This Cold Weather! Please Get a Tune-Up

I have had so many calls these past few months from friends and relatives wanting to know if I had time to look at their cars! Most of them were having problems with their service engine soon or check engine lights coming on. This last car was a 2000 Ford Triton SUV V-8 motor. These engines are very hard to work on because of their height and how the motor is positioned in there. I suggested she take it to a local shop for further diagnostics and it was to cold to do anything to it!

Well I didnt have the heart to turn her away after she told me she didnt have the time to take it in. I was in luck because this was an easy one. My pocket scanner pulled up a code for number 6 cylinder misfire. I pulled the spark plug out and found it was corroded with moisture and rust. That specific type of motor has a external coil located at each cylinder along with a boot to cover the sparkplug. After replaceing it she was on her way! She insisted on paying me but I couldn't take any money for somthing that simple.

One other vehicle was my brother in law's van. It died on the highway! After a few simple tests I determined his fuel pump went out. I banged on his gas tank to give the electric pump a jump and he was on his way. I told him banging on his gas tank will only work a few more times if he is lucky!

Im beginning to think about charging these people somthing, especially with the cold weather outside! ha ha
I'm not sure right now. Maybe in the future.

These newer cars require at the least minimum a Pocket scanner and a Digital Voltmeter to diagnose them. I can remember when it was a wrench and a screw driver! Happy Driving!

Talking To Your Mechanic Tips!

Usually the first question that comes up is, "WHAT TYPE OF CAR DO YOU HAVE". This information gives the mechanic a quicker evaluation of your problem. With this he will began to evaluate the condition of your vehicle. It would be even more helpful if you had your vehicle's Year Make and Model. An added bonus would be if you had your Engine Size handy. This can be found on the schroud above the fan or on the hood it self. The mechanics will have to double check this while doing the repairs anyways so dont worry to much.

A dishonest mechanic can use this first conversation with you to determine if you are aware of your vehicle's information. Their thinking is if you dont know your vehicles year make and model and engine size then you don't know really whats under your hood. So if all possible, have this information stored where you can have access to it when needed, like either your computer, laptop or your cell phone. Believe me the more knowledgable you seem concerning your car the less likely you will be ripped off!

In one of my earlier blogs I mentioned to ask to see your old parts when they are finished. Even know you dont know what your looking at, this gives the mechanics a sence that you are a very careful shopper!

If you haven't got your own pocket scanner from Amazon you should plan on getting one real soon. I used it already 3 times in the past 3 months! Once for my car and 2 other times looking at friends and families vehicles. Somthing about the weather change brings on all kinds of car problems. Being able to bring in your own codes to your mechanic also shows him you care about your car and less likely to be scammed also.

So input your vehicles information some wheres so you can have it handy! Happy Driving!

Routine Car Services Will Save You Money

I was just sitting here wondering how much money I saved over the years working on my own car. Especially performing routine services such as oil changes. My usual routine is to order my parts for the oil change and go home and do it. I would buy the same old oil and filter by remembering their part numbers. Then proceed home and grab the same sized wrench, crawl underneith, drain the oil, change the filter then tighten up the drain plug. Its finished in less than 5 minutes! I just saved my self another $25!
Of course while I was waiting for the oil to drain I would give the underneith a quick visual. I would look at the exhaust pipes, inside tire wear, leaks of any kind, and grease the 2 lube zerks I had from the factory. Remember most newer cars come from the factory with no zerks to lube. (my thinking behind that is to have your suspension components go bad earlier than what they were designed for so you can return to the dealer for New tie rod ends, ball joints, pitman arms and idler arms etc.)

Anyways back to the point here. If you have a routine for your car repairs such as oil changes, fuel and air filters, belts and hoses and fluids, then you will be able to complete your repairs without even realizing how much money you are saving along the way!

Keeping your part numbers and vehicle information handy is a time saving task. I was tired of being asked My year Make and Model along with my Engine size before getting to my parts. So now I have created my own folder on my desktop with all this information along with others. Such as my vehicles Vin. number.(vehicle identification number)  I found if you walk into a parts store with just your Vin. number they can tell alot of things about your car from that. Perhaps even the color of your car as well as how many doors you have. Maybe even who has all been in your car for the past 30 days! ( I think im stretching it a little bit here now)

One of these days I will slow down enough in my life to figure out on paper the exact amount of money saved. In the mean time check out Amazon's Parts Finder section and get the right parts you need to complete your routine car repair services! These guys are great and know their PARTS!

Happy Driving!

