An overheated engine can cause major damage
Q: I’ve noticed some spots on the driveway beneath my car that I believe are antifreeze (orange). I have an intense schedule right now that will make it difficult to have the car serviced. Is it acceptable to add a container of stop-leak to fix the problem?
—Melissa B.
A: Melissa, I have doubts this will help, and the consequences of possibly overheating the engine are ugly. Before driving further, can you please check, or get the coolant level checked and top off as necessary? Removing the radiator or expansion tank cap is dangerous unless the engine is cold, as the warm/hot coolant will be under pressure and can cause serious burns if it suddenly escapes.
If coolant is needed to bring the radiator and/or expansion tank or overflow bottle to the correct level, tap water will do for a quick fix, until the system is inspected and repaired (coolant will likely be renewed upon repair). Even if the leakage rate is slight (a few drips here and there) I’d seek service as soon as possible.
There are many reasons a cooling system may leak. Hoses can develop cracks or splits, a hose clamp may be loose or improperly seated, a gasket between mating engine components may be failing, the radiator or heater core may be leaking, or the water pump seal may be leaking.
Stop leak products are sketchy at best and would likely only be helpful in the case of a tiny radiator or heater core leak, and the fix often doesn’t last very long. I would hesitate to add anything that could possibly contribute to passage clogging.
It’s impossible to tell you what to expect for a repair. A leaky hose would be your best-case scenario; a leaking heater core or corroded engine component (due to lack of cooling system service/coolant replacement) would likely be the worst.
Move on this as soon as possible. The consequences of an overheated engine can be major and unpredictable.
Q: I’m trying to teach my daughter, a new driver, the best ways to drive efficiently so as to produce the least emissions. Do you have suggestions?
—Val T.
A: Reducing emissions and maximizing fuel economy go hand in hand. Maintaining correct tire pressure, performing appropriate vehicle maintenance and practicing efficient driving habits can go a long way to improve operating efficiency.
Today’s cars and trucks are pretty good about letting you know of performance faults via the Onboard Diagnostics II system’s check engine/ service engine soon light. Virtually all faults or conditions that might result in increased exhaust emissions (and reduced engine efficiency as a side benefit) will result in an illuminated light and a stored diagnostic trouble code.
When it comes to driving habits, minimizing the quantity of cold starts via trip consolidation is huge, as emissions are much higher then. Anticipating slowdowns and easing up early on the throttle, rather than braking, saves fuel. Brakes convert kinetic energy to heat, which is about as wasteful a process as one can get.
Brad Bergholdt is an automotive technology instructor at Evergreen Valley College in San Jose, California. Readers may send him email at bradbergholdt@gmail.com; he cannot make personal replies. Editor’s note: The Motormouth column will return next week.
Imagine you sold a product/service and your customer will pay you in three months. In the meantime, you have to pay your employees, rent or mortgage, insurance, utilities, etc., but you don’t have the cash even though the sale happened and is in your books. Reducing accounts receivable by accepting credit cards, reducing payment terms, and getting paid faster by your customer is a must.
4. Reduce inventory:
The way I see it
in my business, too much inventory is like cash sitting on a shelf not adding any value to the business operation. Do whatever it takes to stay lean when running your business; less is better.
5. Increase your accounts
payable: By doing so, you will see a decrease in net income but at the same time you will increase the cash balance when adjusting net income in the cash flow statement. To make it simple, when you take a little longer to pay your bills while respecting your vendors’ payment terms, you will increase your cash balance and be able to allocate cash to activities that can add more immediate value to your business.
While loving what you do is important on your journey to start and stay in business, being financially savvy and constantly honing that skill is what’s going to keep your business moving forward for years to come.
Investing in your financial literacy and starting with the basics, understanding your company’s income statement and balance sheets can be a great start. As you become more sophisticated on the financial health of your business, you will start appreciating the financial ratios and start playing the game of business the same way many people run their fantasy football leagues.
Appreciation and respect for the numbers will become your guiding star as your business grows and matures. You’ll be able to make better decisions and learn when to speed up and when to slow down. There is no luck in the game of business: The more knowledge you have, the better the odds are in your favor. Much success on your journey. Juan Martinez is owner of Don Juan Mex Grill, which has five locations in the Lehigh Valley. He can be reached at juan@donjuanmexgrill.com.