Repair And Fix it

Over the years, various models of carburetor chokes have been developed in order to facilitate different engine conventionalities such as differing engine designs, varying load requirements and air/fuel intake varieties. In essence, the varieties of carburetors have been specifically designed to provide an assortment of drafting amounts, a multitude of barrels and varying venturi and flow rates.

Carburetor Draft

The variation in draft technology is one way in which carburetor chokes can be classified. Drafting within carburetors can be defined as sucking in or exhaling out air. There are three main types of drafting technologies that can be incorporated into carburetors. These are downdraft, sidedraft and updraft models. The downdraft and updraft technologies work using a method completely opposite to each other. Downdraft allows air to flow through the engine in a downward direction whereas the updraft variety allows air to be transferred through the engine in an upward direction. On the other hand, the sidedraft variety allows air to flow through the engine in a horizontal manner. Sidedraft technology was incorporated into older vehicle models whereas downdraft technology is used in cars these days. However, updraft carburetors are used in machinery such as forklifts.

Carburetor Barrels

Carburetor barrels can basically be defined as a hollow cylinder in which air and fuel is mixed by the engine. The basic parts are the throttle plate, air horn and venturi. There are three essential types of carburetor barrel models; one-barrel, two-barrel and four-barrel carburetors. The one barrel model is primarily incorporated into small engines that do not require a lot of power such as a motorcycle. On the other hand, a two-barrel system is used in cars with large engines and comprises two throttle plates and double venturis. A four-barrel model is used with trucks and SUVs because it has the ability to provide a large amount of engine force. Under normal conditions, the engine uses only two of the four barrels. If extra power is required, the other two barrels are employed to mix in more fuel and air.

Feedback Carburetor System

In accordance with technological breakthrough of todays day and age, car makers have developed an electronic carburetor system that has the ability to provide highly efficient energy by electronically maintaining the levels of air and fuel. The electronic carburetor is used in almost all of the cars being built today and also has the ability to reduce pollution by oxidizing HC and CO as well as reducing the amount of nitrogen oxide expelled into the air. The entire system uses a three-way catalytic converter which maintains the most efficient mixture of air (oxygen) and fuel.

Drive shafts, also called propeller shafts, are a very important part of a vehicles engine system. They are essentially hollow tubes which connect the transmission output shaft to the differential pinion shaft. The vast majority of drive shafts are made from steel, including those for racing vehicles, motor homes, trucks, four-by-four vehicles and replacement parts. Different kinds of steel are used on various types of drive shafts.

OEM Steel Drive Shafts

OEM steel drive shafts are rated for less heavy-duty service than other types of steel drive shafts. Usually they can handle about 350 pounds per foot, or about 350 to 400 horsepower. This is the lowest performance level for steel drive shafts.

Dsaya Steel Drive Shafts

Dsaya steel drive shafts, stronger than OEM drive shafts, usually can handle about 1,300 pounds per square foot of pressure, which is comparable to about 1,000 to 1,300 horsepower. If your car does not require a lightweight unit, a Dsaya steel drive shaft is an excellent choice.

Chrome-Moly Steel Drive Shafts

Chrome-moly steel drive shafts are the strongest possible type of steel drive shaft. You will find this type of steel drive shaft in Pro Stock-style racing cars. Chrome-moly steel can be strengthened even further if it is heat-treated. Heat treatment will raise the torsional strength about 22 percent and raise the drive trains critical, or maximum, speed by about 19 percent.

CV Steel Drive Shafts

Constant-velocity (CV) steel drive shafts are so named because they revolve at the same speed during the entirety of their operation. One of the most common types of drive shaft, they come in several different subtypes, mostly characterized by the way in which the transmission output shaft and the differential pinion shaft connect.

Split Drive Steel Drive Shafts

Split drive steel drive shafts are two-piece drive shafts used on many vehicles with longer wheelbases. They are characterized by an extra U-joint and a center bearing which provides greater support to the shaft assemblys middle area.

Torque Tube Steel Drive Shafts

Torque tube steel drive shafts are used on cars with independent rear suspensions. This type of drive shaft is connected rigidly at both ends, with a rotating inner shaft.

Flexible Steel Drive Shafts

Flexible steel drive shafts are very rare and quite different than other steel drive shafts. They are not rigid shafts but are instead just large steel cables.

Hydraulic motors utilize fluid pressure in the operation of the mechanical loads. (See Reference 1) Hydraulic motors are unable to function separately from a circuit, pump, valves, filters, hoses, metal tubing and other hydraulic components. There are three major types of hydraulic motors that each operate within this same capacity but are unique in their own respects.

