Service Slants

Motor,  May 2005  by Rosario, Tom

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Dodge Truck

Clicking sound from steering column. Some 2002 Durangos are prone to giving off an annoying clicking noise from the steering column when the steering wheel is turned left or right. According to Dodge, the noise emanates from the upper portion of the column and has often been misdiagnosed as a damaged clock spring. A much more likely cause, says the truck maker, is a dry upper flex coupling on the intermediate steering shaft. Lubing the coupling with spray lithium-based grease (Part No. 04318066) should eliminate the ruckus.

Start the repair by opening the hood and going to the driver's side of the truck. Locate the upper flex coupling on the intermediate shaft and spray it liberally with the grease. Next, start the engine and turn the wheel back and forth several times to allow the lube to penetrate, then spray the coupling one more time with the grease. To complete the fix, take the truck on the road to verify that the noise has been eliminated. If it hasn't, start checking for more serious problems in the steering column assembly.

Acura

Engine hesitation. All 2002-03 RSXs, as well as 2004 models built between VINs JH4DC5...4SOOOOOl and JH4DC5...4S015007, are prone to exhibiting a nasty hesitation when accelerating from a stop. The most likely cause for the hiccup is carbon deposits on the intake valves, which soak up fuel like a sponge and result in a lean air/fuel mix. Acura says the fluffy deposits are most likely to form when winter-grade fuels are used in colder areas that are experiencing warmer-than-normal ambient temperatures. The Japanese luxury carmaker uses a two-pronged repair approach to exorcise the gremlins: decarbonizing the intake valves to rid the engine of the power-robbing deposits, then reprogramming the PCM with updated files to ensure they won't reform.

You'll find the upgraded software on any interactive Network (iN) CD burned in May 2004 or later. As for the decarbonizing job, Acura recommends its own can of top engine cleaner (Part No. 08732-9008) coupled with an adapter valve and fitting assembly (Part No. 08732-9010).

Start the cleaning routine by running the engine to normal operating temperature, then shut it down and disconnect the brake booster hose. Next, insert the fitting from the adapter into the booster hose, start the engine and allow the idle to stabilize. Now open the valve on the adapter and allow about a third of the cans contents to enter the intake system. Close the valve, then raise the idle until the engine runs smoothly. Repeat the procedure two more times until all of the cleaner is consumed, then reconnect the booster hose and take to the road to ensure that the hesitation has been eradicated.

Dodge Truck/Jeep

Proper evap system repairs. A properly functioning evaporative emissions system is key to keeping the hydrocarbon emissions of today's OBD II vehicles in check. But even the most well-designed evap system can go out of kilter occasionally and be in need of repair. And when those repairs are necessary, say Dodge and Jeep, it's critical that you use the right parts to help restore the system to like-new status.