Maintenance - Tag - log - Nicholas Ward

💨 Replacing a Stuck-Open Purge Valve

nicholas — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 20:00:00 +0000

This car is a money pit to be sure. I have replaced this exact component once before, under exactly the same circumstances. The same set of symtoms: rough idle, RPM guage bouncing around a little, stumbles and shakes like a pathetic little wet rat upon starting for the first time after refueling.

The part functioned for a few years, and here we are again. Luckily it is stupid easy to replace, and apparently dirt cheap on Amazon. I paid something like 50 USD for this part only for it to fail after a couple of years. I shudder to think how long a $15 part will last…

🌡️ Replacing Thermostat Housing Assembly

nicholas — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 16:00:00 +0000

The engine coolant temperature gauge reports temperatures that are too low. The engine never reaches the proper operating temperature. The cabin air heating system produces only slightly hotter-than-ambient air. The upper radiator hose begins to warm immediately on starting the car. These are all symptoms of a thermostat that is stuck in the open position. I bought a new one from automotive store.

🛠️ Parts and equipment

I need a few tools and the replacement part:

🚗 Oil Change & Engine Coolant

nicholas — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 08:36:00 -0600

Once again, I must change the oil and oil filter in my now wife’s / our vehicle. I repeat the process documented in my previous post.

Hazard of Too Much Oil

I did not do as well as I did the first time. I poured in too much oil, an amount that just submerged the entire dipstick indicator. This could be very bad because if the oil is reachable by the crankshaft, it would whip the oil into foam. Aerated oil does not lubricate well. Through various forums I was reassured that the level of excess oil added probably, almost certainly, would not result in any kind of engine damage or be sufficient to reach the crankshaft, but I made sure to get the level between the hatches anyway by draining some oil from the drain plug beneath the car.

🚗 Car Maintenance - Oil, Filter, Engine Coolant

nicholas — Sat, 27 Apr 2024 05:30:14 +0000

Labor is expensive and tools are cheap. These are the premises upon which I figure I should change the oil and oil filter myself. And I like to do things myself sometimes, it is not always about the cost savings. Maybe one day my body will fail me or I simply will not want to do it anymore. I am not totally committed to doing everything myself all the time.