Ask the Auto Doctor
Q: I have a 2011 Nissan Sentra with 35,000 miles and it seems to be burning oil. There is no oil dripping on the ground, there is no smoke coming out of the tail pipe, there is no odd smell like oil burning on the engine block, but checking the dipstick every so often does show that the oil is going down in an abnormally quick amount of time. Is there a product on the market to perhaps alleviate this problem? — Theresa
A: Oil consumption is a common complaint on the Sentra and has been for many years, as are clogged pre-catalytic converters at the exhaust manifold from the oil burning. Oil burning usually starts around 50,000 miles on these cars. Crankcase ventilation, intake butterfly valves, sludge, and carbon buildup around the piston rings all contribute to the oil usage without seeing a lot of smoke out the tail pipe. A top engine cleaning performed by a technician can sometimes clean the piston rings and cylinder head. Changing to highmileage oil, even with the low mileage, is also an option.
Q: I have a 2013 Dodge Avenger with 31,000 miles; I’m 86 years old and no longer work, so the car is used for running around town. It just developed a clicking noise: I think it has something to do with the heater or cooling controls but it looks like I have to take the whole dashboard off to get at the controls and that’s too much for me right now. Any suggestions? Have there been any reports of this kind of problem on other Dodge vehicles? I had a 2009 Dodge Charger until Hurricane Sandy, when a tree fell on the roof and smashed it. That was going to be the last car I was going to own until it got smashed, but the insurance only gave me enough to buy the Avenger. — Jerald
A: Most vehicle climate control systems are controlled by small electric door mode actuators. These small plastic actuators have small plastic gears inside them that open and close plastic blend doors to regulate the hot/cold air and what vent the air blows out of. Some blend door motors are easy to access; others may require part of the dash to be pulled away. The job may not be as expensive as you may think. Get an estimate from whatever shop you use. The technician will look on both Alldata and Identifix for service and removal information.
Junior Damato is an ASEcertified Master Technician. Email questions for publication to info@motormatters.biz