Auto Repair

Tool Checklist (Auto Repair)

Table 2-1 (on the following page) is a handy checklist to help you keep track of what you have, what you need, and what you think you can do without. Photocopy the page and take it to the store. (Asterisked tools are optional, but definitely worth buying. Tools with two asterisks are only for vehicles […]

Gauges and Meters (Auto Repair)

Despite the simple principles behind how an engine works (if you want the lowdown, head to Chapter 3), many auto repair tasks require fairly precise adjustments: You put only so much oil into the engine. You add only so much air to tires. You tighten some nuts and bolts only so tight. You leave a […]

Preventive Maintenance: A Monthly Under-the-Hood Check (Auto Repair)

In This Chapter ► Preventing 70 percent of the causes of highway breakdowns ► Checking the air filter ► Checking accessory belts ► Checking the battery ► Checking the radiator p> Checking hoses Checking the fluid levels ► Checking the wiring ► Checking the windshield wipers and tires We all know people who are chronic […]

Check the Air filter (Auto Repair)

Look for the air cleaner (see Figure 3-1). In carbureted engines, the air cleaner is usually large and round with a snorkel sticking out of the side to facilitate the intake of fresh air. Some fuel-injected engines also have a round air cleaner; others use a rectangular one. If you unscrew the wing nut on […]

Check the Accessory Belts (Auto Repair)

Take a look at all the belts (see Figures 3-2 and 3-3) that drive the fan, the alternator, and other parts of your car. If any of the belts “gives” more than half an inch when you press on it, you may be able to adjust it if it is otherwise in good condition. If […]

Check the Serpentine Multi-Accessory Drive Belt (Auto Repair)

In most modern vehicles, a single, long, flat drive belt (shown in Figure 3-3) drives all the engine accessories. This belt winds its way around every accessory pulley, and on the way winds tightly around a “tensioner” pulley that keeps the belt to the correct tension. In cases where it is possible to adjust the […]

Check the Battery (Auto Repair)

The battery is part of the ignition system and stores electrical current that your car uses to start. The battery also passes electricity along to the parts of your vehicle that need electricity to function. (For more information aboi; the ignition system in general and the battery in particular, see Chapters 5 and 12.) A […]

Check the oil dipstick (Auto Repair)

Oil reduces the friction in your engine and keeps it running smoothly. You should check your oil at least once a month to make sure that there’s enough oil and that it isn’t contaminated. To find out whether your car needs oil, do the following: 1. When the engine is cold (or has been off […]

Check the Hoses (Auto Repair)

To check your car’s hoses, walk around the hood area and squeeze every hose you encounter. If you find any that are leaking, bulgy, soft and squishy, or hard and brittle, replace them. Replacing a hose is easy and inexpensive. You’ll find instructions for how to do so in Chapter 14. It pays to replace […]

Check the Radiator (Auto Repair)

The radiator cools your engine and needs water and coolant (sometimes called antifreeze) to function. (Chapter 8 familiarizes you with the parts of the cooling system and how they work; Chapter 14 tells you how to flush your cooling system and do minor repairs on it; and Chapter 21 tells you what to do if […]

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →