Author: Steve McEvoy

Car Guy, Nerd, Canadian hiding in California

The True Costs of Owning a 2009 Acura TL

On By Steve McEvoyIn CommentaryLeave a comment

Prior to getting my DB9 my last new car was a 2009 Acura TL w/SHAWD and Tech Package.   Essentially a top of the line all wheel drive 4 door sedan with 307HP.  This was a great car that I very much enjoyed.  The only knock against it was the homely ‘beak’ design of the front end.

Being that this is a website about my Aston Martin DB9, you might be wonder why the heck I am waxing on about an old girlfriend.  I have done an in depth ownership cost analysis of my DB9 (see the costs here), and I wanted something to compare it to that was more mainstream like my Acura.  I had all the same data available to me so I have worked out the complete and exact costs of ownership for my TL. Continue reading “The True Costs of Owning a 2009 Acura TL” →

Replacing the Side Repeater Light Assembly on an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To17 Comments

The Side Repeater Lights on my DB9 have discolored to a Yellow’ish from the UV in the harsh California sunlight.  I know, this concept is completely unfathomable to my readers in the UK, and probably a design issue the factory never considered – “Sunlight?  Bahh – just make it waterproof you twit – this is England”.  When I purchased my car from the DPO (Damn Previous Owner) it had the issue quite notably on just the left hand side assembly.  I can presume he parked the car during the day with that side facing South.

old-and-new-aston-martin-db9-side-marker-light-assembliesThe side repeater light is a turn indicator light mounted on the side of each front fender/wing.  When new, the plastic assembly is a clear lens with some white.   As you can see in this photo, the old one has got that ugly faded yellow plastic color compared to the bright, fresh and clean look of the new one. Continue reading “Replacing the Side Repeater Light Assembly on an Aston Martin DB9” →

Fixing a Loose Wing / Side Mirror on an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To7 Comments

While driving I started to notice the faintest shimmy in the drivers side wing / side mirror on my DB9.   I’d only really notice it in my peripheral vision, just some hint that something was shaking occasionally.   It’s one of those things you forget quickly as soon as you don’t see it happening.  After a few occurrences I finally decided to check the mirror to see if it was loose.  Sure enough, you could wiggle the mirror body up and down.  Not the glass mirror itself, but the actual main structure of the mirror assembly.  I compared it against the opposite side mirror (mounted solid as a rock) and it was clear that my drivers side was loose. Continue reading “Fixing a Loose Wing / Side Mirror on an Aston Martin DB9” →

Aston Martin DB9 Coil Packs – Everything you wanted to know and more

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, Commentary28 Comments

As I was preparing to replace my Spark Pugs and Coil packs (read the article here) to deal with a Lumpy Idle issue with my DB9 (read this other article here) I was researching the Coil Packs to learn if I could find a cheaper source for them.  Many of the parts in a DB9 are not bespoke, and rather scavenged from the massive Ford conglomerate parts bin. Continue reading “Aston Martin DB9 Coil Packs – Everything you wanted to know and more” →

How does the length of your Dipstick Measure Up?

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To8 Comments

In an earlier article I wrote on refilling/checking the Oil Level in your DB9 (read it here) I brought up the issue about the length of your dipstick.  The deal here is that early model year Aston Martin DB9’s may suffer oil starvation under certain conditions [because 11 liters wasn’t enough?].  Aston Martin DB9 Dipstick Min-MaxIts never been clearly explained anywhere I’ve found, but it is a real deal since Aston Martin released Field Service Action FSA 165V2 essentially recalling the original dipsticks and replacing them with shorter ones.  The result of this would be that you would need to add about one additional liter of oil to reach the new ‘max’ line, and thus have an extra liter safety margin. Continue reading “How does the length of your Dipstick Measure Up?” →

Restarting your Engine for the First Time after Changing the Spark Plugs and Coil Packs in an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To2 Comments

The moment of truth is fast approaching.  You’ve just spent a considerable amount of time tearing your beloved DB9’s engine apart to change the Spark Plugs and Coil Packs, presumably like me to cure an issue with a Lumpy Idle.   If you’ve been following my procedures laid out in this blog, you are on Step 20 sumth’in of many.   Hopefully your workbench is devoid of left over nuts or bolts.  All that’s left is firing her up to see if your work has been successful.  There is a process to this and the few remaining steps. Continue reading “Restarting your Engine for the First Time after Changing the Spark Plugs and Coil Packs in an Aston Martin DB9” →

Reconnecting the Battery in an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To4 Comments

If you’ve been good boy [or girl] and disconnected your battery during a service event like you were supposed to – kudos to you for taking the time!  Or perhaps you are changing your battery and it’s time to hook it up.  Whatever the reason, you’ll want to follow the rights steps to get your DB9 operational again.  Even after you hookup the battery there are a number of steps you need to follow to reset a bunch of the modules.  I will reveal all below. Continue reading “Reconnecting the Battery in an Aston Martin DB9” →

Come join me at the AMOC USA West Track Day 2017

On By Steve McEvoyIn CommentaryLeave a comment

If you are a frequent visitor of this Blog you know that I am a believer in taking our fabulous cars out for a stretch once in a while in the safety of an AMOC sponsored track day.  These are a great event and you are surrounded by other Aston’s with drivers sharing the same anxiety as you “Don’t hit my car”.  We all are out to enjoy our cars, not trash them.

Aston Martin Owners Club AMOC LogoThe AMOC USA West division has just announced its 2017 Track Day to be held again at the tremendous Thunderhill Raceway Park in Northern California on Sunday January 15th.

I am personally inviting you to join us and make the journey if you can from anywhere in California, Oregon, Nevada or wherever you are.  We only have room for 40 cars, so please sign up ASAP. Continue reading “Come join me at the AMOC USA West Track Day 2017” →

Installing the Engine Bay Cross Braces in an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To5 Comments

If you’ve had to access something under the Engine Bay Cross Braces in your DB9 (like me changing my Coil Packs and Spark Plugs) you eventually need to get them reinstalled.   This is likely one of your final steps under the hood, and you will be feeling the elation of completing your project and will be anxious to get onto more important matters like ‘starting her up’.   Getting this done right is important because if you don’t do it properly, you can get some oddball squeaking from your front end. Continue reading “Installing the Engine Bay Cross Braces in an Aston Martin DB9” →

Installing the Intake Manifold Brace on an Aston Martin DB9

On By Steve McEvoyIn Advice, How To3 Comments

If you’ve been servicing your fuel injection system or doing something that requires you to remove your Intake Manifolds (like me dealing with a Lumpy Idle situation) you’ve had your Intake Manifold Brace off.   The brace is used to link the Left and Right manifolds providing extra stability.  The manifolds cantilever off their mounting points, so this brace gives them the structural support.  You can check this out – before you mount the brace grab the outside edge of the manifold and give it a pull up and down, and notice how it will move some.  Try this again after the brace is installed, it will be solid. Continue reading “Installing the Intake Manifold Brace on an Aston Martin DB9” →