I had a second generation 2003 Dodge Neon that had very long start times. It would crank for 5-10 seconds before it started. After reading through the forums I found that Neon’s have a Pressure Regulator which is also a fuel filter that keeps the gas pressure in lines when the car is turned off.… Read More: How to Replace a Fuel Filter / Pressure Regulator on… »
Replacing a car thermostat is an easy straight forward tack that most DIY mechanics can do. A 2000-2004 Volkswagen Passat with a 1.8 Liter turbo (1.8T) engine is no different with most able to replace it with moderate skills. Below is my experience at replacing the thermostat. The most difficult part is the placement the… Read More: How To Replace a Thermostat on a 2000-2004 VW Passat »
Being a mechanic and buying tools is a never ending process. Many think that like other trades a few tools are bought and that is it. In reality, as many beginner mechanics will find out, is that after the basic tools are bought there is always one more tool needed. Often, a tool will bee… Read More: Top Ten Must Have Tools For Mechanics »
Checking the power steering fluid on a 1998 – 2005 VW Passat is not difficult and falls in the do-it-yourself category. A special type of steering fluid is needed so be sure not to use any other fluid type. Note: Do not use ATF or generic power steering fluid. After reading online and asking around… Read More: How To Check and Add Power Steering Fluid VW Passat… »
An OBDII scan tool can read and erase engine error codes from a vehicles computer that the engine has given. A vehicle engine problem is often displayed to a driver with the dashboard engine light. Cars and trucks today all have an onboard computer (ECM, PCM) that controls the vehicles engine and will get an… Read More: What is an OBDII Scan Tool? »
OBDII WiFi adapters for cars and trucks that send information to a smartphone have become very popular. They are low-cost units that can read and clear basic engine codes like a basic standalone OBDII unit at a much lower cost. They are also simple to use with many Apps available for both Android and Apple… Read More: Review: OBDII WiFi Diagnostic Scan Tool for Smartphone Android or… »
The Launch CReader 5001 is a stand alone OBDII scan tool with a lot of built-in functions. OBDII is a set of protocols that work with most any vehicle from 1996 and newer. Besides reading the basic OBDII engine codes it also has a lot of extras such as Real Time Data and 02 Senser… Read More: Review: Launch CReader 5001 CAN OBD2 Scanner Full OBDII/EOBD Function… »
The Autel MaxiScan MS300 is a low-cost diagnostic scan tool code reader for vehicles 1996 and newer. Since it a low-cost OBDII scan tool this makes it ideal for those on a budget, just don’t expect all the extra features an expensive model would have. Pros It will display the error codes for almost any… Read More: Review: Autel MaxiScan MS300 CAN Diagnostic Scan Tool for OBDII… »
The Audew is an Emergency Power Bank with a vehicle Battery Jump Starter that is easy to store away until needed. This makes it a good unit in many scenarios from camping to simply storing away in the trunk for an emergency battery boost. It can charge smartphones and tablets over USB, and can power… Read More: Review: Audew Portable Emergency Vehicle Battery Jump Starter Power Bank »
Replacing the headlight bulb on a 2011-2013 Toyota Camry is an easy task that falls in the DIY category. There are two bulbs located inside the headlight assembly called Low and High beam. The Low beam bulb is on the outside while the High beam bulb is on the inside. Both bulbs are located behind… Read More: How to Replace Headlight Bulb 2011-2013 Toyota Camry »
Replacing a bad headlight bulb in a 2009-2014 Toyota Corolla is a very simple DIY task. Of course, if in doubt call a knowledgeable friend or a professional. There are two headlight bulbs located in the headlight assembly called the Low-Beam and High-Beam. The outside bulb is Low-Beam and the inside bulb is for High-Beams.… Read More: How to Replace Headlight Bulb 2009-2014 Toyota Corolla »
Spray On Bed Liner is very popular since it has a good look, is very durable, and falls into the DIY category. This makes it perfect for many trucks that need the bed liner protected and also look good at the same time. While a truck can be take to an auto body shop to… Read More: How To Spray On Bed Liner Into a Truck Bed… »