Electric Fuel Pumps Continued………

Electric Fuel Pumps Continued………

I just saved $240 over this past snowy weekend using my own Blog here! That was cool! The tips on price markups came in handy. So actually I paid no parts markup. Also I received a couple estimates which were very far apart from each other. Because of major back problems and the recent snow storm we received here, I wasn’t about to crawl around in the ice and snow with the slush pulling off my gas tank to replace my fuel pump inside. Lol

What happened here was after I backed into a snow bank it some how knocked out my internal electric fuel pump. The first thing I did was to check the fuse and fuel pump relay. They seemed to be working. So I used my ole trusty friend the digital volt meter which you can find here on the swinging carousel by amazon.com. It’s a pretty simple test really! I put the positive end of the volt meter in the connection at the fuel pump and found I did have the required 5 volts to operate the pump. That’s a pretty quick test! Of course you also have to make sure your ground wire to the pump is good

I then called around and got a few estimates and asked their shop hourly rates. I informed them I know the part is around $299. One shop told me the parts and labor was going to be around $750 plus tax! This other shop was great! He let me bring in my own part and he just charged me 2.5 hours to pull the tank and replace my pump! So actually, more money was saved fixing my car.

Stock up on these Digital Testing supplies and you to can be saving hundreds if not thousands on your car repair. Happy Driving!

GET OTHER ESTIMATES IF POSSIBLE

I just had a visit from my cousin the other day who was having car problems. On a zero degree day she asked me to go and listen to a noise her car was making. I said sure no problem. I couldn’t do much because of the weather and that day I forgot my tool box. I usually never leave home with out them.



Well anyways just popping the hood and starting her car I heard a really bad grinding noise coming from one of the pulleys driven by her serpentine belt. Normally I would of pulled the belt off and manually spun all the pulleys until I found the one making the noise. But without the tools, I could only guess of where the noise was coming from, which was the compressor.



I advised her to get it to a shop and have it checked out ASAP.

She then told me I was right diagnosing the noisy compressor. She said the mechanic told her she needed a New compressor costing around $1,200.00.



I never bothered to ask her if she got a couple more estimates. In my opinion, they should of given her at least a few different options such as, by passing the compressor with a kit which would of cost her around a couple hundred dollars until she had the money saved up. Or, I was wondering if the compressor clutch, just needed replaced since that was where the noise was coming from.



I also wondered if they realized she was a single mother raising two children by herself ,couldn’t possibly come up with that amount of money all at once. I just only wished I was there to hear their sales pitch!



So if you can, ask about other options available and always get at least 2 other opinions!

Happy Driving!

THROTTLE POSITION SENSORS

Nearly all post 96 vehicles use a throttle position sensor.TPS sensors are normally mounted on the throttle body with the throttle plate shaft running into the sensor. As the gas pedal is pushed, the throttle plate opens, rotating the sensors internal variable resistor. Position Sensor varies (normally increasing), signaling the rate of throttle opening as well as throttle position. The computer uses this information to adjust fuel trim, which is the amount of time the injectors are open , delivering more fuel.


Most throttle position sensors have at least 3 wires. These are for a 5 volt reference, a return line and the actual TPS voltage line. With your own digital volt meter you can actually see the 5 volt reference change as you open and close the throttle shaft. This should be checked with the key on and engine off. Use and appropriate wiring diagram and always verify correct base voltage before sweeping the gas pedal. Any erratic dropping or spiking voltage indicates a concern. Remember to check and pierce the return wire and watch the voltage going back to the computer. You should also check while tapping and heating the sensor if you have a possible intermittent.

Possible symptoms of a faulty TP sensor include hesitation or stumble on acceleration or tip in, a dead spot in the throttle, rough idle or service engine soon light with related codes. Some older style throttle position sensor are adjustable, but most newer style sensors are fixed position. Base TPS voltage readings are critical for proper fuel trim operation so always use your scan tool or multimeter to check for a good setting. Like I said before, these can be purchased through Amazon on the Caracal Link to the right! A loosely mounted sensor will create erratic symptoms including rough idle, and hesitation so check this as well. If you are planning on doing some of this minor repair engine control system testing plan on purchasing your own Code reader, Digital multimeter and possibly your own scan tools from Amazon!



Happy driving!

AUTOMOTIVE OXYGEN SENSOR REVIEW

It's rare that a repair for a check engine light can be fixed simply by resetting it or disconnecting the battery. The dreaded light will return! Don’t be mad however, the light is only the messenger. It is simply doing it’s very important job letting you know that your vehicle isn’t operating at top efficiency....and this is a good thing! But keep in mind like I said in my earlier post, Your car’s computer can still receive a false reading and turn on your “Service Engine Soon” light. But after resetting it with your Amazon Code Reader, if it returns, then you should have your car diagnosed at a repair shop.


