Looking out the window there is just a touch of snow in the air, nothing major just some snowy rain, which will make the leaves harder to rake. So a word about wipers if they look like they are in decent shape but are not doing a good job maybe a good cleaning will help. First the wipers, a blue kitchen sponge along with some window cleaner will do an excellent job of removing the grime and crud. Also bon ami on the windshield will clean off the summer’s grunge. No blue sponge here just a regular one will do. Consider a rain-ex application also it will help with the frost and other frozen junk as winter progresses. If the wipers need replacing consider winter blades I use them on my pickup and they work great just remember to remove them in the summer as the sun is hard on them.
All posts by John
Hazy Headlamps
I have noticed that many of the cars on the road have inadequate head lites and this is being caused by cloudy headlight lenses. Since 1990 many cars have polycarbonate lenses. This is a clear plastic that will survive an impact, better then glass, as it bounces back upon impact. The problem with polycarbonate is it will yellow and cloud from UV exposure. A number of products are available to repair this haze. All the products work pretty much the same not unlike using rubbing compound on paint. Clean it and then polish. Depending upon the severity it can take several minutes to under a half hour and with the cost of replacement it is time well spent. A drill is almost a necessity, there are claims it can be done by hand by some manufactures, but I doubt this. I have heard of using rubbing compound and polish for the same results but I have not tried it and I would not suggest it.If the assembly has a leak IE crack or hole and has corroded on the inside it will require replacement I would recommend used, and after the clunker program, I have read there are a ton of used body parts. FYI Mequirs has a plastic polish that will work if the lenses are not too bad. I have used it to just clean up lenses both tail, park and headlamp. It really puts a nice finishing touch on a cleanup actually it is amazing what it does to make a car look sharp. It will also work on bug deflectors. Turtle wax has a new product that is wax and a light rubbing compound that works great with very few swirls.
Fuel Filter Change Interval
Recently read on a site where they recommended replacing the fuel filter at 12K. Then I started thinking when was the last time I replaced my fuel filters and I couldn’t remember. I do recall the one for my wife’s Buick was spendy, but everything on that car was spendy. I replace my fuel filters when they look old and cruddy and can’t remember the last time I replaced them. I always replace them when I replace a fuel pump which I have only had to do once in recent memory and that was due to a bad bearing not foreign material the filter was not plugged or even dirty, I did cut in half to check it. I checked several manufactures sites and they all had different intervals suggestions to replace the fuel filter. I do use only brand name high grade fuel, at the present Mobil; I have never had a filter problem or even a thought that it could be causing a problem. Maybe I just been lucky but for now I am going to stick to my current schedule for replacing the fuel filter. I do check it now and again with my lab scope but have never seen a problem. I do recommend periodic replacement as electronic fuel pumps are not cheap and it is good insurance against failure. I don’t think I could afford, even doing the work myself, to adhere to some of the service schedules some shops are recommending. I had over 200K on my wife’s Buick and 120k on my pickup and have never had a serious problem, knock on wood, I probably will now.
Hands Free Toys
Ford motor Co. along with Microsoft have developed Sync which allows voice commands to receive cell calls and text messages along with MP3 control. I am against texting and cell phone use in general while driving even hands free distracts and they all should be made illegal. I don’t know how many times I have followed a car that failed to use its turn signals because the drivers did not have enough hands to steer hold the cell and operate the turn signals. Ford is working on a number of improvements to this system but is the public willing to pay extra for them. The sync by itself is $395 and is installed on about 70% of their vehicles. It is standard on many hi line models and Ford feels it helps sell the more expensive, and more profitable, models. With voice activated GPS, and cell phones along with other toys on the market I am surprised this is as successful as it is when you are able to customize your options, at a lesser cost, but I imagine the fact it is built in is a huge selling factor. Kia is announcing a Microsoft based system next year. Kia has been selling well and keeping the cost down has been a factor behind this. I don’t know if I would stray from a successful business model in this economic climate. Everyone is looking for the edge that will put them ahead of the competition without a significant increase in cost.
