Repair And Fix it

Water and fuel dont mix, so its never a good idea to put water into a cars gas tank. However, when water does get into a gas tank, either accidentally, or as the result of a malicious prank, the result is engine trouble.

Condensation

Water can get into a gas tank even if you didnt put it there. Sometimes water gets in through a badly sealed cap on the tank, or by natural condensation on the inside of the gas tank

Problems

Water in the gas tank may lead to the car bucking, stalling or not starting at all, or starting the car could be difficult. This is because the water and fuel separate, especially when the car has been sitting for a while, and the water sinks to the bottom with the fuel on top. Water can also get into other parts of the engine causing rust and corrosion.

Removal

The method you use to get rid of water in your cars gas tank depends on how much got in there in the first place. In the case of only a little water, an additive that dries up water could be used. The additive combines with the water as it goes through the running engine. If there is a lot of water, a mechanic will have to remove the gas. This may include removing the fuel tank from the car and putting in new filters. The tank is then put back and is filled with clean gas.

Overhead camshaft engines use a timing belt to maintain a specific synchronization between the crank shaft and the camshaft. The belt turns the camshaft in harmony with the crankshaft to open and close the intake and exhaust valves at just the right time. Most vehicle manufacturers recommend replacing the timing belt as part of the normal maintenance schedule; however, the interval of this maintenance varies between vehicle manufacturers and ranges anywhere from every 65,000 to 100,000 miles .

Valve Timing

The camshaft has a number of lobes that push down on the exhaust or intake valve to let air into or exhaust out of the combustion chamber at just the right time. If the belt has slipped a tooth or broken, the engine will most likely stall as the intake or exhaust valves will no longer open and close at the proper times to let air in or out of the system.

Non-Interference Engines

If the timing belt breaks, the camshaft will cease to move and the valves will be stuck in whatever position they were in when the belt broke. Non-interference engines are designed so that the piston will not be able to contact the valve if the valve remains open when the piston is elevated to its highest position in its bore, so that no major internal damage can result.

Interference Engine

If your vehicle has an interference-style engine, then the camshaft timing is vital. In an interference engine, the intake or exhaust valves extend into the cylinder bore enough so that the piston will slam into the valve if the valve remains open too long. If the timing belt slips or breaks on an interference engine, the cost of repairs can be high, as the repair can involve having to replace the piston or valve.

Preventive Maintenance

To protect yourself from being stranded if the timing belt happens to break or jump a tooth, have the timing belt inspected regularly or become familiar with your vehicles timing belt inspection procedure and do it yourself on a regualr basis. If the engine in your vehicle has an interference engine, it is advisable to have the timing belt checked often and replaced on schedule to prevent the possibility of serious engine damage.

Oxygen sensors, commonly called O2 sensors, are a vital component in maximizing fuel efficiency in vehicles.

Name

An oxygen molecule consists of two atoms of oxygen bound together. Thus, O2 ers to the chemical formula for pure oxygen.

Task

O2 sensors monitor how much unburned oxygen is present in the exhaust from an automobile engine. The amount of oxygen indicates how efficiently the engine is burning fuel.

Effect

The cars computer uses readings from the oxygen sensor to adjust the mixture of air and fuel in the engines combustion chambers for maximum efficiency.

Location

There is an O2 sensor inside the exhaust manifold. Vehicles produced after 1995 also have a "downstream" sensor to measure the exhaust as it leaves the catalytic converter, to ensure that the converter is working properly, too.

Malfunction

Symptoms of a malfunctioning O2 sensor include declining gas mileage, rough idling and engine surges or hesitation. A vehicles "check engine" light will often come one.

Car enthusiasts will often modify a cars exhaust system in order to increase the engine performance or get the noise of the engine to achieve a specific pitch. It requires good knowledge of your cars exhaust system, but it can be completed with a minimum of fuss, provided you follow some basic guidelines.

Instructions

1

Raise the car up on a jack or a hydraulic lift so that you can comfortably work on the exhaust system.

2

Note the part of the exhaust system you wish to modify and the point in the line at which it is found. You may also want to note any part of the system which is fused or rusted, since these will be more difficult to remove.

