Know More about Diagnosing Car Noise Problems
Cars can sometimes depict a wide range of noise problems, which usually implies that the car has become damaged in some way or the other. However, it can also imply that a part of the car might be malfunctioning. As car maintenance is often an expensive prospect, it can prove fruitful to try and counter such problems, before the car is taken over to the mechanic. It can thus be useful to learn and recognize the various noises made by the car, and the car consequent automobile part it is associated with. The various steps enlisted underneath can help in the diagnosis of the car noise problems:
- Chattering and knocking automobile noise emanating from the engine is often an indication of the fact that the oil level might need to be checked in the engine and added if required. It can also be the case that either the engine valves or engine cam shaft might have worn out. In the latter case, the car should be taken to a well qualified mechanic for replacement of the damaged parts.
- Backfiring automobile noise in the engine might be caused by the off timing of the ignition timing or the leakage in the related valves. These conditions also necessitate that the car should be checked by an automobile mechanic.
- In case the car shakes upon acceleration, it indicates that the car requires the usage of fuel which is of a higher grade in comparison t the current one. In case the overheating or choke sticking of the car engine occurs, it is recommended the automobile should be immediately checked out by the car mechanic.
- Screeching noise problems may also sometimes be encountered while turning the steering wheel of the car. This generally implies that the power steering belt inside the engine needs to be adjusted until it snugs upon the pulleys. This can be achieved by loosening the central nut on either pulley while adjusting the bar as well as spreading the pulleys, until the necessary stiffness is achieved. The location of the power steering belt might be an issue, but it can be easily found in manual for the car owner.
- Screeching automobile noise while accelerating usually requires the adjustment of the engine fan belt, so that it fits snugly upon the pulleys. The location of the fan belt might also be found in manual for the car owner. It should be noted that the fan belts should be usually replaced as soon as the screeching noises are detected.
- Moaning noise problems from the engine might also occur when the steering wheel is turned. This usually indicates that there is a problem in the tank of the power steering fluid.
- Hissing noises from the engine usually occur when a hose causes leakage inside the car engine. It requires immediate escalation of the issue to an automobile mechanic in order to identify and fix the leakage. Duct tape should only be used as a fix on a temporary basis.
- Squeaking automobile noise from the engine while using the brakes indicates that the brake pads as well as drums might be wearing out and would need subsequent replacement.
Avoiding Car Gear Problems
Gear problems are amongst the worst things which can go wrong in an engine. Besides being quite costly to repair, the car gears and its correction requires specific knowledge of car mechanics as the repair work might involve special tools for accessing the gears inside the engine as well as fixing the problem. In this respect, it is worthwhile to note that the gear problems do not go away on its own and cannot be fixed without external help. However, a lot of money can be saved by knowing about the manner in which the gear problems can be avoided. The various problems related to car gears are enlisted hereunder:
- Clutch Failure – In the manual transmission cars, the clutch might be the actual problem instead of the car gears. The clutches nominally last for up to eighty thousand miles, but might breakdown more quickly due to improper usage. This is because the clutch should ideally fail first before damage occurs due to the shifting as well as changing of the gears.
- Fluid Leakage – Basically, the gears are metal parts which mesh as well as grind together. As such, these parts would crunch together without lubrication and ultimately break under the engine power stress/strain. This is particularly true regarding the automatic transmissions systems, wherein the related fluid is a pre-requisite for proper functioning of the gears. Thus, the commonly associated problems with the gear fluids are mostly associated with the leaks. The primary reason behind transmission fluid leakage is that it can find its own way out of the seals, the gaskets and the hose hookups.
- Fluid Level – Another very common problem with gears is the low level of transmission fluid. Insufficient amount of fluid can causes a host of car mechanical issues. Too low or too old fluid will turn into sludge over time, along with a minimization of the viscosity benefits. This will in turn lead to unresponsive and slowly engaging gears. Below a certain fluid level, the gears will not engage at all.
Given the number of problems which can occur in reference to the car gears, it is generally advisable to carry out regular maintenance of these specific car parts. Thus, it is prudent to maintain regular maintenance schedules for the car engine, as it serves as an effective way to counter the macroscopic problem of car breakdown in a myriad number of ways. Inexpensive oil as well as fluid changes should be regularly carried out for purging the dirt and other sediments which might cause the grinding or chipping of gears. It is also highly recommended to not drive longer than the recommended distance, before sending in the car for a regular check with the car mechanic. This is because a little bit of cost savings might result in significant wear as well as tear damage to the transmission system. Additionally, maintenance checks can allow the car mechanic to unearth and solve gear problems, before it translates into bigger problems. The bigger problems also entail bigger costs, and thus it can prove worthwhile to send the car for regular preventative check-ups.