The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL), is not only for the vehicles emission system as some techs would have you believe. This light informs the operator when there is a problem anywhere in the vehicles Electronic Engine Control System. This system basically includes all sensors, solenoids, valves, actuators etc. that your vehicle needs to operate correctly. As I'm sure you’ve concluded, this system is huge, and can include both engine and transmission concerns.

This is where you come in! With only a few basic tools, a little patience and some mechanical aptitude you can pinpoint and repair most of these concerns yourself.



The next few Posts will include a quick review of how the most common Sensors can be reviewed, identified and possibly fixed!



I want to start of with the Oxygen Sensor. This Sensor reads the amount of unburned oxygen coming out of your exhaust pipe. The computer then uses this reading to balance the fuel mixture. As oxygen content in the exhaust increases (known as a lean condition) the sensors voltage reading decreases. This signals the computer to increase the amount of fuel the injectors are delivering. In turn the oxygen content in the exhaust decreases (known as a rich condition). The oxygen sensor voltage increases as a result of this richening, and the computer reacts by reducing fuel flow. As fuel quantity decreases we return to a lean mixture, and sensor voltage drops. This process repeats for as long as the engine is running. This continuous feedback loop is the heart of the fuel control system. If your car is running real bad such as a bad spark plug wire, this can affect the oxygen sensor reading going into a lean condition causing your light to come on! In this case, take your car to a mechanic. But if your car seems to be running smooth and your light comes on Then I would suggest using your Amazon Code Reader to clear the code and see if it comes on at a later date.



Now some people will retrieve an oxygen sensor code from their code readers and replace the one which showed up bad. Now 50% of the time this procedure will work and all you have to do is replace the sensor then turn off the light with your code reader and your car is fixed! But as I stated before, if the darn light comes back then go to your mechanic with your retrieved code and inform him you already replaced the oxygen sensor. That will save you money from being ripped off and your letting the mechanic know you have some knowledge of the problem at hand. He will then think twice about scamming you! It will also save you a couple hours worth of labor diagnostic time he will charge you. Oxygen Sensors should be changed out every 60 to 100,000 for better performance and increased gas mileage. After that amount of mileage your Oxygen sensors get slow and sluggish reporting inaccurate readings to your onboard computer.

ACTRON CP9125 POCKET SCAN CODE READER!

I just found out Amazon.Com offers the public now their own pocket code readers! Let me tell you a little bit how these work and how these will save you money now and in the future!



Some shops charge over $200 to retrieve your code and then just turn off your "CHECK ENGINE OR SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT". That’s it! That simple. Now if you can buy your own pocket scanner and do it your self each time your “check engine light” comes on, you already did the work and you know what number code to give to the mechanic. You just saved $200! After you retrieve the code then you hit the reset button and the light goes off again. Its that simple.
The reason they charge you so much for this quick test is they invest 6 0r 7 thousand dollars in a expensive scanner which does the following and a lot more and they also have to pay the mechanic to perform this small procedure. Their scanners do the same thing as this pocket scanner as far as extracting a code and resetting it. So if you walk or call in your codes retrieved from your pocket scanner you save yourself some valuable time and a lot less worrying.
You will have an idea what is wrong before going to a mechanic, and avoid being ripped-off! If you do your own repairs, you can avoid buying costly parts you don't really need.


After reading out the error codes, you can use that information to fix your car and turn off the check-engine light easily using the ACTRON CP9125 POCKET SCAN CODE READER





After fixing the original cause of the problem, your car may still stay in "limp" mode. In other words, it won't run right because it still "remembers" the problem. Using the ACTRON CP9125 POCKET SCAN CODE READER

to clear the errors and the check-engine light restores the car to normal operation after carrying out your repairs.



If the light wont erase itself then you have what they refer to as a "hard code". And you should consult your nearest auto mechanic. A lot of times you will have an intermittent problem of which your cars computer will pick up and turn that light on unexpectedly. You can then erase it yourself and turn off the light. If the same code reappears within a few days then you should take your record of codes to the auto repair shop and discuss that code or codes with your auto mechanic. It’s the new way for a do it yourselfer to save money these days.

So click on the Amazon Link code I placed on this Post and get yours today! These little gadgets also makes great gifts for friends and family members who it seems are always having car problems! I have one in my own glove Box! These are great to have at your finger tips! HAPPY DRIVING!

CAR MAINTANCE TIPS - FILTERS

Filters: In order to keep your vehicle running and out of the automotive repair shops, have your filters checked regularly. Check your owners manuals for when its time to change them. If your like me, I sometimes forget to follow the directions because of so many maintance schedules they have out there.



