dumb questions #32, 33, 34

[Dave Glubrecht]

> OK so even though it felt like 90 degrees out when I got home, I changed
> the oil and filter (I figured hot was good) in preparation for an upcoming
> time trial. I'm running Mobil1 15w-50 synthetic. Am I the only person who
> has the impression that when the weather is hot, the engine doesn't run
> quite right when it first starts up? It always sounds like it's down on
> oil for the first couple of minutes in hot weather, and I get the "tappet
> noise".  Does anyone ever tweak the viscosity of their oil when they
> drive at the track in hot weather? It also seems like the area around my
> injectors has started whistling or sucking... it's hard to describe, but I
> don't recall the engine sounding that 'airy' before. This is a normal '88
> 80Q.

Sounds like you need new injector seals, common maintance.


> The questions get dumber and dumber: I'm starting to remove things to get
> rid of weight. (*I'm* looking fine, thank you very much; I'm trying to
> trim down the car). First to go is the spare wheel  -- what a mutha! (to
> quote someone on the Alfa digest who recently used this great term). That
> baby weighs a TON! I know it is prudent to carry the spare, but is there
> any law that requires me to have a spare on-board?

Newest top line corvette has no spare, unlike other C5's (which do not have
a spare either) it does not even have run-flat tires.  I think I remember
they added a can of fix-a-flat instead.
So I doubt your state law requires a spare, however; Murphy's law would
indicate that you would greatly increase your chances of needing one.

> For #34: I got the bottom part of the back seat out -- it's pretty light,
> actually. Before I take out the rest of the seat, is there a law requiring
> a back seat in a passenger sedan? Wow is it noisy back there with that
> padding gone.

This would come down to a state by state issue, but I doubt many states
would require the seat to be in place.

> I think I'll leave the passenger seat, though. Gotta have some place for
> my doggie to sit.
>
> And I suppose this is going to ruin my new camber settings...
>
> Thanks for your patience with me -
>
> Tess
> in Seattle, WA USA .. or is it Africa? can't tell, it's so hot
>
>