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Dear Doctor: I have a 2007 Lexus ES 350 with 80,000 miles. For the past seven years, the ignition key system locked so that when the key was put into the ignition cylinder, the key was difficult to turn. I was told to jiggle it with considerable force to free it. I finally gave up with having to go through this routine and replaced the ignition cylinder at a cost of $750. Why did this happen?
Owen
Dear Owen: Ignition cylinders and keys wear out, particularly so when there are several keys hanging from a key ring. Dirty keys (with any kind of grit) cause premature wear to the wafers in the ignition cylinder.
Dear Doctor: I just purchased one of my “bucket list” items: a 1994 Corvette LT1 with 300 horsepower and only 79,000 miles. What is the proper operating temperature when driving in traffic and when stopped for up to five minutes? I see the readings at 220 to 225 degrees when driving and 230 when stopped. Is this supposed to be a “hot” running engine? It also has a rough idle. I’m wondering if the rough idle is related to the previous owner keeping it garaged for six months with only 4 gallons of gas in the tank. A friend told me to fill it with high-octane fuel and take a long highway ride to “clean out” the plugs and “wake it up.” Do you agree?
Nick
Dear Nick: These older Corvettes run 200-plus degrees. If you prefer, you could change to a 180-degree thermostat and replace the coolant temperature to activate the cooling fan at a lower temperature. This would bring the operating temperature down. A rough idle could be from the old gasoline, dirty spark plugs, or something else. With this low-mileage 1994 Corvette, I would say it’s not a mechanical problem. A full tank of gas and full-synthetic oil change would be my recommendation.
Dear Doctor: Regarding a reader who wrote in about his Honda Accord’s wiper fluid dispenser squirting cleaner only to the base of the windshield, I’ve also noticed something about “hood-mounted” washer sprays, which cannot be adjusted. I find that once at driving speed, these spray jets do a better job because the wind pushes the spray higher onto the windshield. Whereas older cars (2000 MY) with “adjustable” nozzles mostly clean the roof when driving at highway speeds! However, these adjustable nozzles are most effective when the driver is stopped.
Tony
Dear Tony: I have not had the experience of the washers squirting over the top of windshields at highway speeds. I have replaced a lot of hood-mounted washer nozzles and found that some washer nozzles get partly blocked, or the small spray holes can wear and get bent out of shape.
Dear Doctor: I’m impressed with the styling of the all-new 2016 Jaguar XF. But how well does it perform? Have you driven it yet?
Ronald
Dear Ronald: I drove the 2016 Jaguar XFS. The old days of big V-8 engines have now evolved over to supercharged six-cylinder engines pumping out 340 to 380 horsepower. And for the V-8 lovers, there are plenty 5.0-liter engines with 550 horsepower. Power flows through eight-speed automatic transmissions with paddle shifters and multiple shift modes. The suspension, like the transmission, has multiple settings for performance, comfort, even a winter mode, and does a good job of isolating road bumps and imperfections. Jaguar did a nice job with all the controls – and yes – made them easy to use and understand. The 2016 Jaguar XFS does ride and handle like a high-end sports car; power is ample at any speed, along with a pleasant note of a supercharge whine under hard acceleration.
Junior Damato is an ASE-certified Master Technician. E-mail questions for publication to info@motormatters.biz. Mail questions to Motor Matters, PO Box 3305, Wilmington, DE 19804.
Dear Doctor: All four of the turn signals on my beautiful 1950 Lincoln (EL-Series) have stopped working. I’m hoping it is just a fuse, but I cannot locate the fuse box in its original 6-volt electrical system. Do you know where the box is located? Also, since it’s a 1950 model, do the turn signals have to be working during a state safety inspection? Al
Dear Al: Unfortunately, I am not familiar with the 1950 Lincoln, but you may be able to find a fuse diagram online. I would recommend you do an online search. Indeed, the turn signal indicators will need to be operational in order to pass state inspection.
– Junior Damato, Motor Matters
Copyright, Motor Matters, 2016
(Manufacturer photo: 2007 Lexus ES)
Junior Damato is an ASE-certified Master Technician. E-mail questions for publication to info@motormatters.biz. Mail questions to: Motor Matters, PO Box 3305, Wilmington, DE 19804