The Auto Repair Savings Blog/ Diagnose Car Misfires

How to Diagnose Your Cars Misfire at Home!

2015-10-20T09:59:00.000-05:00

If you plan on saving a whole bunch of money on car repairs to your ignition system, I would suggest you visit my other blog at DiagnoseCarMisfires/Blog. I have laid out a Do it Yourself guide for diagnosing car misfires at home. I have labeled them as Part 1 and Part 2 for easy to perform understanding. The direct links to the articles are above. Feel free to ask a question or leave a comment there also on these troubleshooting tricks!

What these 2 articles entail is basically procedures we used when our thousand dollar machines and scanners were unavailable. Actually, there were times when we had to get these cars and trucks moving so all we had was a parking lot to do our work quicker. For example if the car or truck had a misfire, popping, hesitation, on acceleration this procedure saved us over a couple hours of labor. Of course we were instructed not to show this on the invoices.

The new home at the Diagnose Car Misfires Page, also contains auto repair savings information from other parts of your cars and trucks out there on the road today. We include the vehicle's engine, cooling system, braking systems, and most other major parts of the cars systems there! For instance we inform you of what to Beware of when it comes to , "Free Brake Inspections" offered out there on the road today. You will not be struck with surprise car estimates when using these tips and advise at home.

tags:Troubleshooting, Surprise Car Estimates, Auto Repair Tips and Advice

Diagnose Car Misfires - 2015 - Blog

2015-07-11T13:32:00.001-05:00

Diagnose Car Misfires - 2015 - Blog

2015-07-11T11:44:00.001-05:00

Diagnose Car Misfires - 2015 - Blog

Diagnose Car Truck Misfires - Home 2015-2016 - Diagnose Car Misfires

2015-06-17T08:21:00.001-05:00

Diagnose Car Truck Misfires - Home 2015-2016 - Diagnose Car Misfires

Brake Repair Service - Ndarzone.blogspot.com | Article, News and Science

2015-06-04T07:48:00.001-05:00

Brake Repair Service - Ndarzone.blogspot.com | Article, News and Science

Tune-Up Tips- When to Get Your Truck or Car Tuned up/Spark plugs etc. - Ndarzone.blogspot.com | Article, News and Science

2015-06-04T07:47:00.001-05:00

Tune-Up Tips- When to Get Your Truck or Car Tuned up/Spark plugs etc. - Ndarzone.blogspot.com | Article, News and Science

Diagnose Car Truck Misfires - Home 2015-2016 - Diagnose Car Misfires

2015-05-29T21:40:00.001-05:00

Diagnose Car Truck Misfires - Home 2015-2016 - Diagnose Car Misfires

2015-05-19T18:53:00.001-05:00

Diagnose Car Truck Misfires - Home 2015-2016 - Diagnose Car Misfires

2015-05-19T12:27:00.001-05:00

Diagnose Car Truck Misfires - Home 2015-2016 - Diagnose Car Misfires

Great Contest Going on Now Here! Go!

Diagnose Car Truck Misfires - Home 2015-2016 - Diagnose Car Misfires

2015-05-02T06:31:00.001-05:00

Diagnose Car Truck Misfires - Home 2015-2016 - Diagnose Car Misfires

2015-04-30T19:06:00.001-05:00

Diagnose Car Truck Misfires - Home 2015-2016 - Diagnose Car Misfires

Dude What is Wrong With my Car?

2015-04-17T18:52:00.003-05:00

What's wrong with my car was a common question asked by consumers, when I worked for over 25 years in the automotive repair industry. The first thing to remember is make sure you can repeat the sound or symptom to the technician working on your vehicle. This makes the process so much simpler for you and the auto repair shop involved.

Asking the question, what's wrong with my car could get you answers you do not want to hear. So make sure you can be as specific as possible such as, it only does it in the mornings or it does this after its warmed up and idling at a stop sign. Common problems I have learned from experience are, the car needs a tune-up, alignment, Brake Inspection, or the belts are either worn out or broken.

I think the most common problem found when asked, what's wrong with my car is their check engine light or service engine soon light appears out of no where's. If this happens to you or someone you know, plan on leaving the car and ask for a diagnostics only. Find out what the problem is and get it fixed only. Then if you are faced with a big list of things to do next, take them one at a time.

