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Dave Redinger - The Neighborhood Mechanic


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Dave Redinger who transitioned to his Heavenly home on February 7, 2022 was a licensed auto mechanic with over 40 years in the trade. He operated Dr. H. Honda Specialists in Etobcoke (Toronto). Dave was heard here on The Auto Channel, RIP Dave your knowledge and helpfulness will be welcome by concerned motorists forever.

July 14, 2005 Show

Hi Dave: I started looking at new cars. I notice that there is a little or no price difference between standard and automatic transmission. What’s your opinion between the two choices…..Sean, Cambridge

Interesting question…Personally after 40 years behind the wheel I have grown to hate a manual transmission. I should add that I do most of my driving in the big smoke and the stop and go traffic is a bear. Before the development of the modern computerized transmissions the manual gear box offered more speeds, better fuel economy and better performance. None of that is true anymore. So what’s the bottom line? If you’re into performance and enjoy rowing your way down the highway go for the stick, in time you too will grow to hate it.

Hello Dave: I have a 1988 Lebaron GTS with a 2.5L engine. While replacing the head gasket, I noticed very small cracks in the head between the valves (in the combustion chamber). Does anyone know if there are any tolerances with crack of this type (ie: can small cracks of this type be ignored, or does the head have to be replaced). Thanks. Name withheld

As cars are becoming more and more complicated it’s rare to get his type of question. However due to the age of the vehicle it may not warrant a professional repair. A cylinder head will not operate properly with cracks in the combustion chamber. These cracks occurred due to serious overheating of the engine. Possibly a blown head gasket causing a low coolant level. The head will have to be replaced. Be sure to replace all the cylinder head bolts when reassembling the engine. Chrysler head bolts are torque to yield. Maybe it’s time for a new ride.

Hello Dr. Dave: I have a 1996 Honda Accord that is having a vibration problem. It is much worse when you are braking hard. It gets better as you slow down. I have put new tires on the front recently, but that did not affect the problem. The car as 140kms. I have never changed out the rotors or the CV joints. I think it could be a warped rotor, a bad CV joint or a tie rod end going. What do you think? Name withheld

I hope your not guessing and throwing parts at this problem. Have the car checked by a technician. I can tell you that it’s not the constant velocity joints (CV). When worn they exhibit loud clicking noises while turning or vibration on hard acceleration. I believe your problem is in the brake rotors which have warped and require replacement. A competent mechanic can easily diagnose this problem and advise you. These parts are inexpensive so buy the best you can afford.

Hey Dave: I have a 93 Chrysler Minivan. When I drive on the highway the service engine soon light comes on. I have to pull over and turn the engine off. When the car restarts the light goes off and stays off the rest off the day. Can you help me? Suzan, Hamilton

The van is talking to you and you’re not listening. Most of the vehicles on the road today are operated by computers. The computer receives data from various sensors place throughout the vehicle. When the system is malfunctioning or there is missing data the computer will revert to a preprogrammed back up mode (open loop). At the same time the system activates the warning light on the dash. Restarting the car has the same effect as rebooting your home computer. Have you car scanned by a technician. Driving with the light on is detrimental to the engine’s performance.

Hello Dave: I have a 2000 Honda Civic with approximately 90,000 kilometers. When I drive slowly I hear a squealing noise which I think is coming from the front wheels. Lately I notice that when I apply the brakes the noise goes away. Do I need new brakes or is it just something simple? Paula, Oakville

Sounds as if you have a brake pad that’s dragging. The majority of the vehicles on the road today have some form disc brake design. Disc brakes have several advantages one of which is the ability to absorb a lot of hard use. However; this design requires regular maintenance. Have your mechanic inspect the brakes and advise you. As this is a safety item don’t put off this repair. Brakes should be inspected and serviced every 6 months, usually before and after the winter season.

Hi; I have bought a ford escort and it has been standing for the last 12 months and at present it is still standing. The problem is that when it start there is a tappet rattle. It sounds more like it’s coming from the injectors. Any ideas? Name withheld

This a tough question to answer without more information. A properly running engine runs smoothly and silently once it has reached operating temperature. Sounds as if you may have a more serious problem than just noisy tappets. Most Ford engines adjust the valve lash hydraulically. Valve lash is directly affected by oil pressure. If the oil pressure is low noisy tappets are one of the warning signs. Have the engine inspected by a professional. Some noises can be the precursor to costly engine failure.

Hello Dave:I drive a 1991 Chevrolet Cavalier. When I drive along the highway about 100 kpm the car will start to slow down by itself. It continues to slow so I have to pull off the side of the road and shut it off. I wait 2 mins and restart the engine. Everything seems fine until I reach highway speeds and then it starts to slow again. What on earth is wrong? Name withheld

The symptoms you describe are a classic case of fuel restriction. More than likely the problem is a plugged fuel filter. Modern cars although complicated are extremely reliable. However; they do require service. Don’t be surprised when the mechanic recommends a full “under hood service”. Sounds as if this Chevy has passed it’s due date.

