Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
The 1998 Ford Focus was such a segment-making automobile, it's almost hard to believe that it directly replaced the Escort. While a decent enough car in its time, the Escort's chassis and engineering were refugees from the Reagan era. The Focus' C170 platform, its engines and overall design weren't just ready for the 21st century -- they still felt modern more than a decade later when the C1 Focus replaced them. Changing out the antifreeze on a first-generation Focus isn't difficult, but the refilling process is somewhat unique.
If fuel is leaking down into the oil of your motor when it sets, you likely have an issue with your carburetor. Find out what to do if fuel is leaking down into the oil of your motor when it sets with help from an experienced automotive professional in this free video clip.
Improperly adjusted sprinkler valves do not supply even coverage of water on your lawn and must be corrected to prevent dry areas or pooling water that can lead to lawn diseases and pests. Rain Bird has eight series of sprinkler valves, which all adjust in the same manner. Annual maintenance of an irrigation system is required before the first use each year during the grass's active growth period.
Despite its unusual name, the Volusia filled the role as an 800 cc entry in Suzuki's Intruder V-twin cruiser series between 2001 and 2004. While the Volusia shared much of its styling with its American-built counterparts, the Volusia's smaller stature and liquid-cooled engine made it appealing to the rider who wanted to spend more time riding, and less times working on his bike. Even so, the engine's valve train requires an inspection and adjustment every 7,500 miles. Don't let the apparent complexity of the job scare you off; equipped with a small assortment of tools, you should be able to…
Until recent innovations in automotive production and lubrication came along, the break in process for new car engines was rather tedious, and best adhered to closely. Vehicle speeds were to be restricted upon initial operation, with higher speeds allowed as the miles stacked up. Oil changes were recommended at close intervals, with the first to occur as early as a hundred miles, by some preferences. Certain break in rituals are still in order, and vary by make and model, but manufacturers typically perform no actual break-in services on new car engines.
In the days before, engines were far less advanced than they are coming off the production line now. Even throughout changes to the engine that required a new breed of mechanic and high tech tools, the general basics of the internal combustion engine has remained the same. The piston ring has to maintain a seal against about 1800 PSI of pressure during combustion; while sliding at a speed somewhere near 3400 feet per minute, depending on your engine. Whether your building a power-plant that can push 1200 horsepower, a stock rebuild of your old 350 or a four-cylinder rice burner,…
From the Japanese word "kanmuri" -- or "crown" -- the Camry certainly has been the jewel in Toyota's sales crown for quite some time now. At the time of its release, the fourth-generation Camry was the most popular car in America; offering reliable transportation in cost and trim levels from basic to near-luxurious, the Camry made its mark by crossing demographics like an Eminem/Jimmy Buffet duet. While, many late-90s Camrys are still running strong more than 15 years after hitting showrooms, things like motors mounts are bound to need replacement from time to time.
In a way, it's not really fair to call the later-model Pacifica a "minivan." The minivan as a concept was an evolution of the station wagon -- a taller evolution, but still a sedan underneath. But the Pacifica's CS platform is a fully bespoke unit, used only by the Pacifica and designed specifically for it. So, the only thing that this whatever-it-is shares in common with its lesser minivan cousins is its basic shape, engine, transmission, windows wheels, headlights, seats, dashboard, bumpers, two lower and one upper motor mount and -- oh, nevermind. It's a minivan.
