Motormouth: Fix it or risk it?

Miami Herald

19-05-2025

Q: I have a 2003 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet with 72,000 miles. It's a beauty, in perfect condition and fun to drive. I hear the IMS bearing can go out and ruin the engine. It can cost as much as $5,000 to replace the bearing. Should I bite the bullet and fix it now, wait till the clutch needs replacing and save money doing them both at the same time, or gamble and buy $5,000 of Tesla stock? When it doubles, I can fix it on Elon's dime!
R.N., Los Altos, California
A: Not replacing the intermediate shaft bearing is a big gamble. If your risk tolerance is high, your car may go well over 100,000 miles. Bearing replacement is expensive, so many owners wait for some other repair to take advantage of overlapping labor costs. Like any auto technician, I make mistakes occasionally. Do-overs are, unfortunately, part of the repair business. My knowledge of the securities industry is next to zero. You don't get do-overs in the stock market. Bottom line? It's a crap shoot and the dice are in your hand.
Q: I have a 2025 CX-50 that I enjoy, however every once in a while, after going over potholes or train tracks, I get a brief wind chime tone in the car. My wife and I have heard this many times, however we couldn't get the dealer to reproduce. Any ideas?
R.K., Chicago
A: Mazda issued a technical service bulletin to fix rattles in the sunroof, but I am not aware of any others. The carmaker recommends removing the trim pieces and checking if all the bolts and plastic clips are properly installed. Dealers may also add sound-deadening material in some other places to eliminate rattles.
Q: I read your reply to S.B. regarding his Kia Optima, and I was shocked that 1,000 mile loss of a quart of oil is accepted. Is this what is considered acceptable industry standard for Kias, for most automobiles, or what? I have a 2015 Honda Accord with 126,000 miles. I typically change the oil when the reminder hits 30% oil life left. I check my oil every time I fill up, which is usually around 400 miles. Rarely do I need to add any oil between changes. Is what I experience exceptional?
H.R., Hanover Park, Illinois
A: Although being down a quart of oil at 1,000 is an acceptable industry standard, it doesn't happen commonly. What you, and most motorists enjoy, is the norm.
Q: I recently purchased a 2022 Ford Escape SEL with a 1.5-liter engine with 10,000 miles on it (leased vehicle). At lower speeds, mostly under 25 mph, it jerks quite a bit. Took it to the dealership and they said everything checked out. Any answer to why it does this?
C.W., Red Wing, Minnesota
A: Nope, but it sounds like they may have given your car the "sunshine treatment."
Q: have a 1995 Chevy Cruze and have power steering warning lights showing up on the dashboard. The steering angle sensor is defective. GM has stopped making and stocking this part. Any suggestions on what to do? Thanks for your help.
B.W., Chicago
A: I am not in the business of locating obsolete parts, but in your case, I made an exception because I was curious and had time on my hands. I usually turn to auto parts recycling centers (formerly called junk yards when I was a kid). I may not have dug deeply enough in recycling places, but did discover one new part at Genuine Chevrolet Parts, Stingray Chevrolet. Google it.
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