Gear motors

Gear motors come in two types, internal and external. Internal gear motors generally are constructed of an output shaft and an inner-outer gear set. (See Reference 2) The outer gear has an additional tooth compared to the inner gear, and the shape of these teeth makes it so the two gears are constantly in contact with one another. Motor housings for the motors have kidney-shaped inlet and outlet ports. In addition, the center rotations of both gears are separated by a predetermined amount called the eccentricity. In this design, the center of the output shaft and the inner gear are located in the same place. (see Reference 2) In contrast to the internal design, external gear motors are constructed of matched gears contained within a single housing. A similar tooth formation is seen in both gears and propelled by fluid pressure, with one gear connected to an output shaft and the other an idler. The force of the pressure fluid creates the rotation of the gears along the outside of the housing, and the fluid flows at a low pressure from the other side of the motor. (See Reference 2)

Vane motors

Vane motors are constructed of a slotted rotor affixed to the drive shaft, which is then operated through the rotor. (See Reference 2) The vanes move in a radial direction to seal the cam ring. This ring, with dual major and minor sections, is connected by transitional ramps or sections. Grooves and holes in the vanes are used to provide balance to the radial forces throughout the operation of the motor. (See Reference 2)

Piston

There are two types of piston motors, axial and radial piston motors. With the axial piston motor, the cylinders are in a 360-degree circle and are parallel to one another. (See Reference 1) Each individual cylinder contains a piston that "reciprocates with one end of the piston pushing against an eccentric swash-plate located at one end of the bank of cylinders." (See Reference 1) Through this arrangement of cylinders, the plate is connected to an output shaft that is "axially aligned with the cylinders." (See Reference 1) Generally seen in cylindrical hydraulic motors, axial piston motors are largely meant for compact designs. Radial piston motors are defined by the arrangement of the pistons on cams alongside the camshaft that is then attached to the output shaft. Using a reciprocal movement, the pistons create a rotary motion to the variant shafts to create power. Radial piston hydraulic motors are often seen in vehicle and airplane engines but are additionally useful in large equipment such as forklifts.

Cylinder liners are the interior metal components within the piston that protect it from the wear and tear of the operation of the motor. Three basic types of liners are used: hot, dry and finned. The purpose of each type is to protect the piston from heat and impurities using slightly different methods. Cylinder liners are expensive, precisely manufactured products and are primarily purchased from specialty shops.

Dry Cylinder Liners

Dry cylinder liners are among the basic piston protectors. They must withstand extremely high temperatures and guard against impurities, so they are constructed of high-grade materials, such as cast iron and ceramic-nickle plating. Dry liners are much thinner than their counterpart, wet liners. They do not interact with the engine coolant but instead provide a very close fit with the jacket in the cylinder block to protect the piston from heat and impurities.

Wet Cylinder Liners

Wet cylinder liners protect the pistons in a different way than dry ones, but they are made from the same hardy material. They come in direct contact with the engine coolant. Sometimes the wet cylinder liners are fitted with tiny openings to help disperse the heat and impurities. These types of liners are called water-jacket liners but are simply another type of wet cylinder liner. If the liner doesnt have a cooling jacket, one is created by the liner by interacting with the jacket present in the cylinder block.

Finned Cylinder Liners

Finned cylinder liners are constructed of the same type of heat and impurity-resistant metal. This type of liner is designed for the air-cooled engine, and in operation works much like the dry cylinder liner in that the cooling medium for the motor is air. However, these liners are fitted with tiny fins which allow the inflowing air to draw with great force around the cylinder to provide cooling.

Engines in modern automobiles are complex and intricate machines. The carburetor is just one of the parts that make up the modern-day engine. It is responsible for mixing fuel and air into a combustible compound, regulating the ratio of those two ingredients and controlling the speed of the automobile. Different engines require the use of different carburetor types.

One-, Two-, and Four-Barrel Carburetors

There are various ways to classify the different types of carburetors, and one such way is to count the number of barrels they contain. A barrel is simply a container or passageway used to mix air and fuel. Carburetors come in one-, two- and four-barrel models. Smaller engines use one-barrel carburetors because they dont require as much power to operate. A larger carburetor would be too massive, as well. Two-barrel carburetors are the most common. Four-barrel carburetors are used with high-performance engines. Most of the time, only two barrels are used, but the additional two come into play when more horsepower is needed. Racecars are an example of the type of vehicle that would employ a four-barrel carburetor.

