Homeowners Clinic Monthly Q & A; Column: October 1996
We recently had a lavatory installed in our basement. Because the sewer pipe is overhead, we had to install a sewage ejector pump. We now have a problem whenever the pump goes off. There is a rather loud bang at the end of the ejection process. ... [... more]
Popular Mechanics |
Homeowners Clinic Monthly Q & A; Column: September 1997
Water leaks between the foundation wall and my basement floor. I have heard of plastic baseboards that divert this water to a sump pump. Where can I get more information on these products? The joint between the foundation wall and the floor is a ... [... more]
Popular Mechanics |
Car Care Clinic Monthly Q & A Column: February 1998
My mechanic says I shouldn't clean my engine, that it'll run just fine under that ugly layer of crud. But I think it'll run cooler if I clean it off. It is, however, actually illegal to clean your engine in some parts of the coun try, at least ... [... more]
Popular Mechanics |
Car Care Auto Clinic Monthly Q & A Column: September 1999
I'm a maintenance instructor for the U.S. Army, and I would like to know the correct torque values, or how much torque you lose or gain, when you use an extension between the socket and the torque wrench. I've heard this explained different ways ... [... more]
Popular Mechanics |
Car Care Clinic Monthly Q & A Column: November 1997
I left the lights in my Toyota on overnight, and I had to call a tow truck to jumpstart it. The thing wouldn't start even with the tow truck's jumper cables on, and the tow truck driver said that was normal for a really discharged battery. He ... [... more]
Popular Mechanics |
Homeowners Clinic Monthly Reader Q & A Column
My gas-fired furnace has no stack damper on its flue like my old boiler had. My heating service company told me a gas furnace has a damper built inside. I looked at my furnace and didn't see anything that looks like a damper. Could they be ... [... more]
Popular Mechanics |
Car Care Auto Clinic Monthly Q & A Column: May 1999
I wanted to add an aftermarket transmission oil cooler to my pickup, because I tow for long distances throughout the Southwest. One shop in Abilene said to disconnect the factory cooler in the radiator altogether. A different shop in Santa Fe ... [... more]
Popular Mechanics |
Car Care Clinic Monthly Q & A Column: November 1994
My 1984 Buick Regal has developed a misfire. It was hard to start and got really crummy gas mileage, so I took it to a mechanic for a tuneup. After I got it back, it ran better, but it still had a lumpy idle and a high-speed misfire. I opened the ... [... more]
Popular Mechanics |
Homeowners Clinic Monthly Q & A; Column: December 1999
A house's septic tank should be pumped to prevent solids from making their way out of the tank and into the leaching field. We moved into a newly constructed home two years ago, and we have a well and septic system. How will we know when it's ... [... more]
Popular Mechanics |
Homeowners Clinic Monthly Q & A; Column: June 1999
My hot water is heated by my boiler, which also provides heat for the house. However, the water is not even warm enough to take one shower. Do I need to replace the boiler or are there less expensive solutions? There are a number of reasons why a ... [... more]
Popular Mechanics |
Homeowners Clinic Monthly Q & A; Column: January 1999
A Re-Bath liner fits neatly over an existing tub. It's one way to remodel a bathroom without tearing out an old bathtub. We have been considering having a bathtub liner installed over our existing bathtub. We have been quoted prices in the ... [... more]
Popular Mechanics |
Homeowners Clinic Monthly Q & A; Column: December 1999
A house's septic tank should be pumped to prevent solids from making their way out of the tank and into the leaching field. We moved into a newly constructed home two years ago, and we have a well and septic system. How will we know when it's ... [... more]
Popular Mechanics |
