RichC | January 5, 2012
The Kickstarter company Lubricheck, mentioned in May of 2011, has improved their oil analyzer device to include diesel engines. Outstanding … although they aren’t shipping just yet – order link.
RichC | January 2, 2012
It looks like we’ll be getting the first real snow of the season today … and definitely the first for 2012, Happy New Year by the way. I’m spending today at home tackling a few chores like helping my son put his snow tires on the VW GTI; it is not the most behaved vehicle [...]
RichC | December 14, 2011
A real hot button topic is being discussed after the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommended banning portable electronic devices such as cellphones from being used by drivers of automobiles. Distracted driving is fast becoming the seatbelt or drunk driving issue of the day. As someone who spends a significant amount of time on the [...]
RichC | December 1, 2011
U.S. built 2012 Volkswagen Passat – Motortrend Car of the Year 2012 Volkswagen reported strong sales for November 2011, up 40.7% over last year. The new Passat contributed over 6000 units and the Jetta 11,131 units (a 58.9% increase year-to-date). The somewhat unique to North America 40+ mpg clean diesel models contributed to nearly 20% [...]
RichC | November 27, 2011
Most Volkswagen Jetta owners have experienced the “low front valance” problem with their cars (probably other models too) … be it a bump in the road, steep drive or the infamous parking curb. In my daughter’s case, it was a parking curb with the steel hold-down rebar protruding way too high and catching enough to [...]
RichC | November 23, 2011
Could you be tempted by an AWD “performance” version of your favorite Volkswagen model … IF it was available with a diesel? According to recent comments at the LA Auto Show, VW could be offering their “R” line all-wheel drive with a TDI … and in more than the hatchback. “The future is diesel and [...]
RichC | November 21, 2011
Small Volkswagen and Audi TDIs in North America could always use a little more competition … how about an attractive diesel roadster with both performance and fuel efficiency from Mercedes? The 47mpg SLK250 CDI. Mercedes’ newest SLK roadster combines thrilling performance, classic sportscar proportions, and (most relevant from our purposes) incredible fuel economy figures: [...]
RichC | November 17, 2011
It looks like the boxy designs are nearly gone from most of the domestic and Asian automotive companies in favor of the lighter and more car-like CUV. Scott Burgess shared a little info on Ford’s new 2013 Escape from the LA Auto show. The Escape has lost the truck-ish SUV look and emulated the CUV [...]
RichC | November 12, 2011
After reading a recent article in the WSJ discussing the tens of thousands of high paying energy sector and supporting jobs that would be immediately available if the Keystone XL pipeline project would be approved, its clear that politics are more important to President Obama that U.S. jobs. He must have decided that the votes [...]
RichC | November 8, 2011
My daughter called to tell me her dependable Volkswagen Jetta TDI wouldn’t start. So far it has made it through high school, college, med school and to her medical residency without letting her down. Unfortunately it just cranked and wouldn’t start this time. I attempted to diagnose over the phone – having her check for [...]
RichC | November 5, 2011
First the good news … the problem I have been having with the idle was as expected due to the Weber carburetor and after taking it apart and cleaning the jets with a small welding tip cleaner has been fix. The engine idles like a kitten (although a hungry cold one left outside – a [...]
RichC | November 5, 2011
Having trying all the suggestions offered up by my car guru friends, but still unable to get the MGB to purr at idle without the choke, I’m giving the carburetor jets a thorough cleaning on Saturday. I’m hoping that either something small is blocking the jets or some kind of varnished gasoline or gunk is [...]
RichC | November 3, 2011
I’m at traditionalist when it comes to cars and am attracted to the rumble of an internal combustion engine and tactile sensation of shifting gears, preferably manual. But the world is changing and new cars have sophisticated automatics or are going gearless (CVTs) … and expect more and more cars with tiny engines to include [...]
RichC | November 2, 2011
Since I’m having a few problems getting my carburetor/idle issue corrected on my tiny MGB, perhaps picking up a new engine might be a solution? Mopar® to Highlight Cubic Inches and Horsepower at SEMA – 800 horsepower V-10 Crate engine takes center stage at SEMA – Gen III High Output HEMI® V-8 with 590 horsepower [...]
RichC | October 29, 2011
As I continue to diagnose and tinker with my MGB and the Weber 32/36 DGV carburetor and manifold kit that replace the Zenith carb, I’m still having problems figuring out why it will not idle off of choke. So as long as I have the choke on, the car will idle hot or cold at [...]