Solving Car Overheating Problems
Engine overheating generally serves as an indicative of other problems in the car, such as the decrease of coolant level due to leakage, a stuck closed thermostat, a broken cooling fan or a blocked radiator. Irrespective of the reason behind the overheating problems, the car should be necessarily turned off before the car does any damage at all. Consequently, the following steps should be followed:
- The turn signals as well as flashers should be put on for indicating that the car is being pulled off the road.
- As soon as the problem is detected, heater setting as well as heater blower should be kept at high level, for diverting the heat away from the car engine. However, this solution might only be of help if the overheating problems occur due to the broken fan or the fan belt. After finding a safe parking place on the roadside, the car should be pulled over and the engine should be turned off.
- The hood should be opened next for check the level of coolant in the plastic reservoir tank. However, it should be kept in minds that the radiator cap should not be opened under any circumstances when the car engine is overheated. This is because overheating problems might leave the radiator under high pressure and the hot coolant may cause very serious burns. Some cars also have pressurization inside the plastic coolant tank also. Thus, it might require at least twenty minutes for cooling, before the same can be opened for adding extra coolant.
- In order to counter engine overheating, a funnel should be used for adding coolant into the plastic reservoir, if its level is well below the recommended low line. Appropriate time must always be given for the overheating problems to subside and the car engine to cool down, before opening the cap of the radiator. Consequently, an experienced car mechanic should be called right away for finding and repairing the leakage.
- However, if the engine overheating is not due to the low coolant level, a more complex cooling system problem might be the problem and thus a tow truck should be called under these circumstances. The temperature gauge should be checked periodically for making sure that it does not turn into red.
- To minimize the possibility of engine overheating, the regular maintenance of the same should be carried out. The coolant should also be changed on a periodic basis for minimizing the car overheating risk. The belts as well as the hoses should also be checked from time to time. The car should also be taken to a mechanic, for checking any possibility of leaks, in case the level of the coolant remains low consistently. It should also be noted that the coolant is generally an equal ratio mixture of antifreeze as well as water, but it is not wrong to add only one or the other into the plastic coolant tank.
Understanding and Diagnosing Carburetor Problems
A carburetor is a pivotal part of the automobile engine, which is responsible for the combination of both, the air as well as the fuel into a pre-proportioned mixture, which is subsequently sent into the engine of the automobile for burning and creating engine power. Faulty as well as malfunctioning carburetor can lead to a myriad number of car engine problems, most of which would directly affect the air and the fuel delivery into the car engine. The various problems associated with the automobile carburetor are enlisted below:
- Black Exhaust Smoke – In this case, the car emits black and dark exhaust smoke from the tail pipe. This implies that the car is normally experiencing carburetor problems. As the carburetor is solely responsible for creating the appropriate balance between air as well as fuel, the resultant mixture only flows into the automobile engine for further ignition. If the automobile carburetor allows excess of fuel and inadequate air to mix before flowing into the into car’s engine, the black and sooty smoke normally comes out as a result from the exhaust pipes.
- Hard Starting Condition – It is described as a condition wherein the car cranks yet fails to start at all. This is often a clear indication of serious carburetor problems. This situation generally occurs when the carburetor choke gets stuck in an open position or fails to open in an adequate manner during the initial ignition and starting. In such cases, as the part is itself responsible for cold starting the engine, the car may be quite tedious to start or not start at all. Stuck carburetor chokes are very common problems, which often prevent the automobile from being started at all.
- Stuck Engine Idle – The period for which the engine of the car normally stays idle, depends on the temperature of the automobile engine, while it is in service. During the period when the engine is cold, idling time is generally higher in order to facilitate the engine warm-up. However, when the engine is warm, the idling time drops. If the idle in the engine either gets stuck at the same single speed or fails to change at all, it is usually indicative of carburetor problems related to the carburetor idle solenoid, in most of the cases.
- Rough Engine Idle – The malfunction of the automobile carburetor can impact the engine idle of the car in a negative manner. By causing due interference in the air/fuel mixture of the engine, the engine idling speed as well as the fuel flow might change considerably. Carburetor problems can thus cause the engine idle of automobiles to become choppy as well as irregular, which in many instances might lead to the shutting down of the car.
