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...

Total ignition timing, or total timing advance, is denoted on a placard under the hood of most vehicles. If there is no placard, consult a service manual. Total advance depends mostly on the type...

If a door is becoming difficult to close because it is not lining up perfectly with the door striker, the door bushings are probably worn. To test the door hinge bushings, lift up on the door at...

The motor mounts on a Nissan Altima hold the engine in place. They perform a very basic--but very important--function. The mount is actually secured with two large bolts. One bolt connects the...

The Mitsubishi Eclipse has been around since 1990. The vehicle features front disc brakes and may feature either rear disc brakes or rear drum brakes, depending on the series of the model. After...

Rust and other corrosion of a gas tank can lead to engine problems and eventual engine failure, and holes in the tank can render it unusable. You can fix both of these problems by using a sealant...

The condition described by most as "boiling" sometimes isn't. Though excess heat in the power steering system can indeed cause the fluid to boil, there are other conditions that can mimic the effect.

If you have a lot of play in your steering wheel, chances are that your outer tie rods are worn. If your tie rods are worn, replace them immediately because it is very dangerous to drive a vehicle...

Every time you do an oil change or pop the hood you should take a look at your radiator hoses and make sure they are in good condition. Over time the temperature fluctuations degrade the hose and...

Are you wondering how to reset your check engine light in a 1998 Honda Accord? Resetting your check engine is sometimes required when you install new parts into your car and the light does not...

Any problems your Nissan vehicle's engine has in cooling can be a result of the thermostat. If you know the coolant level is good and the engine takes a long time to warm up, the thermostat is...

The indicator lights, also known as the turn signal lights, on a GMC Jimmy are the amber-colored lights located on the front and rear of the vehicle. Most states require these lights to be...

When most people think of exhaust systems on their vehicle, they think of mufflers, but an important component that comes before the muffler is the catalytic converter. The catalytic converter...

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...

Swapping out a factory-installed stereo to a car is a common upgrade. But even though installing a stereo is a relatively simple task, getting out the old deck can sometimes be a problem. Most...

A paint job is an automotive service done to restore and/or customize a car to a specific preference or style. Paint jobs have become quite creative over the years, ranging from one color to...

The cooling system of your car or truck is a critical component. If you have a leak in your radiator, your vehicle won't cool properly, and could overheat, causing lots of damage to the engine....

Pontiac produced the Grand Am between 1973 and 2005. The last generation Pontiac Grand Am was the 1999 to 2005 model. This model had a center-console mounted shifter covered by a leather boot. The...

Motorhome shocks are replaced in the same manner as regular truck shocks, as most recreational vehicles are based on large truck designs, using similar hardware. The average backyard mechanic can...

A Mustang's intake manifold is responsible for directing air and fuel into the cylinder heads. The manifold is a one-piece component, which makes it durable. However, the intake manifold uses four...

Leaks are not uncommon as automobile radiators age, even if the radiator happens to be in a low-mileage vehicle. Unfortunately, new radiators can be expensive, even if you are able to save money...

The Taurus is one of Ford's flagship sedans, having been launched in the United States market in 1986. With all cars, there is the potential for problems such as overheating, but the 2003 model...

Automotive power windows use a motorized window regulator to operate a pane of glass inside the door. This motor can wear out and require replacement because of worn bushings, moisture or a power...

If the bumper of your Toyota truck is damaged and you need to swap it out, it can be done in about an hour with simple hand tools. In this case, the vehicle is a 1994 Toyota pickup, but the...

That parked car came out of nowhere and you didn't have time to stop. I know. It happens. Luckily it was a 1971 Mercury Montego with a solid steel bumper and it didn't get damaged at ALL. Your...

Rust can spread quickly on your vehicle, and the key is to stop it early. With the help of some modern equipment and products, you can stop rust from growing any further and damaging your vehicle....

If a door on your Nissan vehicle does not have proper alignment or wiggles excessively, it is likely the hinges need replacing. A good test is to open the door and lift it up and down without...

The braking system is one of the most important parts of an automobile. Brakes are integral to vehicle safety as well as performance. Like most vehicle systems, brakes also require occasional...

Identification of the small block Chevy (SBC) engine requires searching for numbers and codes, and referring to sources to help identify size, date of casting and assembly, and, among other...

The 1987 Mercedes transmission was mostly reliable and trouble-free. However, user error often contributed to premature transmission failure. The most common problems with the '87 transmission...

Replacing a Jeep fender is a common repair for most Jeep owners. By changing the stock fenders and installing new tube fenders you can add wheel clearance height and a custom look to the front end...

Rust is a problem no matter where you find it. But when it's the bolts and nuts on your exhaust system, it can be a little bit trying. There are multiple ways to remove a rusted bolt from the...

You must remove the door panel on a Volkswagen Passat if you need to access any of the wiring behind the door, the window scissor lift, or the lock rod and door handle. The door panel is held in...

The automatic transmission cooling hoses on a Jeep help to keep the transmission cool and running smoothly. When you need to flush the transmission; or if the hose begins to look dried out or...

The Subaru Outback has been in production since 1995. Built on the Subaru Legacy platform, the Outback has gained notoriety for its reliability, economy and its ability to go anywhere with its...

Saturn was originally created to be GM's import-fighter division, a bulwark to the coming invasion of small Asian compacts that would not compromise the other divisions' American identity. ...

Clear coat is regularly used to seal painted metal, providing shine and important UV protection. Clear coat is prized for its longevity. However, over time clear coat can lose its shimmer or even...

The Toyota Camry name is usually associated with quality. This reputation is usually justified, however, no car is perfect, and each will ultimately require repair at some point. Removing and...

With its history of endemic auto recalls, it may shock some to learn that Dodge/Chrysler hasn't yet begun to just forward all of its mail to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration...

Seized bolts that snap off flush with a part's surface create a frustrating, time-consuming issue. The majority of bolts seize due to corrosion in the form of rust. Rust forms when fasteners from...

The Mercedes-Benz S320 is one of the trims of the automaker's full-size, flagship sedan, the S-Class series. It made its debut in 1994 and lasted until 1999. The S320--and by extension, trims of...

Jump starting a car with a dead battery is a trouble-free procedure, but safety precautions must be followed when dealing with electrical current and an engine component containing battery acid.

The heater core on a Chevrolet S10 pickup is a small radiator located underneath the dash on the passenger side of the cab. Heated coolant travels from the engine to the heater core through heater...

Although it has been around since the mid-1960s, production on the Chevrolet Malibu--more commonly known as the Chevy Malibu--was halted in the early 1980s, only to be resurrected as a more...

The Honda MAP sensor measures the amount of air flowing into the engine. In this way, the sensor is able to help the Honda ECU (central computer) adjust the fuel ratio for optimal fuel efficiency...

Short of the near-legendary SRT-4, the 2000 Dodge Neon may be the best of the lot from both a performance and quality standpoint. Early on in the second-generation's run, the Neon used the ACR...

Small cracks in large pieces of concrete are rarely anything to worry about, unless that chunk of concrete is a dam and you are standing at the bottom. Seemingly innocuous, the heater-core...

The MAP sensor in your 1998 Jeep Cherokee is responsible for measuring the airflow going to the engine. MAP stands for "manifold absolute pressure". As the name suggests, the MAP sensor is mounted...

The fan clutch on a Toyota is a silicone-filled device that engages the fan when the temperature of the engine rises above the value of the thermostat. As the temperature drops, the fan blade is...