Still time to buy gifts for gearheads

Ah, the sound of sleigh bells in the air. Here it is, Christmas Eve, and you haven't found the right gift for the motorhead in your family. What's the perfect present for your favorite car guy or gal? You've got to think like a gearhead -- something heavy so the wrapped box feels "good," something that plugs into the 12-volt outlet in the vehicle, something that makes the vehicle look or feel better, something they can't wait to show their gearhead friends. Even something that might save their lives. Some last-minute automotive gift ideas:

•GPS system. Dash- or windshield-mounted, the newest GPS units sell for under $100 and make a hero out of any driver. No more manly mistakes like not asking for directions. Drive to the right spot every time.

•Handheld OBD-II code reader, now under $100. You can be the car expert of your neighborhood by plugging in this little scanner and reading the fault codes from all your friends' vehicles. Just make sure you know where the vehicle's diagnostic link is. Hint: Look under the dash or in the footwells.

•110-volt power inverter. Plug this little gizmo into the cigarette lighter outlet and have 100 or more watts of "household" 110-volt power ready to operate things such as the DVD player, laptop computer or small TV. Priced from $30 and up, depending on power/watts.

•Orbital buffer. For those who like to keep their baby clean and shiny, this electric polisher is just the ticket. Many sell for under $50.

•Disposable camera to keep in the glove box to document crash damage, location, etc. Under $10.

•No-longer-used digital cell phone with car charger. Even with no contract or service plan, any digital cell phone can call 911 in emergencies.

•Emergency escape tool. Breaks window glass and cuts seat belts for quick emergency escape from vehicle. Under $15.

Q We have a 1997 F-150 with a 4.6-liter engine. The truck was not driven for some time, and the battery died. I slow-charged it for two or three days. I put it back in and had a hard time starting it. It sputtered quite a few times but eventually ran. A week later, I tried starting it but it would not even fire. It would start when we shot starting fluid in the air cleaner but stopped when it burned it up. What is wrong?

A In order of potential causes: contaminated fuel, clogged fuel filter or pickup screen, fuel pump, fuel pump relay. Because the battery had died, low voltage while cranking may be preventing the computer and injectors from operating. Try another battery.

Q My motorhome is powered by a Ford 460 engine. When I have driven 25 to 30 miles, I seem to lose power. I can shut off and restart the engine and go, then the same thing happens again. Changing the inline fuel filter did not help.

A If the power loss is due to loss of fuel pressure, debris may be collecting up against the in-tank screen on the fuel pump pickup. Shutting the engine off for a few moments may let debris fall from the screen -- then you can drive another 25 miles. Does your motorhome have a catalytic converter? Any type of exhaust restriction could also cause this symptom. Don't overlook the possibility of vapor lock or fuel percolation and check for fault codes from the engine management system.