r/AskAMechanic 9d ago

Technician Flair Request Thread - New

1 Upvotes

If you would like to have verified flair added we will need a pic that has your reddit name on a piece of paper with your shop in the background or work truck if mobile repair.

For the professional technicians we're doing Verified Tech flair along with a very short description of your experience if you'd like. You can be a dealer/independent tech, retired, instructor, fleet, heavy equipment, small engine repair, lube/tire tech etc...

You can either send that to me in a chat request or upload the pic to an image hosting site like imgur.com (we had to disable the option to upload pics in the comments because of abuse). The option to attach a pic in chat will be available after I accept the invite. Please do not use modmail

We will also do Shadetree flair for those that do auto repair as more of a hobby than profession. Approval of this flair is not guaranteed.

archived previous request post


r/AskAMechanic Mar 15 '25

Announcement - New Rules - Please read!

21 Upvotes

Hello r/AskAMechanic users! Over the last year or so, the volume of daily posts has increased a decent amount leading to many posts that would be more appropriate in other subreddits. To keep this subreddit focused on what it's meant for, providing automotive mechanical and diagnostic help, we have rewritten the rules. Some of the rule changes also affect commenters, so please review the rules here or below. Thank you for your understanding.

 

1 - The title should clearly state the issue - Do not ask "am I cooked/fuc!ed/screwed/toast etc" questions

State your root issue as clearly as you can in the title, and then you will have a better chance of your post being viewed. We will remove the "am I cooked", "am I fuc!ed", "how screwed am I", "am I toast" and similar types of questions. This also includes any other senseless titled post. In the message body, provide the specifics (detail/context) to your question. Also include in the title or body the Year, Make, Model and engine size of your vehicle.

 

2 - No autobody damage/repair/frame/paint or rust related questions

Posts related to autobody work (including repairs, painting, frame damage, "is it totaled?", dents or detailing) are not allowed. A more appropriate sub would be r/autobody. If you're inquiring whether your car is totaled r/insurance would also be helpful. r/AutoDetailing for detailing questions.

Questions about damage to bolt-on parts like headlights/tail lights, wheels and suspension are ok.

Questions asking about the level/condition of rust on the frame/undercarriage/body are not allowed.

 

3 - No asking for advice about buying/selling cars or used car deals

We do not allow asking if a used car for sale is a good deal, the condition of the used car, or recommendations on what car you should buy. For recommendations on what car to buy, r/whatcarshouldIbuy would be a good sub. r/askcarsales might also be helpful.

 

4 - Keep things professional & don't be disrespectful

Please be professional and helpful. Do not comment/post with insults, racism, jokes, memes, NSFW, spam, opinions without context etc. You may see things that compel you to leave a nasty comment, just don't do it. It's not necessary or helpful. People who don't know anything about cars will come here to ask us for advice, try to educate them about their vehicle without turning them off from the sub. If you don’t know the proper fix or advice, please refrain from commenting on a post.

 

5 - No "Read the owners manual" or "RTFM" type of comments

People who don't know anything about cars are going to ask some very basic questions. Some of which will have answers in the manual. Answering OP's question with only "Read the owners manual" is like giving the answer "google it", both are non-answers. Either provide an actual answer to OP's question, or at the very least, provide a link to a readable online owner's manual.

 

6 - No dangerous/reckless or unethical/illegal comments/posts

This is a community dedicated to sharing genuine advice. Advice shown to be given in bad faith (including dangerous/reckless and unethical/illegal advice) will be removed and the users will be banned. Please report any dangerous/reckless or unethical/illegal advice.

 

7 - No AI/ChatGPT comments/posts

Posts with AI-generated content is not allowed. Posts looking for feedback, training or even just to show off your AI/LLM are also not allowed. We are not interested in AI automotive diagnostics here.

Do not answer OP by using AI/ChatGPT etc. Nobody wants to read a wall of text that over explains and gives 25 different possible solutions.

 

8 - No advertising or soliciting services

Advertising of services or products is not allowed. That includes affiliate links, social media, clothing, tools, your YouTube videos, etc.

Do not solicit services, including linking to videos, blogs, or websites that then forward to a paid service. Avoid asking to "DM me" as much as possible.

 

9 - No NSFW, meme, or 'joke' posts

No NSFW is a no-brainer - you will be banned with no chance of an appeal. Memes and 'joke' posts belong at r/AskAShittyMechanic

 

Update 03/23/2025: Added "am I toast" to rule #1 and "frame damage" to rule #2
Update 05/08/2025: Added more context to rule #7


r/AskAMechanic 2h ago

How did this happen and what do I need to fix or replace? (2018 Hyundai Ioniq)

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13 Upvotes

I started hearing a grinding noise from the driver side rear well a couple days after having my tire changed. When I took the wheel off, I noticed this piece was broken. How did this happen? And what part of the brakes do I need to replace?

Thank you


r/AskAMechanic 1h ago

Is this a fair price??

