Thinking of getting my own OBDII scanner
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Originally Posted By: Vikas
Alright, how much money do you have for a scanner? Tell me the budget and I will tell you what to buy. I always encourage people to buy their own tools. I am not a mechanic and so I am not afraid of losing my livelihood when customer does his own diagnostics.
If you are a mechanic and detest non-mechanics being able to buy and use their own scanners, don't cry foul. There are still lots of people who will gladly pay you hundreds of dollar for 30 second of hooking up the scanner and getting the codes but I am NOT one of them.
- Vikas
Thank you Vikas. I am debating what to do. This is the most recent update:
1. The vehicle was taken to the mechanic yesterday. He changed the oil. I did in fact keep up my persistence and i asked what kind of oil went in. I asked for "a name and a number" of the oil, so old Mom could try to get the information for us.
The result is a little bit unexpected: 10W-40, with an oil additive.
10W-40. With an oil additive. 160 degree coolant temps.
So, it is with 10W-40 "and an oil additive" do not know brand of oil if its conventional or synth nor what the additive is though i have a sneaky feeling it is STP.. with that set-up, the oil pressure gauge is slightly below TDC on the OP gauge. (37-40Psi after long drive hot idle, a touch more when driving.) I am not sure if thats good. The engine is quieter though and sounds less diesel-y than whatever was in there before. We use the car so much that we always run the oil out to about ~5000 even though she tries to being it in for the 3k. Ok, moving on.
2. The SES light is now out.
3. She has "set up a date of March 8th for the Thermostat job to be done." I will expect to see the temp gauge right in the middle at 210 (?) when that happens. Then the engine will be "back to normal."
Do you think this engine has some kind of problem based on what i am telling you? The light and "fix" has apparently been predetermined. I should just save my money? I dont even think i could pull the code if i wanted, the light is off now. So ill never know what it was.
I can report back if it stays off and when this work gets done.......
Alright, how much money do you have for a scanner? Tell me the budget and I will tell you what to buy. I always encourage people to buy their own tools. I am not a mechanic and so I am not afraid of losing my livelihood when customer does his own diagnostics.
If you are a mechanic and detest non-mechanics being able to buy and use their own scanners, don't cry foul. There are still lots of people who will gladly pay you hundreds of dollar for 30 second of hooking up the scanner and getting the codes but I am NOT one of them.
- Vikas
Thank you Vikas. I am debating what to do. This is the most recent update:
1. The vehicle was taken to the mechanic yesterday. He changed the oil. I did in fact keep up my persistence and i asked what kind of oil went in. I asked for "a name and a number" of the oil, so old Mom could try to get the information for us.
10W-40. With an oil additive. 160 degree coolant temps.
So, it is with 10W-40 "and an oil additive" do not know brand of oil if its conventional or synth nor what the additive is though i have a sneaky feeling it is STP.. with that set-up, the oil pressure gauge is slightly below TDC on the OP gauge. (37-40Psi after long drive hot idle, a touch more when driving.) I am not sure if thats good. The engine is quieter though and sounds less diesel-y than whatever was in there before. We use the car so much that we always run the oil out to about ~5000 even though she tries to being it in for the 3k. Ok, moving on.
2. The SES light is now out.
3. She has "set up a date of March 8th for the Thermostat job to be done." I will expect to see the temp gauge right in the middle at 210 (?) when that happens. Then the engine will be "back to normal."
Do you think this engine has some kind of problem based on what i am telling you? The light and "fix" has apparently been predetermined. I should just save my money? I dont even think i could pull the code if i wanted, the light is off now. So ill never know what it was.
I can report back if it stays off and when this work gets done.......
Does the vehicle and you share the same household? If yes, you could take more active role in maintaining it. If not, you need to detach from this drama.
If you decide that you intend to become better at understanding and maintaining the vehicles and are willing to invest in tools, you need to take long term approach and come up with a plan and willing to invest/spend money. I own and continue to buy lots of tools but rarely actually use them. I no longer even change my own oil. I do not know which bulk oil is being put in my cars. Ironically, I am on the oil forum but I have very little interest in the oil itself!
Having tools allows me to know if and when things are not working correctly. I also know the remedy even if I do not personally have to get my hands dirty.
As far as the vehicle in question, obviously it needs a thermostat from what you have described. If you lived in colder climate, it would have been changed years ago. It is NOT good for the engine to be running at lower temperature than it was designed to run. A scanner would let you look at the coolant temperature as seen by the car's computer. You can also use infra-red thermometer to measure radiator and/or hoses temperature. I personally will verify the coolant temperature readings before authorizing $500 repair. I will also get the factory service manual and find out what is really involved in the thermostat replacement to see if the price is in the ballpark. I would also see what else could be replaced easily while replacing the thermostat e.g. water pump?
- Vikas
If you decide that you intend to become better at understanding and maintaining the vehicles and are willing to invest in tools, you need to take long term approach and come up with a plan and willing to invest/spend money. I own and continue to buy lots of tools but rarely actually use them. I no longer even change my own oil. I do not know which bulk oil is being put in my cars. Ironically, I am on the oil forum but I have very little interest in the oil itself!
Having tools allows me to know if and when things are not working correctly. I also know the remedy even if I do not personally have to get my hands dirty.
As far as the vehicle in question, obviously it needs a thermostat from what you have described. If you lived in colder climate, it would have been changed years ago. It is NOT good for the engine to be running at lower temperature than it was designed to run. A scanner would let you look at the coolant temperature as seen by the car's computer. You can also use infra-red thermometer to measure radiator and/or hoses temperature. I personally will verify the coolant temperature readings before authorizing $500 repair. I will also get the factory service manual and find out what is really involved in the thermostat replacement to see if the price is in the ballpark. I would also see what else could be replaced easily while replacing the thermostat e.g. water pump?
- Vikas
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