The Lolita Cavalier

Q-I have a 1998 Cavalier Z24 with only 34 miles on it; that's right, 34. It's a long story. Since I got the car in September 1997, it has been sitting outside, covered up with a Tyvek car cover. Nothing else has been done to it. Before I attempt to start it up, what precautions should be taken?

A-If only your car could talk (and tell that long story), it would ask you to change its oil and filter. It also would ask you to remove the spark plugs and squirt a little oil in the cylinders, which are just about bone dry. With the plugs still out, crank the engine a few times to distribute the oil and purge any excess.

Since it has been sitting outside, your car may have been host to all kinds of wildlife. Check for evidence in all the nooks and crannies under the hood. Don't forget to look inside the air filter. Remove any nests you might find. Examine the wires in case something had been gnawing at the insulation. Although you could put tape over the damage, we suggest heat-shrink insulation, which does a better job of keeping water out so the wires don't corrode in the future.

Fill the tank with fresh gasoline. Hopefully, there was not too much gas in there when you parked it. It wouldn't hurt to dump a bottle of fuel-system antifreeze in the tank to dispel any moisture that may have accumulated from condensation.

Of course, you will have to recharge or possibly replace the battery. Don't forget to air up the tires.

When you finally start the engine, drive your new car gently to allow everything to break in. You wouldn't want to run the hundred-yard dash just after a long hibernation either.

Quitting time for Astro

Q-The engine quits on my 1985 Astro van two or three times a month. It happens when slowing up for a stop or turning. I suspect the EGR valve. Could I remove the vacuum line and plug it to check, then reconnect it later, or will I hurt the engine?

A-There have been some problems with General Motors' EGR valve, so your hunch may be close. However, disconnecting the vacuum hose will probably do no good, even though you will do no harm to the engine. The problem is more likely a buildup of carbon below the EGR valve. The valve will have to be completely removed in order to clean out the buildup.

What's with all the Chevys?

Q-I have a 1987 Nova that now has 46,000 miles. I had the tires rotated, and then the car started to lean to one side. I had two rear struts installed, but this has not helped. Can you advise a shop that I could trust to give me a fair inspection?

A-We are not familiar with the shops in your neighborhood and, even if we were, we do not make endorsements. What we do suggest, however, is that you look for a shop that employs ASE-certified technicians. Look for a white ring with a blue seal in the center displaying the ASE logo. Although certification does not prove anyone's veracity, it does prove that they are technically competent. Also, ask your neighbors whom they trust their cars to.

Global warming comes home to roost

Q-We have no garage, and it seems to get colder every winter. So, in preparation for next winter, we had a local shop install an Audiovox Remote Car Starter in our 1997 Camry. At night, I plan to turn the heater on high before turning off the motor and locking the car. Then, in the morning, 15 minutes before leaving, from inside our apartment, I plan to point the remote control at the car, then double click. Will doing this regularly lead to damage, and are there any precautions we should be taking regarding the use of this device?

A-You probably won't do any great harm to your car, at least not as much harm as you are doing to the atmosphere, the world's petroleum reserves, and your pocketbook. Since your car is fuel-injected and computer-controlled, the computer reduces the idle speed once the engine reaches operating temperature. I wouldn't advise a remote starter for an engine with a carburetor, though. The choke would stay partially closed and the throttle on fast idle, and that could cause damage. Precautions? Keep an eye out the window for potential thieves.

Oscillating wildly

Q-I took my 1991 BMW 325i to the dealership to replace the head gasket, pulley, timing belt, and fan belts. After picking up the car, I noticed that the temperature gauge was swinging wildly from cold to about halfway then back down. Once the car is driven for a while, the temperature reaches about one-fourth and the gauge just stays there. This never happened before I took the car in for repair. I took the car back to the dealership, and they replaced the thermostat and charged me $120. Could the replacement of the head gasket and the belts have been responsible for the way the temperature gauge works and I just got ripped off, or is there no correlation between the previous repair and the temperature gauge?

A-We agree that the new problem seems awfully coincidental, but since the new thermostat fixed the problem, perhaps that is exactly what this is: a coincidence.

Due to the large volume, Bob Weber is unable to answer most questions sent to The Car Connection each month. Some may be answered directly, where possible, and others will be included in future columns if the topic is deemed interesting. Be sure to include your real name and full address (city, state, province, country, etc.) when sending your questions.

Weber, a self-proclaimed swell guy, is an ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technician, freelance writer and former editor of Super Automotive Service magazine. His column, "Motormouth," appears weekly in the Chicago Tribune. He enjoys good tequila, good cigars and good times. A chemistry school dropout, he still concocts compounds in the kitchen and makes a mean pot of chili. He and his wife live near the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.

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