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Q: I have a 2000 Ford Focus wagon that is leaking oil onto the serpentine belt, causing it to slip. I replaced the oil cover gasket and PCV valve, but no luck. My problem started when I drove it from Florida back to the cold in Ohio for a funeral. It has 180,000 miles on it and runs great otherwise. I took it to a Ford dealer who charged me $400 and didn't fix the problem. I did get my money back. I'm working with a thin repair budget and need to get it fixed so I can get back to work in outside sales. I drive about 150 miles every day. Any suggestions?
A: The oil leak is coming from either the cam shaft seal or the crank shaft seal. The oil on the timing belt will certainly shorten its life, and possibly cause engine damage if and when it fails. If you want to pinpoint the leak exactly, a fluorescent engine dye can be added to the engine oil and, using a black light, you can pinpoint the leak.
Q: I have a 2005 Ram 1500 with approximately 53,000 miles on it. When the truck is going 43 mph it feels like I am riding over a washboard. It only does it at this speed. It has been doing this since about 7,000 miles. I have taken it to two Dodge dealers and neither one can find anything wrong with truck. I have had them check it multiple times. The only thing they could come up with was it may be the tires, which were factory issue Goodrich. I recently put new Toyo tires on the truck but it made no difference. Any ideas why it does this only at this speed and what may be causing it?
A: This is not uncommon in Dodge trucks. The Rams use a front-end stabilizer device called a track bar. The bar is designed to eliminate exactly the feeling you are talking about. How the heck the dealer missed this is beyond me. The bar costs around the $200 range. Installation takes not more than an hour. If, by any chance, you still have further problems, try rotating the tires front to rear, and see if the vibration changes.
Car Care Tip: From my family (Sandra, Sabrina, Juliana, Scott, Max, DJ, Jacoby, Jasmine and Cally) to all the wonderful subscribers: a safe, happy and healthy new year, with many more to come.
Larry Rubenstein is a master technician who owns a North Shore service station. Write to Larry at TheGloucester Daily Times, c/o Auto Scanner, 32 Dunham Road, Beverly, MA 01915, or send e-mail to scanauto@aol.com.
Q: I purchased a used 1994 Camry V6 XLE with 49,000 miles on it in April 2008. It was delivered to me with a complete tune up (except fuel filter) new brake pads, rotors and calipers. My current mileage is 77,000. It's a nice car in great condition. I take care of it. Please advise on the following two issues: 1. My ABS light comes on intermittently. Sometimes it stays on for a couple of days and then stays off for a couple of days. Three months so far. At my last oil change, the front pads measured 3 mm and the rear 7 mm. They told me to change the front pads and the ABS light issue could be a speed sensor. I decided to hold off since I have no other braking symptoms. Since then I have read online my car has a speed sensor on each wheel. I have no problem changing the front pads if needed, but all four speed sensors? Is there a way to know which one it could be? Could it be something else? 2. I want to change my fuel filter but the same shop said it could turn into a big job if they break the fuel line. They said it looks like it has not been done for a while. What do you think?
A: OK, first of all, fix your brake pads and rotors, that's a priority. Secondly, doing the pads, rotors and calipers will not fix your anti-lock brake light. A professional with a scanner and anti-lock brake testing gear will be able to isolate the offending wheel sensor in no time at all. Next, if your fuel filter is rusted in place, which it is most of the time, I wouldn't mess with it, unless you are having a problem. The repair facility gave you great advice on the fuel line filter.
