Repair And Fix it

Air suspension systems have been installed in vehicles since the late 1950s. Air suspension has several different functions. It keeps the vehicle as level as possible on varying terrains and raises or lowers the vehicle on off-road and luxury vehicles. On high-performance models, the air suspension will adjust the stiffness of the suspension to increase the handling ability of the vehicle.

Disabling

Some vehicles that are equipped with air suspension, primarily Lincolns and Fords, must have the system disabled prior to lifting the rear of the vehicle. The system is disabled by flipping a switch. This switch is typically located in the trunk of the vehicle; er to your owners manual. Failure to disable the system can result in the air suspension failing and the rear of the vehicle will sit very low until it is repaired; this repair is quite expensive as well.

Replacement

On some air-suspension equipped vehicles, the air ride system can be replaced for a standard suspension. This is typically performed when the suspension system fails and requires a complete overhaul. The replacement system will have two standard shocks and a spring to replace the air bags.

Aging

As air suspensions age, the air bag can become dry and start to crack. These cracks can lead to leaks and even breakage. A routine inspection of the air suspension system should be performed at every major service interval to catch problems before they occur.

Mechanics

The air suspension system is a relatively simple system mechanically. It consists of only three main components: compressor, air bags and struts. The compressor runs off of electricity and it is what provides the supply of air. The air bags are simply rubber sacks that fill with air to raise the vehicle and drain to lower the vehicle. The struts are there to simply absorb the hard impacts and protect the bags from sudden compression from a hard bump. While the mechanics are simple, the electronics of the newer systems are extremely complex.

History

The air bag was first put on a production car by Cowey Motor Works of Great Britain in 1909. The idea did not catch on at the time because the system leaked. Firestone created the first properly functioning air suspension system for an experimental line of vehicles known as the Stout-Scarab in 1933. Air suspension became available on nearly every American-produced vehicle in 1958.

The typical automotive air-conditioning system uses a compressor, receiver drier, condenser, rigerant, evaporator and thermostatic valve. This was not so in the early days of automotive air conditioning for cars and trucks, which were primitive by todays standards. The history of air conditioning started with a patent submitted by Willis Carrier in 1906, for building structures. The invention caught on with car and truck applications during the early middle half of the 20th century.

Automotive Air Conditioning Debut

A New York company was the first source of air conditioners used on cars in 1933. The units were highly customized and individually fitted on expensive, privately owned cars and limousines.

Freon Beginnings

The compound chemical Freon, invented by Charles Kettering and Thomas Midgley, was composed of chlorofluorocarbons -- a mixture of carbon, fluorine and halogens of hydrogen and chlorine. Although the invention and application of Freon was first used in air-conditioned buildings, it would later be applied to automotive air-conditioning systems that used coils, condensers and compressors to circulate a rigerant.

Packard Motors

The Packard Motor Car Company offered the first workable air conditioner and heater combination for cars in 1939. The unit cost $274, considered an expensive option at the time. The compressor, a 1.5-ton unit, ran off a belt from the engine. The unit had no thermostat control for turning it down or shutting it off, as it required removal of the belt from the engine. The cool air was gathered at the rear of the vehicle and discharged forward.

Cadillac

Cadillac followed suit in 1941, manufacturing its own air-conditioning system, similar to the Packard design. Cadillac sold over 400 cars that had the expensive option. The bulky unit was located behind the rear passenger seat; it also had to be deactivated by removing the compressor belt.

Frederick McKinley Jones

Frederick Jones was a mechanic and inventor who applied for and received more than 40 rigeration patents for air conditioning. In July 1940, he was issued a patent for a cooling device that mounted to the roof of a truck. Not long after, the invention was produced for rigerated trucks that transported flash-frozen foods, which was an invention of Clarence Birdseye.

Nash

The Nash-Kelvinator Corporation was the first manufacturer of a integrated ventilating, heating and air-conditioning system. The unit was mass produced and used on the Nash Ambassador in 1954. It boasted a compact style, affordable price at $345, adjustable dash controls, electric clutch, dash-mounted vents and was located entirely in the engine bay. The mass produced units were called the "All-Weather Eye."

General Motors

General Motors manufactured a front engine-mounted air conditioning system in 1954. It came as an option on its Pontiac cars, which had straight eight-cylinder engines. Separate controls were added for air distribution and cooling levels. The design differed slightly from the Nash layout and concept.

