This weekly feature for Warranty Direct about car repair and maintenance is written by Tom Torbjornsen, the popular host of America’s Car Show on satellite radio. Below are some recent Q&A from the America’s Car Show email bag.

Dear Tom,
My 2004 Olds Bravada smells hot… really hot. I keep putting in more antifreeze and it seems to disappear (I don’t see any wet spots under the vehicle). The over flow keeps emptying, as well as the radiator. Please help!
Janet from Reno, NV

Janet,
Coolant is going somewhere, probably out the tailpipe. Check to see if the vehicle is emitting white steam out the tailpipe (it probably is). If so, then the head gasket has blown or a cylinder head has cracked or warped as a result of overheating the engine. Have the engine checked for a blown head gasket. Good luck.
Tom

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Dear Tom,
I own a 2003 Nissan Frontier with 80K miles. The automatic hubs tend to partially engage when the truck sits in two-wheel drive for an hour or more. I hear a whirring noise then a clunk. What’s happening?
Josh from ME

Josh,
Quite often moisture and dirt get into the hub assemblies when hub seals go bad. I recommend you open the hubs and inspect them for dirt or moisture. If necessary, clean the hubs out, re-lubricate, and try them. If the cogs and gears are okay and freely moving, the system should work again. If the vehicle is equipped with vacuum controlled hubs, the vacuum control circuit might not be engaging the hubs completely when they are activated. In this case, the system would need to be tested for vacuum leaks or faulty components. Success to you.
Tom

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Dear Tom,
I own a 2005 Ford Explorer and it’s stuck in 4WD. Backing up does not disengage the transfer case. If I block the vehicle off the ground and rotate the front axle, will this disengage the 4WD?
Tom from Upton, OH

Tom,
First have a scan done of the control module for the transfer case. This module receives the 4×4 commands and sends the commands to the transfer case. You need to find out if the transfer case is being told to go back to 2WD. There is a shift motor that shifts the transfer case into and out of four-wheel drive. Once you scan the system for trouble codes, you can then use this info to isolate the source to an electronic control problem, or a transfer case problem.
Tom

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Dear Tom,
I own a ‘62 Morris Minor 1000, non-synchromesh transmission. I would prefer to use synthetic gear oil in the transmission. What make and grade of synthetic oil would you recommend in order to make this transmission operate properly?
Eric from Panama City, FL

Eric,
The recommended gear lube for your vehicle is 75W-90 rear end lube. AMSOIL makes a synthetic 75W-90 sold as “Manual Transmission & Transaxle Gear Lube” that would work superbly in your Morris Minor 1000. For any future questions along these lines, consult www.lubedepot.com.
Tom

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Dear Tom,
I own a ’95 Olds Auroa V8. The injectors are leaking gas and flooding the cylinders, and they seem to be stuck open. What would cause this? What’s the best course of action? As soon as the key is on, it pumps out gas. Thanks for your help.
Joe from Forestville, NY

Joe,
The injectors on this engine are electronically controlled by the PCM (Powertrain Control Module). The first order of business is to scan the system for codes. It sounds to me like you have a grounded temperature sensor or a faulty injector driver causing the injectors to pump raw fuel into the engine. If left in this condition for too long, it will damage the catalytic converter and you will have to replace it. The cat is getting more fuel than it can process, which will cause it to plug up with carbon deposits. Success to you.
Tom

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Dear Tom,
My son owns a ‘97 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup and the heater core is leaking. Our local shop wants $400 to fix it. Do they have to pull the entire dashboard out to replace the core?
Alan from Nashville, TN

Alan,
The HVAC box on this truck has to be removed from under the dash to replace the heater core. This is quite a labor-intensive job, and not (may I add) a job for the novice. Even with special tools and experience, the job requires about 4.5 hours according to the book. Bite the bullet and pay to have the job done. However, if you decide to do it yourself, my experience tells me that whatever the book time is for a job, double it (at least).
Tom

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Dear Tom,
I own a 2001 Chevy S-10 with 156,000 miles. When I start the truck it sounds likes a lifter is stuck. After warming up, the truck seems fine except for the oil pressure, which moves from 40 psi to 80 psi. What is causing the pressure to move around so much?
Sherrie from Clarksville, TN

Sherrie,
There are a few things that could cause this change in pressure. The engine could be worn out; the oil pump could be bad; the oil pump pick-up could be plugged with sludge; there could be excessive clearance in the rod, main, or cam bearings; or there’s no oil in the engine. I would suggest getting the vehicle to a shop for an oil pressure test as soon as possible to avoid any further engine damage. Good luck.
Tom

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Dear Tom,
My 2005 Pontiac G6 has a horrible musty odor coming from the vents. I just purchased this vehicle and when it warms up and I turn on the vents, I can smell it. Do you think this car had water damage? Or is there some other problem that can be fixed?
Andrea from Perryville, MO

Andrea,
There is a possibility that the vehicle was in a flood. A Carfax Report would identify it as a flood victim, if this were the case. There are two other possible causes for the smell. Either the condensation drain is plugged on the HVAC box (allowing the water to leak into the vehicle cabin), or mold is growing on the evaporator core. The system can be deodorized at a shop. During this process, they clean the HVAC box with an industrial grade disinfectant. If the smell comes back after this service is performed, then they have to open the HVAC box in order to find the cause of the odor. I wish you success.
Tom

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‘Til next time…Keep Rollin’

Find Tom’s new book, “How To Make Your Car Last Forever” in local Barnes & Nobel, Borders, and Walden booksellers. Find it online at Amazon.com.

For more articles by Tom Torbjornsen, visit AMERICA’S CAR SHOW web site: www.americascarshow.com

Tom Torbjornsen is an automotive expert of 37 years. An automotive journalist in good standing with the IMPA (International Motor Press Association) and MPG (Motor Press Guild), Torbjornsen is the Repair and Maintenance Editor for AOL Autos, At Home Portals, and many other websites. Hear his radio show AMERICA’S CAR SHOW, on the SSI Radio Network Saturdays at noon and on Sirius XM Satellite Radio Channel – Stars Too – Sirius 108 and XM 139; Sunday afternoons – 5PM EST, listen to the show on the live stream during regular show times at www.americascarshow.com. Send your car questions to his website at: www.americascarshow.com.