Tune Ups

Replacing the PCV or positive crankcase ventilation valve for your Dodge Caravan is located in the valve cover on the top of the engine. The PCV valve is part of the emissions system in your van...

Replacing the spark plugs on your Honda Element requires the removal of the cover on top of the engine to access the plugs. The Element has a dual-overhead-cam engine, and the spark plugs are...

Checking the resistance of the spark plug wires on your car or truck is a sure method of determining if you have a damaged or broken wire within the insulation. A digital ohmmeter will allow you...

Changing the sparkplugs in a 2005 Dodge Caravan can be complicated because the sparkplugs are hard to reach. The motor is surrounded by wires and components, making access tricky. With the van's...

You should replace the spark plugs on your Jetta any time you notice your engine misfiring or during your Jetta's routine tune-ups, every 30,000 miles. You can buy spark plugs for your Jetta at a...

Whereas modern Fords feature an electronic ignition system, older Fords relied on a mechanical breaker points and condenser ignition system. While an engine's "timing" determines when a spark is...

If your PCV valve or positive crankcase ventilation valve is blowing oil out around it, it is time to replace it. The PCV valve is a critical part of the emissions system and aids in the relief of...

When the intake and exhaust valves on an engine have achieved a clearance gap that is too large or two small, it can affect the emission of gases from the combustion chamber and hinder engine...

When your car fails to burn gas properly, it is probably a tuneup issue, but it may be something more serious. Considering the price of gas, it pays to make inexpensive changes, and most anyone...

Tuning a nitro engine for a performance car is a little bit different than tuning your mom's sedan. Doing it correctly can increase the engine's power and speed capabilities, while doing it...

Maintaining proper surveillance of a thermocouple junction is of utmost importance in a number of industrial jobs. Equipment used to detect the temperature and voltage levels transmitted through a...

The Acura NSX is a mid-engine, two-seat sports car that was available in 1990 as 1991 model, and was last offered in the 2005 model year. Only two engines were available during its 14-year life --...

Replacing the rear oxygen sensor in your Acura is a little more complex than some vehicles. However, if you know where to look and how to access the sensor and wiring harness, replacing the sensor...

Testing the resistance across several terminals on your ignition coil is the only safe and accurate way to tell if the coils is damaged or not. Measuring the primary and secondary resistance...

Regular tune-ups of any car will not only keep your car running well, they could save you money in the long run. The frequency that you do a tune-up of your vehicle depends on the age of the car...

If you are experiencing a rough-running engine, back-firing and poor fuel mileage from your VW Cabrio and the service engine soon light has displays, have the car's computer scanned to determine...

Replacing the oxygen, or O2, sensor in your Mazda Miata can be accomplished with a little advanced planning and a few basic tools. The O2 sensor in the Miata is located in the exhaust pipe near...

If your Ford F-150 is running roughly, starting hard or misfiring, you may have a bad oxygen sensor. These are all common symptoms of a faulty O2 sensor. You might, however, also have your "check...

From coils and coil packs to electronic ignitions and computers, the ignition system can be a mystery. How do you know whether a coil is causing the problems that you are experiencing in your car?...

First produced in 2002, the Jeep Liberty was available with either a four or six cylinder engine, and used a single spark plug for each cylinder. The sole responsibility of the Liberty's spark...

Pontiac used the 2.5 liter engine in many different cars starting as early as 1977. The engine, known as the "iron duke" was a stout little four cylinder that became fuel injected and started...

Testing or checking an ignition coil can tell you a lot about the health of your ignition system. Since the coil is the center of the system, it has to be working right or the car will not run...

The oxygen or O2 sensor in your Mitsubishi Lancer is a vital part of the engine management system. The O2 sensor reads the percentage of oxygen in the exhaust and sends that info to the car's PCM...

A basic rule of thumb for car owners is to have the oil changed every 3,000 miles and have a tune-up every 30,000 miles. Tuning up a Toyota Corolla is a relatively inexpensive maintenance...

If you want to improve your car's performance, fuel economy and overall engine health, one of the best things you can do is regularly check and tune your engine's air-to-fuel ratio. The...

Cars require a lot of attention and maintenance in order to keep them functioning properly. A neglected vehicle can experience a variety of problems, and these problems mean expensive trips to the...

The plugs in Chevy vehicles are normally found on the sides of the engine block and at the rear end of the vehicle. There are four of these plugs and can be directly involved in coolant leaks if...

If you think your spark plugs are causing problems, you should check them before buying a new set. The procedure is not hard but requires some knowledge of how to use auto mechanic's tools and a...

As spark plugs age, they become less efficient. As this happens, you may notice that your engine seems less powerful or that it occasionally misfires. Cleaning the spark plugs may help, and...

The mass air flow sensor on a Nissan is responsible for telling the engine computer how much air is coming into the intake manifold, which in turn meters out how much fuel and spark to give the...

Recharging your car's refrigerant will restore cool air to your vehicle's air conditioning system. It will not, however, fix any leaks that are causing the low refrigerant, so this might only be a...

How to remove, install, and gap a spark plug

An engine is a series of moving parts that work in unison to produce power. If the engine's components are not synchronized, the engine's power output will be substantially diminished and the...

It is important to have your car tuned up. As a rule of thumb, you should get a tune-up every 30,000 miles. Regular tune ups can prevent major problems down the road for you. There are a number of...

The proper operation of a vehicle requires many things. Fluids need to be changed on a regular basis. Tires need to be rotated. A clean fuel system can prevent excessive fuel consumption and...

Changing spark plugs in your Nissan Pathfinder will improve the performance and fuel efficiency of the engine. In addition to providing a stronger spark to burn the fuel and air mixture in the...

Checking engine compression when you tune up your Chevy allows you to pick up on problems earlier if they occur within the engine. Testing the compression on your engine can be done in a few...

Oxidation on a car is a constant and aggravating process afflicting many owners. The two most common types of oxidation are the obvious rust of various metal pieces and also paint oxidation. When...

A vacuum gauge is a necessary diagnostic tool and the best way to tune your carburetor. Connect the hose of an undampened vacuum gauge to the hoses of your carburetor to measure the carburetor's...

Keeping your engine running smoothly can be difficult. So many different variables are at play that it can be hard to determine what is causing the problem. One of these variables is your engine's...

The carburetor was one of the first methods of injecting gasoline into the engine of an automobile, and is still used in many older vehicles on the road today, because of their ease of...

The Weber company is one of the world's most famous carburetor manufacturers. Weber carburetors have been used on a variety of vehicles, from Lamborghinis and Ferraris to Volkswagens. Part of what...

Installing the spark plug wires on your Ford engine isn't much different from installing plug wires on any engine, with the exception that the distributor is located in the front of some Ford V8...

The PCV valve, or positive crankcase ventilation valve, on the Jeep Wrangler is responsible for venting the excess gases and managing crankcase pressures in the engine. Changing it is a quick and...

A GM V-6 engine needs to have the plugs and wires changed every 50,000 miles due to the possible wear on the plugs. As the plugs wear, they cause the vehicle to use more fuel. Changing the plugs...

Do-it-yourself engine tuneups are a good way to save money on maintaining your car if you have the tools and skills to do the work. Modern car tuneups usually only involve replacing spark plugs,...