Search Auto-Repair-Questions
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Engine dies at low speed around 20-25
Question:
I have a 1994 Dodge Caravan 3.0 litre dies at low speed around 20-25 mph and especially it seems on turns in shopping centers. Just shuts off with no warning, no hesitation, starts right back up again. It does it sparatically. My Mechanic again today says it may be wiring? He changed previously the TPS which showed on codes as bad. Today I had him replace the in-line gas filter. He also today pulled and plugged a vacuum line next to the EGR valve to test for a few days? By the way, this started right after they pulled and and replaced the rebuilt trans.
Answer:
There are a couple of things that come to mind,
First is the crank shaft position sensor may be going bad or may have been improperly installed, these sensors require a paper spacer be placed on them during installation, if the spacer was not put on when they reinstalled it in the bell housing and it was resting on the flex plate when they started it up it would have made a noise and then they may have backed it out until the noise stopped, if the flex plate hit it, it is bad, if the spacer was not used the air gap setting may be incorrect causing an intermittent read, the crank sensor should be inspected and replaced if needed
Next the engine harness may have been pulled off of its tabs and be touching or very close to the exhaust crossover pipe and shorting out on corners, or being partially melted by the pipe, this harness is under the flexible hose that connects the top of the air cleaner to the throttle body and should be clipped or wire tied in place up near the throttle body, if it is down on or near the crossover pipe it should be inspected for damage and repaired as needed
also next to the battery near the engine controller is the harness that comes off the engine controller, this harness wraps around the corner of the battery and if the battery is oversize or loose it will damage this harness causing any number of issues.
Win a $20,000 Renuzit TriScents Home Makeover!
Friday, March 21, 2008
Idling rough and spits and spudders
Question:
I have a 2001 Oldsmoblie Alero GX and it is idling rough and spits and sputters going down the road ,but not all the time. Got any answer of what it might be? I put it on scanner and it was saying something of a low spark issue and there isn't any check engine lights or anything lit up on dash.
Answer:
Sounds to me like it needs a good tune up. A new set of plugs should help it out quite a bit. If the check engine light is on there may be a different issue that will require the use of a scan tool to get the codes. http://www.freeautomechanic.com/scantools.html
Thursday, March 20, 2008
What is the best oil to use
Question:
What is the best oil to use for a 1996 Honda Vtech engine?
Answer:
Acording to the factory service manual the preferred viscosity is 5w-30 and Honda Motor Oil is recommended. It is proven that synthetic motor oil is better than regular motor oil but if you change your oil every 3,000 miles regular motor oil should be just fine.
I.D. Protection
When it comes to protecting your identity there can be many reasons why you should have protection. Many Victims of identity theft may end up arrested for being mistaken as the identity thief themselves. Some victims might be passed over for a promotion, not get hired for the job they really want or even end up getting fired just because someone stole your identity and may be committing crimes in your name or worse. Other victims may experience higher car insurance premiums if the thief has been in an auto accident or gotten tickets that influence your driving record. Each family member needs identity protection, since everyone has a unique individual identity. You can find the protection you need from life lock that even comes with a guarantee. What more could you ask for?
truck keeps sputtering
Question:
I was driving my truck today in the rain and the truck keeps sputtering and looses acceleration. i when i lifted the hood nothing seems like is soaked or anything. i was playing with a plug wire when the truck was running and got electrocuted. if a plug wire is in good shape can i still get shocked just by fiddling with the wire??
also i was playing around with the fuel pressure on my truck, it has a brand new delco fuel pump, i installed a fuel gage in line with the pressure line and was getting bout 10 psi, then i blocked the return line completely and it only went to 11, does this seem right?? I noticed the back of my throttle body is wet all the time, but its not coming from the fuel lines??
Answer:
Your fuel pressure is fine, 9-13 psi is factory spec. No worries there. As for the getting shocked. If both ends are plugged in/connected tot he engine then you should not get shocked. Electricity follows the path of least resistance, so if one end was disconnected then it will most definitely shock you. Just fiddling with one that is connected should not shock you. You may have a faulty wire and could have been arching against the engine and causing it to run bad. Replace the wires if this is the case. And you want to replace the fuel pressure regulator if you see fuel in the vacuum line connecting to it.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
I Hear a strange whistleing sound
Question:
I have a 99 Hundai Elantra with 124,000 miles, just change the oil to high mileage oil, car started to run odd, checked under the oil cap and found yellow gunk, nothing in the dipstick though? there is also a strange whistling sound the happens after 20 miles per hour mostly when stepping on the accelerator, do you know what could be cause of these two problems?
Answer:
The yellow gunk is nothing to worry about, probably just some condensation. Clean it of and replace you pcv valve and it shouldn't come back.