The means to suspend an engine and transmission in a chassis has not evolved much in recent automotive history. Solid rubber engine mounts were commonly employed when the vast majority of cars were rear-wheel drive. The failure of "engine mounts" was no rarity, as some powerful engines were loosely chained to the frame in anticipation of mount breakage. The chains limited errant engine movements when the rubber mounts snapped. This primitive protection kept the radiator from being impacted by the engine cooling fan and restricted torque-induced motions to prevent the engine from twisting out of its cradle. Mount designs and…
Produced from 1982 to 2004 in the United States, the Chevy S-10 has went through various changes including new engines, transmissions, body style and trim levels. Despite the six different sized engines used throughout production and the various changes to those as technology permitted the cooling system has always been reasonably the same. Naturally the fan clutch was eventually replace by an electronic cooling fan, and after 996 Dexcool coolant was used as opposed to the tradition Ethelyn-glycol used previously. Aside from minor changes coolant has always traveled from the engine to the radiator for cooling and back again, with…
Some questions are harder to answer than others; what is the meaning of life, why do things in movies and video games always happen in threes, and why is it so hard to find an engine mount removal procedure for a late-90s Escort or Escort ZX2? Maybe Ford thought Mazda or Kia -- who both used the "B" platform -- were supposed to cover the Escort. And probably vice-versa. Fortunately, aside from the torque specs, the actual procedure is much like the mount replacement procedures for every other four-cylinder ever produced.
Your 2004 Dodge Intrepid came with a 2.7-liter six-cylinder engine and a four-speed automatic transmission. The ignition system on your 2.7-liter does not have a distributor so all spark timing is controlled by the PCM based on information received from the crankshaft position sensor and the camshaft position sensor. The crankshaft position sensor is a hall effect sensor with a permanent magnet. When the teeth of the crankshaft pass by the sensor the PCM detects changes in the magnetic field. The crankshaft position sensor is located on the rear of the engine block just above the oil filter.
Engine mount replacements are one of those things that typically fall into the category of "easier said than done." There's no real magic or special skill-set required when replacing engine mounts especially on a big truck like the Tahoe; it's mostly just elbow grease, and comfort with moving things heavy enough to crush your appendages of choice into puddles of goo. But as long as you're careful and systematic, replacing the mounts on a Tahoe is really very little more difficult or dangerous than the average brake job. Seriously.
The 2000 Chevy Impala base model came with a 4.3-liter six-cylinder engine and a four-speed automatic transmission. The engine in your Impala has one mount that connects the lower engine to the sub-frame and two upper strut type mounts that mount the front of the engine to the core support. Any time any of these mounts fail it can lead to excessive engine movement and vibration; a problem that should be addressed quickly to prevent further damage to other engine and transmission mounts.
You have to love those crazy Bavarians. From BMW's service literature on replacing the head gasket in an E36: "Clean sealing faces of cylinder head and crankcase; if necessary, remove traces of sealing compound with hardwood spatula." Seriously -- how many other auto manufacturers would think to advise the use of a hardwood tool for anything? This says a lot about BMW's emphasis on proper assembly and maintenance technique, especially where the critical head gasket is concerned.
Like a many other parts on your car, motor mounts are a lot more complex and important than they might appear at first glance. While most drivers understand intuitively that anything with the words "motor" and "mount" in the name is probably pretty vital, the fact is that even seemingly minor failures can have long-reaching implications for the rest of your drivetrain.
The 1998 Chevy cavalier base model came with a 2.2-liter inline four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission. When installing the cylinder head on your 2.2-liter engine, you have to tighten the bolts in a particular order or it may result in the head gasket leaking or failing prematurely. Most importantly the cylinder head bolts are torque-to-yield bolts, which means they must be replaced every time they are loosened or removed.
Oil varnish is a protective topcoat that's most often on wood surfaces. The varnish usually creates a clear, glossy finish on wood furniture and other items. Methods for repairing flaws in oil varnish vary. But they generally involve cleaning the surface before reapplying varnish to restore shine to the damaged area.
The camshaft position sensor on a 1995 4WD Chevrolet Blazer is an important part of the powertrain management system. This sensor is located on the back side of the engine distributor, near the engine firewall. and sends information to the powertrain control module, or PCM, about the rotational position of the camshaft. The PCM uses this information to determine which cylinder is misfiring. When the camshaft position sensor fails, the PCM cannot determine the position of the crankshaft and will illuminate the malfunction indicator lamp. Replacement camshaft position sensors are available from most local auto parts stores and the parts…
The 1998 Mercury Grand Marquis came standard with a 4.6-liter V-8 and a four-speed automatic transmission. Your 4.8-liter engine has a crankshaft position sensor that relays the rotational position of the crankshaft so the computer can synchronize the ignition timing. A faulty crankshaft position sensor can cause sluggish performance, and can even prevent your engine from starting all together. Your crankshaft position sensor is located on the lower right side of the engine next to the air conditioning compressor, which has to be removed to gain access to the sensor.
