Q.I have a 2010 Buick Enclave CXL. It was working fine until one day thick white smoke started coming out of both mufflers. Do you know what that could be? If it is something expensive, I will likely just junk the car. 

A. White smoke out tail pipe is coolant being burned during combustion. It sounds as if the is an internal coolant leak. It could be one of two possibilities a cylinder head gasket/engine block issue or a leaking intake manifold. I would have it towed to a repair shop for an evaluation. Depending on the repair, it is going to be expensive or very expensive. 

Q.I have had a Toyota RAV4 for years and now it is time for a replacement. One vehicle that I am looking at is the Hyundai Tucson, what do you think? 

A.The Hyundai Tucson is a very nice compact (although not really small) SUV. There are a couple of engine choices, front or all-wheel-drive and a variety of trim levels and option packages. The last Tucson that I drove really impressed me. The ride was smooth and quiet, fuel economy was in the high twenties, the infotainment system worked well Although I still prefer knobs over touch screen. I would not hesitate to buy one if it fits your needs and budget. 

Q.I am considering changing professions, right now I am in retail, but I like working with my hands and especially on cars. I live in the Boston area, what do you suggest and where do I start?
 

A.Perhaps start with a part-time job on Saturday in a garage while you still are working full-time. If you really like the work and atmosphere, then consider professional training. Here in New England we are fortunate that there are very good choices that also are degree programs. Mass Bay Community College is the one I am most familiar with. They offer programs sponsored by four major automotive brands including BMW, Toyota/Lexus, General Motors, and JEEP/Chrysler/Dodge/Ram. In addition, Mass Bay offers a non-manufacture specific All Brand General Studies program, which provides students with a broad education and hands-on training on multiple types of makes and models of vehicles. Mount Wachusett Community College (Gardner MA) also has a very good automotive program. Recently the Governor in Massachusetts announced free community college for many Massachusetts residents. This even makes these community college automotive programs more appealing. The idea of free tuition and possible paid co-op work sounds like a winning combination. 

Q.I have a 2011 Grand Cherokee with a 3.6 Pentastar engine with 186,000 miles on it. It has been maintained by me, and oil and filter always changed earlier than recommended, always using Mobil 1 synthetic. Does it make sense for me to get ahead of repairs and put timing chain kits, lifters, and rocker arms and water pump as well as oil filter housing in this otherwise bullet proof engine? I would do the work myself, being a retired mechanic. I love this vehicle and believe it could be driven another 100,000 miles.

A.I certainly think the synthetic oil and more frequent oil changes can certainly help minimize repairs. The rockers arms and camshaft can wear if oil isn’t changed often enough. The oil filter housing is a failure point and Dorman makes an aluminum one that is more robust than the OE plastic housing. The timing chain and related components is a bit like the rocker arms the quality oil and oil change intervals could be extending their life. I hate replacing good parts but getting close to 200,000 miles and if you plan on keeping it and you have the time talent and budget -which it sounds like you have the repairs probably makes sense. You know the common failure points, so either watchful waiting or do it all. For me I would wait, look and listen, but your idea is certainly a good one. 

Q.I have been driving for nearly 65 years. Hence have driven and or owned lots of cars and hence been through a lot of maintenance issues.  The other day I was surprised by a new recommendation when paying for an oil change, tire rotation and multipoint inspection.  “Your lug nuts are swollen on your 2015 Buick Lacrosse (50,220 or so miles).  We may not be able to rotate your tires the next time.”  We drove it off the lot brand new 12/31/2014.  I have never heard of this.  Any thoughts?

A.Unfortunately, this is a pretty common with some vehicles. The steel nut rusts under the chrome cap. If this were my car, I would replace the two-piece lug nuts with solid lug nuts. The one piece sold lug nuts are chrome plated and won’t swell up with age. When replacing the factory lug nuts, make sure they are the same size, use the same size lug wrench and have the same tapered design as the factory style