As for the whistle and running different. This is an indication of a vacuum leak. Find and fix the vacuum leak and it should be fine. Since you just had the oil changed, check things that might have be left loose of disconnected. If they checked your air filter, check the connection, hoses, etc. You can run engine in park, pop the hood and rev the engine until you start to here the whistle and try to locate the vacuum leak that way.
BE PART OF THE SOLUTION STOP LIGHT POLLUTION
When I first read the title of this post I had to read it again and again. My first thought was that this post was going to be about exhaust pollution given off at traffic stop lights. But that is not what this is about. Let me pose a question. Do you miss seeing the night stars because of all the artification light at night? I am talking about artificial light pollution as compared to the beautiful natural star light in the sky. While light pollution is detrimental to our ability to observe and enjoy the night sky, it also disrupts the surrounding natural environment, wastes energy, and has the potential to cause health problems.
Plans are underway for the 5th Annual Dark Sky Festival at Harmony. This year's festival is scheduled for Saturday, April 5, 2008 and will kick off at 7pm in Harmony's Town Square, in Harmony, Florida. The Dark Sky Festival is intended to celebrate and promote the benefits of a night-sky free from the effects of excessive artificial lighting. The Festival is free and open to the general public.
In addition to introducing environmentally intelligent lighting and lifestyle practices, the event also encourages the development of scientific interest in Florida youth. There will be lots of fun aspects of the festival such as telescopes for viewing the stars, a kids zone with a speaker talking about Myths in the Night, speakers talking about light pollution and a music by Motown recording artists, Rare Earth.
Electric sports car - Really ?
2008 Telsa Roadster:
- 100% Electric
- 0 to 60 in 3.9 seconds
- 13,000 rpm Red-line
- 135 mpg equivalent
- 225 miles per charge
- less than 2 cents per mile
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Battery Light On
Question:
I have a 1998 Chevy Cavalier that has a problem. My battery light is on, does this mean I need a new battery and if so, what is causing it to go bad?
Answer:
The battery light does not mean the battery is bad. It is telling you that the battery is not charging. This is an indication that the alternator is bad. You can use a multi-meter to test the voltage being charged to the battery. The voltage should be between 13.5 and 15.5 . It is a good Idea to charge the battery after replacing the alternator to insure a good start. Test when installed to make sure there are no other issues.
A Date with an Oyster?
Gulf oysters(true oysters) are highly prized as food, both raw and cooked, but some other groups which are also called oysters (such as for example the pearl oysters) are not widely eaten, at least not in recent times. Whether enjoyed raw on the half shell or in a creamy bowl or stew, no food so perfectly captures the sweet, salty taste of the sea as an oyster. In spite of the long list of names you may be presented with at an oyster bar, there are just four species of oysters - Atlantic or Eastern oysters, European flat oysters, Pacific or Japanese oysters, and tiny Olympias. What makes one oyster different from another depends on where it is grown.
Eating Oysters can be absolutely beyond a doubt delicious, but serious illness and death can result when at-risk individuals consume raw oysters. You can find out more information on beoysteraware.com. Oysters are sedentary bivalve mollusks that feed by filtering plankton (small plants and animals) from estuarine water. Because Vibrio vulnificus occurs naturally in the same waters that oysters feed, the bacteria is ingested and becomes assimilated and concentrated in the animal’s tissues. When people ingest oysters, there is a risk of also ingesting Vibrio vulnificus. The infection dose for Vibrio vulnificus is not accurately known. Healthy individuals can safely consume raw oysters without serious risk of Vibrio vulnificus illness.

oil pump for a 1991 3.0 Ford V-6
Gotta Have My Oysters!
I met this beautiful women at a local car show. We struck up a conversation and turned out to have a few things in common, lucky me! After a short while I asked her out for a dinner date. I picked her up the next evening and I took her to a fancy restaurant in the hopes to impress her. She ordered oysters and I ordered the house special. During dinner she asked offered me an oyster as i explained I had not tried one before and to my surprise it was not bad at all. This was my experience with oysters and now when ever I see her I end up craving oysters!! To be on the safe side I did some checking on Gulf oysters and it turns out there is a lot of information out there and even a few good recipes.
Tennessee Lemon Law Information
The Tennessee Lemon Law applies when, during the first year (no mileage limit) following delivery of a new vehicle:
1) the dealer has attempted to repair the same problem three (3) or more times, or
2) the vehicle has been out of service for repair at the dealership for a cumulative total of 30 days or more.
To qualify for the Lemon Law, after either of the criteria above is met, you must notify the manufacturer in writing by certified mail. After receiving your notice, the manufacturer has ten (10) days to make a final repair attempt.
