Car Talk #2214: Diagnosing Ford Escort Power Loss and Brake Squeaks

Car Care Advice and Listener Calls

• 💡 A caller named Michaela inquires about the correct spelling of her name and asks for advice on taking a free basic car care course in high school.
• 🚗 The hosts recommend the car care course, suggesting it's beneficial for understanding car components and for social interaction, while humorously downplaying other course options like pottery or art.
• squeak 🔊 Dan from New York describes an annoying squeak in his 1988 Ford Escort after new composite brake shoes were installed, which occurs at low speeds when not applying the brakes after the car has warmed up.
• 🛠️ The hosts suggest the squeak might be due to the non-OEM pads not fitting correctly in the caliper bracket, recommending factory pads for a better fit and to eliminate the noise.

Puzzler Solutions and New Mysteries

• 🧩 The solution to a previous puzzler involving a BMW 2002 that wouldn't start with the key but would start when push-started is revealed: burned-up ignition points causing a voltage drop during cranking.
• 💡 When the car is push-started, the starter motor isn't engaged, allowing full battery voltage to the ignition system, thus enabling it to start.
• ❓ A new puzzler is introduced about Fred, who replaced calipers, pads, and a master cylinder on his '78 car for brake issues, yet the pedal remained on the floor.
• 🥤 The hint for Fred's puzzler involves knocking over a half-filled bottle of soda pop, suggesting a fluid or air issue within the hydraulic system.

Ford Escort Power Loss and Mercedes Transmission Woes

• 📉 Luis from Shreveport reports a loss of power in his '88 Ford Escort, especially when accelerating uphill or merging onto the freeway, with the engine bogging down.
• ⛽ Despite replacing the fuel filter, the power issue persisted, leading the hosts to suspect a clogged catalytic converter, potentially exacerbated by a past flood.
• ⚙️ Gloria from Virginia describes her '82 Mercedes 300 SD having trouble shifting into reverse or park, with the issue sometimes resolving after moving the car a short distance.
• 💰 The hosts discuss potential causes ranging from linkage issues to a coin obstructing the mechanism, or a more costly transmission rebuild, while humorously noting the trend of mechanics avoiding the car.