Skimping On repairs
In these trying economic times when gas and grocery prices are through the roof it is difficult to keep your transportation maintenance on schedule. Evan worse is to not repair problems as they turn up, or to cut cost on the repair and not do it properly. Something as simple as a noisy brake can escalate in cost if not properly repaired in a timely fashion. A check engine light when it is ignored can also increase in cost if not checked. Many times the engine is still running OK when the light is on on but it may be causing damage that will show up at a later date. Today’s oils have improved drastically so you may get by with running it a few more miles than normal, but don’t push it too far. I have also heard of changing the oil and not the filter here again it may cause problems later on. Running on bald tires is dangerous more so with winter just around the corner, don’t skimp on tires there are many decently priced tires on the market but there are also some that should not be on the road. Many tires from China can no longer be imported. Most major brands offer an economy tire but you have to shop and you may even have to get a little nasty. Remember the tire shops along with many other auto repair shop are having a tough time
Carbon Build Up
Is it necessary to “as my Dad used to say blow out the carbon” with a high speed road trip of a few miles. If you are reading this and need an excuse to go for a speedy road trip, or if your engine has a carburetor the answer is yes, But in reality it is not necessary for today’s computer controlled fuel injected engines. If there has been a problem with the system causing a carbon buildup or you use cheap gas, which will cause problems in time. Many times the check engine light is ignored, with the tough economic times we are seeing more of this, the engine seems to be running fine but it is actually causing all kinds of problems and one of these is excessive carbon build up. You are also doing damage to the atmosphere. The build can become severe enough that the engine needs to be disassembled to remove the carbon. There are several products on the market that do a decent job of removal. The only ones that work are the ones you run directly through the throttle body. Insert a vacuum hose into the can and the other end to a vacuum source or many air tubes have a hose or two in the tube itself this is most effective spot. Be sure to follow the instructions to the letter as many problems can result if improperly used IE engine damage, converter can be damaged, the O2 sensor can fail this may happen anyway. If in doubt have it done by a shop it is not that expensive also most shops know which chemical works the best in your area. Do not use water or diesel fuel as someone may tell you is OK but it will tear up an engine very quickly. I would also clean the throttle body covered here. [url”>http://www.greenflagauto.com/comments.php?id=411&catid=1&highlight=throttle+body
Weekend Project
This is one of those weekends where you came to the realization that all the summer projects that were not done by Labor Day probably will not get done till next year. It is too early to tear up the gardens and flower beds, too late to start painting the house.So take this time to learn about your vehicles before the weather turns nasty. If you bought a new one it is time to see where all the fluids are checked, many new vehicles do not have a transmission dipstick and some have the battery under the back seat, on many the oil dipstick is even hard to find. This is all a result of a crowded engine compartment. If you have the same vehicles check the fluids have you been lack in servicing check the coolant does it need flushing, how does the PS and brake fluid look, a check of the tranny fluid and don’t forget the washer fluid. Take a walk around check the tires, if they look worn it is time to replace. I don’t believe in the penny theory that is really close to no tread at all. Check the lites and wiper blades. Get out the hose and wash the wheel wells and engine or better yet take it to the pressure wash, be careful under the hood you may get water in a connector if you are slight on auto knowledge maybe best to stick with the hose in the engine compartment. Look on the bright side you will stay busy for awhile so the woman in your life won’t mention the honey do list. Having 4 vehicles I can usually make this a 2 day affair.
Rain-X
Rain-X has a new application system out. It is like a bar of soap or deodorant so it is easier to apply then the spray, which I always put on uneven, and ended up with streaks. The new system also has a buffing towel to finish the application, so it is a lot easier to use. The new system is a breeze to apply compared to the old. Rain-X has been around for years many race car drivers use Rain-X instead of wipers and they seem to have no problems. Before applying Rain-X be certain you have a clean windshield. I use bon-ami it does a super job and there is no fear of scratching as with many other products. While you are at check the wipers and washer system we are not that far from sloppy roads
Compression Test
Many techs do not use the compression test as a diagnostic tool as there are numerous features on most scopes to replace it. Burn time is perhaps the most used diagnostic tool as it will also show problems with the spark and injectors as well as a weak cylinder. In many instances the check engine light will be on and a code will tell us the problem cylinder. The cylinder balance test is also a replacement for a compression test and is usually followed by a leak down test on the offending cylinder. A Leak down test pumps air into the cylinder and measures the per cent of leakage and by where the pressure is escaping you can tell if it is an exhaust, intake valve or piston problems. When spending some time in some various shops I was also surprised at how many techs use the good old vacuum gauge or the electronic equivalent of one, the electronic one can be graphed and gives the tech a lot of diagnostic info. Also many still use the wet and dry test to check rings and engine condition. The wet dry test is when you check the compression on a dry cylinder and then give the cylinder a couple squirts of oil and check the compression again if it is higher you have a ring sealing problem. The problem here is that many engine compartments prevent access to give the cylinder a squirt of oil. I have seen some vey inventive hose arrangements to try get oil into the cylinder and they usually end up making a mess. Most DIY do not have the diagnostic equipment so they have to rely on the good old compression test. Compression should be within 20% of other cylinders; unless they are all even and one is low then I would like to see less than a 10% difference. This will set a check engine light. Compression gauges are not known for their accuracy that is why the difference is more important than the actual reading. If the gauge fails to hold pressure replace the schrader valve at the end of the hose. It looks like a tire valve but it is not but one can be used in a pinch.
Bleeding Brakes Or Clutch
Bleeding brakes or a clutch system The correct method is to use a vacuum pump and the bleeding kit that comes with it. The kit is a small bottle to hold vacuum and several hoses.For lack of a pump. Open the bleeder screw, have a helper push the pedal to the floor slowly, tighten the screw let the pedal return repeat as necessary. Be sure to keep the fluid full.Or install a hose on the bleeder screw and insert it into a container filled 1/2 way with brake fluid. Open the bleeder screw and have someone pump the clutch pedal slowly until no bubbles are present.Clutches can be a problem to bleed one method I have used with success is to remove the master cylinder cover and let it sit overnight. Doesn’t hurt to give the pedal one very slow pump when you remove the cover, use caution as fluid will squirt out on the return stroke. On a rare occasion I have had to remove the master cylinder and bench bleed it, install adapters with hose in pressure line route to fluid container and pump. Be sure the bleeder screw is higher than the rest of the cylinder. With ABS a scanner may be necessary if air has entered the ABS system module.