The 1960s

Air conditioning for cars and trucks picked up in popularity and application by 1960, outfitting about 20 percent of U.S. vehicles. The Southwest used systems in 80 percent of its vehicles. American Motors introduced air conditioning on all AMC Ambassador models starting in 1968. At the turn of 1969, 54 percent of all domestic vehicles had air-conditioning systems. Automatic climate control thermostats were first introduced and applied during this time.

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Introduction of R-134a

R-134a rigerant was introduced in 1992 as a replacement for the original R-12 Freon. The old R-12 Freon, invented by Kettering and Midgley, was found to contain ozone-destroying chlorofluorocarbons. The new R-134a had no toxic or ozone depleting chemicals, and followed the criteria set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency. All new vehicles manufactured after 1995 were fitted with new air-conditioning systems that used only R-134a rigerant. R-12 was discontinued, with some countries outlawing its use. As of 2011, 99 percent of all vehicles manufactured and on the road have air-conditioning systems, with climate control programming, directional vents and increased performance, allowing for better fuel economy.

If your air conditioning malfunctions in your 1999 Lexus LS400, prompt servicing is the best way to protect your Lexus investment. Any automotive mechanic can recharge your air conditioner, but damage to your air conditioning system requires Lexus service technicians, certified by the Lexus Commitment to Excellence program, if you want your warranty to stand. Mechanical or electrical air conditioning problems may mean replacing the entire system, the compressor, condenser, accumulator, evaporator, blower motor, control unit, fan and clutch.

Compressor Specifications

The Lexus Part Store sells new and urbished used air conditioner compressors for the 1999 Lexus LS400. The remanufactured compressors come with a core charge. The LS400 compressor has six grooves, a 1.65-inch line, a mount manifold, a tangent mount, a 4.5-inch pulley, a speed sensor switch and a clutch. The urbished compressor carries a two-year or 24,000-mile warranty. The new compressor cost $442 in 2010 and is under warranty for one year. The urbished compressor cost $395 in 2010. A core charge of $61 in 2010 was imposed on top of the part cost; the core charge is unded to the purchaser upon receipt of the old compressor.

Condenser Function

The condenser collects filth and oil from the compressor. Refrigerant may carry this filth through the condenser to the expansion valve, clogging the valve or tube. If oil cannot flow through the condenser, the compressor cannot receive oil, and the compressor will lack lubrication. If the condenser is dirty, it may be necessary to replace it. Flushing the compressor definitely moves sludge through the system. The sludge may form a blockage or damage the compressor. If you damage your air conditioner by flushing it, your warranty will be void, at least for the air conditioner.

Condenser Specifications

The Lexus Parts Store website lists two condensers for a 1999 Lexus LS400. A new first-class condenser with a clutch, manufactured from high-quality materials for extended reliability, cost $235 in 2010. A limited 1-year warranty covers manufacturers defects in the compressor. A second aluminum parallel flow condenser cost $139 in 2010. It is guaranteed to fit without leaking. Both condensers reduce noise and vibration. A chrome-plated compressor gasket or trim ring fits most cars and trucks with 7-inch radial compressors. The gasket costs $29 from the Lexus Parts Store in 2010 and comes with a 90-day warranty.

A bumper jack raises a vehicle in either the front or rear to gain access to the parts underneath for repairs. An air bumper jack is a bottle design that uses air pressure to raise and lower the jack. In the manual mode, you pump the handle up and down to add air pressure inside the jack and extend the saddle upwards to raise it. An air compressor connects to the bottle jack to use for raising the jack automatically instead of pumping the handle up and down.

Instructions

1

Park the vehicle on a flat surface and engage the emergency brake. Place a wheel chock or brick in front of each front wheel if you are jacking the back up. Place a wheel chock or brick behind each rear wheel if you are jacking up the front of a vehicle.

2

Insert one of the two handle pieces that are smooth on both ends into the other. Press the spring pin in one, insert the other and align the pin with the hole in the second piece. The pin will pop out and hold it in position in the hole in the handle. Attach the third handle piece to the bottom of the first two pieces in the same manner. The bottom handle piece has a U-shaped fitting on the bottom end.

3

Insert the bottom of the handle into the release valve on the bottom of the air bottle jack. Turn the handle clockwise as far as it will turn to close the release valve.

