Q: Because the engine light is on in a 1998 Ford Taurus V6-182 3.0L OHV, I got a rejection sticker. It needs the steel tube for the left side secondary air injection valve.

The part is not to be found anywhere on Earth!

My sister put money into parts and bodywork to give it to my parents (they've got a 1995 Taurus). I really don't want them to have to junk it.

A: The part can be found at www.junkyarddog.com. Be very careful removing the old one. I would suggest soaking it overnight first. If it still won't let go, a decent shop with a set of torches should be able to get the pipe out for you.

Another option would be to remove the pipe intact, take it to a plumbing shop and have them make you a new one out of black iron pipe.

Q: I have a problem with my 2002 Mercury Grand Marquis (53,000 miles).

I have had this steering problem for most of the summer, but the shop couldn't find a problem. My car doesn't have R/P steering; it has a gear box and the steering pump. The problem is the steering gets hard to turn, and the steering wheel won't return by itself when released. It stays there, and you have to turn it all the way back.

This doesn't happen all the time, and you never know when it will happen.

What would be the more likely area to check first — the pump or the steering box? Have there been other problems like this with the Mercury Grand Marquis? Is this a very expensive repair?

A: More than likely, the pump is the culprit. Before going out to replace the pump, why not consider a power steering flush? BG Systems has a network of facilities that are capable of flushing the power steering system.

This will get rid of all the contaminants that may be affecting your steering and compromising the safety of this car.

Q: I own a 1998 Mercury Sable wagon with a 3.0L V6 engine that seems to have a "vapor lock" problem on hot days after the engine has run for some time.

The car will not start for a half-hour to an hour, depending on the outside temperature. The engine does not flood since there is no gas smell when the air filter is removed.

My mechanic says he cannot troubleshoot the problem unless the car is in "vapor lock."

Please advise what may be the problem and any fixes.

A: Given the type of vehicle you drive, there is a good chance your fuel pump is overheating.

Do you hear a loud humming noise from the rear of the car? Please, by all means, I am not telling you to go out and buy a fuel pump!

You mention there is no fuel smell; that's a good hint. Next, when the problem happens, if you turn off your key for a minute, and turn the key back on so the dash lights glow, is the check engine light on when you turn on the key? I just want to make sure the computer hasn't lost its power.

How frequently does this happen? Will your mechanic let you drive with his test equipment attached?

Be advised there are numerous problems with the relays that power up the computer and the fuel pump.

Car Tip: This week's tip concerns Sim racing. If you have the Nascar Racing 2003 game, or just a wheel and a set of pedals, along with a good Internet connection and you would like to join an online league, send me your e-mail address and I will send you the info to join our team. We do run with many real race car drivers. Our online Nascar racing league is free and always fun.

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Larry Rubenstein is a master technician who owns a North Shore service station. His column appears every Saturday. Write to Larry at The Salem News, c/o Auto Scanner, 32 Dunham Road, Beverly, MA 01915, or send e-mail to scanauto@ aol.com.