Another what's wrong with my car question will attract bad auto repair technicians. What I mean is, if you ask that question some repair shops will ask you to leave the car or truck so they have time to rack up a big list for you to be billed. So just ask for a diagnostics only for that particular problem you are having trouble with that day. The problems I am referring to are noises, smoking, slowed acceleration, and braking problems etc.

Diagnose Car Misfires is Temporarily Auto Repair Savings!

2015-04-15T13:19:00.000-05:00

I hope you do not think you are lost or got redirected to some place you do not want to be. If you were looking for www.DiagnoseCarMisfires.com you came to the right place!

Welcome! This is an old blog I have for parking my site at for now. I have a lot of interesting repair stories and suggestions here for you also at www.AutoRepairSavings.blogspot.com

Feel free to browse around or come back later when I open the new www.DiagnoseCarMisfires.com With New Information on repairing your car or truck at home. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave a comment or suggestions on how you would like to see the new sites Grand Opening include!

EGR VALVE/Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve Fixes

2012-03-08T08:56:00.000-06:00

Exhaust Gas Recirculation, (EGR) valves will cause many problems and are overlooked by most auto mechanics and auto repair shops. If you are experiencing a very bad miss on acceleration its possible your EGR valve is either leaking or it is stuck open. The problems that can arise are the gasket could be leaking, the egr valve pintle could be stuck open, you could be loseing your vacum source to open up the valve and your valve could be carboned up.

The first thing you would want to do to see if it is leaking is to use a propane bottle and point it at the base of the valve and if you see a idle increase that means you have a leak. If your EGR valve pintle is stuck open it will cause a massive vacum leak internally and you will need to replace the valve. While you have the EGR valve off start the engine up and hit the throttle a few times to clean out the ports and passage ways. Be careful while performing this cleaning process as it will be very loud and maybe even throw some sparks.

Most Egr valves today are controlled electronicaly by your onboard computer rather than useing a vacum hose to open it up. when replacing your EGR valve clean the surface and make sure to tighten down evenly so that you will not creat a leak.

tags: egr valve, auto repair savings, problems, fix egr valve

Automotive News: Freelance Writers Pretend Grease Monkey or Bogus Car Mechanics at Associated Content

2011-06-19T00:21:00.002-05:00

Auto Repair Savings

Have you ever visited Writing Sites such as Associated-Content, E-How, Bright-Hub, Helium and similar places looking for Auto Repair Tips and Advice? I have found many Phony Auto-Mechanics, Pretend Grease Monkeys, and Bogus Car Mechanics attempting to imitate a Certified Auto Repair Technician to make a few bucks giving advice on how to fix a car. Some of the stuff written scares me! I think what happens is these Featured Automotive Writers for Associated Content read a few articles on the Internet and jot this information down before they forget it leaving out very important repair information that could possibly hurt the people trying to find help. The Phony Featured Automotive Freelancers at Associated Content some how should take some responsibility if these people seeking help should get hurt.

Auto Repair Savings

Freelance Writers for places such as Associated Content are promised 3 articles per month writing on Auto Repair Advice in the Automotive Featured Contributor spots. Under that type of pressure I would be leery about following these hurried instructions on how to fix a car. Other writing sites like E-How and Helium will have the same incentives to hurry in Auto Repair articles just to make the so called dead lines to get paid for that month. Once again, I would be leery on following the advice of these Bogus Car Mechanics or Pretend Grease Monkeys. So please make sure to read their instructions over and over again when they are giving you auto repair advice. One small mistake in their so called research on the Internet could cost you your life or a Engine or Transmission replacement.

Here are some things you can do to protect yourself and your vehicle from bad auto repair advice given by these Pretend Grease Monkeys. Take a quick look at their profile and see if the Featured Automotive Contributor from Yahoo has any type of automotive training such as a 2 or 3 year Automechanic Diploma or have any Certifications from reputable Automotive Organizations such as the Automotive Service Excellence. (ASE) If you do not see any reputable Diplomas or Certificates of completion from a Accredited School proceed at your own risk. If you should have a accident and get hurt or ruin your car or truck contact the Editors of these places and express your anger. I forgot to mention that I myself have over 25 years of Automotive Repair experience and have been ASE Certified.

Auto Repair Savings

I hope this article, Freelance Writers pretend Grease Monkey or Bogus Car Mechanics at Associated Content will give you some idea of how these mock Auto Mechanics work when seeking out legitimate Auto Repair Advice. For more tips on car repairs please visit my Blog at, “Auto Repair Savings And my Special Links.”

