1 00:00:01,639 --> 00:00:03,440 Speaker 1: Ron Ananian. You know, every time somebody says to me 2 00:00:03,480 --> 00:00:05,480 Speaker 1: when you're gonna retire, I say I can't. I really, 3 00:00:05,720 --> 00:00:07,480 Speaker 1: you know, I love what I do and I don't 4 00:00:07,480 --> 00:00:09,879 Speaker 1: feel like I'm murdering to retire. And I definitely need 5 00:00:09,880 --> 00:00:11,479 Speaker 1: to do the shop in order to do the radio 6 00:00:11,520 --> 00:00:16,360 Speaker 1: show The Car Doctor. The piece I want you to 7 00:00:16,440 --> 00:00:18,640 Speaker 1: take off is the I Act valve, the IDOL air 8 00:00:18,680 --> 00:00:23,920 Speaker 1: control valve underneath and and that's got to be absolutely spotless, 9 00:00:24,200 --> 00:00:27,080 Speaker 1: for what you're describing to me is an older I 10 00:00:27,240 --> 00:00:30,440 Speaker 1: ACT that's getting hung up. Welcome to the radio home 11 00:00:30,520 --> 00:00:35,040 Speaker 1: of Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, since this is where 12 00:00:35,080 --> 00:00:38,960 Speaker 1: car owners the world overturned to for their definitive opinion 13 00:00:39,040 --> 00:00:42,920 Speaker 1: on automotive repair. If your mechanics giving you a busy signal, 14 00:00:43,080 --> 00:00:45,960 Speaker 1: pick up the phone and call in the garage to 15 00:00:46,080 --> 00:00:48,199 Speaker 1: orders are open, but I am here to take your 16 00:00:48,200 --> 00:00:56,240 Speaker 1: calls at eight five and now running. Can you ever 17 00:00:56,360 --> 00:00:59,200 Speaker 1: listened to the music that's playing inside in order to 18 00:00:59,240 --> 00:01:03,280 Speaker 1: repair shop? Do you not not the music on the 19 00:01:03,400 --> 00:01:06,840 Speaker 1: radio and it's not what you hear in the waiting room? 20 00:01:06,880 --> 00:01:08,720 Speaker 1: But do you ever look at the tech working on 21 00:01:08,800 --> 00:01:10,880 Speaker 1: the car? Does he have a tune in his head. 22 00:01:11,280 --> 00:01:13,399 Speaker 1: Does he hear the music of the day. Is he 23 00:01:13,520 --> 00:01:16,480 Speaker 1: looking at that job in front of him thinking yeah, 24 00:01:16,600 --> 00:01:20,000 Speaker 1: I can do this, and he becomes one with that project. 25 00:01:21,040 --> 00:01:23,000 Speaker 1: I do. I have that music in my head all 26 00:01:23,040 --> 00:01:24,560 Speaker 1: the time, and I think that's what makes it so 27 00:01:24,600 --> 00:01:27,440 Speaker 1: exciting to be a mechanic, especially in these times when 28 00:01:27,440 --> 00:01:29,959 Speaker 1: the challenges rise and the opportunities are there to grow 29 00:01:29,959 --> 00:01:34,559 Speaker 1: and learn. It was late yesterday. It was geez, four 30 00:01:34,560 --> 00:01:38,559 Speaker 1: o'clock on a Friday, and we had one more job 31 00:01:38,640 --> 00:01:41,240 Speaker 1: to do and it wasn't a great one. It was 32 00:01:41,280 --> 00:01:46,360 Speaker 1: a starter on an O nine Honda cr V that 33 00:01:46,640 --> 00:01:49,800 Speaker 1: it could have waited till Monday, but truth be told, 34 00:01:49,880 --> 00:01:51,960 Speaker 1: Monday is so packed in such a busy day, and 35 00:01:51,960 --> 00:01:54,400 Speaker 1: this was a drop off. It had been towed in 36 00:01:54,560 --> 00:01:57,880 Speaker 1: Thursday the day before, and it was a real good customer. 37 00:01:58,080 --> 00:02:00,440 Speaker 1: Not that that influenced my decision a whole. You try 38 00:02:00,480 --> 00:02:03,520 Speaker 1: to keep everybody out on the road, but I just 39 00:02:03,560 --> 00:02:06,480 Speaker 1: don't like disappointing people, especially a regular someone that's been 40 00:02:06,520 --> 00:02:12,079 Speaker 1: coming in for twenty five years. We started and it 41 00:02:12,200 --> 00:02:14,560 Speaker 1: got late, It got to be about five fifteen. Danny 42 00:02:14,600 --> 00:02:19,240 Speaker 1: had to go. He had cleaned up, and I was 43 00:02:19,280 --> 00:02:23,720 Speaker 1: really the guy working this car. And after Danny left 44 00:02:24,280 --> 00:02:27,000 Speaker 1: it got very quiet. You know, you have that that 45 00:02:27,160 --> 00:02:31,080 Speaker 1: calmness of the day. You can feel the as things settle. 46 00:02:33,000 --> 00:02:37,000 Speaker 1: This starter motor is not in a great well designed spot. 47 00:02:37,560 --> 00:02:41,280 Speaker 1: It's just not. It's underneath the intake manifold down in 48 00:02:41,320 --> 00:02:45,359 Speaker 1: front of the motor. And as is the case with 49 00:02:45,400 --> 00:02:48,240 Speaker 1: this with so many others, like at the plastic lower 50 00:02:48,280 --> 00:02:51,040 Speaker 1: body shields have fallen away over the past twelve years, 51 00:02:52,000 --> 00:02:54,320 Speaker 1: and now all the road salt and spray and schmutz 52 00:02:54,400 --> 00:02:56,919 Speaker 1: and junk and everything else is getting sprayed up onto it. 53 00:02:57,480 --> 00:03:01,560 Speaker 1: And now it's a block assault. Just it's one massive corrosion. 54 00:03:02,800 --> 00:03:05,800 Speaker 1: There's a seventeen millimeter bolt holding the starter in, staring 55 00:03:05,840 --> 00:03:08,040 Speaker 1: your right in the face. I mean it's right there. 56 00:03:08,680 --> 00:03:11,280 Speaker 1: Of course it's a it's a steel bolt going into 57 00:03:11,280 --> 00:03:15,280 Speaker 1: an aluminum transmission. And we all know what happens with 58 00:03:15,320 --> 00:03:18,200 Speaker 1: stealing aluminum right there, Like your relatives at the holidays, 59 00:03:18,200 --> 00:03:21,079 Speaker 1: they just don't get along. And as I started to 60 00:03:21,320 --> 00:03:24,280 Speaker 1: unwind that bolt, and I you know, even took the precaution, 61 00:03:24,320 --> 00:03:26,560 Speaker 1: a little couple of threads that stuck out the end. 62 00:03:26,960 --> 00:03:28,799 Speaker 1: And I think this was the smart money move and 63 00:03:28,880 --> 00:03:33,280 Speaker 1: thank god I did that because it helped move it along. 64 00:03:33,680 --> 00:03:35,360 Speaker 1: I was able to get the bolt to loosen up, 65 00:03:35,520 --> 00:03:37,560 Speaker 1: put a drop of p B blaster on one end, 66 00:03:37,760 --> 00:03:39,600 Speaker 1: put a drop of p B blaster on the other 67 00:03:39,720 --> 00:03:41,720 Speaker 1: end the end that I had just loosened up, and 68 00:03:42,560 --> 00:03:44,960 Speaker 1: I waited. I let it through its creep action thing, 69 00:03:44,960 --> 00:03:48,720 Speaker 1: because nothing creeps better than p B blaster. In the meantime, 70 00:03:49,360 --> 00:03:51,360 Speaker 1: I went and I reached up top. There's a black 71 00:03:51,360 --> 00:03:53,640 Speaker 1: white wire going into the solidoid connector at the top 72 00:03:53,640 --> 00:03:55,720 Speaker 1: of the starter, and I was able to release the 73 00:03:55,760 --> 00:03:58,520 Speaker 1: safety and pop that off. I moved the trans cooler. 74 00:03:58,560 --> 00:04:00,120 Speaker 1: I got the ten millimeter out of the trans is 75 00:04:00,120 --> 00:04:02,640 Speaker 1: cooler filter and I positioned that out of the way. 76 00:04:02,840 --> 00:04:05,400 Speaker 1: I took off the two twelve millimeter bolts, the bolt 77 00:04:05,480 --> 00:04:08,160 Speaker 1: and the nut that we're holding the lower intake manifold bracket. 