Car Talk #2543: When Liz Yelled at Her Mechanic

The MIT Commencement Conundrum

• 🎓 The hosts discuss a letter from the president of MIT regarding their perennial disappointment at not being invited to speak at commencement.
• 🚩 Despite proposing a "Car Talk" flag, the hosts acknowledge they can't compete with President Clinton's presence, including his own flag and seal.
• 🍽️ Their primary goal for attending commencement is revealed to be the free lunch, not public speaking.

Dodge Dart Engine Troubles

• 🚗 A caller, Mark from Portland, describes a rhythmic noise from the top of his 1963 Dodge Dart's engine, possibly a rod knock.
• 💡 The oil light comes on at idle, suggesting potential issues with the oil pump or bearings.
• 🛠️ A temporary fix involves limping the car along while rebuilding a replacement engine, with humorous suggestions for engine additives.

Toyota Camry Power Loss

• 📉 Hanie from Alexandria, Virginia, experiences a significant power loss on hills in her 1985 Toyota Camry, dropping from 70 mph to 40 mph.
• ⚙️ Despite a recent tune-up, the issue persists, and theories like a slipped clutch or clogged fuel filter are discussed.
• 💨 The likely cause is identified as carbon deposits in the valve train (Toyota Camry Syndrome - TCS), which can be fixed with a chemical additive or a Motorvac service.

Tire Wobble and Mechanic Dispute

• ❓ Liz from Washington D.C. describes her car wobbling after a tire rotation and alignment, despite being told her tires were fine weeks prior.
• ⚠️ The mechanic's explanation that tires can only be assessed by cutting them open is met with skepticism.
• 🔧 The likely cause is identified as tread separation due to improper tire rotation (crisscrossing), leading Liz to yell at her mechanic.
• 🗣️ The hosts suggest Liz should apologize for yelling for the wrong reason but still commend her for confronting the mechanic, who should have known better than to crisscross original equipment tires that wouldn't last 60,000 miles.