Replacing a Headlight Bulb on a Toyota Camry 2007-2011 is an easy task that most any DIYer can do. There are 3 bulbs with the inner one the high beam and the center one the low beam. The outer one is the turn signal. The inner and center headlight bulbs are replaced the same way… Read More: How To Replace a Headlight Bulb Toyota Camry 2007-2011 »
When a dent is so badly damaged it cannot be pulled out it must be cut out and removed. There are some cases where rust is also so bad that it cannot be repaired and it too needs cut out. If you find yourself in need of a major repair on your vehicles body! Then… Read More: How to Repair Rusted or Damaged Metal: Panel Fabricating »
The Launch 6001 is a handheld OBDII scan tool that hooks up to most any vehicle and displays the problem it is having. All vehicles built after 1996 have an OBDII port that can connect to a scan tool and give information, such as why an engine light is on. An OBD2 connector is usually… Read More: Review: Launch 6001 OBDII Code Reader with O2 Sensor Test… »
If you have a car or truck with a P0442 code, the onboard computer (ECM/PCM) is reading a problem with the evaporative emission system (EVAP). The P0442 points to a small leak in the EVAP system. Note: EVAP leaks often do not change how the car drives. The check engine light and a failed emissions… Read More: Causes and Fixes of a P0442 Code »
Testing a car or truck battery health can be done a few ways with most using a multi-meter to check the voltage. If more information is needed on the state of a 12-volt automotive battery, testers can be used which give much more information. One such unit is the TT TOPDON ArtiBattery 101 which can… Read More: Review: TT TOPDON ArtiBattery 101 Digital Automotive Battery Analyzer Tester »
The Toyota and Lexus 4.6L (1UR-FE) V8 is a popular engine and it was used from 2005 to 2023. The coil and injector numbering is the same as the cylinder numbering. Coil 1 and injector 1 are both cylinder 1. Vehicles That Have the Toyota Lexus 4.6L (1UR-FE) Engine Option 2005-2011 Lexus GS 460 (Middle… Read More: Toyota Lexus 4.6L (1UR-FE) V8 Engine Firing Order, Cylinder Location,… »
Replacing a headlight bulb on a 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 is a solid DIY job. The driver side is the easy one. The passenger side is tighter and usually needs the air box pulled for room. These steps cover the common halogen projector setup on the 2014-2018 Sierra 1500 (K2XX). If your truck has factory… Read More: How to Replace Headlight Bulb 2014 GMC Sierra »
On a 2000-2005 Dodge Neon, the engine air filter sits in a plastic airbox on the driver side of the engine bay. Chrysler’s normal schedule calls for replacing the element about every 30,000 miles. If you drive in dust, dirt roads, or heavy pollen, inspect it sooner and change it when it looks packed. This… Read More: How To Change an Air Filter for a (2000-2005) Dodge… »
The Honda 1.5L 4-cylinder covers popular family codes including the D15, L15A, L15B, and L15B7 Earth Dreams turbo. It was a popular engine and it shows up on models from the early 1980s into current model years. The coil and injector numbering is the same as the cylinder numbering. Coil 1 and injector 1 are… Read More: Honda 1.5L Engine Firing Order, Cylinder Location, Bank-1 and Bank-2 »
On a gasoline 1998-2005 Volkswagen Passat (B5 / B5.5), the fuel filter is an inline metal can under the car on the passenger side, just ahead of the right rear tire. You do not drop the tank for this job. Drop the rear undertray, swap the filter, and put new hose clamps on while you… Read More: How to Replace the Fuel Filter on a 2004 Volkswagen… »
This unit was sent to me to review with my honest opinion and results below. The Launch CReader 4001 is a basic OBD2 scan tool. It is not fancy looking, but it makes up for that with solid beginner features. I am used to nice packaging and looks on tools I buy. The 4001 looks… Read More: Review: Launch CReader 4001 Diagnostic OBD2 Scan Tool »
If you are a professional auto body repairman, using an electric sander will be unthinkable. But what if you are a do-it-yourself at home person that wants to do bodywork? Can an electric orbital sander be used to do auto bodywork? The short answer is yes they can be used. I have seen many at… Read More: What is a Good Electric Orbital Sander for Auto Body… »