78 00:04:08,720 --> 00:04:11,440 Speaker 1: Got that out of the way. Then I got to 79 00:04:11,440 --> 00:04:16,520 Speaker 1: the hard part. All right, there's a fourteen millimeter bolt 80 00:04:16,800 --> 00:04:20,479 Speaker 1: behind the starter. Okay, the seventeen in front is easy. 81 00:04:20,680 --> 00:04:27,160 Speaker 1: The heck's head seventeen the fourteen that's behind the starter. Um, 82 00:04:27,200 --> 00:04:29,840 Speaker 1: you know, you ever you ever try to fix a 83 00:04:29,880 --> 00:04:31,960 Speaker 1: car in the dark with your eyes closed, you might 84 00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:36,040 Speaker 1: as well, because you can't see this bolt. It's a 85 00:04:36,080 --> 00:04:38,960 Speaker 1: fourteen millimeter head. It sits about three eighths of an 86 00:04:38,960 --> 00:04:41,080 Speaker 1: inch down from the end of the case of the starter, 87 00:04:41,400 --> 00:04:43,960 Speaker 1: and so and and then the other joke is there's 88 00:04:44,000 --> 00:04:46,840 Speaker 1: a knock sensor. There's a sensor screwed into the side 89 00:04:46,880 --> 00:04:49,800 Speaker 1: of the block. So when you put your fourteen on 90 00:04:49,880 --> 00:04:52,360 Speaker 1: the end of that bolt, if your extension is too long, 91 00:04:52,600 --> 00:04:54,560 Speaker 1: you can't get your ratchet on because now you're butted 92 00:04:54,600 --> 00:05:01,719 Speaker 1: up against the Knox sensor. Hubboy, and every every small 93 00:05:02,440 --> 00:05:06,360 Speaker 1: short tool came out, every little tool that had an 94 00:05:06,360 --> 00:05:09,320 Speaker 1: offset to it, every tool that had a funny bend 95 00:05:09,320 --> 00:05:12,679 Speaker 1: to it, every tool that you know, the fine tooth ratchet, 96 00:05:12,720 --> 00:05:15,720 Speaker 1: the clutchless head ratchet that had absolutely no drag on it, 97 00:05:15,800 --> 00:05:17,440 Speaker 1: so that I could get things to move and twist 98 00:05:17,480 --> 00:05:21,560 Speaker 1: and turn. And the music was playing and all I 99 00:05:21,600 --> 00:05:24,600 Speaker 1: heard was this car in front of me, and every 100 00:05:24,640 --> 00:05:26,720 Speaker 1: step of the way I had I had a problem 101 00:05:26,760 --> 00:05:28,599 Speaker 1: getting the bolt back in which and finally I got 102 00:05:28,600 --> 00:05:30,360 Speaker 1: the seventeen out in front. I should tell you that, 103 00:05:30,400 --> 00:05:32,839 Speaker 1: you know, p B blaster did its job. It loosened 104 00:05:32,880 --> 00:05:34,840 Speaker 1: things up and I was able to get able to 105 00:05:34,839 --> 00:05:36,720 Speaker 1: get the bolt out in front. It took some of 106 00:05:36,760 --> 00:05:40,200 Speaker 1: the aluminum with it because the steel and the aluminum, 107 00:05:40,200 --> 00:05:41,920 Speaker 1: like I said, don't get along, and it drag some 108 00:05:42,120 --> 00:05:43,600 Speaker 1: and I was able to clean that up with a 109 00:05:43,720 --> 00:05:45,799 Speaker 1: with a tap and a die. I often wonder should 110 00:05:45,800 --> 00:05:48,279 Speaker 1: you charge for the job based on how many weird 111 00:05:48,279 --> 00:05:50,000 Speaker 1: tools you get out? You know, is this the fifty 112 00:05:50,040 --> 00:05:53,200 Speaker 1: dollar draw? Is this the draw? Is this the hundred 113 00:05:53,240 --> 00:05:56,200 Speaker 1: and fifty dollar drawing? So on? You can't, but you 114 00:05:56,320 --> 00:05:59,800 Speaker 1: wonder sometimes because the book says you can do that 115 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:02,560 Speaker 1: starter in an hour and a half. My answer is 116 00:06:02,640 --> 00:06:07,600 Speaker 1: let the book do it. Um and the music played, 117 00:06:07,680 --> 00:06:09,680 Speaker 1: and it just went on and on and on and 118 00:06:09,720 --> 00:06:12,360 Speaker 1: on and on, putting the starter back in. If I 119 00:06:12,560 --> 00:06:14,279 Speaker 1: did get it out and putting the starter back in. 120 00:06:14,680 --> 00:06:17,240 Speaker 1: Now I'm faced with the perplexing task of how do 121 00:06:17,320 --> 00:06:19,920 Speaker 1: I get that fourteen millimeter headbolt in the back of 122 00:06:19,920 --> 00:06:22,200 Speaker 1: the starter back in the hall that I can't see, 123 00:06:22,240 --> 00:06:24,600 Speaker 1: that I can't reach, that I can't get my hand there. 124 00:06:26,560 --> 00:06:28,760 Speaker 1: I've got this pair of needle nose players. And if 125 00:06:28,800 --> 00:06:31,279 Speaker 1: you could see me, if this was TV instead of radio, 126 00:06:31,320 --> 00:06:35,120 Speaker 1: you'd see my hands are about eighteen inches apart. It's 127 00:06:35,200 --> 00:06:37,520 Speaker 1: this cheap, cheesy set of pliers. I bought a trade 128 00:06:37,520 --> 00:06:39,560 Speaker 1: show better than twenty years ago because I said, you know, 129 00:06:39,720 --> 00:06:41,760 Speaker 1: someday I'm going to use those. And one end of 130 00:06:41,800 --> 00:06:45,279 Speaker 1: the one end of the players is curved right, they 131 00:06:45,400 --> 00:06:48,480 Speaker 1: meet like a curve, like a pincer hook. And I said, 132 00:06:48,520 --> 00:06:49,880 Speaker 1: you know, I know where I'm gonna get to use 133 00:06:49,880 --> 00:06:51,240 Speaker 1: those players. And I went and I got them out 134 00:06:51,240 --> 00:06:52,840 Speaker 1: of the top draw in my toolbox. I said, all 135 00:06:52,880 --> 00:06:54,520 Speaker 1: the way in the back. They look at me every day, 136 00:06:54,720 --> 00:06:56,520 Speaker 1: every time I opened my box. I know I'm gonna 137 00:06:56,600 --> 00:06:59,599 Speaker 1: use that someday. Today was the day, and the band 138 00:06:59,640 --> 00:07:02,960 Speaker 1: played on right. Grabbed the head of the fourteen millimeter bolt. 139 00:07:03,000 --> 00:07:05,280 Speaker 1: Fit that pair of needle nose perfect. Now I had 140 00:07:05,279 --> 00:07:07,240 Speaker 1: something to grip the bolt that I couldn't reach, that 141 00:07:07,279 --> 00:07:09,120 Speaker 1: I couldn't touch, But I had to get back in 142 00:07:09,200 --> 00:07:12,200 Speaker 1: the hall. Took a mirror positioned it at the other 143 00:07:12,280 --> 00:07:14,320 Speaker 1: end of the starter, so now I can see behind. 144 00:07:14,800 --> 00:07:16,440 Speaker 1: I just have to think like the dentist. I have 145 00:07:16,520 --> 00:07:20,760 Speaker 1: to work backwards. I got the bolt up the needle nose, 146 00:07:20,840 --> 00:07:24,160 Speaker 1: twisted it around the bottom of the a C compressor bracket, 147 00:07:24,800 --> 00:07:26,720 Speaker 1: shined a little more light, played with the mirror a 148 00:07:26,760 --> 00:07:30,840 Speaker 1: little bit. I taped the needle nose so that they 149 00:07:30,840 --> 00:07:32,960 Speaker 1: would stay shut in case. I released my grip on 150 00:07:33,000 --> 00:07:36,160 Speaker 1: the handle and I had like an extension of my 151 00:07:36,240 --> 00:07:41,560 Speaker 1: fingers and shoot and right in. I also put a 152 00:07:41,640 --> 00:07:43,440 Speaker 1: drop oil on the threads because it made putting it 153 00:07:43,480 --> 00:07:46,720 Speaker 1: back in that much easier. Fortunately, the steel of that 154 00:07:46,760 --> 00:07:48,760 Speaker 1: bolt is different than the steel of the other bolt, 155 00:07:48,800 --> 00:07:51,960 Speaker 1: because that bolt didn't tearror, varnish or chew up. It 156 00:07:52,040 --> 00:07:53,840 Speaker 1: came out easy, It went in easy once you got 157 00:07:53,840 --> 00:07:58,000 Speaker 1: it in the hall, took the mirror out, took the 158 00:07:58,680 --> 00:08:00,840 Speaker 1: you know, cut the tape on the plow tires, took 159 00:08:00,880 --> 00:08:04,920 Speaker 1: the needle nose out, hooked it all up, and I'm 160 00:08:04,960 --> 00:08:08,040 Speaker 1: leaving out the best part. On the top of the starter. 