Dear JB,

I drive a 1998 Cadillac Sedan DeVille that has begun using oil.  It also has a small oil leak, but it was using oil even before the leak began.  Since this was a fairly expensive car when it was new I should probably fix it instead of trading it.  What do you think?

Signed,
Drip, Drip, Drip DeVille

Dear Drip,

How about we win one for the Dripper (I couldn't help it, folks!).  You are right to fix this car since you would take a bath on a trade-in.  Let's look at this in two pieces.  First the oil usage problem:  There is a

procedure we use all the time at my shop to clean the rings in the cylinders on the 4.6 liter Northstar engine which involves removing the spark plugs and pouring a solvent in the cylinders.  Then you let it sit 8 hours and vacuum it back out being careful to get it all so you don't destroy

the engine on restart.  The oil leak is somewhat more involved.  Normally, the Northstar leaks at a joint between the block and the oil pan.  To fix it requires removing the engine and the main bearing girdle.  The bad news is that sometimes the main bearing bolt holes strip out and require rethreading with steel inserts.  Expect to spend a couple grand on the whole job.

Dear JB,

What does it mean when a car "jumps time?"  My Escort quit on the freeway three weeks ago and my dumb boyfriend, who, by the way, can't fix it, says that that is what happened.

Signed,
Walkin' to the Waffle House

Dear Waffles,

How do you tell a professional mechanic from an amateur?  The professional doesn't need his wife to hold the flashlight.  I guess the same goes for plumbers.  His guessing that your engine "jumped time" is a giveaway that you are dealing with someone who shouldn't be working on cars. Sometimes timing belts do break or strip which would

account for your breaking down.  Here's a simple way to diagnose almost any engine: Step One, remove a spark plug wire and insert a long screwdriver into the boot.  Crank the engine and see if a spark jumps from the screwdriver to the engine.  Step Two, put the wire back on the plug and remove a fuel line and recrank to see if fuel sprays out the line.  Better yet, install a pressure gauge in the line if you have one.  (Hint: reversing steps one and two can significantly increase the likelihood you will be driving a new car soon!)  Step Three, check the cranking compression.  You will have to borrow a compression gauge from a real mechanic, here, but it will lead you to a accurate conclusion of what is really wrong with your car.

JB can be seen each Thursday morning on WDEF-TV News 12's Morning Show at 7:30 A.M. where he answers your car questions.  He can also be heard Saturday Mornings 7-9 on Talk Radio 102.3 FM on the Saturday Morning Garage.  He spends the rest of his time taking advantage of helpless motorists at North Shore Auto Repair in Chattanooga. E-mail JB at jeepster1515@yahoo.com to have your car care question answered in this column.