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Counterman.com has a crack team of past Counter Professionals of the Year, editors and
and technicians at the ready to answer your technical and general business queries.
Our experts will tackle your questions and post the answers online.
Want to participate? If you have what it takes to be an Ask A CounterPro board member,
please email editor Mark Phillips, mphillips@babcox.com and tell him.
Ask the Counterpro isn't for questions that need immediate answers. (i.e. If someone's at the counter or on the telephone with you, we won't be able to respond that quickly.)
Recent Questions
Displaying 1 to 10 of 138
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I have a 2003 Ford F-150, 5.4 v8, with 160,000 miles. I have used Motorcraft 5-20w semi-synthetic oil since new. I want to use a Lucas additive. Should I use heavy duty oil stabilizer or full synthetic additive? Also, how often should I use it? All information is greatly appreciated.
Keep using the same oil that you have used in the past. The oil
additive will not hurt anything. If you are using the additive that you
made reference to, you will have to add it at every oil change.
—Jerry Ives
Assistant Professor, Parts Technology
Alfred State College, Wellsville Campus
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I have a 1990 Ford Mustang LX and while I'm driving the car, a little
bit of smoke comes out of the vents while the car is running. What could cause smoke to come out of the vents?
If smoke is being emitted from the side vents, it sounds as though you
may have something leaking in the engine compartment, such as oil
leaking from the rocker covers onto the exhaust manifold.
—Jerry Ives
Assistant Professor, Parts Technology
Alfred State College, Wellsville Campus
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I have a 1988 Nova, four-wheel disc. Sometimes, not all the time, I hear
what sounds like metal rubbing, but only when turning. It appears to
emit from the rear. First time I hear it, I have the brakes checked and have been told all is fine. This is not a every-day occurrence.
If what you have found is true, I would check to see if there is rust
or another other type of foreign material around the rotor or caliper.
There also could a shield or other component that might be slightly
bent that might be causing the problem.
—Jerry Ives
Assistant Professor, Parts Technology
Alfred State College, Wellsville Campus
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What does OHV stand for?
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I have an ‘02 Hyundai Elantra. While I’m coming to a stop, I get a slight clicking sound from the passenger side. If I let go of the brake it stops or if I push really hard on the brake it does not make this sound. What could be causing this noise?
Sounds like you may
have a wear indicator doing its job. Check for worn-out pads and beyond
that, check the brake pad mounting hardware. You may find loose or
damaged clips, or possibly a delaminated shim.
Thomas Dayton
Assistant Manager
J S Auto Supply in Jamestown, N.Y.
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I have been trying to help a customer on an ‘86 Jeep CJ. Every part I try to get for him is not listed correctly. Is there a rule of thumb to go by for them or are they just so rare they are hard to find?
1986 was the last year for the CJ, replaced in 1987 with the Wrangler,
a.k.a, the YJ. To rule out the CJ/YJ error, see if the headlights are
round (CJ) or square (YJ), then catalog accordingly. Alternately, if
the customer has an ‘86 CJ, the 6th and 7th digits of the VIN should
read “87.” If it’s an ‘87 Wrangler (even if the build date is during
1986), the 6th & 7th will be “81.” Jeep owners are known for making
mods, so be sure to ask about any known changes from stock.
Thomas Dayton
Assistant Manager
J S Auto Supply in Jamestown, N.Y.
Maybe the year is not ‘86, or maybe it is not a CJ? Check the VIN or
once you are able to match up some parts, check to see what year and
model those parts fit, and maybe you will have solved your problem.
Maybe the car has a different motor or rear or something changed from
original equipment? These are always the fun jobs, but going the extra
mile will keep this customer coming back to you!
Harris Steinberg
POJA Warehouse LP
Morris Auto Parts Inc.
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Can you use the Mercon V in a Ford older than 1996?
Mercon V
is a suitable substitute for older Fords that previously specified a
Mercon fluid, but it is NOT compatible with older TypeF fluid applications.
Thomas Dayton
Assistant Manager
J S Auto Supply in Jamestown, N.Y.
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I have a 1998 Chevy truck with a 350 Vortex. It cuts out when I give it gas and it backfires through the throttle body. What could be causing this?
I might suspect a timing chain or distributor here.
Thomas Dayton
Assistant Manager
J S Auto Supply in Jamestown, N.Y.
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I have an ‘02 GMC Sonoma 4.3 crew cab 4x4. While stopped, idling and in park, the fuel gauge needle will start to fluctuate. Then it will suddenly drop to empty. It may come back up slowly while driving or all at once. I had false readings before but this didn’t start until I used Techron fuel system cleaner. Any ideas?
In my area of the Northeast, many customers are having this issue due
to the composition of the fuel leaving a residue on the contacts. Where
this is the only issue, the senders seem to respond well to a
high-quality fuel system treatment.
Thomas Dayton
Assistant Manager
J S Auto Supply in Jamestown, N.Y.
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I know the old standard Ford oil filter fits many Toyota engines, but are there any known problems using this filter on these motors?
Even though the properties of the two filters
are similar, the “old Ford” filter is only recommended or specified for
the Landcruiser application. Since the Toyota specified filter is
readily available, there really isn’t any reason to substitute, and I
would not recommend it.
Thomas Dayton
Assistant Manager
J S Auto Supply in Jamestown, N.Y.
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