4

Turn on an air compressor and let it power up until it cycles off. Attach the air compressor hose to the air compressor by pulling the quick connector ring back, inserting it onto the fitting and releasing the quick connector. Attach the other end of the air compressor hose on the air control valve on the front side of the bottle jack in the same manner.

5

Push the bottle jack with the handle to position it under the vehicle bumper where it attached to the frame while allowing access to the air control valve. The air control valve is above the air compressor hose fitting on the jack. Place a piece of wood or two-by-four board on the round saddle of the bottle jack top.

6

Grasp and squeeze the air control valve to add air to the jack and raise the saddle under the vehicle. Release the air control valve when the vehicle is high enough off the ground.

7

Place a jack stand under the vehicle to support it. Turn the jack handle counterclockwise in the release valve slowly to lower the jack. Pull the jack out from under the vehicle.

Pneumatic tools offer reliability and strength. An air gun uses very few moving parts. Air pressure moves pistons that generate the power. The only maintenance needed on an air gun, or pneumatic tool, is daily oiling if the tool is not self-oiling. The main goal of an air gun is to deliver a powerful tool capable of intense amounts of torque or pressure. The most common high-impact air tools are air hammers, air drills and impact wrenches.

Air Hammers

An air hammer is not an elegant tool. It is used to repeatedly deliver blows to an object. The hammer comes with a variety of tips to shape or smooth metals. An internal piston is actuated by the air pressure from an air compressor. The piston repeatedly shoots forward and back. The different tips determine what the movement accomplishes. A flat-head hammer tip allows a worker to create a curve in a piece of sheet metal. The flat-head condenses and spreads out the metal as the piston hammers the ball into the surface of the metal. Chisel tips can be used to chip away at brick or stone, or to gouge metal.

Air Drills

Air drills use air pressure to generate high levels of rotation comparable to battery-operated drills. The tool is weaker than the electrical variation but is less likely to break down due to the limited number of moving parts. The tool delivers steady rotation regardless of the material. Electric drill motors can snag up in tough materials. Air drills are available in a standard gun style, similar to electric, and hand-held variations similar to electric screwdrivers. The tool has a quick-release connection on some models, or the standard chuck-key connection that requires a specific tool to unlock the bit.

Impact Wrenches

Impact wrenches are the most common type of high-impact air guns. An impact wrench combines the elements of an air hammer with an air drill. Rather than just spinning a gear, the tool delivers air pressure to an internal hammer that builds up briefly before spinning the gear. The rapid discharge of stored pressure or energy translates to high-torque rotation. Impact wrenches work best on stubborn or damaged bolts. The manual equivalent to this tool would be to place a wrench on a bolt and hammer at it with a sledge hammer. The tool, like all air guns, is reliable with minimal moving parts. The only maintenance necessary is to oil the tool daily. The oil prevents the internal pistons and gears from becoming sticky or dry.

The function of a carburetor is to regulate the engines fuel air mixture. If the mixture is too rich, meaning the air content is too low, increased carbonization of the engine can occur. It can also decrease engine performance and increase the chances of smoking. If the mixture is too lean, or the air content is too high, there is less lubrication to the engine which could cause cylinder scoring. Maintaining the proper fuel air ratio is necessary to avoid these problems. This can be done by adjusting the fuel air mix. For most carburetor models, special tools are required to adjust the carburetor. These tools adjust carburetor-specific screws which are now used on most models to prevent adjustment by non-EPA-certified mechanics. Five different carburetor adjustment tools are currently on the market.

Single "D"-shaped Tool

The single "D"-shaped carburetor adjustment tool is used to adjust the tamper-proof adjustment screw found on some carburetor models. Both the tool and the tamper-proof adjustment screw are "D"-shaped. The adjustment of the screw changes the amount of air that is allowed into the engine. By turning the screw in, the amount of air allowed into the engine is reduced, creating a rich fuel air mixture. By turning the screw out, the amount of air allowed into the engine is increased, creating a lean fuel air mixture.

Double "D"-shaped Tool

The double "D"-shaped carburetor tool is used to adjust the double "D"-shaped tamper proof adjustment screw on small engine carburetors. This is done while the engine is running and has had a chance to warm up. This is because the carburetor settings will change once the engine has warmed up.

