Flushing a radiator is an easy task for the DIY Backyard Mechanic. Precaution should be taken mainly that the engine must be cold. Never open a radiator cap on a hot engine as it will have built up pressure that could explode out possibly causing injury. Since radiator fluid is damaging to the environment be sure to dispose… Read More »
Replacing the license plate bulbs on a 2000-2007 Ford Focus is an easy task that falls in the DIY category. Of course, of in doubt be sure to call a professional. There are 2 bulbs that can be replaced. If one is burnt out it is usually a good idea to go ahead and replace both. Tools and… Read More »
Replacing the camshaft sensor on a 2011-2017 Hyundai Elantra is an easy task that falls into the DIY category. There are 2 camshaft position sensors A and B both located next to each other. The Hyundai Elantra 1.8 Liter DOHC has 2 camshafts, so it has 2 sensors. The OBDII codes for a Hyundai with a bad camshaft… Read More »
Replacing the camshaft position sensor on a 2002-2009 Toyota Camry falls in the DIY category. Of course, if in doubt be sure to take it to a professional The camshaft position sensor is necessary for the Camry timing. When the sensor is bad the timing is off causing the car to run badly, not start, or have no… Read More »
A crankshaft position sensor on a Kia regulates the engine timing along with the plugs getting spark. The sensor tells the onboard computer (ECM) the crank position which is necessary for timing. If the ECM detects an error with the crankshaft position sensor it will give a P0335 OBDII code. What is a P0335 Crankshaft Position Sensor “A”… Read More »
Automatic Shifters are a specialty performance part that gives more control to a driver and looks cools doing it. While mainly used for drag racing they also can be used whenever more control over a vehicle is needed. If you are looking to get an automatic shifter there are many available with those below some of our favorite… Read More »
A step-by-step video replacing the fuel pump is at the bottom of the page for visual walk-through if needed. Replacing the fuel pump on a 2005-2006 Kia Spectra is a task that fall in the DIY category. Of course, if in doubt be sure to take your car to a professional. There is gas involved during any fuel… Read More »
If the starter has gone bad on your 2004-2007 Kia Spectra replacing it falls in the DIY backyard mechanic category. Of course, if in doubt take your car to a professional. The difficulty of replacing it is the location which is in a tight spot under the engine. The car will need to be up on stands or… 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 most any meter should have. Multimeter Features Used… Read More »
If you find yourself with a vehicle that the engine does not start the first things to check for is spark and gas. All mechanics will eventually find themselves with this problem and need to diagnose the electrical problem. Knowing whether an engine has spark will quickly help narrow the problem with a vehicle that does not want… Read More »
If you find yourself alone after changing out brake pads or a master cylinder and have no help to bleed them, there is few ways to do it alone. This happens to many DIY mechanics as most people disappear when its time to go to work. Luckily there are some easy options. Here are some of the options… Read More »
The maintenance light for a 2012-2017 Honda Accord comes on when basic service is needed such as an oil change or tire rotation. It is easy to shut off with a few steps. The onboard screen can be used or the speedometer method can also be done to clear the light. Using the onboard screen is the easiest… Read More »
Radiator caps can go bad and need replacing which is an easy task most anyone can do. Remember never to remove a radiator cap while the engine is hot as the cap likely is under pressure and boiling water can spray out. Only remove the cap when the engine is cold. What is the Function of a Radiator… Read More »
Vacuum leaks that give Evap codes can be a pain to find at times and cause an engine to not run correctly. 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 answer to this and… Read More »
A video is at the bottom of the page for a visual walk-through if needed. The process of locating an electrical short can be difficult and time-consuming. By using a simple test light method you can narrow your search dramatically. This process will save you time and money. Here is how to find a short on most any… Read More »
Having a good book on automotive repair can go a long way to help understand how a vehicle works. Repair manuals are good but require the fundamentals of mechanical repair to be already understood. There are many articles online that are also a good resource but can often skip subjects and leave gaps in explanations. This is why… Read More »
I recently had a 2006 Kia Spectra that had no spark and could only find limited information. If you find yourself with the same problem below is what I found. A video is at the bottom of the page for a visual walk through. If you have an OBDII scan tool for the Kia be sure to scan… Read More »
Having a good tire inflator with a built-in tire pressure gauge to see the air pressure is ideal in many situations. From having a spare tire that has deflated to airing up a bicycle tire having a good working inflator is invaluable. A 12 volt unit that can ruin from the cigarette lighter or hook directly to a… Read More »