Also to qualify, the problem must "substantially impair" the automobile, & must not be the result of abuse, neglect or unauthorized modifications or alterations of a motor vehicle by a consumer
Monday, March 17, 2008
You are invited to the 2008 Cannonball Run
The Tire Rack 2008, One Lap of America (formerly named Cannonball Run), will celebrate its 25th anniversary race around the United States and Stephen Noton along with his 451 smart for two will be apart of this historic race.
The smart has only been on sale for a couple months in the USA and Canada but it has already sparked some amazing interest from all types of car enthusiasts. While most people see the smart as an economical form of transportation Stephen Noton is showing that a smart can also be a very cool and fun car to drive.Stephen Noton says "The smart is like a Ferrari, it is a 2 seater, rear wheel drive, rear mounted engine European exotic and it even beats the Ferrari in one performance metric, MPG". That is very true and with some vehicles in the One Lap of America averaging less then 10mpg the smart at 41mpg might even have an advantage during the 4,000 mile event.Stephen Noton along with his co-driver, Tony Abou-Assaleh, will be driving the 451 smart fortwo nicknamed "forfiveone" which has been modified with racing springs, wider tires and some nice interior enhancements. The car has its own website at forfiveone.com which is hosted on the 451 smart fortwo Owners & Enthusiasts website 451s.com is the dedicated page established for the smart participation in the One Lap of America.Will the smart catch on in the racing world? Well if history repeats itself as it has with owners of vehicles like the Mini Cooper, VW Beetle, and the Miata, it might not be long before we see smarts showing up at local Solo I and Solo II events. The smarts entry into the racing world will be made easier if smart Canada or smart USA brings in the smart that is sold in Europe which has some impressive performance specifications such as 0-60 in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 170 all from its 999cc 3 cylinder engine (those numbers are in km)If you would like to see the One Lap of America or the forfiveone first hand you are welcome to attend anyone of the official race tracks which are posted on the One Lap of America website at onelapofamerica.com. Entrance to most tracks is free and you will even be able to access the staging/pit areas to get up close and personal with the nearly 100 exotic vehicles and their drivers.
Local Insurance Quotes
Affordable Insurance is a must have for any car owner in today's world especially since most States require vehicles carry it. Finding affordable insurance has gotten easier with the rise of the information age and the existence of websites such as SecureInsuranceQuotes.com that offer free online insurance quotes in your local area for a variety of insurance including health, car, home, life, business, rental and more. You can quickly and easily search for insurance quotes by looking for State insurance quotes or by City insurance quotes like I have for Dayton, Ohio.
How to replace serpintine belt
Saturday, March 15, 2008
How do I change the rear driver side brake light
Meet Stickman at Kettering U!
Lets talk Stickman for a minute or two. Yes, I said Stickman! What is Stickman you might ask? Stickman is a creative way to introduce you to a greater out look on the #1 University in the nation for Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering as ranked by US News and World Report, also located in "America's Best Colleges Guide for 2008". I know, I know, Who is the #1 University in the nation for Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering? It is no other than the great college of Kettering University. You can check out the US News Best Colleges and see for your self. They also offer a great mechanical engineering program that would complement your automotive enthusiasm and bring your knowledge to the next level in understanding more and more of how things work and apply in the automobile industry. But I got to tell you, Stickman is also enjoyable to watch. And hey, you might even learn a little something extra while entertaining your self. I have added one of my favorite Stickman videos below for you to enjoy as well.
If you have enjoyed the Stickman recruiting video as much as I have you may want to check out some more of them. You can find several more at the Here
My car started to loose power
Question:
I have a 1998 Bonneville SE 3.8 I was driving along and my car started to loose power, around 30 mph, the check engine light started flashing then stayed on solid. When it changed to solid on my car ran better. I was limping it home and it happened again, car started sputtering, check engine light flashing. I got it home shut it off and it would not start. I replaced plugs and wires and check the fuel pressure. The car started and ran fine for about 100 miles. Then it happened all over again, the exact same problem. Any ideas?
Answer:
When the check engine light is flashing, this indicates that a misfire condition is occurring. Changing the plugs and wires is a good start, since these are maintenance items that need to be replaced periodically anyway. Since this did not correct the problem however, it is possible that one of your ignition coils may be failing. Your car has 3 ignition coils mounted on top of the ignition control module; each one fires 2 spark plugs.
When the check engine light came on, the car's computer stored information related to the problem in it's memory that can be retrieved with a scan tool. Odds are, there will be fault codes indicating which cylinder(s) are experiencing the misfire condition. I would suggest taking the car in to a repair shop or an auto parts store to have the codes retrieved to see which cylinders are involved; then swap the ignition coil for that cylinder with one of the others and drive the car until the problem recurs. Then, have the codes read again to see if the misfire moved with the coil to a different cylinder (indicating a faulty coil is the cause) or whether the misfire is still occurring on the original cylinder (indicating that the coil is not the cause).
