Fluid Leaks

Auto Repair

Fluid Leaks

The first step in diagnosing a fluid leak is to familiarize yourself with the various colors of fluid used in the components on your vehicle and the color of the leaking fluid you are looking at. Knowing the color of fluid and which components use it will help to isolate the areas you will be looking at.

An example of this is the color red or pink, which is the color of the fluid used in automatic transmissions. If the leaking fluid color was red or pink, you would not be examining the engine or brake system, which have either a brown or light yellow color fluid. However in some vehicles the color of the fluids used in standard transmissions, power steering units and radiators is also red or pink.

Light or dark brown fluid can be engine oil, or differential fluid, but once again this same color not type of fluid is used in some power steering units and standard transmissions. Bright green is the color of the older type of antifreeze. A clear color fluid is usually normal water from the vehicles air conditioning unit but on some vehicles this could be the color of the power steering fluid. Brake fluid has a light yellow color and the windshield washer solvent color is dependant on the type of washer solvent used, usually blue or pink. Gasoline is an amber color fluid.

After identifying the color of fluid leaking and knowing which components on your vehicle use that color of fluid, you are ready to start your examination. Begin this process by equipping yourself with a good strong light and planning a safe way to gain access underneath your vehicle. Remember this in your search; fluid always flows down then back. Gravity will always cause the leaking fluid to flow down towards the ground, it never flows up. The wind currents under the vehicle caused by the fan and force of the air hitting the vehicle when driving will always blow the leaking fluids towards the rear of the vehicle, never to the front of it. When you begin your search, you are going to follow the trail of the leaking fluid in the reverse direction in which it flows, until you get to the component that has the color of the leaking fluid. The reverse direction of the fluid leak is forward to the nearest point front on your vehicle and then to then up to the highest point on your vehicle where the leaking component will be found.

Auto Repair

Radiator & Heater Hoses

Auto Repair

Radiator & Heater Hoses

The checking of the radiator and heater hoses is one of the simpler checks we can make on our vehicles and yet the failure of these parts remains one of the more frequent causes of mechanical breakdown.

The first inspection is to visually look at every hose clamp for signs of leakage where the hose is clamped. Tighten or replace any hose clamp that has signs of it permitting a loss of antifreeze. Next squeeze every hose with your fingers. You will be looking for hoses that are hard and brittle and may have signs of cracking. Hoses in this condition will eventually break and should be replaced before this happens. Less frequent are hoses that are too soft and will blow up like a balloon while the vehicle is running.

Auto Repair

Air Condition Checks

Auto Repair

Air Conditioner Checks

In front of the radiator on air conditioned vehicles there is a part that resembles a radiator. This is the A/C condenser. Air flowing thru these fins is what dissipates the heat from the Freon in your A/C system. One of the simplest things to check is that the fins are not blocked with dirt, bugs or bent over preventing air from flowing thru them. A gentle brushing, as the fins bend easily, and air blown from the exhaust of most vacuum cleaners or an air compressor will do a great job of cleaning the condenser. This check and cleaning should be done at least once a year to insure maximum A/C cooling.

Now check the belt that drives the A/C compressor. Checks here are to make certain the belt is not missing, cracked, glazed or loose. A missing belt could mean a part driven by the belt seized and will need to be replaced. Check the inside of the belt for cracks. A belt that has cracks will eventually break and could also be the reason why the belt was missing as previously stated. A belt that is glazed or somewhat hard and shinny are indications of a belt that has been slipping. All three of these conditions will require a new belt. Belt looseness can be checked by applying a little pressure to the belt. There should be about ¼ inch give on a properly adjusted belt. If more then ¼ inch looseness is found, the belt tension will have to be adjusted on vehicles with manual adjustments. If equipped with a belt tensioner, the tensioner will require replacing to correct a loose belt condition.

With the engine running turn the A/C system on and watch the compressor to see if it cycles on and off and the electric fan, in front of the radiator on vehicles so equipped, runs whenever the A/C compressor is running. This is how a normal A/C system is to work.

Last check is to look closely at all the visible A/C hoses, parts and connections. Any visible oil residue on any A/C hose or part is a sign of a Freon leak.

If all your checks are satisfactory, its time to see if you’re A/C system is working properly. You will need a small thermometer that can be inserted into the center duct of the A/C vent. With the thermometer in place, put the A/C settings on maximum and the blower speed on it highest settings and take your vehicle for a drive. If all is well, the air temp from the center duct should go to 50 degrees or under after driving a mile or two. Note# on extremely hot and humid days, you may have to drive a further, but the temp should be in the low 50 degree range.