Kawasaki produced the Mule 3010 utility vehicle between 2001 to 2008. Kawasaki fitted the Mule 3010 with a 617 cc, four-stroke V-twin engine and a continuously variable transmission mated to a four-wheel-drive, two-speed transfer case that allowed the Mule to travel over rough terrain with ease. As part of a regular maintenance schedule, Kawasaki recommends an inspection and adjustment of the engine's valve clearance -- the distance between the valves and the rocker arms that operate them -- after the initial 50 hours of use, then again every 500 hours. Accessing the valves is made simpler by the pivoting cargo…
The 1990 Toyota Celica has a 1.6-liter 3S-FE or a 2.2-liter 5S-FE engine. In either case, the procedure to replace the valve cover gasket is the same with the exception of the torque specifications of each engine. Leaks occur at the valve cover because of the hardening of the cover's rubber gasket or at the spark plug tunnels. Always replace the rubber grommets for the spark plug tunnels when replacing the valve cover gasket. If the tunnel grommets are leaking, the oil should be removed from the spark plug depression before the gaskets are replaced; paper towels work well for…
Volkswagen uses a camshaft position sensor on the 2002 Passat sedan to relay information about the camshaft position and engine speed to the electronic control module to determine ignition timing and fuel injection synchronization. Located on the cylinder head behind the upper timing belt cover on the 1.8-liter engine, the sensor is accessible for removal and replacement. Replace the sensor using basic hand tools.
The XR350R was produced by Honda between 1983 and 1985 as a middleweight off-road racing motorcycle. The XR's 339 cc single-cylinder engine used an unusual design that employed a dual intake and exhaust system, all controlled by a four-valve setup. The intake and exhaust valves were operated by four adjustable rocker arms that could increase or decrease valve clearance -- the air gap between the valves and the rocker arms -- to accommodate for normal wear and tear. You should inspect and adjust your XR350's valves every 1,000 miles or after every 30 days of continuous use to ensure that…
Every time you set up a portable outdoor gazebo, you pull the cover over the corners of the frame and stretch it tightly before setting it out in the sun. All these things place stress on the fabric and cause the cover to wear out more quickly than the frame. Even if the old cover is severely damaged, you can sew a new cover to fit your particular gazebo by tracing the frame to make a pattern.
The crankshaft position sensor -- also known as the CKP sensor --detects crankshaft position and rotation on the 2005 PT Cruiser. The sensor relays this information to the electronic control unit and helps determine ignition and fuel injection timing. Wear or damage to the crankshaft position sensor can lead to poor performance or even a non-running condition. The sensor is above the front motor mount so some disassembly is required to replace it.
Cylinder bores must fall within specific, factory-set tolerances to be considered useable. Check cylinders for visible damage and measure using precision measuring equipment such as micrometers and dial-bore indicators. Measurements taken at specific points of the bore indicate cylinder taper and out-of-round conditions that require machining to correct. Checking a cylinder bore requires knowledge of the proper use of the precision measuring equipment as well as the factory specifications as set by the manufacturer. Disassemble the engine to remove the cylinder head and pistons prior to checking the cylinder bore.
Coil-on-plug conversions, or COP kits, upgrade the BMW E30’s naturally aspirated ignition system, and eliminate performance issues such as a slow firing rate over time and repeated replacement of aging rotor, wire and cap assemblies. Installing a COP conversion in your E30 is a straightforward process of connecting a coil-wire harness to the ignition coils, and is commonly performed by BMW enthusiasts as a simple do-it-yourself project.
Porches do not last forever, but a well-built porch will last for decades. When an existing porch is beyond repair, your best option is usually to remove it in its entirety, including breaking up and removing the concrete porch foundation. You can then re-lay the gravel base and pour fresh concrete, rebuild the porch frame and cover the frame with new surfacing, then add a fresh new roof. The results will be a sturdy porch that will last for many years.