I suspect you will find that the misfire moves to a different cylinder, indicating that particular coil is failing. If so, replacing that coil with a new one will resolve the problem.
Friday, March 14, 2008
97 mazda 626 all lights work except tail lights
Question:
97 Mazda 626 all lights work except tail lights fuse all good. is there a relay? i can power them direct from behind radio. i am installing a radio they cut out the harness radio is easy enough and is working but they lost tail lights in their little chopping adventure. any ideas?
Answer:
If you look at the wiring diagram , power comes from the Main Tail light fuse 15 amp, which you said is OK, so the only thing left is the TNS Relay or the light switch itself.
Check for power at the light green wire from the switch at the relay, if you see power (with lights turned on) but do not see power on the orange wire, replace the relay. If you do not see power at the light green wire, replace the switch.
The Technique for A New Earth
'The Sedona Method is a key to happiness and is part of a wave of happiness sweeping the planet.' Learn how The Sedona Method is the secret to mastering The Secret and Being Truly Happy. A little history of the Sedona Method:In 1952, Lester Levenson fell critically ill. His doctors informed him that he had only a few weeks to live. Lester turned to the laboratory within, seeking a way to revoke his pending death sentence. What he discovered in his exploration was that by releasing his non-love feelings, his health began to improve. Continuing with this experiment, he found that over a 3-month period, he had attained not only renewed health but actually perfect health and perfect peace of mind which lasted 42 years beyond his doctors’ expectations. It was from this state of mind, as well as his working with people over a 22-year period, that he inspired the creation in 1974 of what is now known as The Sedona Method.Their mission is to support you in alleviating your physical and emotional suffering and liberating your natural inner freedom to have, be and do whatever your heart desires. They support individuals and organizations in achieving balance, success, wellness, strength, effectiveness, happiness and well-being. It would seem the key is beingness presence awareness that is present right now. The Sedona Method has proven itself to be a powerful and effective tool for both individual and corporate effectiveness and wellness. Several independent studies have confirmed its usefulness. There are several books and even a Free DVD and CD. So lets make a a new earth for everyone to enjoy. After all The Sedona Method is a tool for becoming part of the peaceful revolution in consciousness and value that is sweeping the planet.
How do I replace the throttle position sensor
Question:
How do I replace the throttle position sensor on a 1998 mitsubishi eclipse 2.0 OHC w/o turbo?
Answer:
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
1) Disconnect negative battery cable.
Fig. 1: Location of the throttle position - 1.8L engine shown, others similar
2) Detach the electrical connector from the throttle position sensor.
3) Remove the mounting screws from the sensor, being careful not to round the Phillips screw head.
4) Remove the sensor from the throttle body.
To install:
1) Install the throttle position sensor onto the throttle body and rotate the sensor counterclockwise on the throttle shaft and temporarily tighten the screws.
2) Connect the electrical harness to the sensor.
3) Tighten the retainer screws to 1.8 ft. lbs. (2.5 Nm).
4) Connect the negative battery cable.
2) Detach the electrical connector from the throttle position sensor.
3) Remove the mounting screws from the sensor, being careful not to round the Phillips screw head.
4) Remove the sensor from the throttle body.
To install:
1) Install the throttle position sensor onto the throttle body and rotate the sensor counterclockwise on the throttle shaft and temporarily tighten the screws.
2) Connect the electrical harness to the sensor.
3) Tighten the retainer screws to 1.8 ft. lbs. (2.5 Nm).
4) Connect the negative battery cable.
For the Love of Pearl
The first thing that comes to my mind would be are we now talking about pearl color paint? That beautiful color that adds that special sparkle and glimmer to just about any color of car paint. Well, we are not talking about the color pearl. We are actually talking about real pearls that come from Gulf oysters . A pearl is a wonderful gift from an oyster but hey, what if an oyster could give you gold nuggets instead of pearls or even emeralds? Now that would be awesome if you could not only enjoy the oyster as food but also actually get a real live emerald!!! Now, where am I heading with all of this what if and wouldn't it be cool if that stuff. Oysters, that is what we are dreaming about. There are so many different attributes of oysters it just amazes me. And if you check of the beoysteraware.com web site you will find many of them listed there. Oysters are the gems of the sea. These delicious, nutritious treats can be prepared in “a variety of dishes that enhance the mollusk’s natural flavor and”; are safe for everyone to eat! Listed below are a variety of different and eclectic oyster recipes developed by Mississippi State University researchers and the Mississippi State Department of Marine Resources.