A video is at the bottom of the page for a visual walk-through. If you have a (2005-2009) Kia Spectra that has an P2626 Error Code the O2 sensor is likely bad. Be sure to check the wiring and connections which can also cause the same error. Usually the O2 sensor will need to be replaced. Replacing the… Read More »
If an engine light comes up on your dashboard, and after using a scan tool to get the error it come up P0455 error code, there is some common fixes. This is the same for Ford, Dodge, Chevy, or most any vehicle foreign and domestic. A P0455 Code is a Evap System Large Leak Detected. Here are the… Read More »
There is a video at the bottom of the page for a visual walk through if needed. If you have a broken door handle on a 2005-2008 Kia Spectra a new one can be installed. This is a common problem the the Kia with many broken door latches. A broken door handle can be replaced by a handy… Read More »
A step-by-step video is at the bottom of the page if needed. Changing the oil on a 2005-2009 Kia Spectra is an easy task the falls in the DIY category. Of course, if in-doubt be sure to take it to a professional. Items Needed To Replace the Oil on a 2005-2009 Kia Spectra Oil 5W-20 or 5W-30 Synthetic… Read More »
Changing the motor oil on a 2012 Toyota Corolla falls in the backyard mechanic DIY category. The steps should be the same for any 2009-2013 Corolla. Usually the Maintenance Required (MAINT REQD) Light comes on when it time to change the oil. Read here for the steps to turn off the Maintenance Required (MAINT REQD) Light. Below are… Read More »
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 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 the thermostat housing as with… Read More »
An engine coolant temperature sensor (CTS or ECT) like all sensors on an engine is critical for a motor to run properly. This is a guide for testing and replacing a temperature sensor if it is bad. While every vehicle will have a different location for a sensor the basic information below will be the same for most… Read More »
Troubleshooting electrical on any vehicle can be simple but often can become complex. Having the right tools to help you find the problem can be critical to getting the job done. Keep in mind every mechanic will have their own style and method when it come to finding a problem. Some will use the simplest… Read More »
Replacing the intake air filter on a 2005-2009 Kia Spectra falls in the Do-It-Yourself category and is an easy task to do. Most car intake air filters are replaced every 15,000 – 30,000 miles. Of course, the environment will make a big difference how often it should be changed. For example, if you live and drive in a… Read More »
The AUDEW 12 Volt Air Compressor is a small unit built for portability. It uses a cigarette lighter for power and can put out up to 150 PSI of pressure. This makes it a good unit in many scenarios from emergencies to simply making sure a vehicle tires have the correct pressure. *This unit was sent to me… Read More »
If the Maintenance Required (MAINT REQD) Light comes on in your Toyota Corolla dashboard it is simple enough to reset. The Maintenance Light usually turns on to remind you its time to change the oil. The car does not know if the oil has been changed, it is a simply a reminder light that a mechanic… Read More »
How To Start a Car with a Bad Neutral Safety Switch Turn the Key to the On Position Press and Hold the Brake Put the Vehicle into Neutral Start the Vehicle There are many causes for a vehicle not to start with a bad neutral safety switch one of them. There are a few ways to see if… Read More »
A P0301 error code is a misfire that spark plug 1 is not sparking correctly. Other P030 errors point to other cylinders not working correctly for example P0302 code is spark plug 2 misfire, and P0303 would be spark plug 3. P0301 Error Code Causes Bad Spark Plug Spark Plug Wires Bad Coil Fuel Injector P0301 Error Code… Read More »
Bleeding a new car or truck master cylinder is necessary to remove any air that is in the unit. It is easy enough to do for a handy DIY type person with the right tools. Of course call a professional if in-doubt. It is best to bleed the cylinder before installing it since the rod usually does not… Read More »
I recently had to replace a 2006 Kia Spectra radiator that was leaking and so wrote this post to help anyone who has the same problem. I made a video of removing and installing it which is at the bottom of this post. The radiator was leaking at the top which at first I thought was the cap… Read More »
A leaking plastic radiator can be fixed with DIY kits or even with a soldering iron. Often when a leak is seen on a plastic radiator many think it must be replaced, when it can be repaired at home easily. Repairing a leak is an easy task that most any DIY backyard mechanic can do.   There are… Read More »
Checking the brake fluid on a 2012 Toyota Corolla is easy to do and falls in the DIY category. The 2012 Toyota Corolla’s uses standard DOT 3 Brake fluid that can be bought at any automotive parts store or online. The top of the refill cap has DOT 3 on it to verify the fliud type. If you… Read More »