161 00:08:08,720 --> 00:08:11,920 Speaker 1: The geniuses at Honda on that makes perfect cars, right, 162 00:08:12,480 --> 00:08:14,720 Speaker 1: and great car, but just some of the engineering you 163 00:08:14,760 --> 00:08:17,600 Speaker 1: have to question it. Like all car companies, there's a 164 00:08:17,600 --> 00:08:20,760 Speaker 1: twelve millimeter nut that holds the battery cable to the starter, 165 00:08:21,640 --> 00:08:24,200 Speaker 1: covered with a rubber boots so there's no arcing. Peel 166 00:08:24,240 --> 00:08:28,120 Speaker 1: off the rubber boot. You can't get anything on that 167 00:08:28,200 --> 00:08:30,400 Speaker 1: twelve You have to twist the starter down that you 168 00:08:30,440 --> 00:08:32,679 Speaker 1: can't twist down because the cables holding it in place, 169 00:08:32,920 --> 00:08:36,040 Speaker 1: because the harness is so short, and I was able 170 00:08:36,080 --> 00:08:38,720 Speaker 1: to maneuver it around that I have. I have something 171 00:08:38,760 --> 00:08:42,120 Speaker 1: from snap On Tools. It's an offset sockets set, or 172 00:08:42,160 --> 00:08:45,360 Speaker 1: I'm sorry, a shallow heights socket set. The base of 173 00:08:45,360 --> 00:08:49,640 Speaker 1: the socket recesses into a ratcheting wrench and it's it's 174 00:08:49,679 --> 00:08:56,000 Speaker 1: probably less than oh to three sixteen depth. It's just 175 00:08:56,040 --> 00:08:58,439 Speaker 1: a shallow socket that was able to get on top 176 00:08:58,480 --> 00:09:01,760 Speaker 1: of the twelve. Loosen it up, got it off, got 177 00:09:01,800 --> 00:09:03,800 Speaker 1: it back on. Done. You know the funny thing is 178 00:09:03,800 --> 00:09:05,960 Speaker 1: I took the new starter out of the box. The 179 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:09,280 Speaker 1: new starter said, be careful not to overtrk this nut. 180 00:09:09,280 --> 00:09:12,760 Speaker 1: It must be torked to seven foot pounds. I want 181 00:09:12,760 --> 00:09:14,560 Speaker 1: to see the guy that can get a torque wrench 182 00:09:15,080 --> 00:09:17,880 Speaker 1: up on top of this starter underneath the intake manifold, 183 00:09:17,960 --> 00:09:20,160 Speaker 1: between the radiator and the cooling fan and the A 184 00:09:20,240 --> 00:09:24,760 Speaker 1: C compressor and torque. This not gonna happen. Snug. You 185 00:09:24,800 --> 00:09:27,160 Speaker 1: know what forty six years, I know what seven foot 186 00:09:27,200 --> 00:09:30,960 Speaker 1: pounds feels like. Tight. Good, We're done, put it together. 187 00:09:31,000 --> 00:09:34,040 Speaker 1: Started left the shop last night. Well, the job left 188 00:09:34,040 --> 00:09:38,839 Speaker 1: the shop last night about seven fift customer pickup car 189 00:09:38,920 --> 00:09:42,840 Speaker 1: was done by six thirty. And you know when you 190 00:09:42,960 --> 00:09:45,920 Speaker 1: play that instrument, when you're playing that music, when you're 191 00:09:46,000 --> 00:09:49,840 Speaker 1: into that job, when you're putting the day behind you 192 00:09:49,920 --> 00:09:54,240 Speaker 1: and your focus is what's in front of you, that's 193 00:09:54,240 --> 00:09:57,160 Speaker 1: the best time in a repair shop. That's that moment 194 00:09:57,160 --> 00:09:59,719 Speaker 1: where you triumph over the machine, where you triumph over 195 00:09:59,720 --> 00:10:03,880 Speaker 1: the versity, where you triumph over the bad design and engineering, 196 00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:06,960 Speaker 1: and you look at that engineer and you go, Yeah, 197 00:10:08,679 --> 00:10:10,720 Speaker 1: everybody got to march to their own band, and everybody's 198 00:10:10,720 --> 00:10:12,200 Speaker 1: got to hear their own music. And I think in 199 00:10:12,320 --> 00:10:16,319 Speaker 1: order repair it's really an essential task and very important 200 00:10:16,880 --> 00:10:18,920 Speaker 1: in order to get the jobs done, because they're not 201 00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:22,480 Speaker 1: getting any easier. I'm Ronanandy in the Car Doctor. I'm 202 00:10:22,520 --> 00:10:27,719 Speaker 1: here at zero nine zero zero this this week. Today, okay, 203 00:10:27,880 --> 00:10:29,640 Speaker 1: we've got some books to give away. We're getting close 204 00:10:29,679 --> 00:10:32,880 Speaker 1: to the holidays and UM, we've got the copy of 205 00:10:32,920 --> 00:10:34,760 Speaker 1: the Complete Book of Corvette. I want to give away 206 00:10:34,760 --> 00:10:36,079 Speaker 1: a copy of that. Today. I want to give away 207 00:10:36,120 --> 00:10:39,199 Speaker 1: a copy of Dr Richard McCanns uh book that talks 208 00:10:39,240 --> 00:10:43,200 Speaker 1: about um classic car adventures. UM. As we said before, 209 00:10:43,240 --> 00:10:45,160 Speaker 1: we're trying to empty the car doctor closets. When you 210 00:10:45,200 --> 00:10:47,240 Speaker 1: call in, talk nice to Tom. It's up to Tom. 211 00:10:47,280 --> 00:10:49,800 Speaker 1: It's Tom's call. And let's see where we go. Let's 212 00:10:49,800 --> 00:10:53,520 Speaker 1: see what kind of music we can make together today. Everybody, everybody, 213 00:10:53,880 --> 00:10:56,600 Speaker 1: you had a rough morning? Um? Should we should we 214 00:10:56,600 --> 00:10:59,320 Speaker 1: tell everybody what's going on? Now? Yeah? Why not? You 215 00:10:59,320 --> 00:11:03,400 Speaker 1: know what? You did a great job, I'm telling you, Tom. 216 00:11:03,480 --> 00:11:06,040 Speaker 1: And I wasn't gonna tell that story about the Honda 217 00:11:06,120 --> 00:11:07,960 Speaker 1: like I did, but in a way it was like 218 00:11:08,000 --> 00:11:10,600 Speaker 1: what I just went through. Go ahead, were we were? 219 00:11:10,640 --> 00:11:13,320 Speaker 1: We fourteen minutes to air? Just now? Oh, we were 220 00:11:13,320 --> 00:11:15,120 Speaker 1: about ten minutes to air. And all of a sudden, 221 00:11:15,120 --> 00:11:18,160 Speaker 1: I I hit the inter comment said, run is the 222 00:11:18,200 --> 00:11:20,600 Speaker 1: automation machine up? You know the machine that plays the 223 00:11:20,600 --> 00:11:24,160 Speaker 1: commercials and the bumper music and the show open. And 224 00:11:24,200 --> 00:11:26,880 Speaker 1: you looked and went no, And I went, oh, uh, 225 00:11:27,360 --> 00:11:29,640 Speaker 1: try rebooting it. Pulled the cover off, and you said, 226 00:11:29,640 --> 00:11:31,320 Speaker 1: there's a fan missing. You happen to have a fan. 227 00:11:31,400 --> 00:11:33,840 Speaker 1: You slapped the fan and turned it back on. It's 228 00:11:33,880 --> 00:11:38,200 Speaker 1: up and running right now. Unfortunately, to the station's online, 229 00:11:39,320 --> 00:11:42,320 Speaker 1: we started actually about five seconds early because the time 230 00:11:42,400 --> 00:11:45,720 Speaker 1: hadn't sinked yet. And anyway, this is all technical terms 231 00:11:45,720 --> 00:11:47,440 Speaker 1: that people don't need to know. But anyway, this is 232 00:11:47,440 --> 00:11:50,280 Speaker 1: what we just went through. So we we were, Tom, 233 00:11:50,320 --> 00:11:52,920 Speaker 1: you know what, and I just I just so happened 234 00:11:52,920 --> 00:11:55,280 Speaker 1: to have the right fan for that computer in stock. 235 00:11:55,360 --> 00:11:58,200 Speaker 1: You know why you gotta have inventory? Oh yeah, yeah, 236 00:11:58,400 --> 00:12:00,720 Speaker 1: of course, yeah absolutely. But um so if we make 237 00:12:00,760 --> 00:12:03,480 Speaker 1: it through the next two hours, what will be computer 238 00:12:03,520 --> 00:12:06,079 Speaker 1: shopping on Monday? Um? And you know what, my heart 239 00:12:06,160 --> 00:12:08,120 Speaker 1: rates finally back down to normal. Good. I have to 240 00:12:08,160 --> 00:12:11,360 Speaker 1: take care of you. Your wife made me promise. So hey, listen, 241 00:12:11,440 --> 00:12:13,720 Speaker 1: let me uh, let me pull over and take a pause. 242 00:12:13,800 --> 00:12:15,400 Speaker 1: Let's go take a pause, Tom, I'm running any of 243 00:12:15,440 --> 00:12:26,559 Speaker 1: the car doctor will be back right after this. For 244 00:12:26,679 --> 00:12:29,440 Speaker 1: the best in car advice, give Ron a call eight 245 00:12:29,480 --> 00:12:33,520 Speaker 1: five five five six zero nine zero zero. Now back 246 00:12:33,559 --> 00:12:35,560 Speaker 1: to run by the way I should point out coming 247 00:12:35,600 --> 00:12:39,120 Speaker 1: up next hour, not this hour, next hour. Courtesy from 248 00:12:39,160 --> 00:12:41,040 Speaker 1: Cooper Tire is gonna be stopping by. Talk to us 249 00:12:41,040 --> 00:12:43,640 Speaker 1: a little bit about winter weather, driving, picking tires, how 250 00:12:43,679 --> 00:12:45,000 Speaker 1: to tell if your tires are good or bed or 251 00:12:45,040 --> 00:12:47,440 Speaker 1: in different We had a great conversation. Curt and I 252 00:12:47,559 --> 00:12:51,440 Speaker 1: bonded in about twenty seconds, and uh, Um. The the 253 00:12:51,480 --> 00:12:54,200 Speaker 1: interview was supposed to take ten minutes. Uh that's all 254 00:12:54,240 --> 00:12:57,360 Speaker 1: we you know, for our pre interview conversation, and we 255 00:12:57,360 --> 00:12:58,760 Speaker 1: were on the phone for forty five minutes. I got 256 00:12:58,840 --> 00:13:00,959 Speaker 1: him in trouble with his buss. So uh, hopefully he's 257 00:13:00,960 --> 00:13:02,360 Speaker 1: not mad at me when he talks to me today. 