Auto Repair

Vehicle Shakes When Braking

Auto Repair

Vehicle Shakes When Braking

Vehicle shakes when braking, known as brake pulsation, is caused by the brake rotors and or drums being out of round or warped.

Overheating of the brake rotors and drums are the main cause of this warping. Prolonged braking and riding the brakes will cause heat to build up quicker then it can dissipate. The slower dissipation of heat from the prolonged braking will cause the rotors and drums to warp. Changing of ones braking habits can help prevent this warping. Example, on steep down hills, maintains a safe speed with less braking by downshifting the transmission to a lower gear. Most people who ride their brake pedal do so because they are following to close.

Another cause of warping is from some of the lower costing brake pads and shoes. The materials in some of these less expensive brake pads and shoes heat up much quicker with less braking and warping will occur more easily. In the end, the cost of the repairs caused by the less expensive parts will far exceed the money initially saved.

A third cause is improper tightening sequence and torque of the lug nuts. Check the owner’s manual here for proper tightening sequence and torque.

Once the warping occurs, the only repair is machining of the warped brake rotors and drums or their replacement.

Auto Repair

Vehicle Will Not Crank

Auto Repair

Vehicle Will Not Crank

Things to check when your vehicle will not crank:

First check is to turn your vehicle head lights on and see if the lights stay bright or go dim when you attempt to start the vehicle.

If the lights stay bright the problem is with the starter or starter relay.

If your headlights go dim, you have three possible problems. A dead battery, bad alternator or loose or bad connections.

The following checks should now be made. Check your battery cables at the battery for corrosion, clean cables and attempt to restart. If vehicle now cranks, problem is fixed. Still no crank, check the other ends of the battery cables for possible loose connections, tighten as needed and attempt to restart, if vehicle now cranks, problem resolved. Still no crank, then jump start vehicle. When vehicle is running momentarily disconnect the negative battery cable. If vehicle keeps running, the problem is the battery. If vehicle stalls as soon as the cable is disconnected, the problem is in the alternator.

Auto Repair

Flat Tire Emergency Repair

Auto Repair

Flat Tire Emergency Repair

There is never a convenient time to have a flat tire. Putting the spare tire on can be dangerous, time consuming, frustrating and dirty. A lot of people don’t even know what the jack thing a ma jig looks like, much less how to use it. Here is a product that every car owner should have. It will repair your flat tire without jacking up the vehicle and get you back on the road safely in just a few minuets.

Click On The Link Below

Lil Buddy Smart Spare Tire Repair Kit

Lil Buddy Smart Spare Tire Repair Kit Repairs flat tires in just minutes! With this Kit, theres no need to jack up your car or remove the wheel . . . just inject SLiME, plug in the portable air compressor to reinflate and you're on your way! Put one of these under your seat or in your trunk so you're ready in case of emergency. Kit includes a Plug-n-Pump 300 psi DC portable air compressor that can inflate a standard passenger car tire in minutes (includes a DC plug and three adaptors to inflate balls, mattresses and water inflatables), a 16-oz. bottle of nontoxic SLiME that instantly seals punctures up to 1/4" dia., a valve core remover tool and an attractive vinyl bag.

PS: This is qiucker and less costly then being towed.

Auto Repair

Tire Wear

Auto Repair

Tire Wear

There are only three things that will cause improper and premature tire wear.

One, tires that are over inflated: Over inflated tires will cause the tread in the center of the tire to wear away faster then the tread on both outer edges of the tire.

Two, tires that are under inflated: Under inflated tires will cause both outside treads of the tire to wear away faster then the tread in the center of the tire.

This quality easy to read digital tire gauge will help in maintaining proper tire inflation and extend your tire life.

Click on the link below.

Digital Tire Guage with LED Light

Digital Tire Guage with LED Light Keeping your tires at the optimium pressure level keeps you & your family safe and saves BIG BUCKS on gas! -Large Digital Display -Wide measure range (2 ~99.5 PSI) -Multi presure unit select PSI, BAR, KG/CM2, KPA -Blue LED back light Battery: 4 x AAA (included)

The third is, suspension out of alignment or loose or damaged steering and suspension parts: One side of the tires tread, inside or outside will wear away faster then the opposite tread on the same tire. In some cases, the tiers can also be cupped all around the circumference of the tire. . Because of tools and equipment required, these repairs will have to be done by a professional repair facility

Auto Repair