Auto Repair

The sole purpose of an oil pan is to store the oil used by the engine. Oil pans are one-piece designs, which makes them fairly durable. However, they can sometimes crack. Oftentimes the crack can...

The cooling system is a critical part of your vehicle; one of the first parts that can fail in it is the thermostat. If it goes out, water isn't directed through the block as necessary, which...

The idle air control valve (usually called an IAC valve) helps maintain the proper idle speed on your vehicle. The Toyota 4Runner idle air control valve is mounted on the throttle body, as it is...

The EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) valve on your Crown Victoria helps reduce tailpipe emissions and improves engine efficiency. The EGR valve is located at the rear of the engine bay. Cleaning...

As a result of the air/fuel mixture igniting within the engine, the engine produces carbon monoxide. That carbon monoxide, generically referred to as "exhaust," is routed out of the engine and to...

The 1991 Ford F150 is one of Ford's most popular trucks. It's fairly reliable, but it does have a few common problems that owners need to be aware of. Before taking your F150 to a Ford dealership...

Recognizing the symptoms of a faulty water pump on your Jeep is the first step to replacing it. An engine that regularly overheats is a good sign that your water pump is failing. Water leaking on...

If your Chevy van is having temperature problems, the thermostat could be the cause. If the thermostat is stuck open, the engine will take a long time to warm up. If the engine overheats, it can...

Even if you aren't a professional mechanic there are steps that you can take to diagnose a bad head gasket. With only a few simple tools and a keen eye you can quickly determine if your head...

Having a leaky oil pan means that you're dripping oil on your driveway, and if left unchecked, you'll run out of oil and damage the engine. Replacing the oil pan isn't a difficult task, but it...

When Volkswagen introduced the New Beetle, it sparked a styling trend in making old vehicles new again. But as the cars get older, things need to be fixed. A leaky oil pan can lead to a loss in...

The Jeep Liberty is a compact sport utility vehicle that was introduced in 2002 and is still in production in 2009. With independent front suspension, available four wheel drive, and many creature...

The Ford 4.2-liter V-6 engine, commonly known as the Canadian Essex engine, overcame early gasket problems to become a dependable long-running motor. Those early problems, however, dogged the...

An engine thermostat is an essential component of the engine cooling system. It regulates the temperature of the coolant and ensures that your engine remains cool. Thermostats work because of a...

A car's head gasket provides a seal between the head (where all the valves and rollers are located) and the block (the "main part of the engine" that houses the camshaft and part of the pistons)....

Recreational vehicle windows are typically flat panes of glass held to a window frame with small screws, plastic glass supports and tight rubber gaskets. During the lifespan of the RV, it may...

A head gasket is the part of an internal combustion engine that seals the cylinder head to the engine block. The purpose of this component is to make sure that the compression stays at a maximum...

The valve cover has an important job for the engine: It keeps the valves protected and lubricated. If the valve cover gasket goes out, then the valve cover will leak out oil, potentially damaging...

Camshaft sensors, formally called camshaft position sensors, help your engine maintain emission and idle efficiency. The sensor itself cannot be fixed; it must be replaced. A faulty camshaft...

Flowmaster makes exhausts for the Ford F-150, These typically amount to a replacement muffler with a special resonance chamber with baffles that produce a sound unique to the company. Flowmaster...

The valve covers (rocker arm covers) on a V-6 Buick are stamped steel covers attached to the top of the cylinder heads. The valve covers protect the rocker arms, valve springs and valves, and...

The timing chain cover on Ford's 460 engine not only physically covers the timing chain; it prevents the oil within the engine from leaking out. The cover also acts as a mounting point for the...

If your Honda's head gasket has sprung a leak or blown, it needs to be replaced. Instead of taking it to an auto mechanic, you may want to change the gasket yourself to save money. This is a...

Engine problems can sometimes be a bit tricky to diagnose. The more common problems, however, are not too hard to figure out. Engine problems are caused primarily by one or two factors: improper...