258 00:13:02,400 --> 00:13:05,079 Speaker 1: So we'll see. But you know, two car guys get 259 00:13:05,080 --> 00:13:06,959 Speaker 1: together in a way, we go. Let's get on over 260 00:13:06,960 --> 00:13:09,679 Speaker 1: to Alex in New Jersey O nine Mercedes and some 261 00:13:09,760 --> 00:13:12,200 Speaker 1: issues with the oil consumption. Alex. Welcome to the car doctor, sir. 262 00:13:12,280 --> 00:13:15,400 Speaker 1: How can I help? Hey? Hey? Doing? Um, a pleasure 263 00:13:15,400 --> 00:13:18,600 Speaker 1: to speak to you. Let's do your showfall for a 264 00:13:18,679 --> 00:13:21,440 Speaker 1: lot of years. And great story about the computer by 265 00:13:21,520 --> 00:13:23,760 Speaker 1: the way, thank you. You know what happens, listen, it happens. 266 00:13:23,760 --> 00:13:25,800 Speaker 1: It was just you know. And halfway through I said 267 00:13:25,840 --> 00:13:28,600 Speaker 1: to Tom, I said, you know, I said, Um, I said, 268 00:13:28,600 --> 00:13:30,160 Speaker 1: are we in trouble? He said, it depends if you 269 00:13:30,160 --> 00:13:34,720 Speaker 1: get this working or not. So I've had customers waiting 270 00:13:34,720 --> 00:13:36,640 Speaker 1: in the waiting room once before when the car didn't 271 00:13:36,640 --> 00:13:38,840 Speaker 1: work just right, and I've been under the guns. So 272 00:13:39,280 --> 00:13:41,040 Speaker 1: you know, the music was playing. How can I help 273 00:13:41,040 --> 00:13:43,920 Speaker 1: you today? Hey? So I have a friend of mine, 274 00:13:44,240 --> 00:13:48,080 Speaker 1: he has a Mercedes s L six three, and uh 275 00:13:48,280 --> 00:13:50,920 Speaker 1: he's been talking about using oil out of this. So 276 00:13:51,080 --> 00:13:53,160 Speaker 1: in the past, I personally used to use oil out 277 00:13:53,200 --> 00:13:56,880 Speaker 1: of his tough oil flick fifty and UH stopped using 278 00:13:56,880 --> 00:14:00,880 Speaker 1: them because the oil the car manual would say not 279 00:14:00,960 --> 00:14:05,280 Speaker 1: to ever add oil out of this, right. So, Uh, 280 00:14:05,480 --> 00:14:10,120 Speaker 1: he's saying that he's using the best oil down and 281 00:14:10,480 --> 00:14:14,360 Speaker 1: it's uh, he used to go consume this is on 282 00:14:14,440 --> 00:14:18,680 Speaker 1: the engine. Uh, he does push the engine hard, and 283 00:14:19,040 --> 00:14:22,280 Speaker 1: he used to burn about a court every five Now 284 00:14:22,320 --> 00:14:25,200 Speaker 1: he's burning a court every two thousand. He's really trying 285 00:14:25,240 --> 00:14:26,480 Speaker 1: to get me into it. So I want to find 286 00:14:26,480 --> 00:14:30,000 Speaker 1: out the long term consequences of using this when you 287 00:14:30,000 --> 00:14:33,880 Speaker 1: would use them, if you would use them. So, so 288 00:14:34,520 --> 00:14:36,880 Speaker 1: he's got an additive in there, and he's changed his 289 00:14:36,920 --> 00:14:40,720 Speaker 1: oil consumption characteristic. He's he's less, he's made it less. 290 00:14:40,880 --> 00:14:45,000 Speaker 1: He's using less oil, considerably less. Yeah, okay, so he's 291 00:14:45,080 --> 00:14:47,560 Speaker 1: hiding some sort of defect in the engine. First of all, 292 00:14:47,760 --> 00:14:51,120 Speaker 1: let's let's just establish that there's there's something wrong and 293 00:14:51,160 --> 00:14:53,880 Speaker 1: that it's burning oil. And when it comes to Mercedes, 294 00:14:54,440 --> 00:14:57,120 Speaker 1: Mercedes writes their oil spec like all the rest, but 295 00:14:57,160 --> 00:14:59,320 Speaker 1: they write it to the to a standard that I 296 00:14:59,320 --> 00:15:02,240 Speaker 1: think is above and beyond. They're very, very specific in 297 00:15:02,280 --> 00:15:04,960 Speaker 1: what they require. Now, I'm not gonna sit here and say, gee, 298 00:15:05,080 --> 00:15:08,000 Speaker 1: is he should get the engine rebuilt, because rebuilding the 299 00:15:08,000 --> 00:15:11,480 Speaker 1: engine will probably exceed probably a month's salary in one 300 00:15:11,520 --> 00:15:14,120 Speaker 1: of those All right, Um, you know it's a bends 301 00:15:14,520 --> 00:15:16,720 Speaker 1: if you if he wants to, you know, he says 302 00:15:16,720 --> 00:15:19,800 Speaker 1: he's using the best oil out there. I think somebody 303 00:15:20,600 --> 00:15:25,840 Speaker 1: say again, it's I'm sorry, it's a best line oil additive. Okay. Um, 304 00:15:26,080 --> 00:15:29,200 Speaker 1: the issue with oil added is the reason why manufacturers 305 00:15:29,240 --> 00:15:32,280 Speaker 1: don't like oil addit is is for fear of what 306 00:15:32,400 --> 00:15:35,480 Speaker 1: sort of contamination it's going to impose on the catalytic converters. 307 00:15:35,840 --> 00:15:38,440 Speaker 1: Think about it, right, where does where does you know 308 00:15:38,480 --> 00:15:41,680 Speaker 1: he's still burning oil? Where's the exhaust going. It's going 309 00:15:41,720 --> 00:15:44,400 Speaker 1: through the exhaust around the cats, it's coating the cats. 310 00:15:44,600 --> 00:15:47,000 Speaker 1: It's doing it at it's doing it at a slower rate, 311 00:15:47,680 --> 00:15:49,920 Speaker 1: but at some point and okay, two and fifty thou 312 00:15:50,080 --> 00:15:53,400 Speaker 1: miles is to be expected. But he's not going to 313 00:15:53,440 --> 00:15:56,280 Speaker 1: get whatever we want to consider maximum life out of 314 00:15:56,320 --> 00:16:01,040 Speaker 1: those converters. He's shortened cat life. So yeah, I get it. 315 00:16:01,040 --> 00:16:02,800 Speaker 1: It's an older car, it's got a lot of miles 316 00:16:02,800 --> 00:16:05,240 Speaker 1: on it. He's just trying to you know, that's his runaround. 317 00:16:05,280 --> 00:16:08,960 Speaker 1: That's his beater, right, that's his train station car. I guess, um, 318 00:16:09,000 --> 00:16:14,160 Speaker 1: But you know, addit is to solve a problem. Are 319 00:16:14,240 --> 00:16:18,400 Speaker 1: not really a tried and true method. There's an economic reason, 320 00:16:18,800 --> 00:16:21,800 Speaker 1: but you know, long term, all you're doing is slowing 321 00:16:21,840 --> 00:16:24,720 Speaker 1: down the process. I do find it interesting that he's 322 00:16:24,800 --> 00:16:28,800 Speaker 1: adding oil an additive. Is he using the same viscosities 323 00:16:28,840 --> 00:16:37,240 Speaker 1: he changed any of that? No, it's uh, okay, is 324 00:16:37,280 --> 00:16:39,480 Speaker 1: that what that car? Is that what that car calls for? 325 00:16:40,160 --> 00:16:44,280 Speaker 1: That car calls for fifteen forty? Okay? If that car 326 00:16:44,360 --> 00:16:46,560 Speaker 1: calls for fifteen forty and he's putting an additive in 327 00:16:46,600 --> 00:16:49,360 Speaker 1: it and that's helping. I've just got to wonder where's 328 00:16:49,360 --> 00:16:51,920 Speaker 1: the oil going? Like, what's what's wrong with that engine? 