Repair And Fix it

Ask any mechanic and youll be assured that having your transmission serviced on a regular basis is a smart move and will extend its life. Service can range from a basic service check to a pressurized flush. Aside from the fact that a flush replaces the old fluid in your transmission with new fluid, this procedure also cleans the filter and system; in addition, it can identify minor transmission issues before they become major problems.

General Benefits

A general transmission service involves removing the fluid pan, replacing the filter and gasket, and replacing some of the transmission fluid. According to Speed Lube, this routine service extends the life of the transmission. Clean lubricant prevents seals and gaskets from hardening, which can cause metal parts to warp and valves to stick.

Full Transmission Flush Benefits

A flush replaces all of the vehicles transmission fluid. Pressure is used to push all of the old fluid out so that it can be replaced with new fluid. Flushing also does a good job of cleaning out a transmissions internal parts and its filter.

Discovering Transmission Issues

Both general service and a flush can reveal transmission problems but a flush will give a more accurate indication of what is going on inside your transmission. This is because the pressurized cleaning method helps expose decaying seals and cracks. It will be less costly to replace an old seal or gasket than to wait for serious damage to occur and then have to replace the complete transmission.

Your Acura generates and stores fault codes whenever there is a problem with a solenoid, valve or sensor. This will show up on your instrument panel as "Service Engine" or other warning light. Once you have the codes checked and the vehicle serviced by a qualified mechanic, you need to clear the codes. Usually the mechanic can and will do this, but not always. Not only is it annoying to have the light remain on your instrument panel, it is also bad for the vehicles computer, which may not able to keep track of when your next servicing is due. You dont need any special tools to clear the service engine light on your Acura. Its a relatively easy fix.

Instructions

1

Put the key into the ignition and turn the engine to the "off" position on your Acura.

2

Find the reset button on the odometer located on the instrument panel. Press and hold this button while simultaneously turning the key in the ignition to the on or "II" position.

3

Hold the button for about 10 to 15 seconds, then release it. The "service engine soon" light will go out.

4

Turn off the vehicle, then turn the engine on. Verify that the "service engine soon" light is still off.

A C-frame U-joint press kit is not something that most homeowners have in their toolboxes. In the past, if someones U-joint needed replacement, the vehicle had to go into the shop for service. Today, auto parts stores are renting and lending specialized tools for the do-it-yourself mechanic. Among tools available for rent are brake caliper kits, specialized wrenches and C-frame U-joint press service kits. Having access to this kit makes replacing U-joints something that a vehicle owner may accomplish in a home garage.

Instructions

Removing U-Joints with the C- Clamp U-Joint Press Kit

1

Clean all grease and grime away from the yoke.

2

Remove the snap ring bearing cap retainers by inserting the tips of snap ring pliers into the holes on the snap ring and squeezing the handle of the pliers together to unseat the rings from the grooves in the yoke. Pull the snap rings out.

3

Slip a receiving cup --- taken from the service kit and large enough to allow removal of the bearing cap from the yoke but small enough to be in full contact with the yoke --- into the open end of the C-clamp with the open end of the cup facing the inside of the C-clamp.

4

Slide an anvil onto the end of the forcing screw on the other side of the C-clamp. Ensure that the anvil is small enough to pass through the yoke of the U-joint.

5

Position the U-joint press over the yoke. Tighten the forcing screw by hand until the anvil sits on the bearing cap and the cup is firmly on the yoke over the bearing cap on the opposite side.

6

Tighten the forcing screw clockwise with an adjustable wrench until the bearing cap on the cup side is out of the yoke.

7

Turn the clamp around 180-degrees. Tighten the forcing screw by hand until the anvil is firmly against the solid portion of the U-joint and the cup is in position to receive the other bearing cap.

8

Tighten the forcing screw until the other bearing cap is free from the yoke. Repeat the steps for the other two bearing caps.

Installing U-Joints with the C-clamp U-joint press kit

9

Remove the receiving cup from the U-joint press. Remove the bearing caps from a replacement U-joint and set them aside. Ensure that the needle bearings inside the bearing cap remain on the sides of the bearing caps.

10

Slide the solid portion of the U-joint into the yoke so that two of the opposite ends are in the two holes in the yoke. Move the solid portion to one side in the yoke and insert a bearing cap over the end. Tap the bearing cap lightly with a hammer to get it started into the hole in the yoke.