3

Disconnect each part of the exhaust system, one by one, until you reach the part you want to modify. Generally, a welding torch is required, though you may be able to achieve this simply by removing the bolts that connect it. Take care not to damage any surrounding components in the process.

4

Disconnect the old exhaust part you wish to modify and replace it with the new exhaust part. Bolt it or hang it in place on the chassis, but do not tighten the bolts yet. Check that all of the components work correctly before finalizing the addition.

5

Attach the remainder of the original exhaust system to the new part, working backwards down the line until you reach the end of the exhaust system.

6

Check that each connection is in place and there are no leaks or backups.

7

Secure each connection by tightening the bolts or welding them back into place on the chassis.

8

Start the car engine and check the exhaust system for any leaks or blockage. Make sure exhaust is coming from the end of the tailpipe as it should and that the sound is modified correctly by the muffler, and locate and seal any leaks.

9

Adjust the tailpipe to make sure it is flush with the rear bumper and is not too low to the ground.

Catalytic converters, which are responsible for igniting and burning unburned engine exhaust gases, became standard automotive equipment on all cars beginning with model year 1975. Although catalytic converters help to make engine exhaust gases cleaner, they are not without their minuses. What follows is a brief list of the potential benefits of removing automotive catalytic converters.

Increased Horsepower

Cars that have their catalytic converters removed experience an increase in engine horsepower. Catalytic converters create a significant source of engine back-pressure due to the constrictive effects they have on exiting engine exhaust gases. Removal of catalytic converters from cars allows exhaust gases to exit their engines much faster and at higher levels.

Better Gas Mileage

Since catalytic converter removal allows for exhaust gases to exit a cars engine at increased speeds, engine back-pressure is reduced, which lessens engine strain. This reduction in engine back-pressure and engine strain enables an engine to work more easily, and thus reduces fuel consumption and increases gas mileage.

Lower Engine Operating Temperature

Since removing a catalytic converter lessens the burden on a cars engine by enabling engine exhaust to vacate the engine more easily, a net effect is a reduction in engine operating temperature. The more easily an engine functions and the less work it has to do results in less friction, less load and, ultimately, a lower operating temperature.

More Fuel Options

Cars equipped with catalytic converters run only on unleaded gasoline. Lead-based gasoline, which produces more power and better engine combustion, quickly destroys the inner catalyst materials of catalytic converters. A car with no catalytic converter will be able to run on a variety of lead-based and/or high-performance fuels that would not be possible with a catalytic converter.

Healthier Exhaust Sound

Catalytic converters operate like car mufflers, whose sole purpose is to muffle the sound of exiting engine exhaust gases. Although catalytic converters burn unburned exhaust gases exiting an engine, thus making tail pipe emissions cleaner, they also further muffle a cars exhaust sound and bestow a somewhat timid, tempered exhaust sound. Without a catalytic converter, a cars exhaust sound becomes a little louder, a little deeper and more distinctive.

Sometimes a gasket seal needs a little extra reinforcement. This is where gasket sealer comes in, as it gives an extra sealing capacity to a gasket after it has been applied.

Sealer Features

When using a gasket sealer on a gasket, it starts off in the form of a liquid. However, after it is applied it changes form. Although it completely goes from liquid to become solid in form, it still maintains a level of flexibility.

Sealer Types

Any metal surface that has areas within it that need sealing, such as pores, can benefit from gasket sealer. There are many available types of gasket sealer on the market today, such as liquid silicone. Hylomar and Permatex are two other kinds of gasket sealer that are fairly common.

Sealer Use

A gasket sealer can be used on cars with caution, as it is not for all types of gaskets. A coated head gasket should never have gasket sealer applied to it. Gasket sealer should only be used on non-coated steel gaskets.

Road debris and improper washing techniques can leave surface scratches in your cars paint job. Over time, these surface scratches can cause the paint to look dull and old. Removing the surface scratches in the paint is a simple process that will restore the shine to your cars paint.

Instructions

1

Wash the entire car, working from the top down, using detergent specifically designed for washing cars. This prevents the wax coating on the car from being stripped off by harsh detergents found in laundry or dish washing soap. Dry the car using a soft towel or chamois cloth.