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Bills Auto Repair in Hiawatha Kansas 66434/Follow up Review/Hub Bearing/Milton

2011-12-10T12:07:00.000-06:00

I wanted to follow up with an article I wrote earlier this year on, “Bill’s Auto Repair” located in Hiawatha Kansas 66434. The article was titled, “A Small Adjustment For The Customer.” I couldn’t understand why Milton the mechanic would not recheck his work on the front hub bearing I brought in. Milton said he would have to charge me another $100 or so in labor to replace the bearing since he did not buy it. I called this a small adjustment since I know what is involved replacing this bearing which he refused to do. With his power tools he could of performed this small adjustment for me under 15 minutes if he really wanted me as a happy customer. He did not know that I have over 25+ years experience working in the private sector as a ASE Certified Auto Repair Technician. I wanted to see how this shop handles its customers.

After refusing to pay Bills Auto Repair in Hiawatha Kansas another $100 to replace a bearing again, I replaced it just to see how bad this bearing was installed by Milton the auto mechanic. I found the 36 mm axle nut was loose which could cause premature wear on this bearing. The next thing I discovered was the O-Ring was crushed, torn, and installed incorrectly by Milton. This could also cause a good bearing to go bad real fast. The spot where this O-Ring was suppose to go was not cleaned and was covered with rust and dirt. One of the three bearing hold down bolts was loose which could cause improper alignment of the new bearing. With all of these mistakes made by Milton the auto mechanic at Bills Auto Repair located in Hiawatha Kansas 66434 I don’t see how I was going to pay him another $100 to screw up another new bearing. The inside of my New tire was wore out which now needs to be replaced. All I wanted was him to recheck his work and warranty his labor.

After finding all of these installation problems and Bills Auto Repair not wanting to honor their ‘Labor Warranty‘, my final review is to stay away from these guys as far as possible. Just because you try to save money by bringing in your own parts for them to install do not believe them when they say the part was installed correctly and you have to pay again to have it fixed. My advice would be to have a reputable auto repair facility document the installation problems and try to get your money back from Bills Auto Repair located in Hiawatha Kansas. Rather than relying on Bill’s to admit they installed your part incorrectly.

keywords: bills auto repair, hiawatha kansas, 66434, milton, hub bearing, incorrectly installed parts,

How to Prevent Your Teens Car From Starting:Disable a Car

2011-04-22T21:35:00.005-05:00

Prevent Car From Starting

This article is for parents who want to learn how to quickly stop their teenagers car from starting. I was approached by a good customer of mine one day who wanted to know how to prevent a car from starting with out causing any damage to the vehicle. I told him this was a strange request but I would help him out on this subject just one time. He told me his teen age daughter started hanging out with questionable looking people after he bought her a car for her sixteenth birthday. He wanted to know what was the easiest and quickest way to disable a car and to prevent it from starting without her knowing it. I had to chuckle a bit about his request but here is what I told him to do when trying to prevent a car from starting.

I told him to locate the owner’s manual and to find the location and fuse type of the electric fuel pump. I advised him to remember where the fuel pump fuse was located for easy and quick access later. When ever his teenaged daughter was going to disappear into the night again with her questionable looking friends, he could go out to the car and remove the fuel pump fuse within seconds and this will stop his teenagers car from starting. I am a father of a seven year old boy who does not have to worry about these kind of problems yet and am not really looking forward to it. I then told this gentleman if his teenaged daughter ever got suspicious of this fuse and wanted to prevent her car from starting he could then scramble under the car and just unplug the fuel pump 3 wire connector.

If your teenager has a pre 1986 car and you want to know how to stop the teenagers car from starting, quickly you can just remove the coil wire. If you are not familiar with car engines then look for the distributor cap and locate the coil ignition wire which is normally the spark plug wire in the middle of the distributor cap. Removing the lone coil wire will prevent a car from starting. This is a pretty easy and quick method because you only have one wire to remove and replace when its time to start the car. Below I will list a few more ideas for you to remember when its time to learn how to stop your teenagers car from starting.