- Engine Missing – The misfiring of the automobile engine can often occur due to a faulty and malfunctioning automobile carburetor. The engine miss usually occurs owing to faulty or irregular type of engine combustion. As the carburetor restricts the flow of the air and the fuel into the cylinders of the car engine, resultant engine combustion might get compromised and lead to situation which might cause an automobile engine miss.
Diagnosing Automatic Transmission Problems
In order to understand the basic operation of the automatic transmission systems as well as the key components contained in them, it is pivotal top know about some major terms associated with it. The Torque Converter is a mechanical as well as fluid coupling, which connects the engine and the transmission, while acting like the clutch pedal of the standard shift vehicles. The ramping up of the speed ramps leads to spinning of the converter, which further results in the multiplication of the torque owing to the turbine unit design. More often than not, a one -way or sprag clutch is itself used in as a torque converter. Over-spinning of the converter results in increased output as well as efficiency. The decrease in engine speeds results in slowing down of the converter spinning, which must consequently catch up or completely stop, so that the engine might be driven again. Some of the major transmission system problems are enlisted below:
- If the sprag clutch in the automatic transmission system, which is used with the converter, becomes defective, it would not allow the car to go into the low or the reverse mode. If the automatic transmission fluid is fully clean, the problem can be diagnosed by removing the converter and the transmission. The tab inside should be turned with the help of a screwdriver, while the spline is wedged using another screwdriver. If it does not spin freely in one direction, while holding up firmly in the other direction, the converter is in a faulty condition.
- If the transmission system problems cause the automobile to not move at all, the pump pressure might be the plausible underlying cause. Although this problem is rare, as most of the pumps are reliable in nature, a quick check might be conducted by loosening the transmission cooling lines while subsequently starting the engine. A normal pump would spray the fluid under fairly high amount of pressure. However, if the gusher of the fluid is not seen, the pump may be diagnosed as the root cause of the transmission system problems. The transmission filter might also be checked after removing the service pan as a plugged filter can also cause the problems of low pressure.
- Another one of the common transmission system problems is the delayed shifting or the harsh shifting. It might occur sue to the sticking valves inside the valve body or the shift solenoids. The newer breed of automatic transmission has been designed to be computer controlled as they utilize electro magnets for engaging or disengaging shift valves. However, the older transmissions might make use of a valve body. In some of the really old transmission systems, modulator valves might also be used instead of the throttle valves, which rely on the engine vacuum in order to determine the load values. The load values are themselves balanced against the speed or the governor values, for determining the shift points. The computer-based electromagnetic valves have the ability of engaging and disengaging based upon the computed engine values, which in turn simply determine the precise value of the shift points.
- Mechanical failure might also occur sometimes at the gear strips. The same can be diagnosed by looking for the metal shavings, the metal chips or the bronze-colored bushing material. If any of the aforementioned parts are found, the car might have to be overhauled for repair.
Troubleshooting Car Starter Related Problems
Troubleshooting the car related problems is often not an easy task at all as the car engines are generally very complex in nature. However, it can always prove worthwhile to know about the exact car problems which are being faced, before taking the car to an automobile mechanic. Additionally, one can even save money if the car related problems are small and can be repaired easily without the help of a car mechanic. The various steps enlisted underneath outline the exact method of troubleshooting the car starter problems:
- As with most of the car related problems, the first step is to always check if the car battery working correctly and is fully charged. For the same purpose, one can turn on the headlights and check whether they are working correctly and radiate adequate brightness. However, even if the headlights turn on and are of the usual brightness, the car battery is definitely not an issue at all.
- It can also prove worthwhile to check the voltage level of the battery by using a voltmeter whose two leads are connected across the car battery terminals. The fully charged car battery will always give a reading of 12.5V, whereas a dead car battery will always read lesser than 11.8V.
- The dimming of idiot lights should also occur when the car is started. Under normal conditions, it indicated that the ignition switch is functioning properly.
- The next step is to find the car starter solenoid in the car engine, which consists of two post electrical connectors at its rear. Consequently, the transmission should be put in neutral in addition to putting the parking brake on.
- A pair of the insulated pliers should be drag across the post terminals, after grasping the pliers by their rubber handle. The sparks would be consequently seen but the tool should be held in place until a fine connection is made between the two terminals. This step would effectively connect the car battery to starter motor and bypass the solenoid. It should be observed whether the starter motor starts spinning, but without starting the engine. However, if the car starter motor does not spin or shows some related problems, it needs to be replaced.
