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Lately, I’ve been getting questions from our #sheCANic community and friends wondering if they should buy a device to read the codes set off by the dreaded check engine light. There is so much confusion about the check engine or malfunction indicator light (MIL) that many drivers don’t understand why it is there and how it works.
Frustrated that your engine won’t crank ? Don’t worry — we’ll get your car revving into life with our breakdown of the starter solenoid replacement steps, diagnostic procedure, and associated costs. volts when the car is off). Once the mechanic determines your starter solenoid is beyond repair, they’ll begin replacing it.
An oxygen or O2 sensor keeps an eye on the air-fuel mix in your engine to boost fuel efficiency and minimize those nasty emissions. When it goes bad , your engine’s performance will take a nosedive, potentially damaging parts like the catalytic converter. This can result in engine misfiring , rough idling, and stalling.
The service engine soon light usually pops up to give you a friendly reminder that something’s off with your car. We’ll explain what a “service engine soon” light means and why it turns on, so you can identify which carpart needs a little love. This Article Contains: What Does a Service Engine Soon Light Mean?
Timely engine air filter replacement ensures your engine breathes easy and performs efficiently. So how do you replace an engine air filter? Keep reading to get an idea of what the engine air filter replacement process looks like and how much it costs. How Often Should You Change the Engine Air Filter?
Your engine is the heart of your vehicle; if it isn’t working properly, you can be sure you’re not going anywhere anytime soon. Proper engine maintenance also ensures that your engine doesn’t overheat while on the road, or cut out at an intersection. Keeping it Clean: Your engine does a lot for your vehicle.
My gift to myself for graduating as an engineer was a new car! I shop hoped or went to different mechanics or auto repair shops each time my car needed work. I didn’t have a mechanic I could trust to help me with my car and no men in my family to help (we are a family of 7 women). One I could stunt in.
Explore the possible reasons why your engine might be squealing when starting your car and how you can fix it. This Article Contains: 10 Reasons Why Your Engine Squeals When Starting Your Car Is it Safe to Drive with a Squealing Sound? How Much Does it Cost to Fix Your Car’s Squealing Noise?
Many modern tracking systems also include an immobilising feature that enables you to remotely disable the vehicle’s engine if it gets stolen. Regular Security Check-ups Like other carparts, lock systems also wear out over time. Using random objects to extract it can potentially damage the locking mechanism further.
Catalytic converters can last many years, but when they become faulty, they can lead to sluggish engine performance and even complete engine failure. Catalytic converters are important to every vehicle because they convert harmful compounds from your engine’s emissions. A horrid smell Do you smell rotten eggs?
What is Inside A Car’s Muffler and Catalytic Converter? Mufflers reduce the amount of sound out of an engine, then also slow the exhaust gas down as it travels to the back of […] Why do people delete a muffler? What about a muffler vs a straight pipe? Oh and no, it’s not a muffler bearing.
Gasoline vs diesel engine: Modern gas cars usually have one fuel pump, but diesel cars have two pumps. The more pumps your car has, the higher your part and labor costs. Pump type: Your pump type will differ based on whether you have an older or newer car. The mechanical fuel pump is costlier.
Does your car sometimes smell like a gas station or splutter and cough ? Well, your car might be struggling to breathe — all thanks to a clogged air filter. A clogged air filter can affect your engine performance, bring down your fuel economy, and damage other important carparts. But here’s the catch.
Additionally, some vehicles have the crankshaft position sensor in hard-to-reach areas, such as behind the engine or near the transmission, which can increase labor costs. OEM vs aftermarket parts: Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts are usually more expensive than their aftermarket alternatives but offer better quality.
This unassuming little device detects abnormal vibrations in your engine, helping prevent any damaging knocking sound that can lead to severe performance issues. However, like any carpart, the knock sensor can wear out over time, leading to the question: how much will it cost to replace it?
Oil in the spark plug well typically results from a leaking valve cover gasket or worn seals — issues that a mechanic can easily resolve. 3 Alarming Causes of Oil in Spark Plug Well Oil often seeps into spark plug wells due to external engine problems such as leaking valve gasket cover, worn O-rings, or overfilled engine oil.
A fan clutch is one of the unsung heroes that keeps your engine cool and road trips smooth. But if you have a bad one, it can cause everything from an overheated engine to an out-of-control cooling fan. As a result, the engine may heat up even at low speeds or stay heated for a long time — leading to engine overheating.
A fan clutch is one of the unsung heroes that keeps your engine cool and road trips smooth. But if you have a bad one, it can cause everything from an overheated engine to an out-of-control cooling fan. As a result, the engine may heat up even at low speeds or stay heated for a long time — leading to engine overheating.
The Mechanic Doctor - Resources for Amateur and Pro Auto Mechanics Starting a car on a chilly winter morning often feels like a battle in itself, doesn’t it? This system is the heart of your vehicle’s engine startup. However, just like any other machine part, these can be severely affected by cold weather.
The camshaft position sensor (CMP sensor) ensures the engine’s valves open and close at the correct times for smooth engine performance. Illuminated Check Engine Light When the camshaft sensor fails, the Engine Control Unit detects an irregularity in the camshaft’s position data and activates the check engine light.