Two-Barrel Subtypes

Two-barrel carburetors can be further divided into two subtypes. The first type is a model where each barrel contains all the necessary circuitry of a carburetor and a single common float chamber. The throttles in this type of carburetor can both be opened simultaneously. The second type is a bit more complicated. The two barrels share a single set of circuitry between the two, and each throttle opens at different times. The first barrel is used at idle to medium speeds, supplying its own mixture of air and fuel. The second barrel opens its throttle when the car moves into high speeds, requiring full throttle use. The second barrel at this time supplies additional air-fuel mixture to the engines cylinders.

Side and Down Draft Carburetors

Other types of carburetors are categorized based on how air flows into them. Side draft carburetors allow air to flow in horizontally and are easily mounted on engines when little space is available above them. Down draft carburetors, on the other hand, are set on top of the engine. They have larger barrels, and use gravity to help move the air-fuel mixture into the various engine cylinders.

A gearbox is another name for a transmission. The gearbox is an important car component that helps in operating vehicles. In addition, it gives your vehicle the power to move and adjust to varied driving conditions.

Manual Gearbox

A manual gearbox uses a clutch that connects the engines drivetrain. When you want to drive your vehicle, you choose the gear according to the cars speed. In addition, the car decreases speed when you shift the gears down. You should use the higher gears as you drive at a particular speed and use the lower gears as you slow down or pick up speed. Typically, manual gearboxes are fuel-efficient and cost less.

Manual Gearbox

An automatic gearbox is a transmission that changes gears automatically without controlling a clutch. The vehicle depends on a torque conversion that effects the engine rpm and wheel rpm. The torque converter sits in the middle of the engine and transmission.

Manumatic Gearbox

The word manumatic is a combination of the words manual and automatic. A manumatic gearbox is an automatic transmission that offers some characteristics of a manual gearbox. You can override the automatic mode by manually selecting a gearshift. Some other names for a manumatic gearbox include tiptronic, comfortronic, sportronic, sequential sportshift and touchtronic.

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.

Wheel nuts, or lug nuts, come in a variety of sizes and styles. The wheel nuts hold the tire in place, so the differences are mainly aesthetic. Lug nuts are not all the same size or style. Foreign vehicles tend to use ball-seat lug nuts, while domestic models use tapered-seat nuts. Some vehicles use a mag lug nut to properly center a rim.

Tapered

The most common lug nut is the tapered lug nut, also known as the acorn or or bulge lug nut due to the appearance of a bulge near the rim. The tapered nut is available in multiple thread patterns and diameters to fit almost any vehicle. The majority of trucks and domestic-made cars use tapered lug nuts. Hub-centric rims, or rims that are centered on the axle through the center hole on the rim, will use this style for a more secure fit. Factory-installed tapered lug nuts are commonly capped with chrome overlays that require care when removing or installing. Replacements that are chromed without capping are available at any auto parts retailer.

Ball Seat

Most imports use a ball-seat lug nut. The operation of the lug nut is the same as the tapered variety. The unit is characterized by a rounded connection to the rim. These are available in open-ended or closed-ended variations for use on rims with or without hubcaps. After-market auto parts offer the ball-seat lug nuts in a variety of colors and finishes to complement the vehicle and rims. The ball-seat is a contemporary style but not as common as the tapered lug nut.

Mag and Screw-in Varieties

Mag nuts resemble the screw-in variety of lug nuts found on some German-made cars, such as the Volkswagen and Mercedes. The screw-in variety uses a bolt that goes through the rim to fit into female connections on the rotor or hub. The bolt is capped with a conical or tapered head similar to the other variations. The mag lug nut penetrates the rim rather than pressing against the rim. The nut is characterized by a long-sleeve that fits into the holes on the rim. The mag nut is used on lugs that are too small for the standard rim.

Exhaust gas recirculation valves, better known as EGR valves, minimize your car engines creation of nitrous oxide, which can be harmful to the environment. EGR valves play a crucial part in cutting down on the creation of smog. EGR valves help to reduce the overall temperature of the engine by introducing a portion of exhaust gas back into the combustion chambers. The exhaust gas takes the place of otherwise combustible material (air and gasoline), thereby causing cooler combustion temperatures while still generating the same force to push the piston. EGR valves can reduce smog creation by as much as 60 percent. Several major types of EGR valves exist.

Single Diaphragm EGR Valves

Single diaphragm EGR valves are the oldest and simplest type of EGR valve. They consist of a spring-loaded diaphragm connected to a pintle and seat by a slender steel shaft. Vacuum is ported into the diaphragm, which causes the pintle to pull off of its seat. The removal of the pintle from its seat results in the exhaust being allowed to flow into the valve chamber and the intake manifold.