P0135 Generic 02 sensor heater circuit malfunction(bank 1 sensor 1)
Honda - Code P0135 Generic 02 sensor heater circuit malfunction(bank 1 sensor 1)
Question:
I have a 2002 Honda Civic 1.7L. Recently my engine light came on and I put the auto scanner to it and it says "P0135 Generic 02 sensor heater circuit malfunction(bank 1 sensor 1)". I priced the Honda dealer sensors($110 ea.) and Autozones sensors($55 ea.), so I went with autozone, and then took them to a mechanic to have them installed. Once they were installed the mechanic said that he keeps clearing the computer but the engine light keeps coming back on for the bank one sensor one, or upstream sensor. He also said that sometimes with sensors you might have to buy the Honda original sensor from the dealer instead of the aftermarket sensors, is this true? What do you think it could be? On my auto scanner in the I/M status it states MIL status on, Misfire monitor- ok, Fuel sys. monitor- ok, Comprehensive comp. mon.- ok, catalyst mon. Inc., Evap. system mon.- inc., oxygen sensor mon.- inc., oxygen sensor heater- ok, Exhaust Gas Recirculation sys. mon.- inc. I don't know if the I/M status will help you out or not.
Already Tried: I replaced both oxygen sensors already with bosch autozone sensors
Answer:
I have seen this many times the aftermarket sensors will not work in most Honda's you need to get factory parts to fix your problem.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Do you have a GPS system?
Air Conditioning !! Get ready for Summer
Air Conditioning
Your Air Conditioning system may have been OK last year but why wait till the middle of summer to check things over. Take the time to check the system to make sure you do not have an unwanted surprise. The way I check the air conditioning system for operation is to start the car and let it reach normal operating temperature. Turn the A/C setting to "MAX" and I place a temp gauge in the center vent. Run the engine at 1500 rpm, the temp should drop to almost 32 degrees. This is optimal and where it should be. Anything about 40 degrees and we need to dig in and fix the problem now while it is still cool out. I have created a step by step air conditioning troubleshooting chart that will help diagnose even the simplest problems. Check you A/C now and stay cool this summer
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
The door won''t open
Question:
I have a Honda Oyssey 2002. The door won''t open from the outside the door handle doesn''t connect to unlock the door. I want to order the part from Honda. I was about to order the l.fr inside door rod. Is this the correct part that will make that connection? I need to fix it myself Honda wants $90 just to look at it. I already know what it is. I looked inside.
Answer:
All you need is the 1.50 clip that holds the rod into the door handle as long as nothing is broke on the outer door handle this is all you will need check to see if its broken first .
Computer Diagnostics
Question:
What is computer diagnostics? I took my car into the shop because my check engine light is on and they said I needed computer diagnostics and all I wanted was the light to go out. Are they doing something that I don't need?
Answer:
Computer Diagnostics is in fact the first necessary step that needs to be taken when the check engine light has illuminated. The check engine light comes on to inform the operator that there is something wrong. The shop needs to connect a scan tool and read the codes that are set by the Computer. This gives the shop a code and description of what area of the vehicle is not performing correctly. Once the computer diagnostics are performed they can use this information to properly diagnose your problem and make the necessary repairs. Without performing computer diagnostics it would be like looking for a needle in a hay stack and cost you more in the long run.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Drive traffic, make money
Do you have a blog of your own? If the answer is yes, then you need to know about Buzzfuse . I just signed up myself, so let me tell you a bit about it. First , it is easy to understand and easy to navigate the web site. You set up an account, which is free by the way, and then add friends to your self created circle to get things started. You are only required to add 10 friends or contacts but are not limited to that number. Then you apply code to the blog you want and post it just like you would any other post. Finally you visit your new post and click on the activation button and thats it. There are different levels of service so upgrading is an open possibility but is not required. And yes you can add more than one post and its still free.
As an added bonus, if you have over 30 people in your 'circle' and have registered more than 2 posts with Buzzfuse, you can win one of 1000 premium accounts (value ±$180.00) and earn money for each top-performing post you make. T&C apply.
Tentative Settlement of GM DEX-COOL Class Action Suit
Have a GM vehicle with a coolant leak ? Well save your receipt!! It looks like you may be intitled to a refund for the work that has been done.
"Independence, MO — December 2007 — Law firms Girard Gibbs, LLP and Shughart, Thomson & Kilroy, PC announced a tentative agreement with General Motors in their suit over performance and service issues surrounding DEX-COOL coolant and related cooling system components. While the case was originally certified in Missouri, the agreement covers the entire United States. (Cases were pending certification in several states.)
