. From a sales standpoint I rarely get to put one on the lot because people keep them or trade them in toward another 4Runner. If I do get to sell one, the buyer is always happy. Ditto for Tacoma pickups. The engineering is solid and proven. Toyota uses a lot of medium duty design that is very robust. The differentials, for example, are complete unit designs aka "front loaders." They are intensely strong and don't break down.

Tacoma is one of only two pickups built with a manual transmission. Tacoma and 4Runner automatic trannies are still conventional style. They haven't jumped aboard the CVT bandwagon and that is a good thing. I replace a lot of CVT units at ridiculously low mileage. Nissan's CVTs are so bad they will only put a 12,000 mile parts-only warranty on a brand new replacement unit. C&D says the "powertrain has been around a long time" and that's a good thing.

Toyota's V6 engine is using Atkinson Cycle engineering and if you haven't watched a video on that, please do. It's cool. "Whaa it burns gasoline!" -shut up, C&D.

I have more to say but my wife needs me so I'll cut this short and summarize: Not everything new is better than what it's replacing. I'm glad you like your Ioniq and you get to win all the dick measuring contests against those annoying bikers. Don't keep it past the warranty period.

[Mikey]

You're the one with a busted hooptie, Mikey. You shouldn't need me to tell you why it sucks.

I like the 4Runner for all the reasons Car & Driver doesn't like it. Their primary complaints were:
The design feels dated
It burns hydrocarbons
The powertrain has been around a long time

From a repair standpoint I almost never need to fix 4Runners. From a sales standpoint I rarely get to put one on the lot because people keep them or trade them in toward another 4Runner. If I do get to sell one, the buyer is always happy. Ditto for Tacoma pickups. The engineering is solid and proven. Toyota uses a lot of medium duty design that is very robust. The differentials, for example, are complete unit designs aka "front loaders." They are intensely strong and don't break down.

Tacoma is one of only two pickups built with a manual transmission. Tacoma and 4Runner automatic trannies are still conventional style. They haven't jumped aboard the CVT bandwagon and that is a good thing. I replace a lot of CVT units at ridiculously low mileage. Nissan's CVTs are so bad they will only put a 12,000 mile parts-only warranty on a brand new replacement unit. C&D says the "powertrain has been around a long time" and that's a good thing.

Toyota's V6 engine is using Atkinson Cycle engineering and if you haven't watched a video on that, please do. It's cool. "Whaa it burns gasoline!" -shut up, C&D.

I have more to say but my wife needs me so I'll cut this short and summarize: Not everything new is better than what it's replacing. I'm glad you like your Ioniq and you get to win all the dick measuring contests against those annoying bikers. Don't keep it past the warranty period.

Ask the sales manager if they still have the testicles you traded in when you bought this turd and have them reinstalled when you buy a 4Runner.

My take about trading in your testicles still stands. The 4Runner is the only new SUV worth owning.

You have a strange obsession with dick measuring and losing one’s testicles. Is this a requirement in your line of work, or maybe an indicator of some sort of childhood trauma?

The Hyundai comes with a 10 year / 100,000 mile warranty on the powertrain, including the battery, BTW. I doubt I’ll be holding onto it for that long in any case. What’s the warranty on your truck?

I drove a Kona electric for four years. The only time it was ever in the shop, including scheduled service, was for 5,000 mile tire rotations and 10,000 mile cabin air filter replacements. I can see why someone who makes a living servicing automobiles would be a little insecure out about increasing EV sales. Maybe that’s what’s affecting your obsession about losing your testicles.

[Sudden Sam]

I had a 2004 4Runner with the 4 liter 6 and that sucker would not break! Ran forever. Regretted selling it…still regret it. In 2016 I sold it to a coworker who knew I took care of my vehicles. He told me his daughter got in it and asked if it was brand new! It still looks and runs great. 197,000 miles on it.

I hope to avoid owning an electric vehicle. The thought of poor kids mining the shit for batteries and the devastation those spent batteries will do to the planet keep me in the fossil fuel fold.

[Mikey]

Your concern for those children who mine all the world’s lithium is admirable. But don’t forget that the fossil fuels you burn directly as well as indirectly are causing a slow moving but rapidly increasing global catastrophe. All those plastics you use are devastating the oceans and the environments in many areas of Asia and the South Pacific. etc., etc. But I guess you have to take a stand somewhere, right? Good thing you found a “stand” that conveniently aligns perfectly with your reactionary right wing politics.

And the batteries are mostly recyclable.



BTW, there’s enough lithium deposited near the Salton Sea to supply 100% of the US demand for many years. They’re working to find the best ways to get at it. Eventually it will be a win/win because it’s a byproduct of geothermal electric generation.


https://www.politico.com/newsletters/ca ... m-00120466

[Sudden Sam]

For the most part I was just fucking with you.

[Mikey]

For the most part I was just fucking with you.

I get that. But you know I can’t help myself. I’ve probably been reading too much Kierland lately.

I think Rooty’s fucking with me too but he seems to want a dick measuring contest.

You ride a bike don’t you? Want to race sometime?

[Sudden Sam]

You ride a bike don’t you? Want to race sometime?

