Recent content by Alcibiades

Thanks for the input. The car isn't really worth doing that much work on (20 year old Corolla), though I did recently have a new clutch put in, and it's been fine just making sure the reservoir is filled once a week, so I'll probably just keep doing that.

Has anyone used Lucas Oil Stop Leak? If so, was it effective, and was there any adverse effect? I've been continually filling the reservoir with MaxLife power steering fluid, but I'm ready to try something else which could actually stop the leak. Thanks for any information.

I lurk here from time to time but don't think I've posted since 2010 or '09. Anyway, it's time to report in. Our '03 CRV now has about 156k, and has been running on Redline 5w20 since 20k. In all that time, I've not had to add a single drop of makeup oil. It runs like it's brand new and gets...

What are the consequences of filling up the power steering fluid reservoir of a '98 Maxima (just acquired) with Valvoline Maxlife power steering fluid? I'd drained the reservoir, so it was more than just a tiny amount, and had planned to keep draining and filling until clear. I'd called the...

I've used Redline 5-w20 for the last 80,000 miles on an '03 CRV, changed every 5,000 miles, which is no doubt more often than necessary. As far as I can tell, she's perfectly clean inside. The first tune-up is due in less than 10,000 miles but she still runs like new, with no sign of...

Honda ATF Z1 was $7.31/quart last summer at my dealer. A "flush" is just a 3 quart drain and refill times three. You open the drain and 3 quarts drops out, you fill it up and drive it around the block, and then do that two more times. Kind of stinks that it takes 9 quarts when the transmission...

My '03 CRV is still running like new with 96,000 miles. All I've done is two brake jobs (nearing a 3rd), coolant, transmission, and power steering fluids (all using the Honda fluids), and of course change the oil on schedule (Redline 5w20). I also use the Honda engine air filters, as they seem...

Perhaps I should add, too, that I replaced the wipers. One was about to start scratching the windshield. No joke, however absurd it all may sound. As for the question of what was in it for me, simply this: I didn't want to let a friend of the wife die from total brake and/or engine failure on a...

As far as I know it's MB. My father has an '03 Chrysler minivan, and it doesn't resemble this MB at all. When did they separate from Chrysler? Can't remember if it was before or after '04.

Yes, lots of highway miles, and I agree that the big sump explains the fact that it is still living. The brake issue probably stems from a wreck with a logging truck (settlement pending...). The air filter, oddly, wasn't that bad. Anyway, it's out of my hands now. I've been away from BITOG for...

Someone I know has an '04 ML 350 (3.7l v6), and needed to park it at my house for a day before going on a long trip (long story in itself...). I noticed that the brakes were noisy, and upon inspection found that the right front rotor was literally desintigrating. Pieces of it would break off at...

I'm fairly sure Maxlife is a synblend. There is also Maxlife Synthetic, though I haven't seen it for quite some time. They both generally get good reviews here.

Originally Posted By: Tempest Don't confuse voluminousness for knowledge. He actually was rather concise and clear, as is Molakule. It's just a complicated topic, although the results are simple enough: engine oils go in engines, gear oils go in gears, and gun oils go in guns.

There are plenty of reasons not to hurry an old car to the junk yard. Here are two: 1. For many of us (and this has already been said), it is hard if not impossible to just go buy a new car when we happen to want one. 2. Older cars CAN get good mileage (also already pointed out). My '93 Corolla...

What year is your CR-V? I'm not sure when they switched the recommendation from 5W30 to 5W20, but I'd stick with the weight they recommend. My '03 has had Redline 5W20 since about 20k; now at 87k we've had no issues whatsoever, no burning, no consumption. I've never had to top it off between oil...