Car Talk #2229: Sarah's Ford Taurus Waffle Smell & Other Car Troubles

The Mysterious Waffle Smell

• 💡 Sarah's 1987 Ford Taurus emits a persistent smell of waffles or maple syrup whenever the heat is turned on.
• ⚠️ The hosts suspect this smell is actually burning oil leaking onto the exhaust manifold, possibly due to excessive blowby.
• 🚗 The car has a history of oil burning issues, overheating, and a recent valve job, suggesting significant engine wear.
• 📉 With approximately 115,000 miles, the hosts suggest it might be time for a new engine or a new car.

Elliot's Diesel Pickup Smoke

• 💨 Elliot from China, Texas, is experiencing white smoke from his 1981 Toyota diesel pickup upon starting.
• ❓ He initially suspected a faulty glow plug, but the hosts believe it's more likely coolant leaking into the combustion chamber.
• 💧 This coolant vaporizes and exits as steam, causing the white smoke and a sweet aroma similar to antifreeze.
• 🛠️ A cracked head or bad head gasket is the probable cause, requiring a mechanic's inspection.

Mike's Slipping Cavalier Transmission

• 🚗 Mike bought his wife's 1982 Chevy Cavalier, which now has 120,000 miles and a transmission that RPMs increase but the car doesn't accelerate.
• 📉 This indicates a slipping automatic transmission, likely due to low fluid levels or internal wear.
• 🔧 The first step is to check the transmission fluid; if low, adding fluid might help. If not, a fluid and filter change is recommended.
• 💰 If these steps fail, a transmission rebuild or replacement is likely necessary, which may not be cost-effective for the car.

Charlotte's Honda Accord Steering Shimmy

• 🚗 Charlotte's 1980 Honda Accord has a shimmy or squirm in the steering wheel that increases with speed.
• 💡 The hosts diagnose this as a bad tire, specifically one with belt separation, which can be visually identified on a lift.
• ⚠️ Driving with a compromised tire can lead to a blowout, making replacement crucial.
• 🌟 Given the car's heritage (passed down from grandmother to mother), replacing all four tires is suggested for safety and a fresh start.

Jonah's Chevrolet Malibu Gear Shift Issue

• ⚙️ Jonah's 1967 Chevrolet Malibu's steering column gear shift gets stuck, particularly when stopping.
• 🔧 Rebuilding the original shifter mechanism is complex and parts may be scarce; installing a floor shifter is a common alternative.
• 🚗 However, given the car's sentimental value and potential collector status, the hosts recommend finding a rebuild kit through publications like Hemmings Motor News.
• ⚠️ If a rebuild isn't feasible, sticking to a single gear, like second, is suggested as a temporary workaround.