Hello Dave: I have a 1997 Buick Riviera with 225,000 kms. When I use the wipers they start to slow down and struggle after 10 mins. I shut them off and wait 2-3mins. When I retry the wipers they seem to work normally. Do you think it could be the switch? Dave, Toronto

The wiper motor is starting to fail. As this type of motor wears the brushes loose the ability to conduct electricity. They start to overheat causing the tensioning springs to soften, stalling the motor. After the motor cools the process will start all over again. Interesting note: some of today’s cars have up to 15 electrical motors operating different systems in the vehicle. Second interesting note: early wiper systems were operated by vacuum not electricity. The original wiper was invented by a woman Mary Anderson, in 1905.

Dave Redinger will (LOVE TO) answer questions from viewers each week, to ask you can e-mail dave at stikky@ca,inter.net og go to www.am740.ca

Dave's Past Columns

July 14, 2005

July 22, 2005

July 29, 2005

August 12, 2005

August 19, 2005

August 24, 2005

August 31, 2005

October 12, 2005

October 19, 2005

October 25, 2005

November 5, 2005

November 16, 2005

November 23, 2005

December 4, 2005

December 11, 2005

February 14, 2006

January 3, 2006

January 11, 2006

January 18, 2006

January 25, 2006

February 1, 2006

February 8, 2006

March 1, 2006

March 8, 2006

March 15, 2006

March 22, 2006

March 28, 2006

April 4, 2006

April 17, 2006

April 26, 2006

May 2, 2006

May 23, 2006

May 28, 2006

June 27, 2006

July 11, 2006

July 24, 2006

August 8, 2006

August 15, 2006

August 29,2006

September 13, 2006

September 20, 2006

Dave Redinger: Tribute To An Industry Luminary

Autosphere » Mechanical » Dave Redinger: Tribute To An Industry Luminary
Dave Redinger, industry luminary. PHOTO Autosphere

The sad news of Dave Redinger’s passing on February 7, 2022, has left many of us remembering this industry luminary.       

Anyone who met Dave Redinger was immediately drawn to his charisma; a large, beaming smile, hearty laugh and genuine good humour. It was just one of his many traits, a sincere interest in the people in his life, whether they were customers, technicians, colleagues or a young kid wanting to learn about cars.

That’s what Mark Sachs-Anderson, now the owner/operator of WrenchSpinner, formerly Dave’s Corner Garage, remembers about him. When Sachs-Anderson was just 15 years old, he dropped by Redinger’s shop (then Dr. H. Honda Specialists), and eventually wound up pulling transmissions. Sachs-Anderson reminisces, “Dave wasn’t just a boss, he was a friend and a mentor. I could confide in him and he would listen, you could talk to him about anything.”

Redinger was a born mechanic, who had his own approach to auto repair. Although he respected the tradition of auto repair, some challenges required an innovative approach. Sachs-Anderson recalls Redinger’s way with blown head gaskets on Chrysler K-Cars, Reliants, and other related products. “By the book, it would take five to six hours to repair. But using his inegenuity, Dave got the process down to less than an hour.”

Entreprenuerial spirit

In fact, Redinger’s boundless curiousity and entrepenueiral spirit took him to many places, some unexpected. When a friend in the clothing business complained about rampant theft, Redinger invented a security tag to combat the problem, and started a business, calling it “Sticky Fingers.”

His infinite knowledge of the auto industry meant he was often quoted in the media, and wrote columns for various publications, including, of course, Car Care Business.

Redinger was recognized as an expert witness by Ontario courts, and used his mechanical expertise to do forensic work with industry businesses.

He was a consultant, a teacher, and became a broadcaster and the star of his own show, Neighbourhood Mechanic, from 2006 to 2009 on Canwest and Global. With his booming voice, and distinctive deep chuckle, he was a natural! You could find Redinger on various radio and tv shows, from the CBC to TSN, with many hours on the air to his name. Dave’s Corner Garage, named after his shop, has been airing on Zoomer Radio and Sirius for 18 years.

Passion for people

All of these served to showcase Redinger’s passion for his work and the people around him. Over the air, he seemed to be having a fun conversation with his team, cracking jokes while explaining to listeners and callers how their issues could be resolved. The easy banter and detailed explanations were his trademark; Redinger believed that consumers should be educated, that auto repair should be a transparent process.

And although Redinger was a gifted mechanic, savvy businessman and mentor, he put all his energy into the task at hand, no matter how large or small. He appreciated how good the industry had been to him, and he wanted to give back. When the Automotive Training Centre asked him to teach pre-apprentice students for a few hours a week, he readily accepted. Those students were fortunate to learn the basics of auto repair, including the business angles, from one of the best.

Everything Dave Redinger did, he did with pride. He loved his work, the people around him; they were like a second family to him. His legacy is certainly something he can be proud of, and those of us who knew him, or read his words in this publication, are better for it. May his memory be for a blessing.