Final agreement is expected to be reached by all parties by January; concluding details to be announced at the time. "
See the entire Article Here
Let the Beatings Begin! - Fantasy Baseball
There is a new software available for baseball fans of all types. This fantasy baseball software launches this spring of 2008. Baseball Season is upon us so there is no time to waste. Fantasy Sports Prophet's Fantasy Baseball software is the key tool to winning fantasy baseball leagues and the key benefits of the software are:
o Web based – access from anywhere
o Player rankings based on Predictive Modeling by PhD scientists
o Most advanced Draft assistance tool - all the data needed to make the right decision about any player
o Full season roster management including updated mid-season projections via artificial intelligence
o All stats, injury reports and major updates available from within software
There potential payoffs for winning in a fantasy league. When utilizing internationally recognized and award-wining technology, Sports Prophet offers the most advanced predictive modeling analysis for fantasy sports players. This technology and the resulting model are exclusive to Sports Prophet. No other company in the fantasy sports market has this technology or anything close. The best thing yet is the $10 off special for using promo code BMC200 for their software. So with this special discount offer you get this awesome software that has helped me with the challenges of winning a fantasy baseball league. Use this software to put yourself ahead in the fantasy baseball league.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Power windows stopped working
Question:
I have a 1996 ford explorer and the power windows stopped working, none of the door switches work, and i replaced the driver door switch but that didn''t help. i need to know what in the power window system could be the problem.
Already Tried: new driver door switch
Answer:
You will need to use the wiring diagram I have provided to check for power loss. There are 2 fuses, 3 relays and a module that could be bad.
WIRING DIAGRAM
Contemporary Wedding Invitations
Every one knows someone that has gotten married or have been married themselves knows that when it comes to the wedding planning there is nothing more important. One of the most important things to plan and decide on is the wedding invitations. Well this web site Contemporary Wedding Invitations can help make the whole situation a blessing instead of a curse. This web site has many different designs to choose from and I'm sure you can find your favorite design that both the bride and groom can be happy with. For myself, I found the Swirling Silver Hearts Design to be my favorite choice. It has a masculine and feminine look that I feel would appeal to both the bride and groom. This unique invitation wraps inside a translucent vellum folder adorned with swirling hearts. The bright white card stock is bordered by a rich silver frame. The corresponding ensemble pieces are printed with the same heart design in contrasting white on silver. This item is printed on a beautiful Bright White Parchment card stock. So if you are thinking about getting married yourself or know of someone that might be looking to get married you should tell them about this site and keep it in mind for yourself.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
How do I remove the battery
Question:
How do I remove the battery from a 2003 Hyundai Accent? I can''t get the positive side off. I got the negative side off easily, but the positive side won''t come off at all.
Answer:
Sometimes after you loosen the retaining nut/bolt you will need to insert a screwdriver and pry a little. Then using a set of large mouth pliers or channel locks grab hold and rotate back in forth to get it to free up/ If there is corrosion, poor HOT water on it and it will come clean!
Friday, March 07, 2008
My car has been idling high then low
Question:
I have a 1993 Lexus SC400. My car has been idling high then low while driving, when i came to a complete stop today it idled low then shut off. whenever I'm at a complete stop it idles low then acts like it wants to shut off, but when i turn my air conditioner on it doesn't idle low and act like it wants to shut off. What could cause this problem?
Answer:
This is a classic symptom of an IAC ( Idle air control) the reason it seems better when you turn the AC on is it cranks up the IAC even more to help it idle. You should have the IAC replaced and the throttle body cleaned inside at the butterfly as it gets clogged or gummed up and restricts airflow at idle.
Trouble finding a quality credit card?
You have spent months deciding on the next greatest thing you want to do to your car but if only you had the money now. You know that you will have the money to buy that new set of shinny wheels you have been drooling over for months but have the time to install them now. Now we know what it is that you want we need to figure out how to get it. That's right, if you had a credit card you could achieve your desired goal now and not have to wait till later. So why not get a credit card with rewards since you are going to get one anyway. And with today's way of doing things it is nice to know that you can get Online banking services, Fraud protection and security, Balance transfers and even Estimated interest. You will be able to get what you want now.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Noise when I hit a bump - 2000 Ford Taurus
Question:
My 2000 Ford Taurus front passenger side tire makes a noise going over any size bump. Sounds like something is broken or loose and makes a clunking noise. Not sure if I should be super worried about this or not. Any idea of what it might be?
Answer:
Most common reason for this is broken sway bar links. This is not something you need to be worried about. As with most things that break it is a good idea to fix them but it is not detrimental at this point. You could wait till your next regular service and have it repaired then. The cost should be less than $100.00 parts and labor.
Nintendo® Wii Sweeps+Charter High-Speed for Life
Did you spend hours looking for a place to buy a Wii this past Christmas? Well now you will have an opportunity to win one of those wonderful game consoles that everybody has been looking for. No more running from store to store trying to find the impossible. Click Here for a Chance to Win a Nintendo® Wii™! . For complete Action and Sweepstakes Rules go to: http://connect.charter.com/ForLife/ . That page will allow visitors to register with an e-mail address and other personal information for a chance to win a Nintendo® Wii™. The winner will receive a Nintendo Wii Console, Wii Stand, 5 Sports games ( Boxing, Baseball, Tennis, Golf and bowling), 1 Remote Controller, 1 Nunchuk Controller, 1 Sensor Bar, 1 Wii AC Adapter, 1 Wii AV Cable. You are ready to play, no other equipment needed.
