Auto Repair

The Dodge Neon, which was also sold as the Plymouth Neon and Chrysler Neon at certain times and in various markets, was a compact car produced by Chrysler Corp. for 11 model years beginning in...

Building a custom car or truck includes putting together a drivetrain that's suited for your application, and one of those key aspects is the transmission. Finding that transmission is as easy as...

The Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera was manufactured with window regulators that were optionally equipped with electric power motors. These motors can wear out and fail, requiring replacement. The...

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...

EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) rubber is often used as an effective protectant for RV roofs. It is lightweight, UV resistant and simple to apply. Although a rubber roof can withstand...

For years, automotive paints have been toxic, be it a lacquer-based or urethane-based system. But recently, Auto Air Colors came out with a new line of waterborne paints, making them substantially...

The oxygen (O2) sensors on an Oldsmobile Aurora are a series of small sensors placed in the exhaust system that monitor the amount of unburned oxygen in the exhaust. The O2 sensors relay this...

It could happen to any of us: You're leaving work and notice that your car has a scratch in the side that was not there before. Depending on how deep the scratch is or how long it is, you might be...

The exhaust gas recirculation valve, or EGR valve, recirculates the exhaust gasses in the Isuzu Rodeo for more complete burning. The valve itself opens and closes to allow the exhaust gases to be...

As cars and trucks age, the ravages of road grime and salt take their toll. Trucks are very susceptible to rust in the wheelwell area since a lot of grime is picked up from the road and deposited...

Setting the ignition timing on a 350 engine means you synchronize the rotation of the distributor with the rotation of the crankshaft. This ensures that the spark plug at each cylinder fires at...

Hydraulic fluids are used in different types of machinery, such as cars and planes, with the main objective to allow power to transfer. But carte should be taken when handling such fluids. They...

When the hood latch went out on your 1988 Honda, you may not have noticed it until you had to get under the hood. Then it was a problem. But replacing the hood latch takes only about half an hour....

The ABS trouble codes on a VW can be erased by cutting power to the ECU. The easiest way to do this is by disconnecting the battery. While the codes will be erased, if there is a legitimate...

The Honda Accord uses an optional air-conditioning system to lower the temperature inside the car; the system has a condenser, evaporator and compressor that circulate Freon through a channeled...

The engine code light on a 2000 Chevy Venture may illuminate if there is a system problem. However, once the problem has been fixed, you'll need to know how to reset the code light. Fortunately,...

A strong water pump on your 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee is necessary to force coolant through the engine block and cooling system. If you are replacing a bad pump, make sure the coolant in the system...

George Pepperdine, founder of Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif., founded Western Auto Supply Company. Although the business began as a mail-order firm, it grew to include more than 1,200...

Practically every car sold in the United States since the mid 1970s has been equipped with a catalytic converter. These exhaust system components reduce the amount of harmful gases that are...

Class C motorhomes are manufactured with truck or van front ends that use common disk braking systems typical to the model. These systems use hydraulic calipers that can wear out and fail, or...

Stripped and broken threads are a fact of life in auto repair. Even if the threads are damaged beyond a simple re-tap, the mounting hole can still be fixed and reused. Helicoil inserts allow you...

Aircraft fasteners are famous for holding together critical parts, but if the fastener gets stripped, it becomes a problem to remove the parts. Complicating things is that most fasteners are made...

The sunroof is becoming an increasingly popular option on many modern cars. Whether small panels over the driver's seat, or multi-paneled sunroofs that provide fresh air and light to rear seat...

The Ducati line of motorcycles are essentially racing motorcycles. These sport bikes are made by Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A., an Italian motorcycle manufacturer. The brakes on the Ducati bikes are...

The 2004 Toyota Tacoma was manufactured with a hydraulic braking system, which requires purging of the master cylinder, lines, calipers and wheel cylinders after repairs. This "bleeding" must be...

Replacing a serpentine belt on a Chevy Cavalier or Pontiac Sunfire can be a nightmare. To replace the alternator you must remove the serpentine belt. I like to save money and do the repairs...

The big look in car paint nowadays is called "patina." A vehicle with a quality patina is one that still has the factory paint but has sat outside in disrepair for decades and now has a mixture of...

A catalytic converter is a device meant to reduce the extent of impurity in a vehicle's emissions. The converter can fail because of internal damage or external factors such as mishandling,...

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...

The ABS brakes in a Jetta are self-adjusting for the most part. However, part of the adjustment requires that you go through a manual process so that the brakes are adjusted properly. The brake...

Repairing Buick brakes involves restoring brake pedal pressure. Low brake fluid level caused by air getting trapped in the lines is the most common problem. Since the system is not air-tight, it...

Most automobiles were manufactured with rear drum brakes during the 20th century, and these braking systems use hydraulically operated shoes to apply friction to the interior of a drum, stopping...

Thankfully, the alternator replacement in the 1987 Honda Accord does not occur frequently. The removal of the alternator in this model requires the removal of the left side constant velocity shaft...

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 fuel pump on a Ford F-150 sends fuel to the engine. However, the fuel pump will eventually wear out. Premature failure is often caused by the gas tank in the F-150 not being more than 1/2 full...

Brake-light problems on the Ford Super Duty are caused by one of a few issues. A faulty fuse, faulty wiring at the housing terminal and a blown bulb are the most common problems. Occasionally, the...

A rusty exhaust is not only unattractive, but can also lead to holes in the system. Prevention means getting off any rust that appears when it happens. This project should take about 30 minutes.

Many vehicles are built with a separate access cover for the side-view mirror. The Jeep Grand Cherokee doesn't have one; so you must remove the entire door panel to access the side-view mirror...

The air conditioner in a Chrysler PT Cruiser keeps you cool in the summer; but if you don't use it on a regular basis, you could end up with a malfunctioning unit. There are essentially three...

The 1997 Ford Taurus was manufactured with a power window regulator, which moves the glass with a small electric motor. This motor can wear out and fail. The average backyard mechanic can replace...

Troubleshooting power windows can be a daunting task. There are a variety of different ways a manufacturer can configure the controls, but the basics are all the same. All power windows use a...

Rebuilding your brake system's leaking wheel cylinders can restore them to factory performance. This a low-cost alternative to a replacement cylinder. Never use a brake cylinder hone on an...

The Honda Civic uses a double-wishbone front suspension system and pressed-in wheel bearings called hub bearings. This system is durable and light weight, perfect for the small, nimble Civic. When...

Trucks and cars get broken into all the time, and many times thieves enter find a way to break in through the door handle. If you have to replace one on a Chevy pickup truck, all it takes is about...

The function of a water pump in a Volvo 740 is to circulate coolant through the engine's cooling system to protect the engine against overheating. The water pump can be visually checked for signs...

When it comes to auto repair, costs vary according to the car part. When it comes to the timing belt, dealers and mechanics recommend replacement every 50,000 to 60,000 miles for most cars, while...

The oxygen sensor light on the dash of your Ford F-150 is actually the "Check Engine" light. Replacing the light is not uncommon because, over time, these bulbs do burn out. However, when...

In the broadest sense, rear suspension is what keeps the body of a car off the ground and the rubber on it. Rear or all-wheel-drive cars use a much more complicated setup than front-wheel drives,...

The Mazda pick up truck is manufactured with an optional air-conditioning system which uses circulated freon to cool the interior. This freon is run through several components at high pressure;...

General Motors vehicles use a window regulator for raising and lowering the pane of glass inside a door. This regulator is a mechanical lever that is actuated by a hand crank inside the car or...