1. Locate and pull out the fuse marked ECM or PCM
2. Locate and disconnect the crankshaft position sensor
3. Have a professional automotive technician install a toggle switch for you

4. Locate and trip the fuel pump shut off switch (reset when you want the car to start)

I hope this article will help you with your teenagers car situations when ever you want to prevent a car from starting. These methods are meant to keep them safe and at home when ever you get that gut feeling something bad might happen to them. It may help you to get the owners manual of the teenagers car and study its components locations which I have mentioned above. You can also ask your family mechanic to show you where these fuses and connectors are located. “How to stop your teenagers car from starting-prevent a car from starting fuses and connectors” should be used by every parent who wants to protect their teenager from driving and disappearing into the night. For more car care information please visit my car blog at, “Auto Repair Savings And my Special Links”

Diagnose Car Misfires

TAGS: How To, Teenagers, Car, Starting, Prevent, How to Stop, Fuse, Connector

Cars And Parts: How to Get Free Car Tuneup Parts at 23,000 Miles From Uncle Sam

2011-05-01T00:28:00.002-05:00

Ignition System

In this article, “How to get free car tuneup parts at 23,000 miles from Uncle Sam” I will tell you from over 25 years working as a ASE certified auto repair technician how important this information will be to you. When you are dealing with cars and parts we all know how much the auto repair guys love to make a quick buck selling their tuneup related services. What I mean by tuneup related services are the extra items they will tell you that you need done before you break down on that lonely stretch of highways out there. (I love all the scare tactics they use.) When you go in for your first tuneup before 24,000 miles these are the items below that are a big hit with auto repair shops selling and pushing tuneup related services:

Cars and Parts

Spark Plug Wires- Parts and Labor

Ignition Coil or Coil Packs- Parts and Labor

Fuel Injection Services- Parts and Labor

Oxygen Sensors and Catalytic Converters

Exhaust Gas Recirculation System Parts
Evaporation Emission Control PartsPCV Valve
Fuel Injection System Parts

Early Fuel Evaporation System Parts

Fuel Metering System Parts
Air Induction System Parts

What you should know when it comes to cars and parts is all of these control systems parts and labor are under Uncle Sam’s Federal Emission Warranty coverage. If your car or truck has not yet hit the 24,000k in mileage or two years which ever comes first mark you are covered. This is how to get free car or truck tuneup parts at 23,000 miles or 2 years from our Uncle Sam. So basically if your new car or truck is missing, cutting out under acceleration, smoking from the tail pipe, or you failed an emissions test you are entitled to free car tuneup parts.

The reason why I wrote this, How To” article is because some auto repair shops will tell you that these parts are needed in order for your car or truck to run right. In my last article, “Exhaust News Catalytic Converters Covered…”, I mentioned that your power control module and your catalytic converter are covered for an additional 8years/80,000 miles from Uncle Sam also. The whole reason why Uncle Sam is footing the bill is because the EPA wants and to maintain cleaner air. A bad running car for what ever the reason is for running that way has to be fixed and for free of charge.

So in summary, if you are getting your first tune up before the warranty expires around 2 years or 23,999 miles or if your car is acting like it needs a tuneup get your car in right away for your free car tuneup parts from Uncle Sam. Don’t pay the auto repair shop guys! Take their check list of the car parts you need to your local new car dealership and let them put a claim in for you. This information can be found at the, Environmental Protection Agencies website here.

Images provided by Wikipedia Images/
Article by The Autodude

Summer Road Trip Tips Auto Repair Guys/Over 28 Years Experienced!

2011-08-01T17:03:00.002-05:00

Below are some road trips for everyone to use when taking a late summer or early Fall vacation. Your car or truck today is the cheapest way to go if you have your car in shape to tackle these hot roads and highways out there in America. Can you imagine your self and maybe with your family cruising down the highway having the wind blow in your hair. That is a great feeling to have but to make sure that you get to your destinations follow these very helpful tips for taking summer road trips.

Please have your engine oil changed: During your engine oil change these auto repair guys will also check other items for you free of charge. belts, hoses, fluids, lubricate your front end, and let you know of any problems they can see that could possibly give you car problems on your road trip.

Have your vehicle Tuned up: During the tune up process these auto repair guys will check your cars computer system, ignition system, and let you know if you have any computerized sensor problems that could give you a bad road trip experience.

Have your wheels aligned at least once a year or before your Summer road trip: Now these auto repair guys really know their stuff when it comes to your wheels and steering components. During the alignment process your ball joints, tie rod ends, idler arm, pitman arm, caster and camber along with your toe in and toe out will be checked and set back to factory specifications for you. If you plan on towing something really heavy let these guys know ahead of time in case they have to align the vehicle with the load attached.