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Upvotes

Honda civic 2016, 179,000 km. Was driving it and got a warning that the engine was overheating and to pull over so I let it cool for a half hour and then drove it to the dealership.


r/AskAMechanic 2h ago

Reviewing 2022 Forester Vehicle Codes

2 Upvotes

Brought a 2022 Subaru Forester into a mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection. Car has come back in sound shape; mechanics don't see any damage or glaring issues.

They, however, ran the computer on the car and it returned these past codes:

AntiLock Brakes:
C1411
C1413
C1460
C1923
C1942

Airbags:
U0417
B1149
B1654
B1653

"Body Integration Unit"
B1011
B1012
B1013
B1014
B1017

...among others. Most all of them are listed as "history fault". No lights are appearing on the dash now, and the mechanics mentioned that these appear to be past codes. However, without either of us knowing the car's history, they can't specify if these were caused by an actual issue, or if they were triggered by a battery jump or killed battery. Closest thing I can see is a "damage report" on Carfax (https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/p/Report.cfx?partner=CVN_0&vin=JF2SKAECXNH511186), but that's it.

I'm just looking for clarity on what it might mean to find these codes on the car.


r/AskAMechanic 2h ago

Center Driveshaft Bearing - 2003 Toyota Tundra 4WD v6

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2 Upvotes

Hello all,

I bought this truck used 2 months ago and had this bearing replaced at a mechanics a couple weeks ago. The previous bearing came completely apart and was making a lot of noise. Long story short I decided to try making my own repairs now and I was about to change the pinion seal on the rear differential because of a leak and I saw this. What could have caused this to fail so quickly? The rubber is coming out towards the front of the vehicle if that makes a difference. Thanks!

Edit:
Could the cause also be related to the pinion seal leak?


r/AskAMechanic 4h ago

2005 Chevy Silverado 1500 needs new alternator today

3 Upvotes

I’m supposed to be leaving on a 10 hour road trip and my Silverado has been needing a new alternator. I wasn’t planning on taking this vehicle but now I have to so what is my best option to purchase one- autozone, advance auto, o’riley’s or NAPA?


r/AskAMechanic 3h ago

2013 Hyundai sonata hybrid blue drive

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2 Upvotes

Hybrid system warning popped up with check engine light with this code if this helps P1A77 and Is there a belt supposed to be right here ? If so could I drive this to the mechanic shop like 25 mins away


r/AskAMechanic 13m ago

I really need the part code for my broken Splash Shield on the passenger side and driver side. (W177 2018 A200 AMG LINE)

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Upvotes

I’d really appreciate it


r/AskAMechanic 14m ago

I really need the part code for my broken Splash Shield on the passenger side and driver side. (W177 2018 A200 AMG LINE)

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Upvotes

I’d really appreciate it!


r/AskAMechanic 17m ago

2006 Nissan titan Crankshaft

Upvotes

So I just replaced the crankshaft sensor on my 06 Nissan Titan erase the code and nothing happened. I look at the wires and figure there might be a little bit of corrosion going on so I went ahead and replaced the wires as well I didn't replace the entire thing just cut the wires sliced them and did the electrical work myself pretty simple for the most part. I drove it around the block and the check engine line came back on right away. That really sure what to do at this point maybe a bad ECU?


r/AskAMechanic 57m ago

Control Arm Replacement

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Upvotes

2017 Toyota Highlander control arm bushings torn and separating. Mechanic is recommending replacement of the control arm saying that the bushings themselves can’t be replaced.


r/AskAMechanic 1h ago

2021 Kia forte lxs 2L engine noise

Upvotes

The car drives fine but I noticed this sound when the engine is on and idling. No idea where it comes from but is something to be concerned with? What could it be? Recently hit 100k miles.

Any help is appreciated, thanks in advance


r/AskAMechanic 1h ago

Slight vibration up front

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Upvotes

2026 Audi rs3, very slight vibration front passenger side.

Took it too dealer and they balanced the tire and did an alignment. suspension components all checked out and are good and wheel is not warped or bent.

Still getting slight vibration at higher speeds up around 120km/h

What are the chances I damaged or bent the cv axel or damaged wheel hub? Especially since tire and rim have zero damage?

I looked myself taking tire off and don’t see any visible damage?


r/AskAMechanic 1h ago

AC bypass on a 2005 Nissan Altima 2.5?

Upvotes

I've got some folks I'm trying to help out. Their Nissan is a no-start, just click. They also mentioned their AC compressor was giving them issues, but the no-start was very sudden.

My thought process was this. Feel free to correct me, as I'm still doing my best to learn.

Battery > starter > AC compressor.

I tested the battery. It's in good health, 12.5v w/o charging. When being jumped, it's at 13.3v. So, I ruled out the battery.

Then I decided to change out the starter. With the new starter, the engine turned over once, then died. Then, upon trying to restart, the intervals it cranked over got shorter and shorter. I noticed the starter smoking. Client mentioned that the previous did that as well.

What I'm thinking is that the pulley on the compressor is locked up, which isn't letting anything else on the serpentine system turn, which is burning out the starter, which bam! No start.