11

Position the U-joint press over the yoke so that the anvil is in contact with the bearing cap. Hand-tighten the forcing screw until the other side of the C-clamp is firmly in contact with the yoke. Tighten the forcing screw, pressing the bearing cap into the hole in the yoke. Keep pressing the cap into the yoke until the groove for the snap ring is clearly visible.

12

Move the solid center of the U-joint to the other side of the yoke far enough that a bearing cap can be partially inserted on the end, but not so far that it comes out of the first bearing cap. This ensures that the needle bearings inside the caps do not fall out of place.

13

Turn the clamp around 180 degrees and position the anvil on the second bearing cap. Hand-tighten the forcing screw until the other side of the C-clamp is solidly against the yoke. Press the second bearing cap into the other hole in the yoke by turning the forcing screw until the groove for the snap ring retainer is visible, ensuring that the solid center of the U-joint does not come out of either bearing cap. Repeat for the other bearing caps. Reinstall the snap rings.

A 2002 Ford pickup is equipped with an On-Board Diagnostic II (OBD II) computer. This computer reads trouble codes sent from sensors positioned throughout the vehicle, and it keeps track of when the pickup needs to be serviced. When you see the Service Engine Soon light illuminate on your instrument panel, this is information being sent to you from the vehicles computer. Make sure you service the engine first before you attempt to reset and turn off the light. Otherwise the light will just keep turning back on and it wont accurately keep track of when your vehicle needs servicing.

Instructions

1

Lift up the hood of the pickup and prop it open. Remove the battery cable from the negative side of the battery using a 1/2-inch end wrench. Let the truck sit for about five minutes. Put the cable back in place and close the hood.

2

Put the key into the ignition and start the engine. Look at your instrument panel to see if the Service Engine Soon light turned off. If it didnt turn off, go to an auto parts store and buy an OBD-II code scanner to reset the light.

3

Plug the connector on the OBD-II code scanner into the port to the left under the steering column. Put the key into the ignition and turn the car on but dont start the engine. Key into your scanner your pickups make, model and engine size.

4

Wait for the trouble code for Service Engine Soon to appear on the scanner. When it does, press "delete." Remove the scanner from the port and start the engine. The light should now turn off.

The 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse has an On-Board Diagnostics system that monitors the vehicles emissions components and many of the vehicles mechanical aspects. When the "Service Engine" light illuminates on the instrument panel, you need to take your vehicle to a qualified mechanic for service before resetting the light. Otherwise, the computer wont be able to determine the next service date. Also, you will be erasing the trouble codes your mechanic needs to diagnose the problem.

Instructions

1

Find the diagnostic port on the Eclipse on the underside of the dashboard, near the drivers side. Plug the OBD code scanner into the port.

2

Put the key in the ignition and turn the engine to the "On" position. Make sure you dont start the engine. This will power on the code scanner automatically.

3

Wait for the OBD code scanner to run through its test. When it displays the trouble codes, write them on a piece of paper. Take the codes to your mechanic or look them up yourself in a repair manual. Unplug the code scanner and have the vehicle serviced.

4

Repeat Steps 1 and 2. Wait for the trouble codes to appear. Press "Delete" or another similar button on your scanner. This will erase the codes and reset the light. Unplug the scanner from the port and turn off the vehicle.

5

Turn on the engine and verify that the service engine light has turned off.

If the "Service Engine Soon" light comes on inside the dashboard of your 1997 Monte Carlo, you can turn it off by disconnecting the battery. Service engine lights can come on inside of a car if you have recently changed an oxygen sensor in your fuel tank, for example. Dealerships and mechanics might tell you to drive the car for about 20 miles to clear the service engine light, but there is another way.

Instructions

1

Turn the car off. Pop the hood to your 1997 Monte Carlo, and locate the battery.

2

Disconnect the red terminal from the battery with a socket wrench. Disconnect the black terminal from the battery with a socket wrench.

3

Go to the ignition switch inside your Monte Carlo, and put your key inside. Turn the ignition switch three times. Turn the ignition switch to "OFF", and then reconnect the battery to the terminals.

4

Turn the ignition switch to "ON" without starting the Monte Carlo. Leave the ignition switch on for one minute.

5

Start the car and the "Service Engine Soon" light will be off.