The last road trip tip I want to give you is kind of tricky. It includes receiving a free brake inspection: Now with these auto repair guys you may want to watch out a little bit cause they will be out to make some money not as bad as the other guys listed before. Brake inspections is a money maker for these automotive guys! They can use scare tactics to make you buy something from them. Once you hear a scare tactic used, leave immediately!

Check Engine Light

NOTE: Summer road trip tips and these automotive repair guys can work well together if you find some trusting mechanics. During the oil change process watch out for quickie shops who will show how your fluids look compared to new fluids. And on your vehicle tune up watch out for over selling here as well such as unneeded filters and spark plug wires and sensors. The alignment guys can be a little sly also if they want to so be careful there as well. They may bring you out in the shop and show you how far and how much play your joints have on your vehicle. And last but least is the free brake inspection auto repair so called guys. Brake parts are very easy for them to replace and will turn around and charge you an arm and a leg.

I hope these Summer road trip tips and the automotive repair guys information I have given you will give you that vacation you badly deserve to take a pleasant one. For more reading please visit my blog at, “Auto Repair Savings.” -The Autodude- Over 28 Years Experienced!

Tune-Up Tips- When to Get Your Truck or Car Tuned up/Spark plugs etc.

2012-03-28T15:01:00.001-05:00

When to get your car or truck tuned up is not a very hard question if you look at a few things. The first thing you can do to find out if your car needs a tune-up which is the easiest thing here is to pull a spark plug out and examine it. After 20-30 thousand miles the center electrode will begin to wear down forming an increased gap and begin to round off. At this time if you determine that a car or truck tune-up is needed, remove the rest of the spark plugs and replace them with new ones.

Auto Repair Savings

Examine each spark plug as you remove them and look for signs of a black shiny substance on them. If you find one then this tells you that you are leaking oil into that cylinder from either your piston rings or your valve guide seals. A white chalky appearance would let you know that your engine is burning on the lean side which is good. Now on the other hand if you noticed a black carbon appearance this means your engine is running rich which is a bad thing and you need to have your car or truck looked at by an engine performance expert hopefully ASE certified. Here are a few more ways you can tell if you need a tune-up on your vehicle.

1. If your car or truck has over 30,000 miles on it.

2. Your “check engine” or “service engine soon” light comes on.

3. You just purchased a used car and you want to keep track of your vehicle maintenance schedules.

4. If you noticed that under a load such as driving up a hill and you feel the engine cutting out, you need a tune-up.

5. Planning a road trip and you want to make sure that your car or truck is going to make it to your destination ok.

Important Reminders: Car and truck tune-ups can be classified in 2 categories. You either need a minor tune-up or a major tune-up depending on the mileage on your vehicle. I will discuss the difference in my next article. Most of the newer cars and trucks built today require the use of platinum plugs which auto makers claim should last you up to 100,000 miles before needing to be changed out. My experience tells me that this just isn’t true. For more auto repair savings and tips please visit my blog at, “Auto RepairSavings And my Special Links.” Happy driving!

Tags: car and truck, tune-up, spark plugs, vehicle, mileage

Car Repair Estimates Will Catch You by Surprise!

2011-02-27T17:17:00.003-06:00

Car Repair Estimates

How many of you out there have ever waited by your telephone for your mechanic to catch you by surprise with a car repair estimate? I know I have been caught off guard a few times even though I have worked in the auto repair private sector for over 25 years. My expertise was in engine performance , brakes, and air conditioning. When it came to my transmission I was like a fish out of water when it came to writing a repair estimate for transmissions or servicing them. My car repair estimate for my automatic transmission was around $1,500.00 and some change to fix. Believe me I was shocked by the labor and auto parts needed to fix it noted on the car repair estimate.

Car Repair Estimates

Although I have written my share of car repair estimates for air conditioning and brakes I could not believe how it felt on the other side of the service desk. I thought, “where am I going to get the $1,500.00 to get my car fixed”. My credit was not as perfect as I wanted it to be and everyone I knew was broke. I was then strolling through the internet looking for some help with this high dollar car repair estimate. Then I came across this Payday Loan application. I thought, well I have a bank account and a job so why not? I can have my car back and running in 2 days and I qualified for a first time 50% off!

Paying For My Car Repair Estimate

My point here is why not go ahead with this pay day loan to get my car fixed because I do not want to miss any more work. It all worked out for me after I was able to pay this car repair estimate in full and get back to work! Here is the link I found Want an extra $1500 for bills by tomorrow? Apply now! I hope you do not have to have these kind of car repair estimates but when and if you do please visit these guys for FAST Service!