I rode my entire life, but my beautiful VTX was totaled by a lady in a hurry to eat BBQ a few years ago. She tried to total me as well, but I’m invincible.

[Diego in Seattle]

You ride a bike don’t you? Want to race sometime?

I rode my entire life, but my beautiful VTX was totaled by a lady in a hurry to eat BBQ a few years ago. She tried to total me as well, but I’m invincible.

Didn't you sue her?

[Sudden Sam]

You ride a bike don’t you? Want to race sometime?

I rode my entire life, but my beautiful VTX was totaled by a lady in a hurry to eat BBQ a few years ago. She tried to total me as well, but I’m invincible.

Didn't you sue her?

Nope.

[Diego in Seattle]

I rode my entire life, but my beautiful VTX was totaled by a lady in a hurry to eat BBQ a few years ago. She tried to total me as well, but I’m invincible.

Didn't you sue her?

Nope.

I wish you had.

Not only to recover your losses, but to send a message that hitting a motorcyclist with a 4-6,000 lbs dead weapon isn't just an "oops" moment. Pay the fuck attention!

[Sudden Sam]

Didn't you sue her?

Nope.

I wish you had.

Not only to recover your losses, but to send a message that hitting a motorcyclist with a 4-6,000 lbs dead weapon isn't just an "oops" moment. Pay the fuck attention!

It’s crossed my mind a lot that I should have. Her minimal insurance paid most of my hospital bills, but she was rather poor and I am not a litigious sort.

[Rootbeer]

Your concern for those children who mine all the world’s lithium is admirable. But don’t forget that the fossil fuels you burn directly as well as indirectly are causing a slow moving but rapidly increasing global catastrophe...

Ugh. This is descending into the same tired tropes and political playbooking I was hoping to avoid when I said "lighthearted fun" at the outset. My bad. I made a flawed attempt at humor and in so doing realized Mikey's worldview is not to be trifled with.

In an effort to get this thread back on track, I hereby rescind all attempts at teasing Mikey and his crossover -a word which is synonymous with transitioning on a strictly coincidental basis. Implications of gender confusion influencing major purchases will neither be expressed nor implied in this thread.

It is readily apparent Mikey made a sound logical decision and bought the bestest most awesomest vehicle Car & Driver has ever seen. 10 out of 10! You have to respect the way he let the opinions of others influence the way he spent $60,000. If there's anything we need less of in California it's rogue free thinkers making decisions for themselves willy-nilly.

According to two journalists, there is no downside to owning an Ioniq and Mikey should be praised, not ridiculed for his bold, crowd-funded decision. Knowing you can fit a Chip & Dale's dance team or 12 dead hookers (18 if they're Schmick's meth whores) in the back did not factor into his decision. My guy Mikey just wants to haul some lumber and a cedar trellis without getting them stolen from the back of an icky, outdated pickup truck. There is nothing wrong with that. Just because the exterior looks like a Jeep Wagoneer and a Nissan Rogue had a hydrocephalus baby and put him on estrogen supplements from birth doesn't mean these thirty-year-old virgins were wrong when they wrote,

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 won our EV of the Year award for 2022 because it sacrificed nothing to be different. Today, it still wears its cool-hand boxy rectangularity with great pride.

I applaud your choice of vehicle, Mikey. Suits you perfectly.

[Mikey]

Wow. So now you’re offended that I implied that you might have a blindered world view. You can tease me about my car but I can’t tease you about your truck? Sorry if that got your panties in a bunch (to coin a totally original phrase). I must have forgotten that you’re the certified expert, but I’ll be sure to defer next time and I’ll try to be more considerate in my responses going forward. You claimed, twice, that I had lost my testicles (maybe you meant spectacles?), and then came back and accused ME of “dick measuring.” I’ll have to admit…that was pretty funny.

[orcinus]

Where can I buy replacement blinker fluid?

I'll hang up and listen.

[Roach]

Where can I buy replacement blinker fluid?

I'll hang up and listen.

Frost proof? Analog or digital?

[orcinus]

I want the blue kind

[Mikey]

That shit's made in China. I don't think they're allowed to import it anymore. Something about cybersecurity.

[Screw_Michigan]

That shit's made in China. I don't think they're allowed to import it anymore. Something about cybersecurity.

Who said Biden is soft on China?

[The Whistle Is Screaming]

2012 Camry only 67k miles, rattling noise seemingly from the steering column. No steering issues & noise typically happens when you go over bumps, does not matter if you are on the brakes or not, wheel straight or turned.

Help me obibeer, you are my last hope.....

[Rootbeer]

2023 F150 Lariat, supercrew, 3.5 L v6, 10 sp xmission, tow pkg, no f'ing auto engine off/on.

Anyway my peeve is as soon as I open the door, motors and shit start running everywhere (seemingly) for 3 to 5 seconds.

So far I know it is not easy entry seats, or mirror deployment. I've read the fuel pump takes off to pressurize, but that's all I can find.

Any ideas on this, I seek to silence these devils if possible.

