A bad IAC valve will affect the idle of the engine with a high or low idle speed. It will only affect the idle of the engine but engine will run well when the gas pedal is pressed. An IAC valve is controlled by the computer and allows air to bypass the throttle body butterfly… Read More »
If you have a car or truck and think it may have low fuel pressure, several symptoms are caused by fuel delivery issues. Symptoms include long start times, rough idle, check engine light on, misfire codes (P0300-P0308), engine running lean (P0171 Code), and reduced engine power. Low fuel pressure is often described as the vehicle… Read More »
Changing the oil on the 2019 Toyota Corolla 1.8 Liter is easy to do and part of basic maintenance. Of course, if in doubt, be sure to take your car to a professional. A Maintenance Required message will display when the oil needs to be changed, which will need to be reset when done. Resetting… Read More »
If you think you have a bad clogged catalytic converter, there can be several symptoms that point to a bad unit. Common symptoms include low engine power, misfire, running rough, strange smell, and more. Symptoms of a Bad Clogged Catalytic Converter Lack of Power When a catalytic converter becomes clogged, exhaust from the engine will… Read More »
A P0301 error code is a misfire that means the number-1 spark plug is not firing correctly. Other P0300 errors point to other cylinders not working correctly. For example, the P0302 code is spark plug-2 misfire, and P0303 would be spark plug-3. If the cylinder is not firing correctly, the engine performance will be greatly… Read More »
A video is at the bottom of this post for a visual walk-through if needed. If you have a 2015-2023 Ford Mustang 5.0 and need to check the oil level, it is quick and easy to do. The hood will need to be opened to get access to the dipstick, which will show the engine… Read More »
If you have a car that when the gas pedal is pressed and you are accelerating, there is a jerking motion, this can be caused by several things. Possible causes include air intake, gas delivery, spark, timing, and transmission issues. Each category, such as fuel delivery, needs to work correctly, or it can cause issues.… Read More »
If your vehicle makes a clunking noise when you are accelerating, it can be caused by several things. Causes include bad motor mounts, universal joints, bad shocks, damaged leaf spring, and more. What is the Most Common Cause of a Clunking Noise When Accelerating? The most common cause of a clunking noise when accelerating is… Read More »
Motor mounts are necessary components that bolt the engine to the frame of a vehicle. When a mount fails, there can be varying symptoms, such as vibrations or clunking and thud noises. What is an Engine Motor Mount? An engine motor mount secures the engine to the frame of a vehicle and helps to absorb… Read More »
If you have any questions, contact me with email, Linkedin, or in the comment section below. Contact Email: [email protected] About Backyard Mechanic Writers About Bob Thomas Linkedin Profile: www.linkedin.com/in/bob-thomas-9045445b/ Repair Videos: YouTube Channel Hi, I am Bob Thomas an automotive mechanic with 30-plus years of experience. I am a contributor to several book publications and… Read More »
What Causes Fuel to go Bad? How Long Can Gas Sit Before It Goes Bad? How To Tell If Gas is Bad? Symptoms of Bad Gas in a Car or Truck What is the Best Method for Gas When Placing a Vehicle In Storage? What To Do If Gas Is In a Vehicle for a… Read More »
A bad purge valve can have varying symptoms and will need to be examined and tested to see if it has failed. The main symptoms include the engine light staying on, less fuel mileage, and failing an emission test. What is the Purge Valve? The purge valve is a component in a vehicle’s EVAP system… Read More »
If you have a vehicle and suspect it has a clogged fuel filter, there can be various symptoms. The symptoms will vary depending on how clogged up the filter has become. A clogged fuel filter will block the flow of gas to the engine, causing it to run badly or not at all. What Happens… Read More »
A PCV valve is a necessary part of an engine that allows the pressure that builds in the crankcase to be released. When a PCV valve fails, and the pressure is not released, it can cause several symptoms, such as blowing out gaskets or engine misfires. The symptoms will vary and depend on whether the… Read More »
If an engine light comes up on your dashboard, and after using a scan tool to read the error, it comes up with a P0455 error code, there are some common causes. The causes will be the same for Ford, Dodge, Chevy, or any foreign and domestic vehicle. What is a P0455 OBDII Error Code?… Read More »
How a Fuel Injector Works Symptoms of a Bad Injector Common Faulty Injector OBDII Codes How to Test if a Fuel Injector is Good or Bad Test #1: Listen for Clicking Sound Test #2: Check Injector Coil Resistance with a Multimeter Test #3 :Spray Pattern Test Test #4: Circuit Power Test Test #5: Ground Trigger… Read More »
A multimeter is a tool that makes life easier when testing electronics or wiring in a vehicle. Checking if a battery has a charge or testing the alternator are common problems that can be quickly checked with a multimeter. A good meter for automotive work will have basic requirements that almost any meter should have.… Read More »