329 00:16:52,320 --> 00:16:54,480 Speaker 1: Is there a crank case? Is there a crank case? 330 00:16:54,520 --> 00:16:58,960 Speaker 1: Breeder problem? Um? Is there something else going on that 331 00:16:59,080 --> 00:17:02,480 Speaker 1: he's just ignoring? Because my peril becomes what's he doing 332 00:17:02,520 --> 00:17:04,680 Speaker 1: to the cats and the O two sensors and everything else? 333 00:17:04,840 --> 00:17:06,840 Speaker 1: Is this? Wait minute, is this a diesel, diesel or 334 00:17:06,880 --> 00:17:10,240 Speaker 1: gas car. No, No, it's a six point three Leader engine. Okay, 335 00:17:12,160 --> 00:17:14,040 Speaker 1: it's a performance car. Right, there is a gas car, 336 00:17:14,200 --> 00:17:16,840 Speaker 1: got it? Okay? Uh? Yeah, what's he doing? What's he 337 00:17:16,920 --> 00:17:18,919 Speaker 1: doing to the rest of the systems there? Oh, I 338 00:17:18,960 --> 00:17:21,000 Speaker 1: know what this is? Okay, Yeah, now I got you. 339 00:17:21,240 --> 00:17:24,680 Speaker 1: And then yeah, that's an expensive car brother. Uh and 340 00:17:24,680 --> 00:17:28,840 Speaker 1: and and then the question becomes, you know, long term, 341 00:17:28,880 --> 00:17:30,399 Speaker 1: what's he what's he going to achieve? How long has 342 00:17:30,440 --> 00:17:37,000 Speaker 1: he been doing this? Like seven Now this has been 343 00:17:37,040 --> 00:17:39,280 Speaker 1: a path uh the second oil change, so it's like 344 00:17:39,320 --> 00:17:44,040 Speaker 1: only like a tense uh tensity. Okay, so there's no 345 00:17:44,119 --> 00:17:49,000 Speaker 1: longevity here, No, all right? Um? Is he is he 346 00:17:49,040 --> 00:17:53,760 Speaker 1: open to reading in some reference material? Yeah? Tell him 347 00:17:53,800 --> 00:17:55,720 Speaker 1: to go out there. You ever hear of liquid Molly 348 00:17:56,760 --> 00:17:59,560 Speaker 1: liquimally oil, Tell them, Tell them to go to their 349 00:17:59,560 --> 00:18:03,440 Speaker 1: website and start reading. Liqua Molly writes the Spec two 350 00:18:03,560 --> 00:18:06,280 Speaker 1: rights their oil to a very high standard. I believe 351 00:18:06,840 --> 00:18:10,119 Speaker 1: it's the original oil for Mercedes Benz And there's a 352 00:18:10,119 --> 00:18:13,280 Speaker 1: lot of reference material on their website that will help him. 353 00:18:13,280 --> 00:18:14,760 Speaker 1: And maybe if we can get him to understand a 354 00:18:14,760 --> 00:18:17,760 Speaker 1: little bit about the exact nature of this only because 355 00:18:18,160 --> 00:18:21,760 Speaker 1: you know, I'll just talk generic numbers. If the engine 356 00:18:21,760 --> 00:18:24,199 Speaker 1: is twenty grant to rebuild. I can't imagine what the 357 00:18:24,200 --> 00:18:27,080 Speaker 1: catalytic converters are and if he can save from damaging 358 00:18:27,119 --> 00:18:30,520 Speaker 1: them now rather than later. Maybe some education would help, 359 00:18:30,520 --> 00:18:33,840 Speaker 1: but that's the answer. Editors aren't great for the catalytic 360 00:18:33,840 --> 00:18:35,879 Speaker 1: converters and the rest of it. Get out the liqua, 361 00:18:35,920 --> 00:18:39,440 Speaker 1: Molly and you can read more. I appreciate the call, Alex. Thanks. 362 00:18:39,480 --> 00:18:41,239 Speaker 1: I'm Runny in the car Doctor. I'll be back right 363 00:18:41,240 --> 00:19:11,320 Speaker 1: after this. It's the most wonderful time. Welcome back the 364 00:19:11,359 --> 00:19:12,960 Speaker 1: car Doctor. It is the wonderful time of the year 365 00:19:12,960 --> 00:19:15,000 Speaker 1: because I get to work with Tom Ray, the best 366 00:19:15,040 --> 00:19:17,560 Speaker 1: in the business. Let's get over to Nick and Arizona. Nick, 367 00:19:17,840 --> 00:19:21,840 Speaker 1: you're there, sir, what's going on? Hi? Thank you for 368 00:19:21,920 --> 00:19:27,800 Speaker 1: taking my call. I have an opportunity to essentially take 369 00:19:27,880 --> 00:19:31,119 Speaker 1: over a very large I'm not very large, but a 370 00:19:31,160 --> 00:19:34,240 Speaker 1: decent sized auto shop that I've known the owners pretty 371 00:19:34,320 --> 00:19:37,320 Speaker 1: much most of my life. Um and I had some 372 00:19:37,440 --> 00:19:43,280 Speaker 1: questions for you, primarily about financing and finding good text. 373 00:19:45,119 --> 00:19:49,359 Speaker 1: This particular auto shop is a duo, one as a manager, 374 00:19:49,480 --> 00:19:54,200 Speaker 1: the other is essentially the diagnostic guru. Um, and both 375 00:19:54,240 --> 00:19:57,400 Speaker 1: of these guys are looking to retire, so, um, this 376 00:19:57,480 --> 00:20:00,000 Speaker 1: is something that I would be more than the manage 377 00:20:00,320 --> 00:20:03,119 Speaker 1: aspect um. I had been in the auto industry in 378 00:20:03,160 --> 00:20:05,480 Speaker 1: the past, but had taken a different path about ten 379 00:20:05,520 --> 00:20:08,360 Speaker 1: or fifteen years ago into machining and stuff like that. 380 00:20:09,359 --> 00:20:13,439 Speaker 1: But this opportunity arose, So it's it's interesting to me 381 00:20:13,480 --> 00:20:16,000 Speaker 1: and I wanted to talk to a professional to see. 382 00:20:16,320 --> 00:20:20,480 Speaker 1: So thank you. I appreciate that. Um. You know how 383 00:20:20,480 --> 00:20:25,359 Speaker 1: many texts are in this shop Nick currently, not including 384 00:20:25,640 --> 00:20:29,080 Speaker 1: the diagnostic EI. There are two other full time tex Okay, 385 00:20:29,240 --> 00:20:31,120 Speaker 1: you know, do you know what the term A tech, 386 00:20:31,200 --> 00:20:34,119 Speaker 1: B tech C tech means in terms of level and experience. 387 00:20:35,359 --> 00:20:38,240 Speaker 1: I can assume, but not exactly. You know, the a's 388 00:20:38,280 --> 00:20:40,000 Speaker 1: the master, the B is the guy that's right on 389 00:20:40,040 --> 00:20:41,960 Speaker 1: the cusp, and the SEA is the oil change tire 390 00:20:42,040 --> 00:20:43,959 Speaker 1: kid that's you know, looking to work his way up 391 00:20:43,960 --> 00:20:47,560 Speaker 1: the ranks. So you know, are they as B c's 392 00:20:47,760 --> 00:20:51,760 Speaker 1: These other guys they would be bees? Okay? Are they 393 00:20:51,960 --> 00:20:56,800 Speaker 1: looking to stay? Uh? We haven't gotten that deep. I 394 00:20:56,840 --> 00:21:00,000 Speaker 1: would I would hope at least one of them would. Okay, 395 00:21:00,040 --> 00:21:04,640 Speaker 1: so you know you're buying a business you're buying a business. Obviously, 396 00:21:04,680 --> 00:21:07,080 Speaker 1: there's got to be a noncompete clause somewhere in this. 397 00:21:07,200 --> 00:21:09,000 Speaker 1: And I'm no lawyer, but i'll just tell you how 398 00:21:09,040 --> 00:21:12,679 Speaker 1: I approach everything. There's there's gotta be a noncompete clause 399 00:21:12,840 --> 00:21:15,080 Speaker 1: to prevent these two guys from going down the block 400 00:21:15,119 --> 00:21:18,000 Speaker 1: opening up their business all over again under a different name. 401 00:21:18,680 --> 00:21:20,600 Speaker 1: I mean, it's just it just stands to reason. It's 402 00:21:20,600 --> 00:21:23,040 Speaker 1: got to be a noncompete. You should be talking to 403 00:21:23,119 --> 00:21:25,520 Speaker 1: a lawyer, all right. I don't care if these guys 404 00:21:25,520 --> 00:21:28,080 Speaker 1: are your first cousins and your mom's best relatives or 405 00:21:28,119 --> 00:21:31,080 Speaker 1: wherever they came from. You should be talking to a lawyer, 406 00:21:31,280 --> 00:21:34,680 Speaker 1: all right, because you know, when it comes to financing, 407 00:21:34,840 --> 00:21:37,639 Speaker 1: when you go to the bank, unless the banks in 408 00:21:37,680 --> 00:21:39,920 Speaker 1: Arizona are different than the banks in New Jersey, they're 409 00:21:39,920 --> 00:21:42,280 Speaker 1: gonna want to see a business plan. How much can 410 00:21:42,320 --> 00:21:46,080 Speaker 1: you put down? Can you still afford to live? You know, 411 00:21:46,200 --> 00:21:48,439 Speaker 1: it's is it. If you don't make the first month's payroll, 412 00:21:48,480 --> 00:21:50,439 Speaker 1: you're gonna have to resort the robbing banks instead of 413 00:21:50,440 --> 00:21:52,840 Speaker 1: paying banks. You know, they want to know all these things. 414 00:21:52,840 --> 00:21:55,199 Speaker 1: Do you have a business plan and sound financial footing? 