Positive Back Pressure EGR Valves

Positive back pressure EGR valves have a much thicker pintle shaft than a single diaphragm valve. They also usually have a "P" stamped next to the part number and date code. The pintle shaft on these EGR valves is hollow, and it is the play between this hollow control valve and a control valve that regulates vacuum flow that causes the valve to work. Exhaust gases flow into the shaft itself and push up on the shaft, which it turn seals the built-in control valve. Vacuum pressure pulls on the diaphragm and causes it to open.

Negative Back Pressure EGR Valves

Negative back pressure EGR valves can be identified by the "N" stamped next to the date and the part number. It looks very similar to a positive back pressure EGR valve. This EGR valve is opened by a combination between applied engine vacuum and negative exhaust system impulses. When the pintle opens, back pressure is reduced. This reduction causes the control valve vacuum bleed to open and a valve to close. The negative exhaust pulses help to regulate the flow of gas.

Integrated Electronic and Mechanical EGR Valves

An integrated electronic and mechanical valve can be identified by its single vacuum source inlet and three-wire electrical connector. Its basic operation is similar to a single diaphragm EGR valve except for a small pintle position sensor atop its diaphragm. This sensor communicates with the power control module, which in turn applies vacuum when necessary by signaling a pulse width modulated solenoid.

When you look at the dashboard of your car, you see several different types of gauges. While youre likely familiar with speedometers and fuel gauges, you must also pay attention to the other display panels in your car. These gauges keep you aware of how your car is functioning and when it needs maintenance.

Speedometer

Standard on all vehicles, speedometers measures your rate of speed in miles per hour. Nearly all automobiles use electronic sensors that determine the wheel speed and then send that information to the speedometer. Since speedometers calculate your speed using wheel speed, the size of your wheels will alter the accuracy of your speedometer. For example, replacing your standard tires with larger tires will make the speedometer think youre traveling slower than you really are. If you decide to alter the size of your tires, have a technician calibrate your speedometer to the new size of the tires. Recalibration requires specialized equipment.

Fuel Gauge

Using a device called a potentiometer, fuel gauges alert you to how much fuel you have in your gas tank. When the needle of the fuel gauge points to the "F," you have a full tank. When the needle points to "E," you usual have 1 or 2 gallons of fuel left in your tank. Check your owners manual for an exact amount, since it will vary by brand and model. This reserved fuel gives you a little extra time to make it to a gas station. However, do not let your fuel gauge fall below 1/4 gallon, which could cause your fuel pump to become exposed, run hotter than normal and burn out.

Temperature Gauge

Your vehicles engine requires coolant to keep it from overheating or freezing, depending on the weather. The temperature gauge reads the temperature of the coolant in the engine. Rather than giving you a temperature reading in degrees, most temperature gauges run from cold to hot with a range in between. If the needle points to the hot side of the scale, your engine is overheating. You must pull the vehicle over and turn off the engine immediately to avoid the risk of damaging your engine.

Tachometer

Using revolutions per minute (rpm), your tachometer tells you how fast your engine is turning. Drivers of cars with manual transmission use this gauge more often than those with automatic transmissions. These gauges employ both colors and numbers to inform you of your rpm. Blue usually signifies a low rpm, while red signals a dangerous rpm. The gauge also includes single-digit numbers such as 1, 2 and 3; multiply each number by 1,000 to get an actual rpm reading. If the needle moves into the red zone, your engine is working extremely hard, which can result in poor fuel mileage as well as damage to your engine.

Modern cars have extensive systems to increase fuel economy, regulate combustion and control emissions, but the resulting exhaust still contains many harmful substances. As an engine burns gasoline, it produces exhaust that contains carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide and hydrocarbons. These substances adversely affect health and the environment.

Carbon Dioxide

Vehicles running on gasoline produce carbon dioxide as a waste product. Carbon dioxide doesnt directly cause health problems, but it is a greenhouse gas and research has determined that carbon dioxide is partially responsible for climate change. In response, governments around the world have implemented plans to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Carbon Monoxide

Vehicles produce carbon monoxide instead of carbon dioxide when fuel isnt completely combusted. Red blood cells absorb carbon monoxide quicker than oxygen. Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when enough oxygen has been displaced in the bloodstream to interfere with normal respiration. Sustained exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide results in death.

Hydrocarbons and Nitrogen Oxide

Vehicle emissions contain hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide. Hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide react in the presence of sunlight to create ozone. Ground-level ozone creates smog and causes health problems. Exposure to ozone may worsen chronic conditions like asthma or emphysema, and prolonged exposure scars lung tissue.