RichC | October 25, 2011
Compression on all four cylinders is good after machining the head (photo with Kodak Zx5) I’m still trying to figure out why I’m having a problem with the MGB idle and setting the carburetor. After finally calling Bob at Brit-tek, I thought I would send a video (below) which helps to describe my Weber carb [...]
RichC | October 20, 2011
While traveling this week, (and watching out for wild, exotic animals) … I stopped to visit with a car friend I met online and to see his 1966 MGB. He has been sitting on his little British car since the 1980s and wondered what I thought it would take to get it back on [...]
RichC | October 16, 2011
The weekend was a good one weather-wise for yard chores and closing up the pool. Beside meeting our son Taylor for lunch on Saturday, Brenda and I took advantage of the nice warm autumn weather and enjoyed both Saturday and Sunday outside. I also was able to retrieve the heads from the MGB that Jack [...]
RichC | October 12, 2011
Surprise! This is something to keep in mind when it comes to replacing the “starter battery” in a hybrid car … not the one to power the electric motors, but the smaller one to start the gasoline engine. As I recall, most gasoline and diesel only car starter batteries are significantly less than $530. This [...]
RichC | October 11, 2011
Interested in a 1983 Ford Mustang Convertible? My mother-in-law has finally and reluctantly decided to sell her car knowing that a second car isn’t needed anymore. She has unfortunately put too many maintenance dollars into keeping this car in good shape, but it has spent most of the past decade parked in the garage. All [...]
RichC | October 11, 2011
According to the Detroit News and reporter Scott Burgess, there were a few areas still in need of improvement before 2013 Chevrolet’s diesel Cruze will satisfy most American drivers. He points positively to the estimated 50 mpg and 800 range, but in a recent 587 mile trip around Europe, he was only able to return [...]
RichC | October 9, 2011
As the U.S. economy tries muddle along, few new jobs are consistently being added to put Americans back to work. With confidence in the U.S. fiscal situation and our own personal finances low, it’s no surprise to see even new efficient “diesel” passenger vehicle sale struggle. According to the latest numbers, diesel passenger sales through [...]
RichC | October 6, 2011
I haven’t watched the movie “A Little Help,” but did noticed that Chris O’Donnell was driving a mid-seventies MGB with a similar color to ours – you know that, “yellow vomit” color. (or since I’m talking MGB, perhaps it is “colour”) I’m not sure just because the MG makes an appearance that I’ll be renting [...]
RichC | October 5, 2011
Not so promising long term update comments … but worth reading if you are looking at new VW TDIs. My first impressions of the new Jetta’s cabin aren’t very positive. While I had mentally prepared for a cheapened interior, I continue to find additional minor cost-cutting annoyances. First on the list is the frequently used [...]
RichC | October 2, 2011
Friday night and Saturday morning gave me a few more hours to disassemble the MBG engine once again, although this time I also removed the head. As noted previously, the #2 intake valve was sticking in an open position taking compression to zero. Under further inspection, I can see that it doesn’t seat correctly … [...]
RichC | September 28, 2011
So much for the carburetor tuning and electrical issues that have frustrated me lately (posted yesterday) … it wasn’t the problem. Can you tell what the problem is from this photo? I’ve been struggling to figure out why the 1975 MGB would not run smoothly at idle … now I know … the problem is [...]
RichC | September 27, 2011
Get the latest Flash Player to see this player. [Javascript required to view Flash movie, please turn it on and refresh this page] I’m posting my MGB idling problem to the MG Experience forums in hopes to gain a little help … if you’re “just a car guru” and have some advice I don’t mind [...]
RichC | September 24, 2011
Enjoyed the new World Fastest Car Show (WFCS) online video program on YouTube from Ebay Motors (video below) and learned something interesting right from the start. The Ford Mustang BOSS 302 got its name “BOSS” when the lead designer creating the original 1970 V-8 302 Mustang for Parnelli Jones was asked, “who ya doing that [...]
RichC | September 20, 2011
While still tweaking the new WordPress install, I wanted to test Windows LiveWriter and the online Skydrive set-up for ease of displaying a gallery of photos. It may be an easy way to upload and include photos, but I’m not all that pleased with how it works.
RichC | September 8, 2011
Having just spent the weekend driving the 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI with the DSG gearbox, it is wrong to compare it to a manual transmission. As good as the dual clutch gearbox is in quickly up and downshifting gears, it is not the traditional clutch and stick driving pleasure that traditionalist enjoy. I would say [...]