- The last step for evaluating this type of car related problems is to return the car transmission to the neutral position in addition to turning the car parking brakes on. Once the preliminary steps are completed, one should notice the heavily braided wire, which connects the solenoid to the starter motor. Consequently, the positive lead from the voltmeter should be connected to the braided wire while grounding the negative lead at the same time. Subsequently, the ignition key should also be turned to start the car engine. Any other measurement on the voltmeter other than 12V would indicate that the solenoid isn’t activating properly and is thus not sending the requisite power to starter. The solenoid in this case is defective and requires removal and replacement.
How to Select the Best Car Navigation System
- It is not an uncommon situation wherein one often settles behind the wheels of the car, without really knowing the exact way to get to the destination. However, such scenarios have now become a thing of the past, owing to the Global Positioning System, which serves as a car navigation system. It can aid by showing as well as telling the driver about the possible routes to the desired destination. The products using the Global Positioning System rely on a number of satellites in order to determine the current location of the user. The various steps involved in selecting the best automobile navigation system are stated hereunder:
- The first step involves deciding upon the frequency with which the car navigation system would be intended for usage. The inexpensive systems can be simply plugged into the cigarette lighter of the car and can even be small enough to be easily stored in the glove compartment. However, such systems are not generally recommended as they are not user-friendly.
- It is also important to consider the car layout as a factor in deciding upon the right navigation system. Some of the systems also come with a small monitor which displays the map, and is generally installed onto the dashboard. It should be kept in mind that this installation might block the air vents or restrict passenger entry and exit from the vehicle.
- A system which features numerous ways of getting to the destination should be preferably selected. The options which are included can be based upon the address, intersection, personal address book and location, all of which can be selected from the map.
- The system should also preferentially give both the vocal and the graphical directions. Moreover, the systems maps displayed on the monitor should also have arrows which indicate the turning direction and the current position of the car with respect to the destination. Some of the other systems might also make use of the head unit and the radio, in order to show the street name, on which the car is travelling make a turn or on which the car is traveling.
- Another desirable feature in the car navigation system is that should be inclusive of the data related to point of interest. Most of the Global Positioning System units nowadays include the locations of the airports, banks, restaurants and hotels, amongst a host of the other sites, which might be of interest to the user.
- The car navigation system should also have the feature of updating the data related to point of interest from time to time. Installation time should be considered as a constraint only if one is working on a really tight budget. This is because the systems which rely on monitor-based maps are comparatively more complicated and might take a long time to install, in comparison with the other system types.
- Once the various required specifications are identified for the Global Positioning System, the prices of the different available units should be compared. Most of the retailers also offer demo units inside the stores, which can be suitably tested before buying a product, which meets all the requirements to the maximum extent.
Know More about Changing Car Batteries
The procedure of changing a car battery may seem to be tough at the first glance, but it is something which can be done by most people, by just following a few simple steps. Indeed, the hardest part of the whole procedure is usually lifting the automobile batteries out of the car, after they have been disconnected. Moreover, that step is only difficult because of the automobile batteries, which are generally bulky in size, shape and weight. In addition, it should be noted that most of the automobile batteries come equipped with warranty periods of approximately sixty months. Thus, it can be a good idea to keep due track of the battery’s life as well as replace the same, before it causes one to be stranded in the middle of the road. The various steps involved in changing a car battery are stated hereunder:
• The first step of changing a car battery is to turn the engine off and popping the hood to determine the exact location of the battery. The black or the negative cable should be then detached from the car battery before loosening the terminal nuts using the combination wrench. Moreover, the battery pliers or the battery wrench should be used if possible, instead of the combination wrench.
• The battery cable should be twist as well as pulled up from the one end in order to loosen it. However, if it doesn’t part easily, it might prove more sensible to purchase the battery terminal puller tool from a local store of auto parts. This step will not only help in preventing damage to the automobile batteries and their cables, but will also prove pivotal in averting the breakage of the battery terminals, which might occur if the screwdriver is utilized as a pry-bar.
• The positive or the red battery cable should be detached next from the car battery by using the aforementioned method. The combination wrench or the socket and ratchet should be also utilized in order to remove the hold-down clamp of the car battery.
• After the above steps are complete, the battery should be removed from the battery tray. As the batteries are often heavy and bulky, they should be grabbed from the bottom by making use of both hands. However, if the handle is present along with the car battery, it should be used whenever possible.
• Baking soda should be mixed with water, before utilizing the same for the removal of corrosion from the car battery tray as well as the battery hold-down clamp using a wire brush.
• The cable connectors of the battery should also be cleaned with the wire brush prior to placing the new car battery in the hold-down tray. It should also be consequently secured using the hold-down clamp. The terminal ends should also be sprayed with the anti-corrosion solution, if possible. The last step of changing a car battery is to re-attach as well as tighten the positive and the negative battery cables, before ensuring that all the cable connections are completely tight.