A mandrel shaft is a spindle that is often found in motors such as those on a mower. When the bearings in a mandrel shaft fail, the motor as a whole will either cease to function or it will function at a significantly reduced capacity. Replacing the bearing on a mandrel shaft for a mower involves gaining access to the mower, locating the mandrel shaft and removing the old bearings before inserting new ones and rebuilding the engine.
The 2001 Nissan Sentra crankshaft sensor is a permanent magnet output coil type sensor. There is a companion part called a reluctor on the crankshaft that when passed in front of the magnetic coil causes an on and off digital signal. The powertrain control module uses this signal to determine crankshaft speed, crankshaft position relative to top dead center on the No. 1 cylinder, and tachometer and cylinder misfires. From this information, as well as from other sensors, the powertrain control module calculates the best ignition timing and fuel injection on time.
Of all the things that can take your engine out, bearing failure is one of the most insidious. Car-oriented types tend to try to ignore bearing issues, compensating for them by using ever-thicker oil and an eye on the gauges instead of just replacing them as necessary. But bearing wear can have broad-ranging consequences not only to your engine, but to anything bolted to it.
Dormers are an easy way to add space and light to upper areas of a house. The shed or pent style is a frequent choice for dormers because it is easy to build and can be made wide to add several windows and a lot of space with one remodel. Adding a dormer requires cutting into a roof and creating more intersections, and every opening or joint is a potential leak. Shed dormers are especially prone to problems because they are low-slope, so water, snow and ice do not drain off as efficiently.
If you suspect your Mercruiser 5.7-liter engine, based on the GM 350 block, sprung a cooling system leak, a pressure test, some visual inspection and sharp hearing may lead you right to it. If no leakage is found, the engine is leaking internally -- possibly from loose bolts on the cylinder heads or the intake manifold. It may come from a damaged head or manifold gasket, or even a cracked or porous engine assembly.
With a few tweaks to accommodate a life at sea, the GM 305 V-8 has been used by Mercury Marine's Mercruiser marque since 1974. The engine is configured both as the MCM 228 inboard-outboard and -- in engines with a serial number of 4931099 or higher -- an inboard configuration, the MIE 228. Caveats, options and numbers detailing the engine's performance characteristics are straightforward.
The Mitsubishi Eclipse is a coupe originally manufactured in 1989 that has enjoyed growing popularity among auto enthusiasts. The Eclipse name follows the Mitsubishi tradition of naming models after horses; in this case, to honor an English racehorse that enjoyed 26 victories in the 18th century. Although production of the Eclipse ended in August 2011, enthusiasts take part in dedicated shows where they often display the engines. To enhance the engine's appearance, owners sometimes paint the valve cover the same color as the bodywork.
With proper care and maintenance, your engine should continue operating for thousands of miles without experiencing a cracked cylinder head. The most common evidence that your engine has developed a cylinder head crack is an unexpected loss of antifreeze. Cylinder heads may crack in several places, including the area between valve seats, in and around exhaust ports and the areas associated with the combustion chambers.
Building a Kohler engine your own can be challenging. It requires time, effort and a lot of patience. You also need to be careful about checking each process for the purpose of ensuring the proper fit of all engine components. While it can be difficult and demanding, building a Kohler engine on your own allows you to customize your engine, which not only results in increased horsepower, but better fuel mileage. This is particularly helpful if you intend to use your Kohler engine in a tractor-pulling competition. You can also use your home-built Kohler engine for garden applications, such as…
The 2005 Ford Taurus base model was offered with a 3.0-liter six-cylinder overhead valve engine and an automatic transmission. The upper intake manifold provides connections for all vacuum-controlled sensors, and houses the throttle body and EGR valve. To replace the upper intake manifold gasket’s the EGR valve has to be removed, along with all of the vacuum connections and throttle control cables.
