Repair And Fix it

Engines without excessive wear and serious damage can be rebuilt. This is cheaper than purchasing a new one. Do-it-yourself mechanics maintain quality control over parts and work invested in their engine rebuilding project by using an engine rebuild kit. Rebuild kits reduce the probability of mismatched parts. Engine rebuild kits are available for different vehicles.

Summit Racing

Summit Racing has an engine rebuild kit for the Chevrolet 350 V8 engine manufactured between 1967 and 1986. Part number SUM-SBCKIT1-000 is a complete engine rebuild kit containing piston rings, camshaft bearings and hypereutectic pistons. Suggested pricing for the Summit Racing engine rebuild kit is $221.80.

Enginetech

Enginetech makes a custom engine rebuild kit compatible with all Chrysler models that meets original manufacturing standards. The kit contains pistons, rod bearings and freeze plugs. The pistons come in standard, 0.030, 0.040 and 0.060 inch sizes. Main and rod bearings come in standard, 0.010, 0.020 and 0.030 inch sizes. Suggested retail pricing for the Enginetech Chrysler custom engine rebuild kit is $237.99.

Topline

Topline offers engine rebuild kits for 4-cylinder Acura Integra vehicles. There are 2 versions.The Major kit includes a complete gasket set, timing belt and expansion plugs. The Gold kit offers all Major rebuild kit equipment plus an oil pump. Suggested retail pricing for the Topline Acura Integra Major engine rebuild kit is $280.53. Suggested pricing for the Gold kit is $486.58.

The timing belt on a car engine turns the camshaft, which opens and closes the valves in the cylinders. The valves let fuel into the cylinders as the pistons go down, and let exhaust out as the pistons go up during every other cycle. The timing belt is driven by the crankshaft of the engine, making the valve timing directly related to the speed of the engine. Changing the timing belt on a 1991 Honda Accord requires removing many parts of the engine, then reinserting those same parts in the right place after installation of the timing belt.

Instructions

1

Position the number one cylinder to top dead center of the compression stroke by turning the engines crankshaft. Remove the splash shield underneath the front of the vehicle by removing the 10 bolts holding it on.

2

Remove the cruise control actuator by unscrewing the six bolts holding it on. Unplug the connector, but do not unplug the control cable. Set the actuator aside so it is out of the way.

3

Take off the power steering pump by unscrewing the bolts holding it on. Remove the belt that turns the pump. Leave the hoses connected to the power steering pump and set it aside.

4

Remove the alternator belt by disconnecting the connector and wire harnesses. Unscrew the mounting and adjusting bolts in order to move the alternator to release tension from the belt. Remove the belt when it is loose enough.

5

Take off the valve cover by unscrewing the bolts holding it on. Check the rubber seals underneath the valve cover to see if they need replacement. Place a jack or a jack stand under the engine to support it and remove the mounting brackets on each side of the engine.

6

Remove the upper cover that shields the portion of the timing belt in front of the valve cover. Unscrew the adjusting nut located underneath the upper cover and the dipstick located to the left of the adjusting nut.

7

Take off the crankshaft pulley by removing the large, special bolt holding it in. Remove the lower cover behind the crankshaft pulley by removing the bolts holding it in place.

8

Remove the timing belt and balancer belt by moving the tensioner. Move the tensioner enough to loosen the belts so they can be easily removed.

9

Position the timing balancer belt driven pulley so that the groove on the pulley is lined up with the pointer on the oil pump. Place the new timing and balancer belts on the tensioner and move it back in place.

10

Add back the parts of the vehicle in reverse order of removal, starting with the crankshaft pulley. Once the parts are all put back together, you can loosen the adjusting nut on the tensioner to increase or decrease tension on the timing belt. Make sure the adjusting nut is tightened when you finish making adjustments.

Todays vehicles use computers to monitor the functions of the vehicle. The 2002 Tahoes computer receives and stores trouble codes that, when read, will help you pinpoint the exact malfunction. After having the codes read and the vehicle serviced or repaired, you will need to reset the codes. If you dont want to spend the money on an OBD-II scan tool, you can make the adjustment from home using and adjustable wrench.

Instructions

1

Park the vehicle and turn off the ignition. Pop up and secure the vehicles hood and find the battery.

2

Loosen the nut on the negative battery cable with the adjustable wrench. The negative cable is black and marked with a "-" sign. Slip the clamp off of the negative battery terminal and do not to let it touch anything metal, especially the positive battery terminal.

3

Wait 30 minutes while the Tahoes computer resets.

4

Put the negative battery cable back in place and tighten the nut with the adjustable wrench.

5

Put the key into the ignition and start the vehicles engine. Verify all warning and service lights have shut off. Drive the vehicle. It will take a few trips for the computer to reset and get in sync with all of the vehicles functions.

A Constant Velocity (CV) boot covers the CV joint, which joins to the CV axle of an automobile. It is found in all front-wheel drive vehicles and many four-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive autos as well. It is a rubber casing filled with grease that protects the joint from outside wear and tear and contains lubricant that reduces friction on the joint and prevents friction-related damage in the axles function.