Hex-shaped Tool

The hex-shaped carburetor adjustment tool is used to adjust the tamper-proof adjustment screw on both small and large engines. The tamper-proof adjustment screw is generally blocked with a cap by the manufacturer to prevent adjustment of the carburetor by non-licensed professionals. Special tools are required for the removal of the cap. The distribution of the cap removal tools are also regulated by the EPA.

Pac-man-shaped Tool

The pac-man-shaped tool is used for the tamper-proof adjustment screw on some Walbro and Zama carburetor models. These tools are also referred to as V-notch carburetor adjustment tools. They are offered to certified mechanics through MTD distributors.

Splined Tool

The splined carburetor adjustment tool is generally used to adjust the tamper-proof adjustment screw on Poulan and Weedeater carburetors. These tamper-proof adjustment screws have four sets of splines each spaced 90 degrees apart.

Compressed air is useful for many things. It can pump up flat tires, run a variety of air tools, or simply be used to clean a bit of dirt out of a crevice. In order to create and use compressed air you need to have a commercial air compressor or an air tank. If you have an air-tank equipped with a pressure gauge and Schrader valve you can easily fill it up with a bike pump.

Instructions

1

Press the bike pump connection onto the Schrader valve located near the top of the air tank. It will be an approximately 3/8 inch metal threaded tube with a small pin in the center.

2

Pump up the tank while keeping an eye on the tank air valve. After several dozen pumps you should start to see some air pressure registered. Continue this action until the tank reads about 20 pounds of pressure.

3

Remove the bike pump nozzle and use the tire gauge to verify the pressure for safety. Once it is verified, continue pumping to your desired pressure.

A cold air intake system can offer you additional horsepower and brings cold air into the engine allowing it to run more efficiently. This can add life and fun to your vehicle at a relatively low cost and can be installed in around 90 minutes.

Instructions

1

Write down all the information about your vehicle. This should include make, model, year, engine type, engine size and any custom work that has been done to the engine. This information will help you find the cold air intake filter right for your car.

2

Decide on the cold air intake filter you would like. There are many brands to choose from including K&N, AEM, and S&B. Within each of these brands, there are different air intake systems for each vehicle.

3

Shop around online and locally to find the best price, warranty and installation assistance for the cold air intake filter you desire. Shopping locally can save you shipping costs, as most cold air intake filters are stocked or can be ordered and received within a day.

4

Ask about extended warranty options. While the initial warranty can provide great coverage, an extended warranty can protect your vehicle more and cover maintenance costs.

Automotive air conditioning is considered a necessity for most people. Consequently, we have come a long way in revolutionizing the air conditioners in our cars. The latest upgrades to this useful invention include the ability to set a desired temperature and have the system adjust automatically. Automotive air conditioners may be of two types. The main difference between the two types lies in the device that lowers the refrigerant pressure. Each has advantages and disadvantages.

Components

The main shared components of the two types of car air conditioning include the compressor, condenser, evaporator, orifice tube, thermal expansion valve, receiver-drier and accumulator. The orifice tube may be replaced by a thermal expansion valve, thus the two types of automotive air conditioning.

Process

The compressor pulls low-pressure refrigerant from the evaporator and compresses it into high-pressure refrigerant vapor that is moved to the condenser. During this process, the temperature of the refrigerant is increased. While the high-pressure refrigerant is in the condenser, it is cooled down by fans blowing across the condenser fins. The refrigerant is then collected by the receiver-drier, which is filtered and dried.

As a result of this process, liquid refrigerant builds up at the bottom of the receiver-drier, with the vapor at the top. The expansion valve then allows a certain amount of the liquid refrigerant to enter the evaporator. During its final stage, the refrigerant leaves the evaporator as a gas by absorbing the heat inside the car. As the warm air from inside the automobile is forced onto the evaporator fins, it is cooled by the refrigerant and released back to the cars interior. The moisture from the warm air after the cooling process is drained away.

Orifice Tube System

The orifice tube systems are commonly found in General Motors (GM) and Ford models. The orifice tube is located in the inlet tube of the evaporator or in the liquid line. The orifice tube is no longer than 3 inches. It is made up of small brass tubes surrounded by plastic, covered with a filter at each end.

Disadvantages of the orifice tube system include clogging caused by debris and high costs of repairing or replacing the tube. To avoid the clogging of debris in the orifice tube system, install a larger pre-filter in front of the orifice tube.

