No matter how well you take care of your car, all vehicles are bound to need repairs at one time or another. However, you can minimize the cost of repairing these problems through proper maintenance and repair, especially if the problems are minor and can be worked on from the comfort of your own driveway!
Keeping Your Car Safe is Number One
Keeping your car safe for you, your passengers, and other drivers is the most essential do-it-yourself engine repair information to know. The car engine is the core component of any vehicle. A simple error could result in any number of problems. Most people who are new to the do-it-yourself engine repair techniques tend to be quite eager to delve into the problem without taking the proper precautions. For instance, before you begin any form of engine repair, it is essential that you disconnect the car battery. However, many novices forget this step in their rush to fix the problem, which could result in injury or more engine damage.
What Does that Sound Mean?
A sputtering engine can spell disaster especially if not taken care of immediately. In most cases, a faulty engine component is the cause of engine sputter - which can be heard and felt while driving. Decreased engine power and strange noises may indicate a faulty spark plug, distributor cap, rotor, or other engine parts. For example, a hissing sound may indicate engine overheating while a popping sound with slow acceleration can indicate a clogged air filter.
In most situations, one may find the problem lies with faulty spark plugs. Whenever spark plugs require changing, one has to ensure that the engine is completely off before doing anything. Check for any burned spark plug insulation wires. Poor or damaged wires may prevent the spark from reaching the cylinder. If the spark plug's electrodes are eroded, they will require replacement. When buying spark plug replacements, one has to ensure that they are the best suited for the performance requirements of the engine.
Dealing With Electrical Engine Problems
In modern cars, the engine problems are often of an electrical nature. Electrical engine problems are significantly harder to diagnose and fix, especially for amateurs. However, the basic tools that one should have to diagnose problems are the engine's car manual and an auto scan tool.
The auto scan tool scans the electrical problem and traces it back to the source. The source is indicated by a code which is further explained in the manual. However, if one is still unable to deduce the electrical problem, you should know when to call the repair shop and ask an expert.