For sure the fuel pump energizes for 5 seconds or so when the door is unlocked or opened. 10sp transmission has an auxiliary electric pump that might be pressurizing the valve body before startup but you don't have the auto stop/start so maybe not.

Lariat package means you got a butt ton of creature comforts. I suspect you are hearing a bunch of not-so-obvious ingress features getting ready to welcome you into its leather-clad palace. You say the seat is not moving, but how about lumbar support? Do your seat bolsters pump up? Are the pedal positions adjusting? Ingress settings are set to your fob, including not only seat and pedal position but temperature and hvac mode so you might hear the HVAC actuators adjusting to your personal preferences.

Some of these features can be turned off through the driver interface. Or leave a bag of cat food in the back and a family of mice will eventually quiet these demons. Good luck.

[Rootbeer]

Rootbeer, my 2014 F150 XL is in impound, the cops totally jacked my ride. If you could boost me over the fence tonight, I'll give you a ride anywhere in town.

Also, it usually refuses to come out of the garage and keys itself while the stereo plays at full volume. Maybe you could convince it to do something useful for once.

2014 with the 5.0 Coyote is the last model year F150 I would own. The valves in cyl 7 are going to log out of the chat around 100,000 miles and it'll need timing chains at the same time but otherwise I like the truck. Your 6 speed tranny is leaps and bounds better than the 10 speed time bomb Roach is driving. Extra points if you have a mechanical parking brake instead of this electric motor sillyness that's all the rage now.

The cops caging your rig is uncool. No need to scale the fence. I have Milwaukee power nippers. We'll cut a Phibes sized hole in the chain link and you can walk right in. I also have DeWalt's power bolt cutters if you want to open the gate. Tell me how to help.

[Rootbeer]

I had a 2004 4Runner with the 4 liter 6 and that sucker would not break! Ran forever. Regretted selling it…still regret it. In 2016 I sold it to a coworker who knew I took care of my vehicles. He told me his daughter got in it and asked if it was brand new! It still looks and runs great. 197,000 miles on it.

I hope to avoid owning an electric vehicle. The thought of poor kids mining the shit for batteries and the devastation those spent batteries will do to the planet keep me in the fossil fuel fold.

A clean 4Runner regardless of year or miles will command a good price around here. Motors are increadibly durable. The biggest problem is rust. I had one in the shop so rusty I wouldn't lift it with a 2-post lift for fear the lift pads would end up inside the cabin.

I have a winter project in the shop right now. A guy took a 1990 4Runner with a 3.0 and put a 3.4 in it. Now he can't figure out how to make it run. He cobbled together some fuel line adapters and gave up when he saw the electrical nightmare he created. "But the Youtubs said it's easy if you buy this harness from harnesshub.com."

Should be a fun little nightmare to fix. Let's see if I remember to post updates in here.

[Dr_Phibes]

The valves in cyl 7 are going to log out of the chat around 100,000 miles and it'll need timing chains at the same time but otherwise I like the truck.

Hit 100 last spring and.. I was suddenly riding a horse. Nice call man.

[scotchnh2o]

2012 Camry only 67k miles, rattling noise seemingly from the steering column. No steering issues & noise typically happens when you go over bumps, does not matter if you are on the brakes or not, wheel straight or turned.

Help me obibeer, you are my last hope.....

Loose exhaust pipe clamp??

[Rootbeer]

Where can I buy replacement blinker fluid?

I'll hang up and listen.

Back in 2002 BF was pulled from most store shelves after the internet claimed it's a hoax. I get mine through a shop exclusive distributor called Slafter Oil and even they experience supply chain problems since new cars are using LEDs that don't require lubrication or cooling.

I'll set aside a bottle for you. It's the good blue stuff.

[Rootbeer]

2012 Camry only 67k miles, rattling noise seemingly from the steering column. No steering issues & noise typically happens when you go over bumps, does not matter if you are on the brakes or not, wheel straight or turned.

Help me obibeer, you are my last hope.....

I need to understand the vehicle's history a little better. Have you recently run over any old gypsies or perhaps Mr. T? Wrist bangles can get caught in the steering shaft.

[Sudden Sam]

2012 Camry only 67k miles, rattling noise seemingly from the steering column. No steering issues & noise typically happens when you go over bumps, does not matter if you are on the brakes or not, wheel straight or turned.

Help me obibeer, you are my last hope.....

I need to understand the vehicle's history a little better. Have you recently run over any old gypsies or perhaps Mr. T? Wrist bangles can get caught in the steering shaft.

[Mikey]

Where can I buy replacement blinker fluid?

I'll hang up and listen.

Back in 2002 BF was pulled from most store shelves after the internet claimed it's a hoax. I get mine through a shop exclusive distributor called Slafter Oil and even they experience supply chain problems since new cars are using LEDs that don't require lubrication or cooling.

I'll set aside a bottle for you. It's the good blue stuff.

[StrawMan]

My Slafter Oil rep won't even return calls anymore. How in the hell do you have a bottle that's lasted long enough to get shop dust all over it? You haven't used that in weeks, Rootbeer, and it's been months since we could get the blue stuff east of the Mississippi.

Hoarder.

BTW, torches and BF don't mix.