2

Wet sand the surface scratches with 2000 grit paper. Spray the surface with water and lightly rub the sandpaper across the scratch in a crosshatch pattern until the surface is even and dull. Keep the area wet as you sand the surface to avoid clogging the paper and stop often to feel the surface with you hand and check progress.

3

Wipe the surface clean with a damp cloth. Spread a bead of liquid rubbing compound over the surface. Apply the rubbing compound using the orbital polisher set on low speed and keep the polisher moving across the surface to avoid burning the paint. Repeat the process as required until the paint begins to shine. Wipe the surface clean with a damp cloth.

4

Install a clean polishing pad onto the polisher. Spread polishing compound across the surface and apply as before using the polisher. Remove the polishing compound using a damp cloth and apply swirl remover using the polisher. Polish the surface until the shine is restored and the scratches are gone.

A cars exhaust system removes harmful carcinogens from the engine and helps keep the motor running at peak efficiency. If it is malfunctioning, it affects the cars performance and can even pose a health hazard as harmful toxins are released. Usually only a trained mechanic should repair a cars exhaust system, but if you are sufficiently knowledgeable about cars, you can conduct the repair yourself.

Instructions

1

Raise the car on a jack or hydraulic lift so that you can examine the exhaust system safely, without the threat of the car collapsing on you.

2

Determine the spot on the exhaust system that needs repair. The exhaust system consists of a number of different parts: the exhaust manifold, the oxygen gauge, the catalytic converter, the muffler and the exhaust pipe, as well as different pipes connecting these various parts (usually, only one part of the system is damaged, either through rust and corrosion, bumps on the road or product malfunction). The causes of the damage are myriad, but the solution is invariably either to repair a leaky hole or to replace the malfunctioning part.

3

Patch any leaky holes with a soldering iron, using a metal patch to seal the hole if necessary. This should be done only if the damaged area consists of one leak and the remainder of the cars exhaust system is intact. Otherwise, the entire part will need to be replaced.

4

Remove the exhaust system part by part, starting with the tailpipe and moving backwards to the damaged component. Sometimes, you will be able to remove each part simply by cutting the bolts that hold it to the frame. Usually, however, you will need to use a welding torch to uncouple it and remove any support hangers, in which case take care not to damage any of the cars surrounding components.

5

Replace the faulty component (or components) with a new one, making sure that it matches the parameters of your car and the remainder of your exhaust system.

6

Reconnect the remainder of the exhaust system, starting with the new part and working backwards along the system until you reach the tailpipe.

7

Double-check the fittings and welds for leaks. You can do this with a visual inspection, but you might also want to turn the engine on and run it to see if any exhaust is escaping.

8

Weld the support hangers back on, securing the exhaust system in place.

In General Motors vehicles, an ECM is an Electronic Control Module. It is a vehicles computer system. An apt metaphor would be that the ECM is the vehicles "brain." Among many functions, the ECM is responsible for a GM vehicles diagnostic system. An ECM module is located in the same place for most GM vehicles. It can be found behind the glove box. ECM modules are no longer used. Once the second generation of On-Board Diagnostics become standard in 1996, the module became more technologically complex and is now referred to as a PCM, or Powertrain Control Module.

Instructions

1

Prop the GM vehicles hood open. Remove the negative battery cable from the batterys negative terminal. Wait at least five minutes. You will need the power completely off. Once the negative cable is disconnected from the battery, you will still need to wait. There will be residual power remaining in the vehicle that needs die off.

2

Remove the GM vehicles glove box. The process for this will differ by make and model year. For the most part, you will need to disengage some retaining clips, as well as some stops along the side of the box. You may need to remove some screws, especially if the box features exterior hinges connecting its door to the dashboard.

3

Remove the retaining bolts on the ECM itself. The number of bolts may also vary by vehicle. The bolts can be removed with a socket wrench.

4

Pull the ECM forward from retainer where it was mounted. Exercise care in doing so, since the electrical components are still attached to the module.

5

Disconnect the wiring. This should most be cromprised of the ECMs two harness connectors. It will be fully disengaged at this point.

6

Remove the ECM completely.