415 00:21:55,920 --> 00:21:58,159 Speaker 1: You know, the old expression banks all only loan of 416 00:21:58,200 --> 00:22:01,040 Speaker 1: the money if you can prove you don't need it. 417 00:22:01,040 --> 00:22:04,080 Speaker 1: Never never was truer than with a business, all right, 418 00:22:04,800 --> 00:22:08,400 Speaker 1: So and and and that's the bottom line. Okay, Now 419 00:22:08,680 --> 00:22:11,919 Speaker 1: what are you buying? All right? You know when you 420 00:22:12,000 --> 00:22:15,960 Speaker 1: buy a repair shop, there's the term blue sky or 421 00:22:16,040 --> 00:22:18,600 Speaker 1: are you familiar with blue sky? When I say you're 422 00:22:18,600 --> 00:22:22,040 Speaker 1: buying a blue sky? So you know you're buying their name. 423 00:22:22,280 --> 00:22:25,080 Speaker 1: If I were to sell R a automotive, I don't 424 00:22:25,080 --> 00:22:28,000 Speaker 1: think the business itself is worth a whole lot, all right. 425 00:22:28,119 --> 00:22:30,000 Speaker 1: I know where my value is. My values and the 426 00:22:30,040 --> 00:22:34,359 Speaker 1: tools in the building. That's the money, all right, you know, Yeah, 427 00:22:34,400 --> 00:22:38,159 Speaker 1: the established clientele has got some value, and and you 428 00:22:38,200 --> 00:22:40,399 Speaker 1: know the trade and people coming in and you know, 429 00:22:40,480 --> 00:22:43,399 Speaker 1: everything's there. I don't know what's that worth? Fifty grand, 430 00:22:43,400 --> 00:22:46,080 Speaker 1: a hundred grand, you know it's it's not a million dollars. 431 00:22:46,119 --> 00:22:50,080 Speaker 1: I know that, all right. So the second thing, the 432 00:22:50,119 --> 00:22:51,840 Speaker 1: second thing I would tell you to do is you 433 00:22:51,880 --> 00:22:53,960 Speaker 1: have to talk to a realtor or somebody that can 434 00:22:54,000 --> 00:22:57,040 Speaker 1: provide you know, there's people out there that can value 435 00:22:57,080 --> 00:23:00,680 Speaker 1: a business. And to do that, I'll take a look 436 00:23:00,720 --> 00:23:02,760 Speaker 1: at the books somebody's got to look at the books. 437 00:23:02,800 --> 00:23:04,640 Speaker 1: You can't do a car account. You know, you could 438 00:23:04,640 --> 00:23:07,720 Speaker 1: sit across the street from this shop and start counting 439 00:23:07,720 --> 00:23:09,360 Speaker 1: cars and how many come in and how many leaving 440 00:23:09,400 --> 00:23:11,679 Speaker 1: the course of a day and get an idea. But 441 00:23:11,840 --> 00:23:14,520 Speaker 1: that doesn't necessarily mean a the shops making any money 442 00:23:14,520 --> 00:23:17,600 Speaker 1: and be they're they're doing profitable work. And I'm not 443 00:23:17,640 --> 00:23:20,320 Speaker 1: saying they're not. I'm just you know what, you know, 444 00:23:20,400 --> 00:23:22,960 Speaker 1: this is how do you decide to buy a business 445 00:23:24,040 --> 00:23:30,000 Speaker 1: right due diligence? Do you like donuts? Yeah? You ever 446 00:23:30,040 --> 00:23:33,800 Speaker 1: go sitting a donut shop, Go sitting a donut shop, 447 00:23:33,880 --> 00:23:35,240 Speaker 1: have a cup of coffee and get a couple of 448 00:23:35,280 --> 00:23:40,600 Speaker 1: donuts and watch the customers and take note because you know, 449 00:23:40,760 --> 00:23:42,760 Speaker 1: is it a good donut shop or a bed donut shop? 450 00:23:42,760 --> 00:23:45,680 Speaker 1: It doesn't matter, But how are the customers? Because sometimes 451 00:23:45,720 --> 00:23:47,680 Speaker 1: I do that and it seems like every third customer 452 00:23:47,760 --> 00:23:50,200 Speaker 1: got out. I want to work for this guy. God, 453 00:23:50,280 --> 00:23:52,639 Speaker 1: this one's nuts. I mean, look at this. Look what 454 00:23:52,680 --> 00:23:55,680 Speaker 1: they're asking, you know, And now you're in this auto 455 00:23:55,680 --> 00:23:59,720 Speaker 1: repair shop and you know you're gonna sign your life 456 00:23:59,760 --> 00:24:02,760 Speaker 1: over for the next years. And I'm not trying to scarey. 457 00:24:02,800 --> 00:24:05,280 Speaker 1: I'm just trying to keep you in reality, all right, 458 00:24:06,119 --> 00:24:11,520 Speaker 1: and and you're there baby, you know, um listen, I've 459 00:24:11,520 --> 00:24:13,479 Speaker 1: been doing this forty six years. One of the hardest 460 00:24:13,480 --> 00:24:16,680 Speaker 1: things to swallow is the day, you know, I realized, like, God, 461 00:24:16,720 --> 00:24:19,760 Speaker 1: I'm really in this. You know, as much as I 462 00:24:19,800 --> 00:24:21,560 Speaker 1: love it, but boy, I'm really in this, Like I 463 00:24:21,640 --> 00:24:23,800 Speaker 1: better make this work. A lot of people are counting 464 00:24:23,800 --> 00:24:27,120 Speaker 1: on me, and you know that's there. How old are you, Nick? 465 00:24:27,160 --> 00:24:31,639 Speaker 1: Can I ask you that? Okay? So you know, is 466 00:24:31,640 --> 00:24:35,360 Speaker 1: there a wife and kids? Absolutely all right? And they're 467 00:24:35,400 --> 00:24:41,359 Speaker 1: kind of depending upon you. Uh yeah, you know, right, 468 00:24:41,440 --> 00:24:43,600 Speaker 1: So you know, this has to be fool proof. This 469 00:24:43,680 --> 00:24:46,840 Speaker 1: has to be idiot proof. So it's it's got to 470 00:24:46,880 --> 00:24:49,200 Speaker 1: be a solid foundation. What kind of cars you're gonna 471 00:24:49,240 --> 00:24:53,480 Speaker 1: work on? Do you ever think about that? Primarily domestic? Okay, 472 00:24:53,720 --> 00:24:58,840 Speaker 1: so you're gonna take away probably your market, think about 473 00:24:58,880 --> 00:25:04,560 Speaker 1: that all right? Um? And when you say domestic, domestic 474 00:25:04,640 --> 00:25:07,840 Speaker 1: up to what you're gonna work on, Corvette, that's a domestic, 475 00:25:08,240 --> 00:25:12,840 Speaker 1: very specialized car, right, So you need the bread and 476 00:25:12,880 --> 00:25:16,359 Speaker 1: butter approach. In my opinion, if you're just starting out, 477 00:25:16,920 --> 00:25:18,560 Speaker 1: you know you need to have you need to know 478 00:25:18,640 --> 00:25:23,720 Speaker 1: what you want to work on, Ford, GM, Chrysler. Right, 479 00:25:23,760 --> 00:25:27,840 Speaker 1: those are the domestics and they're off shoot their off branches. Right, 480 00:25:28,240 --> 00:25:30,040 Speaker 1: you probably won't see a lot of link. And I'll 481 00:25:30,040 --> 00:25:32,760 Speaker 1: talk in terms of North Jersey. Right in North Jersey, 482 00:25:33,160 --> 00:25:35,320 Speaker 1: we don't see Lincoln like we once did. The dealers 483 00:25:35,320 --> 00:25:37,280 Speaker 1: are doing a very good job of tying those cars 484 00:25:37,280 --> 00:25:39,800 Speaker 1: back to the dealership because most of these cars released 485 00:25:40,359 --> 00:25:43,520 Speaker 1: and people under leasing, there's leasing plans and that takes 486 00:25:43,520 --> 00:25:47,520 Speaker 1: the car all right, So you know it's four GM Chrysler. 487 00:25:48,480 --> 00:25:50,639 Speaker 1: You want to be able to tool up for those cars. 488 00:25:50,680 --> 00:25:52,840 Speaker 1: You want to make sure that the shop has diagnostic 489 00:25:52,880 --> 00:25:56,600 Speaker 1: ability for those cars. Okay, And then you want to 490 00:25:56,600 --> 00:26:02,439 Speaker 1: look at the mainstream Asian cars, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Subaru. 