Purpose

The CV boots cover the CV joints in an automobile. There are four of them on two-wheel drive vehicles and eight on four-wheel drive vehicles. They protect the CV joints both from friction-related damage and from external wear. This keeps the axle and steering capabilities of the car functional. The importance of the CV assembly is that it enables torque to be transmitted at a constant speed from the driveshaft to the turning wheels, while accommodating the vertical movement of the suspension.

Location

On automobiles that have CV boots, one pair of boots is located on either side of the vehicle along the drive shaft. The outer CV boots cover the joint between the axle and the wheel. The inner boots cover the joint between the axles and the transmission.

Appearance and Materials

A CV boot is usually a black rubber casing. It has an accordion-like fold across its surface to allow for the flexing actions of the joint. The overall shape of the boot is conical with the narrow side attached to the axle.

Warnings

While it is possible to continue to drive a vehicle with a damaged CV boot, it is not advisable. The more damaged the CV boot, the more the potential damage to the CV joint. A damaged CV joint ceases to transfer power to the wheels, which means the car is stuck where its parked until the CV joint is replaced. Replacing the CV boot as soon as it demonstrates risk is a good idea because its far less expensive than replacing the joint.

The rear window on the 1999 BMW 323i convertible is a plastic compound that may scratch or discolor over time. A damaged rear window on your convertible may make it difficult for you to see through the rear view mirror, putting your safety at risk. Buy a replacement window from a BMW dealer or parts store and replace it in minutes at home. Installing the window properly is important to protecting your BMW from water damage.

Instructions

1

Lower the windows in your BMW and open the convertible top. Raise the top an inch or two from the windshield frame to stretch it out, making it easier to work on the rear window.

2

Separate the black rubber weather seal from the rear window using the flat plastic tool provided with the replacement window. A new seal is also included with the replacement window so dont worry if you damage the existing one during removal.

3

Pry the metal clip off the bottom of the window with a flat-head screwdriver. Pull the clip off the base of the window. Unzip the old window and remove it from the top. Clean any residual glue or dirt from the top with rubbing alcohol on a cloth.

4

Align the new window and attach the zipper. Zip the window into place. Replace the metal clip where the zipper stops to prevent it from accidentally unzipping. Press the clip into place. Apply a small piece of the double-sided tape included with the window to the top of the clip. Remove the protective sheet from the double-sided tape attached to the new window.

5

Press the new, rubber weather seal included with the replacement window into place on the double-sided tape. Press firmly all the way around the window to attach the seal and protect your rear window from leaks. Raise the convertible top to the "Up" position and let it sit for 24 hours before you put the top down.

You can reset the dashboard lights on your 02 BMW 325 right from your home garage, saving yourself both money and time. There are various warning lights that can illuminate on the BWMs dashboard such as "Check Engine," "Service Engine," or "SRS" (Supplemental Restraint System for airbag malfunctions.) Once you have your vehicle looked at and repaired by a qualified mechanic, you can reset the lights yourself using an OBD scan tool. This tool can be purchased from your local auto parts retailer.

Instructions

1

Find the fuse panel cover on the lower part of the drivers side dashboard. Pull down on it from the top using your fingers to remove it.

2

Find a port that is the same size and shape as the OBD scan tools connector end. Plug the scan tool into this port.

3

Put the key into the ignition and turn it to the "II" position, taking care not to start the engine. Observe the OBD scan tool and wait for the light on the face plate to stop flashing. Notice the instrument panel of your BMW to make sure the warning lights have shut off.

4

Remove the OBD scan tool and put the fuse panel cover back in place.

Chevy generally places the hood release cable under the dash panel, between the steering column and the left side kick panel. The hood release cable on a Chevy Caprice is made of a thin metal wire cable running through the center of plastic housing. The cable has a loop on it to hook to the hood latch. The hood latch is located under the hood in the front of your vehicle.

Instructions

Remove the Broken Cable

1

You will need to cut the broken cable to release the hood. You can access the release cable from under the dashboard. Cut the cable housing where it becomes 1/4-inch round. Find the wire cable inside the housing and pull it. The hood will likely release at this point, but if it does not then you will need to access the release cable under the bumper.

2

Locate the release cable by running your hand behind the bumper, or visibly spotting the latch. Locate where the release cable hooks to the latch. Take a heavy wire and put a loop in it. Hook the loop to the latch where the release cable is hooked. Pull the wire to release the hood.

3

Release the safety latch, which is located in the center of the vehicle above the grill. Push it aside and raise the hood. Remove the release cable from the hood latch and pull through the firewall. Take off the release handle from inside the vehicle, under the dash, by removing the two Phillips screws.

Installing the New Release Cable

4




Thread the new release cable through the grommet hole in the firewall and reattach the handle to the bottom of the dashboard with the two Philips screws removed earlier.

5

Replace the release cable by routing it back to where it was before and hooking the cable end with the loop onto the hood latch release lever.

6

Lube all the moving parts on the hood latch with white lithium grease and clean up all the overspray.