When a fuel pump fails, it is usually tested with a fuel pressure gauge to see if it is outputting the correct PSI. While using a fuel pressure gauge is the recommended method to troubleshoot a bad fuel pump, there is an old-school method that also works. Basically, starter fluid is used to see if… Read More »
A throttle position sensor (TPS) is a necessary component in modern vehicles that sends information about the amount of gas that goes into the engine. When a TPS fails, it can cause various symptoms since the air-fuel ratio will be incorrect, which can cause the engine to run badly. What is the Throttle Position Sensor?… Read More »
If you find yourself alone after changing out brake pads or a master cylinder and have no help to bleed them, there are a few ways to do it alone. This happens to many DIY mechanics as most people disappear when it’s time to go to work. Luckily there are some easy options. Can You… Read More »
If you have a Honda with a P1456 error code, the onboard computer (ECM) is seeing an error with the Evap system. The official definition for a Honda P1456 is EVAP Control System Leak Detected (Fuel Tank System). The Evap system helps a vehicle run more efficiently and reduce emissions. When the system is not… Read More »
If you have a gas pump that keeps clicking off when you are filling up, and the tank is not full, there are three main causes. Causes include a bad EVAP vent valve, charcoal canister, or rollover check valve. Each part will need to be checked to see what component has failed. Why Does a… Read More »
A bad engine thermostat can cause several symptoms, most commonly overheating, but other symptoms can also occur. Symptoms include overheating, not warming up during cold weather, coolant leaks, and more. What is an Engine Thermostat A vehicle thermostat helps an engine heat up quickly and then helps to maintain a set temperature. It will stay… Read More »
If you have a Chevy Cruze that is overheating or has no heat, you may have an issue with the thermostat. The thermostat is a common failure on the Chevy Cruze and also one of the more easier DIY fixes. Symptoms of a Chevy Cruze with a Bad Thermostat Overheating No Heat During Very Cold… Read More »
If you have a Chevy Cruze that is is overheating, but the engine is not overly hot, the coolant temperature sensor may be bad. One way to test the sensor is to let the engine cool down and then start it up. While the engine is cool, in the first 1-2 minutes, the car should… Read More »
If you have a Honda CR-V and the “Check Fuel Cap” message comes on, there are several causes and fixes. This is a common error for a Honda CRV and is often fixable by many DIY car owners. Often Honda CRV owners ignore the message, but it can be troubleshot and fixed. Of course, if… Read More »
If you have a car that has overheated and now will not start up, it can be caused by several things. The first step is to solve why the vehicle overheated and then solve why it will not start again. How Can I Get My Car to Start After it Overheats? The first thing to… Read More »
DOT 3 and DOT 4 are commonly used as brake fluid in many cars and trucks. Both types work very well, with DOT 3 used for routine driving and DOT 4 used more in newer vehicles, or for high performance. Can You Mix DOT 3 and DOT 4 Brake Fluid? Yes, you can mix DOT… Read More »
The purge valve is a common failure in an EVAP system which often needs to be tested to see if it has gone bad. There are several ways to test the purge valve, including using a multimeter, vacuum pump, or a quick method that requires no tools. While using a multimeter or vacuum pump are… Read More »
If you have a vehicle and the alternator is charging, but the battery light stays on, there can be several causes and fixes. A bad charging system often is caused by a failed alternator, but there are other components that can cause the issue. Why Does the Battery Light Come On? When a vehicle’s computer… Read More »
Vacuum leaks that give Evap codes can be a pain to find at times and cause an engine light to stay on. Sometimes if the leak is small enough, it can often be ignored, but an engine light will come on, which is not good in many scenarios. An Evap Smoke machine is an easy… Read More »
If you have a Toyota with a P0441 OBDII engine error code, there is a problem with the Evap system. The Evap system is for emissions which keeps gas vapors from escaping into the atmosphere. What is a Toyota P0441 Code Engine Error Code? A P0441 Code is an “Evaporative Emission Control System Incorrect Purge… Read More »
The Chevy Cruze is a great car, but like all vehicle’s there are certain specific problems that can plague some models. One such problem for the Chevy Cruze is the coolant system which is notorious for having issues. From overheating to not heating at all, the coolant system causes problems for many owners. The first… Read More »
A radiator cap is a necessary part of any cooling system to not only keep fluid in but let coolant out if it becomes too hot. If a radiator cap goes bad, it can be replaced by most DIY type individuals. Remember to never to remove a radiator cap while the engine is hot as… Read More »
Any time a check engine light comes on, the onboard computer (EMC/PCM) sees an error with the engine or running gear. This includes when there is a flashing check engine light that then stops. Why Would a Check Engine Light be Flashing and Then Stop? A check engine light will come on when then the… Read More »