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KevinW

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About KevinW

  • Birthday 11/30/2016

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    Canada

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  1. A Bullet Piercing Valve costs less than $10; just make sure it's attached to the low (cold) pressure side. Heat pumps don't work well in areas that receive measurable snow accumulation.
  2. Ice build-up that starts near the inlet of the evaporator is usually a sign of a low refrigerant charge. Most modern units won't hold the charge as long due to corrosion/manufacturing issues. If the entire evaporator develops ice evenly across the core, maybe a temperature sensor needs to be repositioned. Antique refrigerators were designed to run efficiently because the cost of electricity was high. They're much more efficient than any modern frost-free design that runs a 500+ W heater for 10-20 minutes almost every day; some even use additional heaters to evaporate the collected condensate. The main advantage of a modern design is the improved insulation materials which permit more interior volume for a given footprint.
  3. The primary function of a carburetor's accelerator pump is to provide transient enrichment to cover a sudden change in airflow demand; electronic controls mirror this behaviour in response to TPS rate of change. The accelerator pump shot also provides supplemental start-up enrichment (reduces cranking duration mainly below -10 C), but most of the start-up fuel comes from pull-over enrichment while the engine is cranked and the choke valve is in a fully closed position. When you see someone frantically pumping an accelerator pedal while cranking, you know they're used to dealing with a non-functioning or improperly adjusted choke. Accelerator pump shot volume is proportional to the pedal application rate and travel, so to test this, depress the accelerator pedal at an extremely slow rate, just enough to engage the choke and compare the cranking times.
  4. The EPA ratings went from 22/25/30 to 24/28/34 MPG (US) with the new 2.0 and 10-speed automatic, which is more useful in the real world (along with improved NVH characteristics) than ~6 vs ~7 seconds 0-60 MPH.
  5. Maybe someone remembered what happened to the ELR and convinced management that the Cadillac version needs to be released first.
  6. It's the same around here. They're driving around with only the DRLs providing minimal forward lighting, and from the sides and rear, only the required reflectors provide any visual indication of their presence. Some manufacturers activate *only* the instrument panel lighting when it's dark, tricking many drivers into thinking their external lights are on. This is an extremely poor design decision, but I haven't come across any legal action yet.
  7. The 7000 lb V4P package was unique to the Fleetwood. The V92 B-cars were rated at 5000 lbs.
  8. The battery should have a year/month of manufacture somewhere; it could be over 6 years old. The degree of sulphation would depend on how well the charge level has been maintained over the years. Some battery testers report an internal resistance. This gets higher as batteries age, and limits the amount of charge that can be absorbed over a short period of time (such as during a 5 mile trip). While the capacity may be improved by leaving it connected to a constant current 1 A charger for a few nights, given the age, replacement should be considered. AGM batteries have a lower self-discharge rate and are more suitable for special interest vehicles.
  9. In the case of a 2007 SRX V8 in Sport Mode, I seem to invoke Performance Algorithm Shifting quite frequently while merging on highways. The triggers are likely accelerator pedal movement characteristics and accelerometer data. Once PAS mode is engaged, it won't upshift even when the accelerator is released; this enables a quicker response when the driver gets back on the throttle to navigate around slower traffic or pull out of a sharp corner.
  10. The 2017 LaCrosse has a 114.4" wheelbase, which is 3" longer than the Regal's.
  11. Those rear side markers weren't an easy addition. I added a power driver's seat and the factory gauges to my '83 Delta 88 Royal Brougham sedan, but these were simple bolt-ons. Next on the list is a LH side mirror with thermometer (from a Ninety-Eight).
  12. - White-walls are about 1/8" wider than OEM - Missing bodyside rub-strip mouldings - Ninety-Eight grill, badges, rear quarter extensions/panels, side marker lamps and wheel covers retrofitted on a Delta 88?
  13. There's a degree of variability in how Cd figures are determined: http://gm-volt.com/2009/12/04/chevy-volts-coefficient-of-drag-is-0-28-beats-prius-and-insight/
  14. Also, the statistics used to support "significantly safer" are misleading. There's not enough data to contrast with the number of fatalities per mile travelled for all other vehicles, plus the recommended use of "Autopilot" is for multi-lane, divided roadways, under ideal conditions, while the "fatality every 94 million miles" represents ALL driving conditions!
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