Wednesday, February 19, 2025

ELECTRIC FIREPLACE ROCKER SWITCH FAILURE - EASY DIAGNOSIS AND FIX

 

BUILT-IN ELECTRIC FIREPLACE TV STAND

My electric fireplace is about 13 years old and has been plagued with burning of the rocker switch that turns power ON/OFF to the heating element. The switch is located nearest the heating element and has repeat failures - every other year.


This year, instead of only replacing it - I decided to install a heat shield between the rocker switch and the heating element. The heat shield is simply a piece of sheet metal bent in an "L-shape" and screwed to the floor of the control panel.

You will need to remove the top and rear fireplace cover to install the heat shield. Dimensions are: 3" wide x 2-1/2" high. Drill a small hole and insert a screw to secure the unit (see diagram below). 


The heat shield should absorbed the excessive heat from the heating element and vent it through the rear panel of the fireplace. No other switch on the control panel was affected by this problem. 

Let's hope this is a permanent fix.

The replacement part is a 3-prong fireplace rocker switch. It was found at my local ACE Hardware Store for $11.49 cent. 





Monday, February 17, 2025

THE GOVERNMENT CHECKBOOK - Cash and Debits

 


Discover When and Where Your Tax Dollars are Deposited and Withdrawn Daily - Down to the Nearest Million! 

Get Reports from the Government Checkbook Sent 
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Track Daily Cash and Debt Operations - Along with Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), Balances and Deposits to and from the Government Checkbook!

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Listen to what I found on Alexa (2-16-2025 - "Alexa, Play Planet Money - Latest Episode"), Planet Money and NPR...

 



Not Affiliated with Any Political Group or Agency - For Informational Use Only!


Thursday, February 6, 2025

What Happened to My Engine Oil? Leaking? Smoking?

2015 Honda CRV with the 2.4 engine and 150,000 miles

Complaint:

After 3 months of driving between oil change, the oil pressure light on the dashboard came ON while driving. The oil level was checked and no oil was found on the dipstick. What Happened to My Oil?

We added 3 quarts of oil to the engine and brought the level on the dipstick to FULL. This car is a daily driver moving between school, work and after-school practices and performances. We have no time for engine problems and breakdowns.

Honda CRV owners 2015 – 2019 are complaining all across the U.S. and asking the same question after 100,000 miles or so of driving - What Happened to My Oil? 

Comments: Complaint also applicable to 2013 - 2017 Honda Accord and 2016 - 2019 Honda Civic vehicles.

Watch this 2-minute Youtube video - Honda CR-V Burns Oil: PCV Replacement on a 4-Cylinder #honda #engineoil #carcaretips  by Professor's Garage

Cause:

Simple answer. It's either leaking or being burned inside the engine. In most cases, these problems are caused by a clogged PCV valve due to lack of maintenance. Regardless of the cause, OIL IS MISSING from the engine can quickly lead to catastrophic engine damage. 

What is a PCV Valve?

The Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve is an emissions device that controls unburned gases that escapes pass the piston rings. The PCV valve circulates the unburned gases inside the engine and routes it to the combustion chamber where it is burned during engine operation. This keeps the engine oil clean and prevents harmful fumes from building-up inside the crankcase to keep the oil clean and free from sludge and moisture. The PCV valve ensures a long-lasting engine and keeps the environment clean.

See Picture of OEM Factory PCV Valve Assembly... 

https://www.amazon.com/Quality-Valve-Assembly-Honda-17130-5A2-A01/dp/B09PV9C19N 

Correction:

Wait a minute! Are you telling me that an inexpensive $10 part at Amazon.com ($32.99 at Honda) that is supposes to keep my engine oil clean and running smoothly is destroying my engine? Well yes, but hold on a second! It's not the part, it's lack of maintenance! 

Why is this happening?

In the Honda Owner's Manual, the recommendation is to "service the PCV valve" by checking its operation every 30K, 60K, 90K, 120K, 150K... miles (watch the 2-minute Youtube video above on how this is done). This problem is happening because many car owners, automotive technicians, and service advisors neglect to check or fail to emphasize the importance of this critical maintenance procedure. 

If this PCV valve becomes clogged with carbon and gum from the unburned fumes, it tends to stick in the OPEN or CLOSED position. If it sticks CLOSED, pressure builds inside the engine and causes oil leaks around gaskets and seals. If it sticks OPEN, vacuum pressure sucks engine oil from the engine crankcase and burns it inside the engine. Either way, the OIL IS MISSING from the engine!

The good news:

Honda engines are tough and reliable and can sustain some neglect, but affects tend to linger and require more frequent checks of the engine oil level (weekly or monthly) between oil changes. 

  • Replacing a clogged PCV valve may substantially reduce the amount of oil loss between oil changes and may even stop many engine oil leaks.
  • Replacing the PCV valve on your Honda takes about 10 minutes and it is easy to install!
  • Pay attention to leaks, sounds, and smells coming from your engine - these are early signs of trouble.

Conclusion:

Hopefully, the engine returns to normal operating condition and Honda owners are encouraged to follow all maintenance schedules outlined in their Owner's Manual...

 HAPPY DRIVING AND STAY SAFE!

 

Further Study - Learn How to Test the PCV Valve on Any Vehicle with a Piece of Paper. Check-out the YouTube video by "The Old Mecanico Show" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3ppNvofPHI


Saturday, February 1, 2025

LET TURBOTAX FIGURE YOUR 2024 TAXES!

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Purpose
The purpose of this blog is to help you get started with TurboTax. This includes E-filing and setting up direct deposit. Absolutely, no paperwork or printing is required to transmit your taxes to IRS when you E-file your return. It took me 90 minutes to complete a Federal and State return with Standard Deductions for married couple filing jointly. 
Introduction: Why I Use TurboTax
Point #1 - If you go through the hassle of gathering all tax documents and presenting them to a tax agent, why not skip this step and let TurboTax advise you. All you need to do is input your information into the software. Everything is arranged in an easy step-by-step process with QUESTIONS and ANSWERS that require simple YES or NO responses. 

Point #2 - I know many of you don't want to be bothered with tax preparation and many opt for a tax agent to prepare your taxes. Keep in mind that IRS holds you responsible for your return (not the tax preparer). lf IRS finds and error in your reporting, they may elect to fix them. However, major errors or omissions may require a tax amendment which can delay your tax refund by weeks or even a month or more. Let TurboTax guide you through the filing process.


2025 TurboTax Tutorial for Beginners by Becca Lee

Known Facts About TurboTax...
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3.  You do not have to worry about lost paperwork. 
You are in charge of your own  paperwork. TurboTax gives you a systematic procedure for adding documents and statements into the software such as: W2's, 1099s, payments for insurance premiums, medical bills, charitable contributions, credits for children and dependents and many other documents for filing your return.

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Here are major life changing events that TurboTax handles: marital status, major illness, sales of real estate or land, number of dependents, major purchases of energy efficient appliances and devices (like solar panel and EV's), retirement,  lottery winnings, investments, business start-up, business losses and capital gains.

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Not Affiliated with TurboTax or Any Publisher - This Blog is for Informational Use Only

Sunday, January 19, 2025

What Is This Tool? Saved Me $300 in Plumbing Repairs - Easy to Use!



I Found this Tool in My Kitchen
Drawer 21 Years Ago When 
I Moved into My New Home!


Like Any Good Home Owner - 
I Kept It Thinking That I May
Need It One Day!

Well My Friends, the Day Has Come...

Watch the First 15 Seconds
of this YouTube Video
I Found Online...

It Saved Me $300
in Plumbing Repairs...

 

Totally Unbelievable...!