Repair And Fix it

Proving yet again that the only bad question is the one not asked, heres one with a few different answers. They all involve a "yes," but with a few provisos -- primarily in terms of filter location. The Optimas automatic transmission underwent a few changes in the middle of the 2001 model year that determine where youll find the filter and how youll go about changing it.

Filter Locations

According to Kia technical service bulletin TT651003-005 -- published in the wildly popular Kia Technician Times, Volume 6, Issue 5, 2003 -- the company switched from external to internal transmissions in the middle of the 2001 model year. This goes for both 2.4-liter four-cylinder and 2.5-liter V-6 engines. Check the VIN number and the exact production date of your Optima; cars produced from October 1st, 2000 to December 31st, 2001 used transmissions with an external filter, while later models used an internal one.

A Cause for Change

External filters are a nice touch when it comes to maintenance, but theyre uncommon for one primary reason. If youve ever been under your car, youll notice that Kia left just about enough room for a snake to slither through. While this wasnt anything that Kias engineers couldnt deal with, this particular transmission also saw use in the same-year Sonata, Santa Fe and Trajet; and, Kia being Kia, also likely had designs on selling the design after its production cycle to another manufacturer. So, out went the external filter, and in comes the internal one.

Replacing the External Filter

The external filter is great from a maintenance point of view. It screws onto the the transmission case just above the transmission fluid oil pan and should be clearly visible from the bottom of the car. You should be able to get to it from the top after removing the air cleaner assembly. After removing the old filter with a filter wrench, clean the mating surface and the surrounding area, lubricate the O-ring on the filter and tighten it to 8 or 9 foot-pounds.

Replacing the Internal Filter

Internal filter transmissions are more compact by nature, but changing the filter is a comparative pain. But little more so than any other car. Slide under the car and remove the 10 millimeter transmission pan bolts, starting at one side and working toward the other. Be prepared for transmission fluid to cascade out of the top of the pan. Scrape any gasket material off of the transmission and oil pan. Youll find the filter secured to the bottom of the transmission, inside the pan, by three bolts. Remove them, replace the filter, and reinstall the pan. Tighten all of the bolts to about 10 foot-pounds and ill the transmission with 3.5 quarts of SP3 transmission fluid.

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.

Introduced in 1987, the 2001 Dodge Dakota came equipped with a 2.5-liter, in-line, four-cylinder engine or a 3.9-liter V-6 engine, as factory standard engines. A 4.7-liter V-8 and 5.9-liter V-8 were optional equipment for the 2001 Dakota. Access the oil filter on the Dakota from beneath the truck. Remove and replace the oil filter during oil changes as oil filters can fail if left on a vehicle for too long. Change the oil and oil filter in the 2001 Dakota every three months or 3,000 miles.

Instructions

1

Park the Dakota, and let the engine cool for no less than 20 minutes. Raise the front of the Dakota by driving it onto vehicle ramps. Raise the front of the Dakota with a 1-ton jack if the ramps are not available. Place jack stands beneath the front lower subframe, just inside the bottom of either wheel well. Lower the jack to rest the Dakota onto the jack stands. Do not attempt this project with the vehicle resting on a jack.

2

Lie beneath the front bumper of the Dakota, and slide your body into position to access the oil filter. Set a drain pan beneath the location of the oil filter, with the filter aligned as close to the center of the pan as possible.

3

Install an oil filter claw onto the end of the 6-inch extension. Push the claw up and onto the oil filter, twisting the claw clockwise slightly to expand the claw around your filter. Snap the ratchet onto the other end of your extension, once you have the claw set on the filter. Turn the entire assembly counterclockwise, until the oil filter loosens. Remove the ratchet and claw from the filter, and remove the filter by hand the rest of the way. Ensure that your face and body are clear of the oil pan, to avoid draining oil.

4

Set the old oil filter into the drain pan. Lubricate the O-ring gasket on the new oil filter, by dipping your finger into a fresh quart of oil, then rubbing oil onto the new gasket. This helps the initial seal of the new gasket, and eliminates the chances of the gasket drying out prior to your next oil change.

5

Visually inspect the oil filter mounting area, to ensure the old filter gasket is not stuck to the engine. Hold the new oil against the protruding threaded rod on the engines mounting surface. Spin the oil filter on by hand, ensuring proper threading of the new filter. Tighten the oil filter by hand only, applying as much force as possible. Do not use tools to tighten any oil filter, as you may damage the gasket with too much torque pressure, or damage the oil filter itself. The maximum torque specification for the filter is 25 foot-pounds.

6

Step to the drivers side of the Dakota, and start the engine of the truck. If you only removed and replaced the oil filter, then you only will have lost 1/2-quart of oil at most. Look beneath the truck while it is still elevated, to ensure that the new oil filter is not leaking. If you hear a hissing or dripping noise from the truck, shut the truck off immediately, and recheck your oil filter for leaks. Shut the truck off after 30 seconds if you do not see any leaks.

7

Remove the drain pan from beneath the truck. Drive the truck off the vehicle ramps. Raise the truck off the jack stands with a jack, if you used them instead. Remove the jack stands and lower the truck to the ground.

The purpose of the fuel filter is to filter contaminants out of the fuel in your PT Cruiser. The fuel filter should be replaced every 15,000 miles. If you notice your PT Cruiser idling low or stalls a lot, replace the fuel filter with a new one as it may be the result of a clogged filter.

Instructions

1

Open the engine hood, locate the fuse box on the passenger side of the vehicle and remove the fuse marked for the fuel pump.

2

Turn the engine on and run it until it stalls out. This removes pressure on the fuel line.

3

Place the fuse back into the fuse box.

4

Locate the fuel filter against the frame rail under the drivers side door. The filter is about three inches long, in line with the fuel line and bolted to the side of the rail. Use the replacement for a visual aid.

5

Pry the clamp style connectors upward on each end of the filter using a pair of pliers and pull the fuel lines on each end of the filter free of the filter.

6

Remove the bolt that secures the filter to the frame rail using a socket and ratchet.

7

Place the new filter onto the frame rail and secure it using the socket and ratchet. Make sure the arrow on the filter faces the engine.

8

Slide the fuel lines onto the end of the filter and secure them by pressing the locking clamp into place with your fingers.