Noises from below...

It's a long cold winter here in SW Montana which takes it's toll on cars. If you've been letting your PMCS slip all summer, odds are that this is the time of year you'll notice it. The freeze-thaw cycles are hard on gaskets and seals, hoses, belts, bearings, and electronics.

I have several cars I space out between driving duties, and therefore must keep an eye on all their mechanicals. This includes the usual regular services, like oil changes, tune-ups, and tire rotation. But it seems to be more important to be in tune to each car's unique sound signature.

It's common for my Durango to make any number of guttural chattering noises upon start up in sub0-freezing temps. This used to make me nervous, but I now recognize these sounds as just normal complaining. The other day the cold starts added a new din to the ensemble: A high-pitched RPM dependant squealing. My first thought was the belt. But wait, what if it's a serpentine bearing? Or accessory bearing going out? So, not to become another stranded motorist sitting on the shoulder of the interstate talking into a phone on my shoulder, I opened the hood upon start up. It's a simple task; one that's actually expected to be performed by the average operator. I used a flashlight and my ears to try to pinpoint the sound. I'm still not 100% sure where the sound is coming from, but my experience with this vehicle tells me it's most likely the belt. They just start squeaking about every 30,000 miles. I just happen to carry a spare in the smuggler's compartment.

This kind of check does two things: First, it gives one firsthand knowledge of the car they trust daily, and second, it puts the responsibility on the operator--not the mechanics who last serviced it, the dealer who sold it to you, or the engineers who designed it. It's your car and no one is more responsible for it's operation or lack thereof, than you.

The check engine light and rough idle on my Crow Vic required similar actions. For this issue I started at the auto parts store and borrowed their OBD II diagnostic scanner. This tool is just too simple to use and diagnose problems. Seconds later I knew that the car only suffered from needing a basic tune up. Cylinders 1 and 7 were misfiring (the car's words, not mine). A quick inspection of the suspect plugs confirmed what the car already knew (and had been telling me through the CEL): those plugs had too much condensation on the coil boots, grounding them out through the spark plug tunnels.

Both of these issues could have been indicators of other more serious problems, which if left undiagnosed and repaired, could have left me stranded. I could have went straight to a mechanic, but that would put the well being of my cars into someone else's hands. No, it's best to spend a few minutes of your own time first, try to figure out why somethings making noises, and if possible, fix it yourself.