Expansion Valve System

The expansion valve system is generally used on after-market systems. This system is efficient at regulating refrigerant to the evaporator. It is located at the firewall, between the evaporator inlet and outlet tubes and the liquid and section lines. It may clog with debris. Additionally, the valve contains small moving parts that may stick together or malfunction because of corrosion.

Because a motorcycle is not so much a vehicle as a cloak of invisibility, bikers who love life are often characterized by automobile drivers and other potential assassins as obnoxiously loud. A favorite way to rouse the ire and attention of drivers who like to text message while listening to rap music is the very loud bike horn. And the most famous loud horn is the Nautilus Compact Motorcycle Air Horn which the manufacturer, an Italian company named Stebel, describes as "shockingly loud."

Instructions

1

Remove the Allen bolt and washer from the seat tab that fastens your seat to the fender. Remove the seat with your hands.

2

Disconnect the cable from your negative battery terminal with an open end wrench. Disconnect the positive terminal.

3

Remove the elbow contacts from the spade terminals on your original horn. Remove the Torx screws and washers that fasten the horn bracket and the upper stabilizer link bracket to the frame with a Torx driver.

4

Remove the horn and bracket from the frame. Remove the horn from the horn bracket.

5

Enlarge the bottom hole on the horn mounting bracket with an electric drill and a inch drill bit. Replace the upper stabilizer link bracket and horn bracket on the frame using a Torx socket or driver.

6

Cut the elbow terminal from the yellow/ black horn wire on the main harness conduit with a pair of side cutting pliers. Slide a 1 inch section of heat shrink tubing over the horn wire.

7

Splice the horn wire to one of the two blue wires on the Stebel horn. Cover the splice with the section of heat shrink tubing. Shrink the tubing with a heat gun.

8

Plug the second blue wire into the "one wire adapter" included with the air horn kit.

9

Plug the red and black wires included with your kit into the bottom of the Stebel horn air compressor. Route the red and black wires to the battery compartment.

10

Attach the red air horn wire to the positive battery terminal. Attach the black air horn wire to the negative battery terminal.

11

Mount the Stebel air horn to the horn bracket with the mounting bolt included with the air horn kit. Tighten the mount bolt with an open end wrench. Mount the horn so that it is vertical and the air intake port faces the rear of the motorcycle.

12

Replace the battery cables and tighten with an open end wrench. Replace the seat mounting bolt washer and tighten the seat mounting bolt and with an Allen wrench.

Air compressors are used to power tools and inflate tires within an auto shop. Theyre also used in gas stations, homes and manufacturing plants. Air compressors are designed to use air that is stored under pressure to power tools, such as nail guns, sanders, drills and spray guns.

Types

Two different types of air compressors are used commonly to provide energy to tools, and they are the rotating impeller compressor and the positive-displacement compressor. Many businesses and mechanics use the positive-displacement compressors more so than the rotating impeller type.

Operation

Air compressors are powered by an electric or gas engine that uses a reciprocating piston (or small combustion motor) to generate pressure. They typically have one or two cylinders contained within the motor. Preset pressured air is held in a tank and then released when the motor powers a tool. Pressure is maintained within the tank from an automatic cycling process that turns the motor off and on at different intervals. This allows for tools to be connected and used right away as opposed to waiting for air pressure to build back up inside of the tank.

Considerations

Compressors also use a pressure switch that automatically stops the motor when the tank pressure reaches a certain preset limit, which varies by unit. Most tanks are designed with a safety valve that will release extra pressure when needed. Atmospheric pressure determines how air is released from the compressor and oil is important for lubricating the parts within a compressor. Each of these factors is important to the overall function of the air compressor.

An air leak in the fuel line of a car means air is getting into the system when there should be a vacuum. This disrupts the air-to-fuel ratio and may result in symptoms like hissing, rough idling or ignition and fuel problems.

Idling

An air leak is most evident when the car is idling, because that is when extra air entering the system can make the most difference. At higher engine speed, air intake rises and extra air is less noticeable, according to the AA1Car website. Idling may be rough or fast.

Leak Points

Whether an engine has fuel injectors or a carburetor, there may also be stalling or misfiring. Common locations of leaks include the gaskets in the intake manifold and the O-rings in the injectors.

Fixes

Methods of detecting air leaks include visual inspection, using an electronic vacuum leak detector or exhaust analyzer. Sometimes, its a simple manner of tightening bolts on the intake manifold or carburetor, but if hoses and parts are worn, they should be replaced.