Now that you have read about a chance to win a Wii, an awesome game console, let me tell you about another amazing opportunity. This is a first time for me to ever hear of this kind of deal. The ability to bid on an Internet connection for life. How much would that be worth? I spend $540.00 a year for my Internet connection at home not to mention at my business. This sounds like an awesome opportunity and the minimum bid starts at $10.00. The opportunity to bid on receiving Charter High-Speed® Internet for Life is one worth looking into. Registration for bidding on the Charter High-Speed® Internet for Life offer will require that the visitor qualify for the offer by zip code – must be in a Charter serviceable area. Only visitors able to receive Charter High-Speed® Internet services at their residence will qualify to bid. Bids start at $10. For complete Action and Sweepstakes Rules go to: http://connect.charter.com/ForLife/
My Belt Squeals loud ?
Customer Complaint:
I have a 1997 Nissan Maxima with 111,114 miles on it, mostly highway miles. Every morning when I start my car it will squeal real loud until the engine warms up. Once the engine is warm it quits making the noise for the rest of the day until it sets over night again.
Solution:
Checked out the condition of the belt and it was fine. Noticed that this 3.0L engine had 2 serpentine belts and they were both a little loose. This would be an indication of a failing auto tensioner on most cars but this engine has manual tensioners. Adjusted both belts ( should just be able to twist the belt 90 degrees and that all the play you want ). Let the vehicle set overnight and tested. No more squeal. Customer happy !! Cost of labor, $25.00
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Know How to Read Your Tires
When shopping for tires, it's important to know the meaning of all those mysterious embossed letters on the sidewall of the tires. It's not as complicated as you may think. Here's how to decipher them.
1) The first letter in the series is the tire's class designation -- for example, "P" for passenger, "LT" for light truck or "T" for temporary.
2) That letter is followed by the tread width. In this case, "235" means this tire's tread is 235 millimeters in width. So larger tread-width numbers mean wider tires (figure A). Read the rest of this article.
Monday, March 03, 2008
710 - important !!
A few days ago I was having some work done at my local garage. A blonde came in and asked for a seven-hundred-ten. We all looked at each other and another customer asked, "What is a seven-hundred-ten?" She replied, "You know, the little piece in the middle of the engine, I have lost it and need a new one.." She replied that she did not know exactly what it was, but this piece had always been there. The mechanic gave her a piece of paper and a pen and asked her to draw what the piece looked like. She drew a circle and in the middle of it wrote 710. He then took her over to another car which had its hood up and asked "is there a 710 on this car?" She pointed and said, "Of course, its right there." If you're not sure what a 710 is copy and paste this link (cause I haven't figured out how to make the links work
Bad Oil Leak - Chevy S-10
Customer Problem:
Customer brought there 1997 Chevy S-10 in with a complaint of a bad oil leak. They have added 3 qts per week. They stated that the oil would appear toward the front drivers side under the radiator assembly.
Solution and Actual Repair:
After cleaning off the underside of the oil soaked engine we started the engine and quickly found the leak at the engine oil cooling lines. This is a common issue with these vehicles. We ordered up a set of replacement lines from the Chevy dealer and swapped them out. Took about an hour. We also did an oil change and tested afterward. total cost was 237.95+tax
Repair Procedures:
REMOVE OR DISCONNECT:
1) Bolts holding lines to adapters.
2) Oil cooler lines from radiator to remote oil filter adapter.
3) Seals from adapter.
4) Clamp and bolt.
5) Oil cooler lines from remote oil filter adapter to engine mounted adapter.
6) Seals from remote and engine mounted adapters.
7) Reverse to install.
Saturday, March 01, 2008
1999 Ford Expedition Won't Start ?
Question:
1999 ford expedition, never had a problem. Won''t start, lights work, wipers-a/c-power windows all work. RADIO does not. Replace battery with new one, check fuses in both panels..still does not even engage the ignition, no click, no turning of the starter...HELP!!
Already Tried:
checked fuses, they're OK. anti-theft, wasn't much to it for this year and model. new battery. thing is all power components work off battery except engine it does not turn no clicking from solenoid, no starter noise, and radio does not come on.
Answer:
First thing to check is for power on the "s" terminal of the starter( small wire ). Have someone turn the key and hold it on the start position while you confirm there is battery voltage at the "s" terminal. If you see power here, Replace the starter and all will be normal once more.