491 00:26:03,560 --> 00:26:06,000 Speaker 1: What's left? Do you really do you really want to 492 00:26:06,080 --> 00:26:11,120 Speaker 1: work on a Mitsubishi? Probably not, you know, And then 493 00:26:11,200 --> 00:26:13,120 Speaker 1: and then you know, then we'll look at the European 494 00:26:13,200 --> 00:26:16,440 Speaker 1: cars Volkswagens in a league by itself, Mercedes and the 495 00:26:16,480 --> 00:26:19,879 Speaker 1: leagues by itself, BMW's and eleagues by itself. For a 496 00:26:19,960 --> 00:26:23,919 Speaker 1: guy starting out now, you may hire a tech. You 497 00:26:23,960 --> 00:26:26,200 Speaker 1: may hire an a tech out of a Volkswagen dealer 498 00:26:26,359 --> 00:26:28,640 Speaker 1: and he's great with v WS. And you know what, 499 00:26:28,800 --> 00:26:30,320 Speaker 1: you can make a lot of money that way. You 500 00:26:30,359 --> 00:26:32,960 Speaker 1: can you can carve that niche out and you can 501 00:26:33,200 --> 00:26:38,120 Speaker 1: you can establish that clientele. The point is, all right, 502 00:26:38,840 --> 00:26:42,400 Speaker 1: stop and think, just you know, analyze this. Take emotion 503 00:26:42,480 --> 00:26:45,439 Speaker 1: out of this. All right, this isn't this isn't that 504 00:26:45,520 --> 00:26:47,119 Speaker 1: shiny new car that you want to buy when you 505 00:26:47,119 --> 00:26:49,280 Speaker 1: were eighteen. You gotta take a motion out of this. 506 00:26:49,359 --> 00:26:52,560 Speaker 1: And I think you're doing that. But just stay grounded 507 00:26:52,960 --> 00:26:56,040 Speaker 1: and think about how would you approach this? How can 508 00:26:56,080 --> 00:26:58,360 Speaker 1: you prove this to the bank? You know what? Nick? 509 00:26:58,560 --> 00:27:00,680 Speaker 1: Email me? Would you email me on at Car doctor 510 00:27:00,760 --> 00:27:02,960 Speaker 1: show dot com as your questions come up. I want 511 00:27:03,000 --> 00:27:04,480 Speaker 1: you to. I want you to ask him to me 512 00:27:04,760 --> 00:27:06,600 Speaker 1: because I want to. I want to be there for you. 513 00:27:06,600 --> 00:27:08,680 Speaker 1: I want you to I want you to understand the process. 514 00:27:08,880 --> 00:27:10,040 Speaker 1: I don't want to help. I want to help you 515 00:27:10,080 --> 00:27:12,160 Speaker 1: go through this and to stay on the line. Tom 516 00:27:12,200 --> 00:27:14,560 Speaker 1: is gonna be sending you a copy of Dr Richard 517 00:27:14,640 --> 00:27:18,000 Speaker 1: McCann's classic Car Adventures, Some fun reading for the holidays 518 00:27:18,000 --> 00:27:20,800 Speaker 1: and tales of of of traveling around the world in 519 00:27:20,840 --> 00:27:24,120 Speaker 1: cars uh courtesy of Dr Richard McCann available on Amazon. 520 00:27:24,440 --> 00:27:26,320 Speaker 1: So I stay on the line and let Tom get 521 00:27:26,320 --> 00:27:28,160 Speaker 1: your information. We'll send that out to you this week. 522 00:27:28,320 --> 00:27:30,880 Speaker 1: Good luck to you, and uh, stay true. I'm runing 523 00:27:30,920 --> 00:27:32,800 Speaker 1: any in the car doctor. I'll be back right after this. 524 00:27:38,880 --> 00:27:44,159 Speaker 1: She's real. Find my phone, night, she's real, find my phone, night, 525 00:27:44,520 --> 00:27:51,960 Speaker 1: my phone. Oh for the days of simplicity such as that. 526 00:27:52,080 --> 00:27:55,280 Speaker 1: Run any in the car doctor here right. Uh, you know, 527 00:27:55,359 --> 00:27:57,600 Speaker 1: it's just my god, you think about cars like a 528 00:27:57,720 --> 00:27:59,879 Speaker 1: Chevy four oh nine. It's funny. I'm out on you 529 00:28:00,040 --> 00:28:03,159 Speaker 1: Tube and I'm looking at some of the videos of 530 00:28:03,359 --> 00:28:05,760 Speaker 1: drag racing, and they, you know, they showed drag races 531 00:28:05,760 --> 00:28:08,479 Speaker 1: between old muscle cars back and forth. And you remember 532 00:28:08,480 --> 00:28:11,119 Speaker 1: the day when people were actually into what their car 533 00:28:11,240 --> 00:28:14,439 Speaker 1: sounded like, looked like, badges on the side, cubic inches. 534 00:28:15,359 --> 00:28:17,159 Speaker 1: Just a glorious time. Let's get over to Glenn in 535 00:28:17,160 --> 00:28:20,359 Speaker 1: Philadelphia questions about a sixteen Toyota Avalon. How can I 536 00:28:20,359 --> 00:28:24,000 Speaker 1: help you today? Glenn? Hey, Ron, thanks for taking my call. 537 00:28:24,080 --> 00:28:30,560 Speaker 1: You're welcome, sir. I had a flat this week in 538 00:28:30,640 --> 00:28:36,160 Speaker 1: the rear passenger tire. Tires on the car had around 539 00:28:36,160 --> 00:28:38,560 Speaker 1: twenty miles. I really took care of them. They're always 540 00:28:38,640 --> 00:28:41,360 Speaker 1: rotated in good shape. I didn't want to buy one 541 00:28:41,400 --> 00:28:43,160 Speaker 1: tire and I don't want to buy four, so I 542 00:28:43,160 --> 00:28:46,440 Speaker 1: bought a pair. And my question is I was going 543 00:28:46,480 --> 00:28:49,800 Speaker 1: to put them on the front, but the the salesperson 544 00:28:49,840 --> 00:28:51,479 Speaker 1: said it would actually be safer if you put them 545 00:28:51,480 --> 00:28:55,840 Speaker 1: on the rear. So I did that, and I wanted 546 00:28:55,840 --> 00:28:57,760 Speaker 1: to know your thoughts on that. And I also wanted 547 00:28:57,800 --> 00:29:01,480 Speaker 1: to know, UM, if that is a replacement of tires, 548 00:29:02,120 --> 00:29:04,840 Speaker 1: when should I um rotate the front ones to the 549 00:29:04,880 --> 00:29:08,640 Speaker 1: back end or replace them again? That tires in the 550 00:29:08,640 --> 00:29:11,400 Speaker 1: front ParvE around twenty thousand moments, there's still in good shape. 551 00:29:12,120 --> 00:29:15,080 Speaker 1: And the last thing is there are two different brands. 552 00:29:15,120 --> 00:29:18,200 Speaker 1: I couldn't get the original Dunlops, so I thought, UM, 553 00:29:18,400 --> 00:29:21,480 Speaker 1: good your assurance tires. So those are the new ones. 554 00:29:23,000 --> 00:29:25,280 Speaker 1: Um let's see where do we want to start. You know, 555 00:29:25,400 --> 00:29:27,840 Speaker 1: this is the old conversation about is the glass half 556 00:29:27,840 --> 00:29:30,440 Speaker 1: full or half empty? Which way do you see it? 557 00:29:30,440 --> 00:29:34,360 Speaker 1: It's not about pessimism or optimism. It's just it's half 558 00:29:34,400 --> 00:29:36,920 Speaker 1: the industry says the front, half the industry says the back. 559 00:29:37,560 --> 00:29:39,720 Speaker 1: You know, I run this argument around in my head. 560 00:29:39,960 --> 00:29:44,120 Speaker 1: If the tires that are on the front are you know, 561 00:29:44,120 --> 00:29:46,400 Speaker 1: where's the tread depth? You know, I always, I always 562 00:29:46,440 --> 00:29:50,520 Speaker 1: look at tires by tread depth. We had a let 563 00:29:50,520 --> 00:29:52,880 Speaker 1: me think for a second what it was. We had 564 00:29:52,360 --> 00:29:57,120 Speaker 1: a Honda pilot. Two weeks ago. Poor Alex, new customer 565 00:29:57,200 --> 00:29:59,640 Speaker 1: just came in. He'd been at the Honda dealer for 566 00:30:00,040 --> 00:30:02,280 Speaker 1: I don't know the past three months trying to get 567 00:30:02,320 --> 00:30:04,880 Speaker 1: them to fix his TPMs system, and they didn't. They 568 00:30:04,880 --> 00:30:06,840 Speaker 1: couldn't find the screw that was in the right rear 569 00:30:06,920 --> 00:30:09,080 Speaker 1: tire until the screw finally caused the flat and he 570 00:30:09,120 --> 00:30:11,880 Speaker 1: limped his way into my door. And here I am 571 00:30:12,000 --> 00:30:14,760 Speaker 1: with a almost a similar situation, a twenty thousand mile 572 00:30:14,800 --> 00:30:18,880 Speaker 1: all wheel drive vehicle, and you know, how do I 573 00:30:18,920 --> 00:30:21,520 Speaker 1: just do one? I can't really do one because tire 574 00:30:21,560 --> 00:30:25,560 Speaker 1: diameter can affect all wheel drive vehicle operation. So I 575 00:30:25,600 --> 00:30:27,280 Speaker 1: did for him. What I would tell you is I 576 00:30:27,360 --> 00:30:30,600 Speaker 1: measured the tread depth. A new tire has roughly eight 577 00:30:30,600 --> 00:30:33,080 Speaker 1: to ten thirty seconds of tread depth up to the 578 00:30:33,120 --> 00:30:36,720 Speaker 1: treadwear indicator, not not the bottom of the tire. The 579 00:30:36,760 --> 00:30:40,720 Speaker 1: treadwear indicator and Alex's tires were at five thirty seconds. 