Dave Redinger's The Neighborhood Mechanic: Oil Changes, Wiper Shafts
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Here's an interesting fact. Engines don't wear out running. That's because all the moving parts are bathed in oil. In fact most engine wear occurs on start up. Why? because the oil has drained off the internal components and left them dry. On start up we have metal to metal contact, which equates to wear. If I was asked once, I was asked a hundred times…How often should I change my oil? Oil does a remarkable job. Not only does oil lubricate the inside of the engine it cleans and cools at the same time. At high rpm oil circulates at 80 to 90 psi. With about a gallon of oil in the engine no one could argue that modern engines work oil extremely hard. So when do you change the oil? I recommend every 4 months or 5000kms (8000 if you’re running synthetic). In short change the oil every change of season. Remember, if you are reading your service manual, we use the severe service schedule. Installing fresh oil is the best thing you could do for your engine.
I have a 2000 Ford F150 pickup truck. In the past year it has developed an electrical problem. Whenever it gets very humid the fan blower will not shut off, it continues to run after the ignition has been turned off. I have to manually turn the fan off. At first I thought it was the blower relay sticking I changed it and the problem continued. Do you have any ideas what else could be creating this problem?
Greg
What a great question.....I actually had to research this one. Go back to the fuse box and look for corrosion. Remove the fuses and clean the box. Apparently the moisture is closing the circuit and driving the blower.
I have a 2000 Chevrolet Venture Van V6. Three days ago I turned on the rear wiper and I noticed that it was turning very slow and then suddenly it stopped. Since then it is not working anymore. What can I do? Is the motor gone? What seems to be the problem?
Vilma
The rear wiper shaft is seizing....Probably can still save it by lubricating the shaft and allowing it to run for at least an hour...to avoid this in the future make sure you service the unit and use more often...use it or lose it...By the way spring is a good time to lubricate all the locks, doors, gas door, etc. anything that moves.
Dave Redinger a mechanic with over 40 yrs of experience. Dave operates his shop “DOCTOR H HONDA SPECIALISTS in Toronto for the last 26 yrs.
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