First off, I did want to pass along this information-on Monday Pat Mayfield, the Labor Dept Commissioner passed away. SHE JUST RETIRED ON FRIDAY!! WHAT SAD NEWS.

As you know from a few posts ago, I alerted you to how to check the age of your tires and how to perform basic car repairs (tune-ups, oil changes).

I used to do small repairs on my cars years ago. I still fool around with the lawnmover and snowblower-(God that snowblower is at least 12 years old and is still running). I fool around with my scooter too-but I haven’t really done any repairs on my cars.

Well, ever since my “Check Engine Light” went on and unfortunately went off before I could capture the code, I became interested in car repairs again because let’s face it-THEY ARE GETTING COSTLYMAINLY BECAUSE MORE PEOPLE ARE KEEPING THEIR CARS LONGER AND I THINK A LOT OF REPAIR GARAGES ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE.

I went over to Monro Muffler to get my oil changed (every 3000 miles) I also get the injectors blown out and the tires rotated (every 6,000 miles) and the fluids inspected and refilled along with the belts and hoses.

ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION 500 HIGHLAND AVENUE?? I DRIVE MY CAR ALL DAY!!! IT HAS 215,000 MILES ON IT!! THERE ARE NO HOLES IN THE SEATS OR THE FLOORBOARDS (HOW DID THAT HAPPEN-THE ACID FROM THE COFFEE)??

Monro was able to read the “code”-they have more sophisticated equipment and it read “PO401″ which is EGR valve not flowing. The EGR or Exhaust Gas Recirculation valve is supposed to open up when temperatures inside your engine reach 2500 degrees F. The EGR valve sends some exhaust back into the engine to literally cool the engine down and cut down on the NO2 emissions. Usually, your vehicle will FAIL the emissions if the EGR valve diaphram inside the valve does not work.

Click HERE for EGR valve function.

My car PASSED. That is because it is a tailpipe test and that is a joke in plain English.

Well, the bad news on the EGR issue is that to take it to a mechanic will cost several hundred (several meaning more than two) hundred dollars. It can be well over $500!!

FORGET IT!!

So now, I am going to attempt to replace the EGR valve in my 1997 Corolla MYSELF!! I know I can do it. I am having trouble finding exactly where it is-I know to follow the vacuum line from the VCV valve which is located in my car in the back near the firewall.

The EGR valve is round-but there is a small problem-I found several other “things” in my car that look round and small!! I will keep looking. I called a local auto parts store and they will sell me the EGR valve for $189 and the gasket for $17!!

I did not realize this, but you should have the EGR valve checked every 12,000 miles. Now the jury is out on whether you really need this in your car. Some people take it out, plug up the holes and swear their car runs better-it probably does.

A faulty EGR valve may cause pinging-I do hear pinging-and stalling (no stalling for me). It does cause the injectors to clog more frequently. But I have them cleaned out regularly anyway.

Most people do not even DREAM of owning a car that has 215,000 and the 91 Camry that has 280,000 miles but it can be done. I have owned cars and driven them well over 400,000 miles. To me, there is no such thing as a “junk” car. YOU MADE IT A JUNK BY NOT TAKING CARE OF IT!!

I also will not tolerate a car that breaks down and leaves me stranded-EVER!! My 1986 Astro Van stranded me on I-84 when the vehicle was only four years old-I GOT RID OF IT THE NEXT WEEK!! I take very very good care of all my cars-and if one of them acts up-GOODBYE!!

This is why the CPD better come up with REAL GOOD REASONS of why they need to replace these patrol cars. I had a friend Perry Kominsky who used to drive a taxi in NEW YORK CITY. Their vehicles had hundreds of thousands of miles on them and THEY RAN ALL DAY ALSO!!

The mechanics at the Town Garage in Cheshire are very good. So these cars should be cruising until the tires fall off!!

So to end-let us look at how to replace your EGR valve. Once you locate it-it seems to be fairly simple. I mean, who would not want to save several hundred dollars in car repairs?? I would. The only people that wouldn’t would probably be the people who run our town-they like to piss money away like a racehorse.

I hope you looked at that Nana wall post. I thought those doors were really nice- and would make a nice addition to the Community Pool if and when it is updated with a permanent structure.

How to replace your EGR valve.

And yes, “”My Cousin Vinny’s Aunt”-the ignition timing for a 1997 Toyota Corolla is 8 degrees (BTDC) Before Top Dead Center!!

As the Police Chief told me once-IT IS ALL ABOUT THE TIMING!!

Before top dead center

(BTDC) As the Crankshaft rotates, it pushes the Piston up to a place just before the top of its movement.

Also: OSHA fines town of Wallingford-I GUESS THIS WILL BE A HOT TOPIC AT THE NEXT PUC MEETING!!

Click HERE

A last look at Montreal.