Friday, February 29, 2008
My Car Turns over but Won't Start
My car won't Start. My car cranks over but won't start. Engine turns over, but will not start . Engine does not crank. Engine does not turn over when attempting to start . No Start. Engine stalls immediately when started. Starter motor spins, but does not engage. Engine is difficult to start when cold. Engine is difficult to start when hot. Engine cranks normally, but it does not fire. No Spark. No Fuel. ........ What Should I Do ? The first thing to do is review a Diagnostic Chart for a No Start Condition. Use the no start / won't start chart to determine the cause and make the necessary repairs.
Do you have Skin Health TODAY?
We spend most of our time with cars on our minds and the other part of the time with our heads under the hood of a car. This is all well and good but sometimes we still need to look our best and not like the local car mechanic does all day long. One of the best ways to do this is with the proper Skin care . Now we all have our own skin care tricks, fixes, and habits but that doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement. Myself, I generally try to wash my hands often but have found that I neglect washing my face. I used to wash my face once a day and recently started having an Acne issue. At 35 years of age this was an embarrassment I was not happy with at all. I simply started washing my face more frequently and no longer have this problem. Now there is a website that you might want to book mark, subscribe to there blog and even tune into there weekly, live radio show on www.WorldTalkRadio.com with specific focus on the weekly topic. It is OK to come out from under the hood of the car every once in a while.
Check Engine Light On ?
Question:
I have a 1996 Chevy Impala and I was driving down the road when for no reason my Check Engine Light came on . What do I need to do ?
Answer:
When a car problem occurs, the first step is to trouble shoot the related system. Then, perform simple tests that can lead you to the cause of the malfunction and the repairs needed to correct the problem. Sometimes You need the right test equipment. In this case you will need a Scan Tool. There are many, many different automotive SCAN TOOLS to choose from. Select one that meets your needs. More Scan Tools. Once you have retrieved your trouble codes, you can use the codes to help determine problem and then make the necessary repairs.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Automotive Repair Maintenance - Important ?
When a car problem occurs, the first step is to trouble shoot the related system. Then, perform simple tests that can lead you to the cause of the malfunction and the repairs needed to correct the problem. This is all well and good, but what about some Maintenance ahead of time to keep this form happening in the first place.
Unfortunately for the consumer the manufacturers try to mislead you into thinking all you need is a simple oil change every now and again and it will run like new for 100,000 miles. That is just not true. If you read the fine print on the warranty you will see that bumper to bumper is just a phrase. It does not cover any wearable parts such as brake pads, light bulbs, air filters, fuel filters, tires, etc. You know the maintenance items that should be taken care of.
Here is a list of the Top Ten most important maintenance items not including oil changes:
- Battery - number one cause of a "no start" situation
- Light Bulbs - Safety; it is important for others to see you
- Air Filter - Allows the engine to breath and has a direct affect on fuel mileage*
- Fuel Filter - Removes impurities from the fuel to keep injectors from clogging up
- Transmission Filter - Should be replaced every 30,000 miles
- Brakes - Safety; nice to be able to stop when you need to
- Tires - Direct affect on stopping, steering and fuel mileage*
- Timing Belt - If it breaks, you might be looking a buying a new engine
- Coolant - Make sure it is full at every service and changed every two years
- Wiper Blades - Usually over looked until it is raining
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Replacing ignition switch on 2001 Ford F150
Question:
How do I replace the ignition switch on my 2001 Ford F150. I already have the key switch out.
Answer:
1999 - 2003 Vehicles
To Remove:
Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions at the beginning of this section.
Remove or disconnect the following:
Negative battery cable
Instrument panel steering column cover
Ignition switch electrical connector and the bolt
Screws and ignition switch
To Install:
Install or connect the following:
Ignition switch and screws
Torque to: 47-64 inch lbs. (5.3-7.2 Nm)
Ignition switch electrical connector with the screws
Torque to: 7-10 inch lbs. (0.8-1.2 Nm)
Instrument panel steering column cover
Negative battery cable
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
1975 Chevrolet nova 262 v8 - Engine Build
Question:
On the 262 the crankshaft is a 3.10 stroke I,m thinking about building a destroked 327,350 these 1975 262s what connecting rod length would i need with 327 pistons.or 350 pistons,this would be a high winding motor because its right between a 283 and a 327 right should rev up quick thank you , I appriciate your advice. This would be sporting a high lift roller cam,single plane intake,and an autolite 4 bbl carb.
Answer:
A 283 crank in a 327 or 350 block is a 302 ci engine. Some of the old camaro's came with them (RS SS 302) this would definitely be a hi rev engine. Use a steel crank and its good for 10,000 rpm . You can do this with the 283 crank, and rods and 350 pistons (4.00 bore) with either 350 OR 327 block. I recommend the 327 block as it is thicker in the water jackets which makes it stronger.
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