FAQs about Miscellaneous

What is causing the strange noise coming from the area around the front passenger footwell?

-->I have recently noticed a strange noise coming from the area around the
-->front passenger footwell. It seems when I get on the Boost (around 2-3 psi)
-->there is a noise that sounds like a flap opening and closing. It is kind of
-->loud. It sounds like it is coming from around the CIS computer. When I get
-->off the throttle there is a closing sound. What is this noise and how can I
-->get rid of it?
-->Paul-
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Paul,

I've seen this before, the vacuum supply to the heater has an in-line check valve in the vacuum hose near the intake manifold. Trace the small vacuum hose that goes through the firewall on the passenger's side to the heater. Where this hose is connected to the intake manifold there is a black/white plastic check valve (there is also one for the brake booster there too) take this valve off and see if you can blow through it both ways (blow lightly) if you can blow through it both ways it's bad. Might check the brake one too.

What happens is the REC flap in the heater has manifold vacuum to it all the time (unless the REC button is IN). When you get on the turbo boost the intake manifold pressurizes and the flap opens because it looses it's vacuum source. This check valve is there to prevent this from happening. Just replace the black/white check valve and this will stop. DO NOT switch it with the brake's check valve or you will have brake problems then. This problem is mainly seen on turbo's only because they can pressurize the intake and a non-turbo can't. It's the check valve I'd put money on it.

Can I fix a noise coming from my speedometer?

What should I do to my brick before putting it into long-term storage?

Hi all,

We're moving to Japan for two years, renting out the house, storing our two 245s.

I'm planning to:
        - pull the spark plugs, squirt couple tablespoons oil in each cylinder, crank, replace plugs
        - raise off ground / store on blocks
        - top up gas tanks; add "fuel moisture remover"
        - disconnect batteries
        - cover with tarps
        - (maybe) run "closet heaters", 7-watt heaters electric, to keep damp out (it's wet wet wet here, but never below freezing)

Anything else anyone can think of?

Thanks,

-Ted Pirsig
(Whose Mazda, upon returning from a year in Amsterdam in '92, had 6" tall plants growing out of the driver's seat...)

- raise the tyre pressure somewhat
- wax the car
- plug the exhaust pipe while the exhaust system is still warm
- smear copper paste around the sparkplugs when you put them back in
- add some more rust inhibitor to the engine coolant
- spread little bags or socks filled with silica gel or Calcium Chloride
around the interior and store the car with the windows closed
- If you really want to do something good to your stored car, check the 
advertisements in "Classic and Sportscar" or maybe "Hemmings Motor
News". There is a product from England which, I think, is called the
"Carcoon". It is basically a giant ziplock bag which contains your car
and is inflated by a small electric fan. That fan keeps blowing filtered
air through the bag and not only keeps your car nice and dry but (so I
heard) is also very good for drying out cars that have taken up lots of
moisture in the sills and other inaccessible spots. Owners of expensive
classic cars use it to prevent inavoidable condensation moisture (if
they don't have a heated garage).
Now - I don't know if you want to treat your bricks like you would treat
your Aston Martin, but check it out.

Does anyone know why my wiper motor sounds like a diesel generator?