the clutch pedal stuck down to the floor.

QUESTION:
2004 Mini Cooper S, I started driving and the clutch pedal stuck down to the floor. I could not shift gears. I was able to pull the pedal up with my foot and drive the rest of the day with no problems. Today, it stuck to the floor again and I had to pull over because I could not shift gears. Once again, I could push the pedal back up with my foot and make it home. However, my husband notices something leaking when I pushed the clutch in and out.

ANSWER:
The leak you are seeing when you push the clutch is hydraulic fluid. The clutch is similar to the brake system in that they both require hydraulic pressure to be actuated. A leak such as the one you are seeing will definitely prevent you from being able to shift gears. Check the fluid level in the clutch reservoir which is under the hood close to the fire wall. If the fluid is low, you need to find out where the leak is coming from. The leak will either come from the clutch reservoir, the clutch cylinder which is attached to the pedal on the engine side of the fire wall, the slave cylinder which is in the transmission bell housing, or one of the lines that connects these components.

duel zone AC and the driver side does not blow cold air but my pass side does

QUESTION:
I have a 2002 Chevy Monte Carlo SS 3.8v6. My duel zone AC and the driver side does not blow cold air but my pass side does

ANSWER:
It sounds like you blend door is sticking in the heat mode. It should close and a lot times it stays open and this will not let the ac come through. To replace this door the dash has to come out. It is part of the case the holds everything together.

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replaced ac compressor and accumulator, converted to 134A, still no cold air

'89 F150 - replaced ac compressor and accumulator, converted to 134A, still no cold air. I think I need to replace orifice tube or expansion valve after following up a bit more. (Haynes book isn't the most comprehensive of course.) If I'm on the right track, I believe I have one or the other, not both. And I understand I may have a "blue tube" or "red tube" orifice. (I believe that's what my system has, not expansion valve??) If I do have an expansion valve, where is it located?? If orifice tube, which one?? It's a 4x4 with a 5.8l motor, auto trans.,XLT Lariat (if that matters). Appreciate any help you can offer. I guess I should break down and get a real shop manual.

ANSWER:
Have you checked pressure low and high,it will let you know if you are having a blockage,due to debris clogging the orifice tube screen. This is a common problem when a compressor fails You have no expansion valve, the orifice is in the Evaporator inlet, to get it you must discharge the system and disconnect the line. You can switch to the blue orifice or get a variable orifice tube . You then need to evacuate the system with a vacuum pump,and charge to 80% of what is stated on the label for freon capacity when it used with R12.Here is a chart that shows the pressure readings you should have.If you have a blockage,the low side will be low and the high side higher than normal. Hope you get it fixed,it sounds like the orifice is the problem,here is a link that shows what it may look like,and how to go about fixing it, you may have to copy and paste to your browser http://www.ackits.com/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=01&Category_Code=BlackDeath

when i start my car there is a ratteling

Question:
every now and again when i start my car there is a rattling noise coming from my engine could you tell me what this means plz

ANSWER:
99% of the time this turns out to be the catalytic converter. Either the heat shield have come apart at one of its welded corners or the inside of the converter is loose. Let it cool down before touching. You can bang on the side of it to see if anything rattles inside.

Low Engine Oil Light came on when I started my car this morning

QUESTION:
I have a 2000 Monte Carlo SS, 92K miles. I change the oil regularly between 3K - 4K miles. I check the oil three to four times in that interval. I have never had to add oil. I have never noticed leak spots under the car. This morning, when I started the car the Low Engine Oil Light came on. I shut it off, checked the oil and it was low. I re-started the engine and the light did not come back on. What's up with this?

ANSWER:
Either you have a new leak or the oil change place did not completely fill the oil. Sometimes the low oil light will come on when the oil is not low, this would indicate a faulty oil level sensor.

Replacing Rear Drum Brakes

Complete Step by Step Instructions for replacing rear drum style brakes

If you follow these steps you are assured that your brakes will NOT squeal. If you just do a "pad slap" you can count on brake noise. There are plenty of fly by night or mom and pop garages around that publicize they can do you a complete brake job for cheap. Well, sometimes you get what you pay for. If they just swap out the parts without following each step, then you will end up with noisy brakes and who wants that. If you follow the link above you will see just how much is involved and what actually goes into an actual complete brake job.

When you hit the power door lock all four doors lock

QUESTION:
1994 honda accord ex 4door. When you hit the power door lock all four doors lock, however when you shut the door the drivers side lock pops up forcing you to lock the door with a key. I know about the bypass of pulling on the inside door handle and pushing down of the lock but is there any way of making all four doors lock and stay locked? Any way of getting a remote?

ANSWER:
Yes drivers door lock actuator is bad bad needs to be replaced

HONDA Accord V6 3.0 2000- Low Compression

HONDA Accord V6 3.0 2000 (Mileage 120,000)This problem happened slowly over 4 months. It was heating up once in a while, so i used to fill up radiator with water and it was OK. But since last week, I Filled radiator with water fully. Then drove, after 2-3 miles it heats up fully. there is noise in engine. After stopping doesn't start until cool. mechanic said compression in two cylinders is 120psi. engine is damaged, possible head gasket or head is cracked. possible short block is damaged also. He put water in the radiator left open without cap, it shot up while idling engine. Mechanic says the engine is damaged. replace engine. Charging $1900 to replace low mileage engine from junkyard. Mechanic is reputed in town. is this a reasonable cost or should I keep hunting. I want to fix this car instead of buying another one.

Answer:

Yes needs motor about 500 for motor from junkyard so about 1500 is fair

My car will start but will not move out of reverse

Question:
1997 corvette c5 8 cylinder; I just replaced the battery in my car. My car will start but will not move out of reverse which is the gear it was in when it stalled. It was found that the battery was dead so I replaced it. Is there a code reset that needs to be done?

Answer;
Your vehicle should not be able to start in reverse gear. If it does, then your position switch (neutral safety switch) is malfunctioning and should be replaced.

If you mean the shifter moves just fine but the vehicle it self is stuck in reverse no matter where you put the shifter, then either the shifter cable has become disconnected or your trans is broken internally. Put the vehicle on a rack and have someone move the shifter and see if the manual gear selector on the side of the transmission is moving. not.. replace shifter cable. If it does move, rebuild transmission, if you try to put it in gear it won't go to any gear. It will just start to roll if you release the emergency brake , then either the shifter cable has become disconnected or your trans is broken internally. Put the vehicle on a rack and have someone move the shifter and see if the manual gear selector on the side of the transmission is moving. not.. replace shifter cable. If it does move, rebuild transmission.

it ran hot on me last night and also made a few noises

Question:
I have a 99 cougar 6cyl and it ran hot on me last night and also made a few noises and went dead on me,i crank it back up and got it home and popped the hood there were smoke coming from the coolant jug.what could be some diagnostics for this problem?

Answer:
You need to check the coolant level once the vehicle has cooled off. Here are the main reasons a vehicle will overheat.1. Faulty thermostat - Thermostat is usually located before the radiator inside the upper radiator hose. When the temperature of the vehicle gets to "operating temperature" the thermostat will open, allowing coolant to flow through the radiator, where it's cooled.2. Faulty water pump - The water pump helps build up the pressure to make sure the coolant will is flowing. Coolant can become restricted.` 3. Restriction in Radiator will comprimise coolant flow4. radiator fans keep the radiator cool when the vehicle is not moving. If they do not activate at idle, the vehicle can overheat.

Engine Overheating Diagnostics