On most GM and Chevy power steering pumps the pulley is press-fit on the shaft. You cannot just unbolt it and slide it off. Prying with screwdrivers or a 3-jaw gear puller often bends the pulley or damages the pump. The right specialty puller saves time and parts. I have pulled, bent, and even broken… Read More: How To Remove a GM or Chevy Power Steering Pump… »
Reading engine codes is an easy DIY job once you have a basic OBD2 scan tool. An OBD2 (OBD-II) code reader plugs into the 16-pin port under the dash on most 1996 and newer cars and light trucks. It talks to the engine computer (ECM/PCM/ECU) and shows stored diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). For a beginner,… Read More: How To Pick an Easy Engine Code Reader for the… »
On a 2005-2006 Kia Spectra, the fuel pump, in-tank filter, and pressure regulator sit in one assembly inside the gas tank. You reach that assembly from under the rear seat. You do not have to drop the tank on these cars. These steps fit the second-gen Spectra / Spectra5 with the 2.0L. Early 2004 1.8L… Read More: How To Replace a Fuel Pump and Filter 2005-2006 Kia… »
The Hyundai and Kia 2.7L V6 is from the Delta and Mu engine families (G6BA and G6EA). It was a popular engine and it was used from 1998 up to 2010. The injector numbering is the same as the cylinder numbering. On the 2006-2010 coil-on-plug engines, the coil numbers match the cylinder numbers too. Coil… Read More: Hyundai Kia 2.7L V6 Engine Firing Order, Cylinder Location, Bank-1… »
On a 2000-2005 Dodge Neon, the headlight switch is part of the multifunction switch on the left side of the steering column. That same stalk also runs the turn signals, high and low beams, and hazard switch. Fog light control is on many of these too. The same swap works on a lot of PT… Read More: How To Replace Dodge Neon Headlight Switch (2000-2005) »
The Subaru 3.6L boxer-6 is the EZ36 (also called EZ36D / EZ36R). It is a popular flat-six and it was used from 2008 up to 2019. The coil and injector numbering is the same as the cylinder numbering. Coil 1 and injector 1 are both cylinder 1. Vehicles That Have the Subaru 3.6L Boxer-6 (EZ36)… Read More: Subaru 3.6L Boxer-6 (EZ36) Engine Firing Order, Cylinder Location, Bank-1… »
Replacing a starter on a 2004-2007 Kia Spectra is a backyard DIY job. The hard part is the location, not the part itself. These photos are the US second-generation Spectra with the 2.0L four cylinder. Kia sold that body through 2009, and the Spectra5 hatchback uses the same starter layout. The older 2000-2004 first-gen Spectra… Read More: How To Replace a Starter on a 2004-2007 Kia Spectra »
The Mitsubishi 3.8L V6 is a very popular engine that was manufactured from 2003-2021. This engine can be mounted transverse (sideways) or longitudinal (straight). Bank layout changes with the mount, so match the layout for your vehicle before swapping coils. Vehicles That Have the Mitsubishi 3.8L (6G75) Engine Option 2003-2006 Mitsubishi Montero / Pajero (Third… Read More: Mitsubishi 3.8L Engine Firing Order, Cylinder Location, Bank-1 and Bank-2 »
Changing the oil in a Volkswagen Passat (1999-2005) is an easy job for the DIY home mechanic. The drain plug is not the hard part. The oil filter is, because the coolant reservoir has to come out of the way before the filter can be reached. Most Passats built from 1999 to 2005 use the… Read More: Step by Step How to Do a Volkswagen Passat Oil… »
A backup camera with night vision helps a lot when the driveway is dark and the mirrors leave big blind spots. Vans, RVs, trucks with campers, and older cars without a factory camera get the most out of these kits. Any vehicle can use one if the rear view is hard to see. Most aftermarket… Read More: Our Picks for Best Backup Camera with Night Vision »
This unit was sent to me to review with my honest opinion and results below. The Launch CReader 4001 is a basic OBD2 automotive scan tool for reading and clearing check engine light codes. It is aimed at the home DIY backyard mechanic who needs a low-cost handheld that plugs in and shows what the… Read More: Review: Launch CReader 4001 Diagnostic Scan Tool for Check Engine… »