I would say the most important filter to remember to change is the gas filter. I worked in a car dealership a few years and seen a car with only 14,000 miles come in and have a plugged up fuel filter! The gas filter can cause a lot of problems if not changed on a regular basis. For instance, power , performance, and bad gas mileage can and will occur. The worst thing that can happen is your car will not start. It can also cause premature fuel pump failure! The cars today average around $500 to $1,000 to change out a bad fuel pump which in most cases is located in your gas tank. The plugged up fuel filter will increase the amperage to the pump which gets hot and will go bad after awhile. So please have your fuel filter changed out at least every 15 to 20,000 miles to be on the safe side.





There isn’t a way to check them other than pulling them off and try to blow through them. I don’t recommend you doing this unless you want a mouthful of gas! You can expect to pay around $60 to have one replaced depending how hard they are to get to. Don’t forget there is also a filter,(sock) attached to your fuel pump located inside your gas tank. That one should only be changed when you are having your fuel pump replaced because of its location. Then of course your air filter should be changed out when ever it gets dirty. You can visually look at this and should be able to see light through it when holding it up to the sky. Most vehicles have an Mass Airflow sensor which can be disturbed if your air filter gets to dirty. And don’t forget your oil, transmission, and cabin filters also need to be changed! You can price these parts here on the right from AMAZON.COM PARTS FINDER!

I hope these tips on filters will help you keep your car on the road!

CHECK YOUR TIRES BEFORE ROAD TRIP!

Take your car to your regular mechanic's shop two weeks prior to your trip. Hopefully you have a regular mechanic that you know and trust. This should NOT be a quick-lube type place, but a full service repair shop or new car dealership. I personally would not want to test the workmanship of a new mechanic on a road trip with my family. Two weeks prior? Definitely. Give your mechanic time to make necessary repairs, and some room for adjustments. If your mechanic finds problems and repairs parts on your vehicle, you will want a week or so "break in period" to test the fix(s) before you hit the road. In most cases, if anything goes wrong after major repairs, it will be in the first 100-200 miles. Give yourself enough time to feel confident that the repairs made will not be an issue as soon as you get outside your city limits. Keep all receipts just in case the part fails along the way, so you don’t have to buy it again.


Make sure that you have the following items in your car before you leave:
Flashlight, pen, paper, and disposable camera. Just in case of an accident, take lots of pictures of the scene, the other car involved (including license plate), the other driver , and anyone else in their car, etc. Take pictures of the road condition i.e. was it wet, was there an obstacle in the road that could have caused the accident, was it at a intersection with a stop sign or traffic light, if at night was it lit and well marked? Get business cards or contact information from anyone that could be a witness, and if at all possible get them to give their statement to the police officer at the scene. It seems that a few days after an accident the memory of small details becomes cloudy and unclear to some people, and in worst cases the story of how, where, and who was involved in the accident can become fabricated.

Take along some extra supplies that your car might need while on the road. A new bottle of anti-freeze, engine oil, and transmission fluid could really come in handy if a roadside emergency were to occur. A can of Fix-A- Flat, jumper cables, small box of tools including screw drivers, pliers, a few spare radiator hose clamps that you can get from your mechanic, roll of electrical tape, and a hand towel to wipe your hands should all be packed in your car. Fix-A-Flat should only be used in case of an emergency and not to be used just to add a small amount of air to the tires. Fix-A-Flat and other products like it require that the tire be removed from the wheel, and the product be removed from inside the tire and a permanent repair be preformed. Caution: Some tire sealants are flammable and all are very messy and sticky, so you will appreciate the towel to wipe off your hands. One more device for the more technical aspect of it would be a Test light to check your fuses. A Blown fuse can cause all kinds of problems! Such as fuel pump not working, headlight not working, dash lights not operating at night or your blinkers quit working etc.


A few recommendations that will aid in driver comfort are: Install new wiper blades and fill up the washer bottle with windshield washer solvent to help keep the windshield clean (seems wiper blades are never thought about unless it is raining). Bring along sunglasses, a few of your favorite music cd's or cassettes, wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and bring a jacket and rain gear just incase you have to be outside your vehicle for an emergency situation. A cell phone is a very helpful tool to have on your travels, but make sure you will have reception in the region you are traveling in, and don't forget the battery charger. Some cell phone companies offer roadside assistance for its customers, call your cell phone service provider and see if this service is offered. If you know where your going, find the number for a Tow truck driver and program it in your cell phone just in case.

Have your mechanic perform all regular scheduled maintenance on your car before you head off on your travels, and make sure to tell him where you will be going. If I know that you are going to be traveling in a hilly, snowy location pulling a small trailer I would make sure to inspect items that would be more prone to cause trouble in that kind of situation. Traveling through a hot arid dessert would require a different inspection than a winter trip. Drive safe and be sure to check out my amazon.com special link for more automotive needs! Thanks!