Ford launched the Windstar in the 1995 model year to complement its existing Aerostar minivan. The 1999 Windstar had two engine options available. The standard engine was a 150-horsepower, 3.0-liter V-6 and its optional engine was a 3.8-liter V-6 that cranked out 200 horsepower. Both engines used a camshaft position sensor to relay the camshaft’s rotational speed to the powertrain control module to synchronize the fuel system with the camshaft. Replacing the camshaft position sensor on both of the Windstar’s engines is a straightforward task most home mechanics can perform.
Oldsmobile was founded in 1897 by Ransom E. Olds, and was produced by General Motors for most of its history. The 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue was a four-door sedan offered in a GL and a GLS trim level. The 2000 Intrigue was equipped with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that produced 215-horsepower and 230 foot-pounds of torque. Replacing the crankshaft position sensor or crank sensor on the 2000 Intrigue requires removal and installation of other engine and body parts on the vehicle.
Even though your Yamaha WaveRunner XLT 800 is a personal watercraft, to be used in the great outdoors, a leaky exhaust gasket will leave you riding the waves in a stinking miasma of exhaust gas. The gasket, positioned between the WaveRunner's exhaust chamber and its muffler, is reached easily enough, since the muffler and exhaust chamber can be moved apart without further disassembly.
Founded in 1965, Dacor is a family-owned American manufacturing company that produces kitchen appliances, including an extensive line of ranges and ovens. Dacor range and oven doors are sealed with a gasket to keep the heat in. If the gasket seal is damaged, your oven may not operate as efficiently as expected. Fortunately, replacing the gasket seal on a Dacor oven door takes only minutes and requires no previous appliance repair experience.
Shower heads contain a flow restrictor, which is used to limit the flow of water through the shower head and conserve water, and a gasket, which creates a seal that keeps the shower head from leaking where it meets the pipe. The two parts are usually located right next to each other in the shower head. If the shower head is leaking, the gasket probably needs to be replaced. If the water pressure is low, you can remove the flow restrictor and open up the shower head to a greater flow of water.
The Goldwing is a full-dresser touring motorcycle manufactured by Honda Motor Co. The marque has been made since 1974, and is still in production as of January 2012. Although a heavily-accessorized machine, a Goldwing engine removal is a relatively simple project that can be successfully carried out by most competent do-it-yourself enthusiasts.
When it comes to the operation of an internal combustion engine, timing is everything. To ensure the proper timing of the engine cycle, the camshafts of a four-stroke engine must turn one time for every two turns of the crankshaft. The advantages of connecting the shafts with a metal chain are hard to beat, and in engines from the earliest to the most contemporary, the timing chain has been an attractive alternative to other timing systems.
The GHW9150PWO is a high-efficiency, front-loading automatic washing machine that's part of Whirlpool's Duet line of appliances. Whirlpool Duet washers use a thick rubber gasket to make the door opening watertight. Over time, this gasket can develop cracks and tears that allow water to escape. If you see water trickling from the door opening during a washing cycle, it's time to change the rubber door gasket. Changing the gasket on a GHW9150PWO washer is an extensive task that's not for the novice do-it-yourselfer.
While antique shower assemblies can fit in well with an antique bathroom style, they can also make it easier to make certain kinds of adjustments to your shower. Many antique assemblies expose shower pipes, water supply inlet pipes and other components that are often hidden in modern applications. You can adjust these parts during installation for a better fit, proper water sealing or the best position.
Kawasaki's KFX400 was a sport all-terrain vehicle produced from 2003 to 2006. Curiously, the KFX400 was co-developed by Suzuki, which led to the production of the nearly identical LT-Z400. Both models require a strict maintenance program to ensure the ATV operates at its peak level of operation. This includes a routine inspection and adjustment of the air gap, or clearance, between the intake and exhaust camshafts and their corresponding valves every six months. The valves are operated by a pair of shimmed tappets that can be removed to keep the valve clearance within a specified range.
The LG WM2487HWMA is a 27-inch front-load automatic washing machine designed for residential use. The gasket is installed on the front of the tub. The gasket creates a water-tight seal to prevent water from leaking when the washer is running. A defective or damaged gasket prevents the washing machine from operating correctly. Replace the faulty door gasket with a new part to keep your LG washer operating correctly.