Diagnose Car Misfires

Midwest Title Loans-Say no to Car Title Loan Place in St. Joe Mo.

2012-02-11T15:02:00.000-06:00

Do you live in or around St. Joseph Missouri and was thinking about a car title loan place to go to? The Autodude recommends that you stay away from Midwest Title Loans located at 603 S Belt Hwy in St. Joseph Missouri. (Phone: (816) 232-9100. My personal experience with them has been very bad and I should of went elsewhere’s where they show a lot more professionalism. There are other car title loan places to go to in St. Joe Missouri that will show you some courtesy that you deserve. If you love your car do not go to Midwest Title Loans.

Midwest Title Loans

My experience with them has been a nightmare. I can not believe how nice and kind they are to you when you take out a car title loan with them. I only owed them $300 and thought I would be ok by missing a couple payments due to the bad economy. Midwest Title Loans located in St. Joe Missouri had their repo men follow me through 4 counties and through 2 states then within minutes, I call it stole my vehicle, which I paid $8,000 cash for. I immediately called them and offered to pay the $300 owed but I was told that their interest rates went from $300 to $1,300 and demanded it all paid in full or they will put my vehicle on their auction block in 10 days!

My advice would be to go to another car title loan place and stay away as far as you can from Midwest Title Loans located on the south Belt Highway. (.603 S Belt Hwy) The other title loan places located there in St. Joseph Missouri looks more professional and cleaner. As a matter of fact I understand if you currently have a car title loan with Midwest Title Loans you can go to one of the more respectable places there and have them pay off your car title loan and get as far away from Midwest Title as you can. I have been a certified auto repair tech. for over 25 years and have never screwed a customer as bad as these people do every day at Midwest Title Loans charging over 300% interest rates and repo your car no matter where you are or who is with you like your children.

Repo Men Midwest Title Loans

In my future blog posts I will keep you updated on this car title loan place called Midwest Title Loans located in St. Joseph Missouri.

Diagnose Car Misfires

Keywords: Midwest title loans, st. joe Missouri, car title loans, repo men,

How to Adjust Your Carburetor The Right Way

2011-02-24T12:03:00.005-06:00

Carburetor Adjusting

In the Winter time you should try and adjust your carbs for the cold Winter weather. In this article I will explain how to adjust your carburetor right the first time for the cold winter ahead. Most carburetors are basically the same when it comes to setting or adjusting your fuel mixtures to the outside climate where ever you live at. The main thing to remember about adjusting a carburetor for the colder weather is that it takes a richer mixture for the car to start and stay running. Carburetor adjusting for the cold Winter Weather should be done in the Fall. Whether it is a Rochester dual or quadro jet type of carburetor or Ford's Motor craft type of carb. setting the choke and the air fuel mixtures should be set a little rich.

HOW TO ADJUST YOUR CARBURETOR RIGHT:

When you first start your carbureted vehicle in the cold Winter weather you need to set the automatic carburetor choke by tapping on the gas pedal a few times. If you are watching the choke linkage on your carburetor you will see the choke plate snap all the way closed. Another thing that happens while you are tapping your throttle pedal is your carburetors accelerator pump should be squirting a steady stream of gas downward inside of the intake manifold. If you don't see the steady stream of fuel shooting out from the accelerator pump in your carburetor then carburetor adjusting for the cold Winter weather will not work. You will need to replace the carburetors accelerator pump.

HOW TO ADJUST YOUR CARBURETOR:

Okay once your carburetor has closed the choke plate and your accelerator pump has pumped a few strong streams of fuel the car should start with the linkage set on the fast idle cam. You can now adjust your fast idle speed on your carburetor by a screw that is located on the lower left side of your carburetor under the choke. At this point you can check the operation of your primary and secondary choke pull offs on your carburetor which is vacuum controlled. If the choke pull offs on your carburetor is not retracting then you need to replace your carburetors choke pull offs. If they are working properly then you can rich-en up these pull off settings either by bending the carburetors choke linkage or by the adjusting screw on the choke pull off itself. By adjusting your choke pull offs your carburetor adjusting for the cold Winter weather will improve how your vehicle runs cold.

