Paul Brand

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Paul Brand

Columnist | Cars

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Paul Brand writes about autos for the Star Tribune.

Found under Buick's hood: Free addition to your toolbox

When a broken serpentine belt got changed, there was a pair of Vise-Grips with pieces of rubber hose over each end pinching off the overflow hose just below the radiator cap.

Updated: August 03, 2012, - 03:59 PM

An intermittent 'stumble' could be the spark plugs

When the 2003 Hyundai Sonata with the 2.7-liter V6 engine and 110,000 miles is idling in drive, it feels like the engine is randomly stumbling, one sharp stumble at a time.

Updated: July 27, 2012, - 04:00 PM

Get out your stethoscope to get to the bottom of noises

The 2006 Mercury Mountaineer with a 4.6-liter V8 makes a screeching noise along with a tapping noise upon a cold start.

Updated: July 20, 2012, - 04:13 PM

F-150 died twice on freeway but started after it was towed

The engine died as though running out of gas. It took maybe 5 to 15 seconds before I lost my power steering. While waiting for a tow I cranked the engine -- it would start roughly and die immediately.

Updated: July 14, 2012, - 04:54 PM

Keeping your budgetary cool while getting A/C replaced

Can a compressor be repaired? Or, where can I find a used compressor that will keep me on a $500 budget including installation?

Updated: July 06, 2012, - 03:53 PM

Brand: Sometimes, a car's worst enemy is driver ignorance

A An ignorant motorist. I can't imagine the driver not feeling the vibration from that wobbling tire at that speed. Unfortunately, I've seen more than enough evidence of major problems that potentially affect vehicle safety being completely ignored by the motorist -- primarily because nothing had happened yet.

Updated: June 29, 2012, - 04:42 PM