You can read your Saturns service light using an OBDII reader right from your own garage, saving yourself time and money. The Saturn has an On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) computer that notifies the driver of problems with the vehicle. It also alerts you to when you need to perform regular routine maintenance and service on your car. To find out exactly what type of servicing your Saturn needs, you can read the computer codes using an OBDII reader. These readers come with a booklet that translates the numerical codes, although some readers display the codes description on the devices screen.

Instructions

1

Put the key into the ignition and turn it to the "On" position. Do not start the engine.

2

Locate an open port under the steering column near the fuse panel. Make sure its the same size and shape as the connective end on your OBDII reader. Plug the OBDII reader into this port. The Saturns electrical system will automatically power most OBDII readers.

3

Wait for the device to read the codes. Look up the service codes in the booklet, if the description isnt displayed automatically on the readers display. Write down the code and description on a piece of paper.

4

Unplug the reader and turn off the vehicle. Take your vehicle, and the code and description to your mechanic to have the vehicle serviced.

In 1991, Harley-Davidson shipped motorcycles with two radically different styles of forks. Springer Softail models shipped with "springer" forks, or what old-timers call "new style springer" forks. The ones Harley shipped include two exposed coil springs and a shock absorber. Most of the motorcycles Harley shipped in 1991, though, had telescoping tube forks of several widths and tube diameters. These forks are hydraulic shock absorbers, and the only service Harley recommends is that you change the fork oil every 20,000 miles. There are a half dozen methods for changing fork oil in these forks; this is a method of which Harley-Davidson approves.

Instructions

1

Loosen the fork cap on top of the left fork with a 1-3/8 inch open-end wrench or a large adjustable wrench. Remove the fork cap, washer and O-ring.

2

Remove the drain plug on the bottom, side or back of the fork slider assembly with a Phillips head screwdriver. Drain the fork oil into a pan.

3

Coat the drain plug threads with Teflon paste. Replace the plug into the drain hole and tighten with a Phillips head screwdriver.

4

Measure the correct weight and amount of fork oil, as specified in the owners manual or shop manual, for your motorcycle into a pint measuring cup. Most 1991 Harleys will use about 11 ounces of 10-weight oil.

5

Stick a funnel into the top of the fork; pour the measured amount of oil into the funnel.

6

Reinstall the O-ring, washer and fork cap. Tighten the cap wrench securely with a 1-/38 inch open-end or adjustable wrench.

7

Repeat all these steps for the right fork.

Your 2003 Nissan Sentra comes equipped with an On-Board Diagnostics computer that keeps track of when your vehicle needs servicing and alerts you by illuminating the "service engine soon" light on the instrument panel. This light tells you that there may be a problem with the emission control system on the car. An auto-parts retailer can do a free diagnostic reading of the trouble code using a scanner. After you have diagnosed and fixed the problem, you can manually reset the light yourself.

Instructions

1

Pop up the hood of the car and locate the battery. The negative terminal has a black plastic covering. Find the negative battery clamp . Loosen the nut a bit using a 10 mm open-end wrench.

2

Remove the clamp from the battery terminal. Take care not to let it touch the positive side of the battery or cable.

3

Wait about 10 minutes, then reattach the negative battery cable to the negative side of the terminal and tighten the nut with the wrench.

4

Put the key into the ignition and wait for the service light to flash on the instrument panel, then shut off the engine. The light is now reset.

Those interested in buying a used full-size pickup truck may consider the Chevrolet Avalanche. The 2007 and 2008 models are almost identical except for side-curtain airbags and On-Star with GPS navigation available in 2008. Following manufacturer recommend maintenance extends engine and transmission longevity.

Oil Changes

The Chevy Avalanche featured a "change engine oil" indicator within the instrument cluster that illuminated when an oil change was required. Chevrolet suggests changing the oil within 600 miles of the indicator light illuminating.

Fluid Replacement

Chevrolet recommends changing the transmission fluid at 50,000 miles when driven in heavy traffic areas, rough terrain or in extreme hot or cold weather environments. Replace the transmission fluid every 50,000 miles thereafter when driven hard. For lighter driving, replace the transmission fluid at 100,000 miles and again at 200,000 miles. Change the transfer case fluid at 50,000 miles and then every 50,000 miles thereafter.

Air Filter Replacement

At 50,000 miles, replace the engine air cleaner filter and transmission fluid filter. Replace both filters again at 100,000 miles. Chevy recommends replacing the engine air cleaner and transmission fluid filter every 50,000 miles.