Car Doctor Q&A

Q

We normally spend winters in Arizona and leave one of my cars there over the summer when I come back east for the summer. Other than setting up a trickle charger I don’t do any other preparation. I have never had a problem for the five or six months the car sits unused. Unfortunately, in 2019 I was unable to return to Arizona in the fall because of some medical issues and the onset of the pandemic. At this time, it appears the earliest I will be able to return to Arizona is the fall of this year. At that point the car in Arizona will have been sitting unused for more than two years. I’ve recently become aware that gasoline left sitting in a car that long goes “stale” and can turn to varnish. What action should I take when I’m back in Arizona before using or even trying to start the car? Are there any “after-the-fact” additives that I could use? Or do I have to do something more drastic such as having the car towed to a shop and having the fuel system drained and cleaned or even replacing the fuel tank?

A

Now it is entirely possible the car could start up and run fine. Although if this were my car, I wouldn’t start it. I would have the car towed to a local repair shop and let them know the car has been sitting for two-years. At this point they can drain the fuel tank, test the electrical system, change, or inspect vital fluids, inspect the brakes and tires as well as anything else that can be damaged from age.

Q

I received a Notice of Class Settlement about the 2011-2016 Hyundai Elantra engine problem (piston slap noise in the upper end of the engine). The notice says that Hyundai will extend the warranty to 80,000 miles to cover this problem. I noticed that Consumer Reports has also identified a major problem with this engine. I have a 2016 Elantra. Since “engine seizing, or stalling can be dangerous if experienced” is there anything the dealer can do to fix the engine before the problem happens. If I trade it in on a newer vehicle, I’m the one who will be taking the financial hit.

A

Hyundai and Kia certainly has had it’s share of engine problems. In my Hyundai (different engine) there was an update, that listens to the engine and turns on the check engine light before the engine self-destructs. The engine in this model does not have this option (at least not yet). In this model the engine cylinders need to be inspected with a borescope to look for cylinder wall scuffing. If there is no scuffing the engine is okay. If the engine does have a “piston-slap” noise the engine will be replaced. At this point there is no reason to think that a possible issue in the future will cause any reduction in trade in value. If the engine is replaced it may help improve the trade-in or resale value.

Q

I presently own a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis with 115,000 miles and in very good shape. I love the ride and the big trunk, but it does not have 4 wheel or even front wheel drive and is poor handling in winter snow. Also, this car is used by myself and my golfing buddies to travel around since it easily holds 4 golf bags and four duffers. With the pandemic and my wife and I not traveling, our savings account has grown nicely with our retirement pensions being added each month. My question. What would you recommend for a great riding car, that will hold four golf bags and has either front wheel or all-wheel drive? Most SUVS I have looked at will not hold 4 golf bags since the left to right

space is inadequate. Interested in a newly used car rather than a new model or should I save money and keep the Mercury and only use our second car that has allwheel drive in the winter snow?

A

Year’s back there were always great choices, Buicks, Chevrolet, Fords, Lincolns, Mercury, and of course Cadillac. Today the vehicles with largest trunks are still small. Some of the biggest are Lexus LS, Chrysler 300 or Dodge Charger. One option may be a four-door pickup truck with a hard cover over the bed. The newest pickup trucks have rear seating that offers more space than any sedan and even the short bed will carry more golf bags than golfers. The other option is keeping the Grand Marquis, these are generally solid and reliable cars with plenty of parts availability. Golfers any suggestions, email me – jpaul@aaanortheast.com