|
|
1997 Dodge Stratus ES - Engine Light Issue + More?
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Waterdust
New User
Feb 24, 2011, 5:21 PM
Post #1 of 2
(2294 views)
|
|
1997 Dodge Stratus ES - Engine Light Issue + More?
|
Sign In
|
|
===================================
Car: Dodge Stratus
Year: 1997
Type: ES
Miles: 110k+ (estimating)
Engine: Unsure of this but from memory it eats more gas than the other type as there are only 2 types for this car.
State & weather most driven in: CA-Sacramento weather (usually dry an modest heat/sunlight).
--------------------
Repairs Done Recently (meaning within last 3-4 months):
Oil & filter change with hi-mileage oil type every 3k miles (Jiffy-lube sadly, I cannot change oil/filter myself YET)
Replaced ALL brakes fully (not just pads, surely another mechanic would know what I mean here)
Flushed Radiator (was NEVER done before I learned)
Replaced the oil pressure switch?/sensor? (Can't remember which name to call it)
Replaced headlight bulbs (within last month)
Replaced the Thermostat itself (caused check engine light previously within last month)
Note 1: An before someone asks, yes the gas cap is turned 3 clicks or more to ensure its tightly closed.
Note 2: I have spare fuses, those small colored ones if needed for w/e reason.
-------------------
A bit of history:
Car previously owned by in-law who was the only owner of this vehicle since it came off the assembly line (possibly in July 2010 a tune-up was done by said person, will confirm later).
Car tires are in "red zone" (front) and "yellow zone" (rear), one rear tire has had a nail removed an damage fixed/sealed professionally. However at times driving there will be a distinct noise which
we theorize has something to do with the ground type as it goes away with better kept roads, I cannot begin to describe the slight noise but we know it can't be engine related or a loose part also
the mechanic has not noticed anything out of the ordinary here during several checks, alignment is also intact still he says.
Mechanic can confirm all belts are good and in-line, I've looked myself with him an can confirm this for what its worth (I've seen a chart showing different issues here for belts).
I can confirm from a recent parking moment (above snow undisturbed) there was red & yellow fluid on the snow/ground though no oil.. strange,
I imagine a transmission & radiator leak? need confirmation/opinion here.
Transmission fluid line dry-rotted enough to allow severe leak, this occurred during radiator flush & drive to work shortly
there-after which then was towed back for "clamping of leak" rather than replacing the line itself as mechanic said this was not yet necessary.
During a long trip from "CA" towards "WI" the car experienced issue where gas pedal needed to be pushed to the floor or sometimes slightly harder to keep highway speeds or even above 25mph
granted this issue was thought to be only due to mountain "climbing" it recently had a moment on IL highway (during another small trip) where it needed a slightly harder press to keep highway speed
however this was a once issue during that smaller trip, has not happened again within the last few weeks.
Jiffy lube has continued to report since the car was given to us that oil is leaking, granted slowly it is. My mechanic has said in the past this was not the case up until recently where
he suggested a minor gasket replacement (around $250 time, parts, taxes included) would resolve this issue.
Within the last few days the check engine light has returned, mechanic wants to charge about $50 for the "scan" - so begins the reason I'm posting this. Given all of the above data would anyone here
be able to determine something I'm not aware of that perhaps someone has missed or kept hidden from me?
Should I buy a diagnostic tool to scan the car myself? if so which one is recommended? what does anyone here think about "carMD" an their tool?
I look forward to all mature responses.
===================================
|
|
| |
|
|
zmame
Veteran
/ Moderator
Feb 24, 2011, 5:40 PM
Post #2 of 2
(2286 views)
|
|
Re: 1997 Dodge Stratus ES - Engine Light Issue + More?
|
Sign In
|
|
Noise- could be tire noise, Check tire run your hand on the face of the time check for feathering, abnormal wear patters, camber wear(wear on one side of the tire). since your tires are in the red anyways you should replace them for safety issues and see if that solves your issue
Fluid leaks - Red fluid has to be from transmission since i think dodge uses clear P/S fluid. I would get that check right away if the line bursts while driving and you loose all your fluid could do damage to your transmission. I'm not a strong believer in patching with rubber hose and clamp if line is rotten replace them.
Yellow fluid leak could be clean oil. Since you said they guys at jiffy lube noticed an oil leak. Should be addressed also
Not sure I can offer you any advice on throttle issue since it's not doing it anymore and hasn't done it since.
There are plenty of cheap code pullers on the market. They just pull generic codes that will point you in a direction scanners at garages cost thousands of dollars and can monitor alot of your sensors, power balances and so on. Snap-on sells a decent little generic OBD-II scanner that reads O2 reading, Throttle position and few other little things I haven't really played around with it. they go for around $300 i think.. you can get just a basic code puller for around $50.
(This post was edited by zmame on Feb 24, 2011, 5:43 PM)
|
|
| |
|
| | |
|
Auto Repair Home
SEARCH
WHO'S 
LOG 