ADJUSTING YOUR CARBURETOR:

After a few minutes you can hit the throttle pedal to kick down the choke linkage to the basic idle position. By now your electric carburetor choke should be wide open and your basic idle speed on your carburetor should be around 750 to 800 RPMs. I hope this carburetor adjustments for the cold winter weather article will help you better understand of how your carburetor works with a cold engine.

For more carburetor repair tips please visit my blog at, "Auto Repair Savings And my Special Links".

Also see... Diagnose Car Misfires!

Should I Pay For a Diagnostic Charge/Rip off Scams

2011-10-27T21:32:00.001-05:00

Have you ever taken your vehicle in for repairs and the auto repair shop could not fix the problem? And now the mechanic expects you to pay for his time spent on your car. This could be one of those rip off scams revealed and you don’t even know it. Many not all auto mechanics will spend a few minutes on your vehicle and say he spent 2.5 hours working on it. As a matter in fact I saw one auto technician take a customers car to lunch and returned with no clue what was wrong with the vehicle. Another example was a auto repair shop manager sprayed some degreaser on the timing chain cover and told the customer he replaced the timing belt which amounted to over $300. One more example is a car came in with a sensor unplugged and the mechanic just plugged it back in and the car was fixed after charging the customer for a new sensor, labor to install, and unnecessary shop supplies that were never used.

So the question still remains should you pay for a diagnostic charge if the problem isn’t fixed? Another example is a car came in with an alternator not plugged in. The auto repair shop owner instructed the tech. to pull the alternator off and repaint it in the back parts room. Once it was dry it was installed back onto the vehicle and charged the customer over $400. There are so many rip off scams out there it is unbelievable. Paying for a diagnostic charge where the repair shop could not fix the problem really have you in his pocket because until you pay him he does not have to turn over your keys to you.

The only defense that you have is to stand there all day and see how much time the mechanic actually spends working on your car. But who has time for that? Price and labor mark up is getting out of hand. You get charged twice the amount for the same part as if you walked in and paid for it yourself. Then if the labor guide calls for 2.0 hours to install the part the mechanic will try and get away with charging you 3.5 hours. If you can ask the auto repair shop manager if you can see the book time you are being charged. Chances are he will not let you in the shop due to insurance purposes. As I said many times before go to QwikTalk and ask the guys there if you are getting scammed on a car diagnostics.

Diagnose Car Misfires
Keywords: auto repair scams, cars and trucks, diagnostic charges, QwikTalk

Automotive Cooling System: Radiator Flush-What is a Radiator Flush?

2011-06-13T02:04:00.002-05:00

In this article on cooling systems I will try to answer the question, “What is a Radiator Flush?”

Cooling Pressure Test Kit

Basically a radiator flush is what it sounds like, the flushing and cleaning of your radiator. At least once a year you should have your cooling system inspected for proper operation. The job of the radiator is to help cool down the automotive engine in extreme cold and hot weather. Should your radiator get dirty and plugged up you will notice a rise in your temperature gage. This is where a radiator flush might be suggested by your local auto repair technician.

Automotive Radiator

The cost of a radiator flush should run you around $20-$30 and should take about 30 minutes to perform. The automotive repair technician will wait a few minutes before removing your radiator cap and opening your radiator drain plug. Once this is completed most of your antifreeze just in the radiator will be drained out and possibly recycled. Some auto repair shops will run some water through the radiator for cleaning purposes before the new antifreeze is poured back in.

Car Engine Block

The contaminants that will be removed by the radiator flush is dirt, rust, and corrosion. If your cooling system is not flushed out on a regular basis the radiator could eventually plug up and cause your engine to overheat. The worst case scenario is you will blow a head gasket causing hundreds of dollars in auto repairs. So as you can see it’s a good idea to have your radiator flush on your cooling system at least once a year.

Back in the 90's I can remember the big problem with General Motor's orange life time antifreeze. It was suppose to last the life of the car then they said ok maybe it will last 100,000 miles instead. I can remember doing some warranty work at a Buick Dealership and found cars and trucks with only 30-40 thousand miles on them and the orange antifreeze was eating away the engine from the inside out! Gaskets were giving out earlier than what was expected, the entire cooling system was deterioating very quickly. General Motors finally warned the consumers to get rid of the orange antifreeze with a cooling system flush and fill including flushing out the radiator. You can find some of the information here.

My 25 years experience found that an entire flush and fill on every make and model should be performed once a year with a thermostat and radiator cap. This type of maintenance on your automotive cooling system will prevent any cooling system problem for the life of the car.

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