580 00:30:41,440 --> 00:30:44,640 Speaker 1: You know for five thirty seconds. As as I pointed 581 00:30:44,640 --> 00:30:47,320 Speaker 1: out to him, I said, let's do too. Let's put 582 00:30:47,360 --> 00:30:49,720 Speaker 1: two on the car and we'll see what the handling 583 00:30:49,800 --> 00:30:53,640 Speaker 1: characteristics are like. So I didn't care where I put 584 00:30:53,680 --> 00:30:55,720 Speaker 1: them at that point in my mind, because if I 585 00:30:55,760 --> 00:30:57,640 Speaker 1: have to worry about the better tires on the front 586 00:30:57,680 --> 00:30:59,959 Speaker 1: of the back, I'm buying four tires. I'm not. I'm 587 00:31:00,040 --> 00:31:04,080 Speaker 1: not fooling around. I would be more concerned in the 588 00:31:04,120 --> 00:31:09,120 Speaker 1: case of mixing and matching brands only because the story 589 00:31:09,280 --> 00:31:12,040 Speaker 1: I hear, and I've never had an engineer explained this 590 00:31:12,080 --> 00:31:14,680 Speaker 1: to me and I but I keep hearing this over 591 00:31:14,720 --> 00:31:18,800 Speaker 1: and over again. Is every tire company the case size. 592 00:31:18,800 --> 00:31:22,320 Speaker 1: When I say the case, the the steel cord, and 593 00:31:22,960 --> 00:31:25,080 Speaker 1: you know, the casing that the tire has, the rubber 594 00:31:25,080 --> 00:31:29,440 Speaker 1: adhered to. Every manufacturer is a little different. So six 595 00:31:29,680 --> 00:31:33,000 Speaker 1: sixteen is different between a Dunlop of good Year and 596 00:31:33,040 --> 00:31:35,680 Speaker 1: so on. There's a couple of millimeters different. They're all 597 00:31:35,920 --> 00:31:37,680 Speaker 1: they're not all held. You know, a two by four 598 00:31:37,720 --> 00:31:40,160 Speaker 1: isn't a two by four. You know, this guy's engine 599 00:31:40,200 --> 00:31:42,600 Speaker 1: three quarter by three and three eighths and this guy 600 00:31:42,720 --> 00:31:46,000 Speaker 1: is inchin seven eights by you know three and by 601 00:31:46,080 --> 00:31:49,200 Speaker 1: sixteens and that kind of a thing. So I'm more 602 00:31:49,240 --> 00:31:52,960 Speaker 1: concerned about overall diameter brand to brand. I don't know 603 00:31:53,000 --> 00:31:54,920 Speaker 1: that that's gonna matter on an avalon. It's a front 604 00:31:54,920 --> 00:31:59,400 Speaker 1: wheel drive vehicle, not an all wheel drive, so I 605 00:31:59,440 --> 00:32:03,000 Speaker 1: don't think that critical mass. Me my way of thinking, 606 00:32:03,240 --> 00:32:06,400 Speaker 1: I would have put the new tires up front, just 607 00:32:06,520 --> 00:32:09,560 Speaker 1: because there, you know. To me, the argument is that 608 00:32:09,600 --> 00:32:11,120 Speaker 1: you want the better tires on the back, so if 609 00:32:11,120 --> 00:32:13,360 Speaker 1: you have a rear tire blowout, the car'll have stability 610 00:32:13,360 --> 00:32:15,760 Speaker 1: and you can steer it. Whereas if the tire blows 611 00:32:15,840 --> 00:32:19,320 Speaker 1: up front, then you would lose the steering because it's 612 00:32:19,320 --> 00:32:21,280 Speaker 1: got less tread on it, it's more likely to fail. 613 00:32:21,600 --> 00:32:25,560 Speaker 1: My my argument is, you know, how does the how 614 00:32:25,640 --> 00:32:29,880 Speaker 1: does the um sight the exterior side where the water 615 00:32:29,920 --> 00:32:33,120 Speaker 1: gets carried away? What does that look like? A whole 616 00:32:33,120 --> 00:32:38,080 Speaker 1: another conversation, A whole another conversation. So I think you 617 00:32:38,120 --> 00:32:42,040 Speaker 1: know it's at twenty thousand miles. At twenty thousand miles, 618 00:32:42,520 --> 00:32:44,800 Speaker 1: chances are you'll be fine, you know, But I would 619 00:32:44,840 --> 00:32:46,880 Speaker 1: look not just at the tread depth, look at the 620 00:32:46,920 --> 00:32:49,120 Speaker 1: shoulders of the tire. If the shoulders of the tire 621 00:32:49,160 --> 00:32:51,520 Speaker 1: have anywhere, move them to the back, burn them up 622 00:32:51,520 --> 00:32:53,560 Speaker 1: over the course of the winter, and change them out 623 00:32:53,560 --> 00:32:55,240 Speaker 1: in the spring. And I think you'll be fine. I 624 00:32:55,280 --> 00:32:57,480 Speaker 1: appreciate the call, Glenn. Good luck to you and yours 625 00:32:57,480 --> 00:32:59,560 Speaker 1: in happy holidays. I'm running any in the car. Doctor, 626 00:32:59,560 --> 00:33:15,800 Speaker 1: we'll be bad right after this, Doctor, let's roll on 627 00:33:15,880 --> 00:33:18,760 Speaker 1: over to Tom in Arizona. Tom, Welcome aboard, sir. I've 628 00:33:18,800 --> 00:33:22,200 Speaker 1: got about two minutes. How can I help you today? Yeah? Thanks? 629 00:33:22,240 --> 00:33:24,720 Speaker 1: The first question D and I'm looking to change it 630 00:33:26,240 --> 00:33:33,680 Speaker 1: transmition fluid. D. And I'm looking to change it transmition 631 00:33:33,680 --> 00:33:39,920 Speaker 1: fluid because the heat in Arizona and stuff. Mariel says, 632 00:33:40,600 --> 00:33:44,640 Speaker 1: use WS World Standard transition fluid. Can I mix that 633 00:33:44,720 --> 00:33:48,800 Speaker 1: with the off brand at WS? Well, it's it's yeah, 634 00:33:48,880 --> 00:33:51,400 Speaker 1: if it's if it's a WS equivalent, it's not that 635 00:33:51,440 --> 00:33:54,920 Speaker 1: you're mixing and off brand. You're just mixing. Uh you 636 00:33:54,960 --> 00:33:58,040 Speaker 1: know something Lexus didn't make, which Lexus doesn't make it anyway, 637 00:33:58,160 --> 00:34:01,160 Speaker 1: he dumets who makes the transflu It's I believe for 638 00:34:01,280 --> 00:34:04,520 Speaker 1: Alexis and Toyota. Somewhere on that bottle of Alexas Toyota transfluid. 639 00:34:04,800 --> 00:34:07,719 Speaker 1: I think you'll find DUMETZU branding. But as long as 640 00:34:07,720 --> 00:34:12,000 Speaker 1: it meets w S specs, you're fine. So I wouldn't 641 00:34:12,000 --> 00:34:16,000 Speaker 1: I wouldn't worry about that. Second question, is there one? Yeah? 642 00:34:16,040 --> 00:34:18,760 Speaker 1: So do you recommend just to open the drain plug 643 00:34:18,840 --> 00:34:20,360 Speaker 1: and drain out a couple of cords that you can 644 00:34:20,520 --> 00:34:24,319 Speaker 1: recommend a flush? Well, I don't. I think I do it. 645 00:34:24,480 --> 00:34:26,600 Speaker 1: I think I do it in stage is because of 646 00:34:26,600 --> 00:34:29,319 Speaker 1: the mileage. I think the first step I would do 647 00:34:29,360 --> 00:34:31,560 Speaker 1: a drain and fill and you're probably gonna put about 648 00:34:31,640 --> 00:34:33,400 Speaker 1: four quarts of fluid in that, and it's got a 649 00:34:33,440 --> 00:34:36,440 Speaker 1: max of somewhere around seven and a half. So I 650 00:34:36,480 --> 00:34:38,400 Speaker 1: think I would do a first change, you know, with 651 00:34:38,440 --> 00:34:41,600 Speaker 1: a drain and fill drive at five thousand miles eight 652 00:34:41,600 --> 00:34:43,680 Speaker 1: thousand miles, and then if you want to either do 653 00:34:43,719 --> 00:34:46,080 Speaker 1: a drain and fill again or do an exchange. We 654 00:34:46,080 --> 00:34:48,480 Speaker 1: don't like the word flush. Flush denotes pressure. We don't 655 00:34:48,480 --> 00:34:51,600 Speaker 1: want to put pressure through this. Pressure creates issues. Just 656 00:34:51,680 --> 00:34:55,520 Speaker 1: keep in mind an older high mileage transmission UM has 657 00:34:55,600 --> 00:34:59,480 Speaker 1: got some varnish build up in it. Transmission fluid by definition, 658 00:35:00,280 --> 00:35:03,960 Speaker 1: is a very high detergent type of fluid. It's got 659 00:35:03,960 --> 00:35:06,040 Speaker 1: a scrubbing action to it. Back in the day, we 660 00:35:06,120 --> 00:35:08,440 Speaker 1: used to wash cylinder walls of engine rebuilding them in 661 00:35:08,480 --> 00:35:11,800 Speaker 1: the base as a kid with transmission fluid would scrub 662 00:35:11,840 --> 00:35:14,040 Speaker 1: the metal. So you want to do it in stage. 663 00:35:14,040 --> 00:35:15,719 Speaker 1: It's a little bite of the sandwich at a time. 664 00:35:16,040 --> 00:35:18,719 Speaker 1: Do it that way. It's better, it's safer, but you 665 00:35:18,760 --> 00:35:21,880 Speaker 1: should do it because otherwise you're probably headed for a problem. 666 00:35:21,960 --> 00:35:23,680 Speaker 1: I appreciate the call. I'm run any in the car 667 00:35:23,719 --> 00:35:27,359 Speaker 1: doctor reminding you good mechanics aren't expensive, they're priceless. See 668 00:35:27,400 --> 00:35:37,680 Speaker 1: you