If you own a Honda Accord and get a Check fuel Cap message, there are several fixes that can be done. This problem is usually a gas cap that is not tightened all the way on but can be other issues. Keep in mind once the problem is fixed, the car will need to be driven for a… Read More »
If you need to connect an exhaust pipe and do not have a welder, there are a few methods to get the job done. While welding joints together is often done by shops using U-bolts and other connection techniques is also wildly used. In fact, whole exhaust kits can be bolted together without welding and work just as… Read More »
If you have a 5.7 Vortec engine and it is not getting any spark, there are several things that can cause the issue. This includes the fuses, crank sensor, cam sensor, distributor, ignition module, plug wires, and rotor. With the many things that can cause a no spark issue, each component will need to be tested or replaced… 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 the message is… Read More »
The maintenance required message that displays on the dashboard of a 2019 Toyota Corolla is given as a reminder to change the oil. It comes on every 5000 miles and should have the oil changed. After the oil is changed, resetting the message is quick and easy to do. The message does not go off automatically when the… Read More »
A P1101 error code is a common problem with Chevy Cruze with several fixes. When the Chevy Cruze first starts up, the mass airflow sensor does a self-diagnostic test. If the results are out of range, a P1101 error code is given. Some scan tools will give the error as an Intake Air Flow system Performance. What is… Read More »
If your car or truck is misfiring, you may wonder how long can I drive with a misfiring cylinder. The quick answer is it varies greatly and depends on how bad the problem is and how many cylinders you have. For example, if you have an 8-cylinder engine and a spark plug wire is causing the misfire, it… 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 »
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Replacing the Upstream O2 sensor on a 2007-2012 Toyota Camry very much falls into the DIY category. Of course, always call a professional if in doubt. It is located on top and front of the engine making it easy to access. Tools Needed New 02 Sensor 10mm socket 22mm wrench Screwdriver Pliers Copper anti-seize (Usually included with Sensor)… 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 »
Resetting the Service light on a 2011-2015 Mini Cooper is easy to do. The Maintenance light can come on for a variety reasons and will need reset, mainly after an oil change. A series of buttons are pressed in the right combination of steps to reset the light. These same steps are used for other service lights that… 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 »
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 »
Having a good Portable 12-Volt DC 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 run from the cigarette lighter or hook directly… 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 »
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 »
Doing a compression test is an easy task for a DIY mechanic and can show if you have bad piston rings or valves. Bad rings or valves can cause a leak to occur around them which instead of sending a piston downward the air goes around the piston. This will give an engine a lack of power and… Read More »
If you have an engine with a compression problem you need to know if it is the vales or piston rings. This can be an issue since you may only need to pull the head instead of puling the entire engine apart. There is an easy way to find out by doing a compression test. Tools Needed Engine… 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 »
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 needed that does… Read More »
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. After reading online and asking around I found the type used is called Pentosin Power Steering Fluid 140516. Be… Read More »
If you have a 2001-2005 2.4 Liter Mitsubishi Galant that is giving a P0340 OBDII Code the Camshaft Position Sensor usually needs replaced. A bad Camshaft Position Sensor will cause a vehicle to not start at times and other times work intermittently. Camshaft Position Sensor Location The Camshaft Position Sensor is located at the back of the cylinder… Read More »
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 Oil Filter 17 mm Wrench or Socket Drain Pan Oil Filter Wrench/Pliers… 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 »
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 »
Today we are talking about wheel studs, and the tool needed to remove that stud. In this guide you will find two pieces of information. What tool you need, and a trick if you do not have the tool needed. Of course, the best way to tackle any job is with the correct tool. So first let’s talk… Read More »
Having a portable battery jump starter is a handy tool to have when a car needs a jump. It is one of those things we wish we had bought when we break down and need assistance. Personally, I like them also for times when others need a jump since I don’t like using my vehicle and jumper cables… Read More »
There are times when a vehicle battery has lost its charge and needs a battery charger to get it back to a charged state. This is an easy task to do that most any DIY person can readily get done. Things To Know About Charging a Battery. Every battery charger has a different style and buttons to charge… 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 will reset… 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 video is at the bottom of the post for a visual walk-through if needed. 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… Read More »
Replacing the air filter on a car is usually a simple procedure and can be done by almost any home do-it-yourself type of person. What is a Car Air Filter? All combustible engines need to air fed into the intake for combustion to happen. If the air fed into the intake is dirty it can scar the sidewall… 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 are times when a battery in a vehicle has such a low charge and in an emergency needs a jump start from another vehicle. This is done with jumper cables that hook to the battery on a vehicle with a good battery to the vehicle with a dead battery. Using jumper cables to jump start another vehicle… Read More »