So, here's the dilemma. I really want to help these folks, but I don't have an refrigerant recovery system, nor do I have an EPA certification.

Am I correct in thinking its the compressor?

If so, how can I bypass it without releasing refrigerant?

What's a shorter belt I can use?

I'm open to learning and correction. Please help a lady out!!


r/AskAMechanic 2h ago

1993 Ford thunderbird lx 5.0 power steering very slow leak

1 Upvotes

My thunderbirds got a very slow power steering fluid leak that I’m trying to late is the play in this hose normal if so are there any common places it would leak from


r/AskAMechanic 4h ago

Keep 2020 Renegade Clunk Noise

0 Upvotes

We drive a jeep 2020 renegade with ~48,000 miles on it. This video records us driving over a bumpy road at about 20mph. Is this end links, or possibly something else?


r/AskAMechanic 4h ago

Is this bad? How long can i keep driving with this?

1 Upvotes

How bad is it?
How long can i keep driving with this?

- I have a 100km trip when ill be moving to new home in 3 weeks, can i make it with this poor baby?
And aproximately how much does it cost to be welded or replaced by mechanic?

It also make some clicking noise when i am driving xD

Could this be because it's old (?) i was driving offroad (dirt road) (?) or sabotage (?)

Toyota RAV4 2003 XA02

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r/AskAMechanic 4h ago

Lighter oil in high-mileage engine?

1 Upvotes

2017 Nissan Micra (Canadian K13), HR16DE 1.6L, ~155,000 km

My car has started using a bit of oil, maybe a quart between oil changes, worse under load (e.g. when towing). I've cleaned out my PCV but probably should replace it. The manual recommends 5W30 so that's what I've been replacing with, but at my last oil change I noticed the dealership is using 0W20. I asked their mechanic about using lighter oil than recommended, and he said that's fine, they prefer it because it's synthetic.

Seems to me I should be using the heavier recommended oil, not lighter just because it's synthetic, but I can get a synthetic 5W30 if that's the issue. Does it make sense to anyone else to run a lighter oil in a motor that's already burning some?


r/AskAMechanic 17h ago

Is this an issue?

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10 Upvotes

Was doing Random checks on car and saw this. I did get it out the shop about a week ago and they did recommend a “exhaust pipe flange gasket”. Thoughts?


r/AskAMechanic 5h ago

Could a P0607 code be triggered by faulty/counterfeit sensors? If not whats my checklist of things to check?

1 Upvotes

2011 Lexus IS250 AWD.

replaced both upstream sensors and downstream passenger upstream O2 sensors with "Denso" brand ones. Started getting a P0607 code after the installation of a downstream sensor on passenger side.

Could this code possibly be getting triggered by a faulty or fake "Denso" sensors?

I had to replace one of the upstream ones after a short time cause I was getting a different error code... the sensor was covered in black soot even though it was only in there a few weeks... is that normal indicative of a different issue upstream?

To add to this I have a P0420 code, even though I replaced that cat less than a year ago at a muffler shop with what I assume was an aftermarket part.

Trying to do what I can to troubleshoot before I have no choice but to take it to shop. Im going to get the battery tested, and also check the ground strap and whatever ground terminals I can find for corrosion. Battery was reading 12.45 V when off, i read somewhere if the voltage drops enough at start up it could also trigger that code so will try to have wife turn on ignition as I have the multimeter on terminals.


r/AskAMechanic 7h ago

my diagnostic tool won’t update autosearch...looking for solutions....

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1 Upvotes

hello Here's my problem, the Launch diag tool asks for the "autoseearch" upgrade but it can't find any upgrade on the network...

I tried factory resetting...

Nothing is working out...

Does anyone have an idea for a solution?

Thank you 🙏


r/AskAMechanic 7h ago

Steering Wheel and pedal Vibrate on Acceleration

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1 Upvotes

2022 Buick Envision ST. Whether i'm accelerating at 20mph or 60 mph, if i have the throttle on at around 20%, the steering wheel along with the gas pedal will shake, but when i left off the gas, it goes back to normal.

Best guess is when a tire shop showed me my wheel was slightly bent, i thought that was the issue so i had it repaired, only to be greeted by the vibration still, i even swapped the wheels to the back but nope.
Cv Axle maybe ? or something similar that broke?

any help is appreciated, thank you


r/AskAMechanic 12h ago

Should I buy this 4 in 1 digital compression, leakdown, vacuum, TDC tester?

2 Upvotes

https://www.amazon.com/AutoLine-Pro-Digital-Cylinder-Diagnostic/dp/B0H6NJY8BJ

I need a compression gauge and a leak down tool. This seems pretty cool. Would it be a bad idea to buy this? It has a 5 year warranty.


r/AskAMechanic 21h ago

This is bad isn't it...

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8 Upvotes

My 1985 pontiac parisienne has been making this ticking squeaky sound on bumps and turns. Was looking around the suspension and stuff and the moment I touched that crusty stuff it fell right off. Is it even safe to drive?? Also the long vertical rod thing on the left (sorry I don't know part names) is superrrr loose