Know More about Replacing Car Headlights
Due to the limitations on the number of working hours, the various bulbs in the car head lamps often get burned-out. Cars basically have any one of the two popular designs – Some of the cars only require replacement of the smaller halogen bulb present inside the larger glass head lamp, whereas the relatively older cars require the inner bulb as well as larger head lamp to be replaced together, as they form one complete piece. For replacing car headlights, the following steps should be followed sequentially:
- Firstly determine the type of the bulb which is being used in the car before replacing car headlights. This can be achieved by opening the hood and looking behind the head lamp. A small and plastic knob on the backside of the headlamp generally implies that the replacement of the small halogen bulb is required. However, in case the headlamp is compound type, a thin metal band should be visible around the headlamp exterior. In this case, the specific procedure should be followed for replacing the entire head lamps.
- In case of the detachable halogen bulb, the black knob should be unscrewed and pulled out by pushing and turning. The halogen bulb, due to its attachment to the knob will also come out alongside automatically.
- The older bulb should be removed and the new one should be put in its place. However, the outside glass of new halogen bulbs should not be touched with fingers as the oil existing on the fingers might ruin the halogen bulb and thereby result in its complete burn out.
- The knob should be screwed in place and the new halogen bulb should then be backed into the headlamp. Subsequently, the head lamps should be tested by turning them on.
- In case, the headlamp is of the integrated type, the procedure of replacing car headlights is a tad bit different. It should be initially understood that the thin metallic band encircling the all-in-one-piece type of headlamp holds it in its right place. Moreover, such a type of car headlamp often has a three pronged connection on the rear of the headlamp, which is generally covered by a rubber piece.
- The two or four screws, which are small as well as short in size, and hold the metal band at the back of the headlamp should be unscrewed. They should however not be confused with the much longer adjustment screws.
- After securing the screws in a safe location, the metal band should be removed such that the headlamp should consequently hang in a limp manner.
- The rubber covering should be pulled back and the headlamp should be unplugged from the back itself.
- The new headlamp should be put in place of the previous one and plugged in the right manner. The rubber cover should also be put up back over the various connections again.
The metal band should also be put back on and the small screws should be screwed back into their holding position, before testing the head lamps by turning them on. Thus, the procedure of replacing car headlights can be completed in a simple and easy manner.
How to Remove Car Windshield Scratches
The debris on the roads may often cause scratches as well as chips on the windshield of the cars. In such cases, the typical reaction of people is the initial inclination of getting the windshield altogether replaced. However, given the high cost of a car windshield, this might not be the most reasonable prospect and on the contrary may prove to be an unrequited expenditure for many people. Instead, it is a better idea to make use of various products available in the market, in order to aid in removal of the scratches, in a more economical manner. The various steps involved in the scratch removal from car windshields are outlined hereunder:
- Preliminary tests should be performed on the car windshield in order to determine the location of the various scratches. In order to achieve the same, the fingernails can be used to find the exact locations wherein they catch onto the scratch. In case the scratch is considerably deep, it might not be repairable. However, if the fingernail does not get caught onto the scratch properly, it might be plausible buff it out using glass compounds and the variable speed drill.
- The next step in order to perform scratch removal is to thoroughly clean the entire car windshield. It should be made sure that there are no unwanted elements like dirt, oil as well as debris, on the part which needs repairs.
- Any good glass rubbing compound available in the market should be selected for the purpose of scratch removal. Moreover, they are often also available with the glass repair kits, which can be purchase online or from the local automotive shops.
- The buffing pad should be positioned on the variable speed drill and a small quantity of the chosen glass compound should be applied on the pad. In order to remove the scratches form the car windshield, soft pressure should be applied for few minutes while working the compound onto the scratched car windshield surface in small and circular motions. It is pivotal to note that the area of the windshield which is being worked upon should be kept wet at all time, while carrying out the scratch removal procedure.
- The area of the windshield where the scratches or the chips are being removed should be intermittently cleaned using a clean woolen rag. Consequently, a small amount of the glass polish should also be applies on a fresh buffing pad after the cleaning process is completed. The pad should be appropriately positioned in the correct place on the drill. The polish should then be worked onto the various scratches while only making use of soft to slightly moderate pressure. The process should be continued and repeated until and unless the scratch gets removed.
The option of replacing the windshield should only be considered, if the process of removing the scratches does not yield the required results, and the same remain markedly visible on the automobile windshield.