The Mazda 6 is available with either a four-cylinder or a V6 engine. The four-cylinder (2.3L) does not have a serviceable thermostat. The thermostat is part of a larger cooling assembly, and must...

Replacing a cylinder head in your Honda Civic or other vehicle is a dangerous, complicated and difficult job. This particular type of repair should only be attempted by someone with experience...

Nothing can be more frustrating than a broken-off bolt on your vehicle's exhaust manifold. Not only is this putting stress on the rest of the attaching bolts for the manifold and the manifold...

The head gasket on your vehicle seals the head to the engine block. It also seals out the engine coolant that is circulating through cooling channels built into the casting of the block. When the...

The Tercel was Toyota's compact car until 1998 when it was replaced by the Toyota Echo. The Tercel was equipped with a 1.5L engine and had a traditional cooling system. If the thermostat in your...

The fuel pump is responsible for pulling the gasoline stored within the fuel tank to the front of the vehicle, and then routing that fuel to the fuel delivery system. Over time the seals within...

A head gasket is a gasket that is positioned between the engine block and the cylinder head of a vehicle. The head gasket is responsible for sealing the cylinders to ensure maximum compression and...

When installing a set of heads on a Chevy, the surface preparation is important to prevent leaks. The surface on the head and the block must be free of gasket material, dirt, dust and all grease....

The head gasket is a seal that joins the engine head with the cylinder. When the engine overheats, the metal expands and damages the gasket. Overheating prevention is a critical part of vehicle...

The 350 is quite possibly Chevrolet's most popular small-block engine. Although the 350 is known for its durability, this does not mean that the engine is always problem-free. A blown cylinder...

The Ford Escape is available with two different engines. Both engines have idle air control valves and other than location, replacing the valve is the same in both engines. A faulty idle air...

The intake manifold in your Chevy Astro van distributes the fuel/air mixture to the cylinder heads. Replacing one is usually a job best left to professionals, as is the case with most modern-day...

The Mazda Miata is manufactured with a pressurized coolant system, which uses a finned radiator to maintain a stable engine operating temperature. This system can wear or fail in several ways,...

The most common cause of head gasket failure is when the engine overheats. The heat causes the cylinder head and block to expand, which can crush the head gasket around the cylinders. This can...

The intake gasket forms the seal between the intake manifold and the cylinder head. As such, it is subjected to high temperatures and pressures. Failure of the intake gasket can cause the engine...

The idle air control valve (commonly called the IAC valve) helps your Honda maintain regular idle speed. The valve is electrical and works in conjunction with the throttle body on the intake...

EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) valves have been an important feature in automobiles since the late 1970s. The EGR valve helps your engine run more efficiently and reduces tailpipe emissions....

A worn out or broken valve cover gasket on your GM vehicle can leak engine oil out of the cylinder head and require replacement. Depending upon the particular model you might have to remove one or...

The smoke coming out of your car's tailpipe can tell you a great deal about the condition of the engine, cooling system, transmission and other parts of your car. If you aren't already in the...

The valve cover gasket on a Mustang keeps the oil in the head of the engine from escaping. It also keeps the oil out of the spark plug wells. When you notice oil leaks at the top of your engine...

The thermostat in your Honda Accord helps the cooling system to maintain the engine operating temperature. A faulty (or sticking, as it is commonly referred to) thermostat can cause your Accord to...

The EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) valve is a vital emission-control component on your Mercury Villager. Faulty EGR valves can cause your engine to run rough and decrease fuel efficiency. The...

The valve cover gaskets cover the internal working parts of the upper part of the Jaguar 4.0 engine. This top section of the engine is called the "head." Underneath the valve cover are cams, valve...

The valve cover on your vehicle protects the upper half of your engine, called the engine head, from external contaminates. It also keeps the engine oil inside the engine so that the oil can...

The valve cover gasket in a 2000 Plymouth Neon keeps oil from leaking into the spark plug wells, as well as keeping engine oil from leaking down the side of the engine. When you have an oil leak...

Edelbrock carburetors are carefully tuned at the factory to work with the vast majority of applications. However, the carburetor can develop problems over time, usually due to a defective gasket...