Whether you’re a seasoned grease monkey or a curious car enthusiast, grasping the causes , symptoms, and fixes for oil on spark plugs is key to keeping your engine humming at its best. When oil has reached your spark plugs, it’s likely due to a leaking seal or an engine malfunction. But don’t panic just yet!
Finding the Cause of Part Failure Can Be Tough Sometimes, for warranty reasons, it’s essential to understand why a carpart has failed. This is because many replacement parts offer a limited warranty against manufacturer defects. We recommend checking regularly to see if your vehicle has had any recent part recalls.
Noticed a fuel smell from your engine? Well, if it’s accompanied by a rough idle and other engine performance problems, then you might need a purge valve replacement. This system traps and reroutes fuel vapor to the engine, reducing harmful emissions and improving fuel efficiency. What Is the Purge Valve and What Does it Do?
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) vs. aftermarket parts: An OEM air conditioning condenser will cost more than an aftermarket one. Additional repairs: If carparts, such as a radiator, evaporator, or any other AC component, are damaged, your mechanic will include their repair cost in the final bill.
Part It Out Yourself Having mechanical skills and time to spare enables you to earn significantly more money by dismantling your vehicle than selling it as one piece. Here’s what to focus on: Functional engine components retain high market value. The transmission stands out as one of the costliest parts to replace.
A transmission solenoid is an electro-mechanical valve that controls the flow of transmission fluid. This helps in gear lubrication and operation on automatic transmission vehicles (manual transmission cars don’t have transmission solenoids). However, this doesn’t mean you need an engine repair. It can indicate several problems.
How to Perform Transmission Shift Cable Replacement : Step-by-Step Transmission shift cable replacement requires you to access and dismantle critical carparts, like the center console , which can be tricky and time-consuming. That’s why you should get technical support from a professional mechanic.
Your best bet is to visit a mechanic. The AWD alert essentially deactivates your car’s AWD system, shifting your Honda Pilot into front-wheel drive mode. Here’s what your mechanic will do: Check the sensors and actuators: They’ll check your vehicle for a faulty O2 sensor or actuator and install new ones.
Salt used on the roads during winter is very abrasive and can cause early rusting on the outer part of the fuel tank. How to Treat a Rusted Subaru Fuel Tank You should not hesitate if you see signs of a rusted fuel tank including fuel smell, leakage, or poor engine performance. Yellow Subaru Car image credit goes to: Brandon Woyshnis.
Driving without the filter won’t impact engine performance. 4 FAQs on Cabin Filters What’s the Difference Between the Cabin Air Filter and Engine Air Filter? Driving without a working cabin air filter won’t significantly affect the engine performance. What’s the Difference Between Cabin Air Filter and Engine Air Filter?
General car maintenance includes actions such as checking your tires, changing your oil and filter, examining belts, removing battery corrosion, and more! Some are easy enough to accomplish alone, yet some require a professional auto mechanic to get it done right. That means putting it in the hands of mechanics you can trust.
Is your car squealing or has the air conditioner lost its cool? That’s your car crying for a new alternator belt. This unsung hero is a single belt that helps power key carparts, like the alternator, power steering, and air conditioning. Wondering how much an alternator belt replacement costs ?
Additional repairs: Any extra repairs, such as fixing the alternator , voltage regulator, or other carparts, can increase the overall cost. Damaged car battery terminals are ill-equipped to conduct electricity between the battery and the car’s electrical system. How Long Do Car Battery Terminals Last?
Reviving an old car can be rewarding yet challenging. But, before starting the engine, it’s crucial to clean the fuel lines , clogged fuel injectors, and gas tank. Skip these steps, and you risk complete engine failure. Refill the tank with fresh gas and crank the engine to check for proper operation.
If you don’t have adequate technical knowledge, you can get your Chevy truck to auto repair shops or call a mobile mechanic to diagnose and fix your Silverado. If your transfer case fluid isn’t dirty and is at the right level, contact a mechanic to check if your transfer case needs replacement or repair.
However, with an EHPS system, labor costs are typically higher, as the mechanic will have to inspect additional components like electrical sensors. However, some cars, like the Toyota Corolla, may use automatic transmission fluid (ATF) in their steering systems.
Like most carparts, the camshaft can wear out over time. It plays a crucial role in engine function, controlling the flow of air and fuel into and out of the combustion chambers. We’ll give you the lowdown on the expenses and some signs that indicate it’s time for a trip to the car repair shop.
The serpentine belt is the silent powerhouse of your car, driving vital engine components like the alternator and water pump. Ever wondered what happens to a car when a serpentine belt breaks? You’ll have to deal with a host of problems like a dead battery , overheating engine, and steering wheel issues. But don’t worry!
Starting a car may seem simple, but there’s more that happens under the hood to get the engine running. So, if your car won’t start , several factors could be at play. Whether it’s an empty fuel tank or a dead battery , identifying the cause is crucial to getting your car back on the road.
Corroded battery terminals interfere with electrical connections, leading to issues like dimming headlights , erratic dashboard warnings, and that dreaded click sound when you start the engine. So, the best option is to hire a professional mechanic for the replacement job. Wondering how much a mechanic can charge you for this process?
From dim headlights to unusual engine stutters , a malfunctioning alternator can disrupt your everyday commute and strain your wallet. We’ll delve into the details of alternator replacement costs, warning signs to watch for, and tips to keep your car running smoothly without spending on expensive repairs. But fear not!
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