Repairing Auto

I have been getting a lot of reader emails the last few months asking…”Austin, what have you been up to lately, I dont get as many emails and RSS feed updates as I used to get”

First off, I want to say thank you for your concern….it makes me feel loved, My family and I recently moved just a few more miles North of Houston to Magnolia TX into a larger home on 10 acres of land. (Reason for move…. I wanted a bigger tractor)

Since we have so much land, and I have two young daughters, I decided we should build a pond in our backyard….a BIG one, to swim in.

Soooooo, I have been busy the last two months working with contractors, and digging and cutting down trees myself to make room for the pond. here are some videos, so you dont think I have just been sitting around watching TV in my boxers all day long….although since I work from home….I can do that.

Adding Gunite to the beach entry…..I dont like gushy mud squishing up between my toes!

And the final few stages of the build out

If you are in the area, stop in for a swim!

Blessings

Austin

Source: Auto Repair

My wife’s family recent purchased a very interesting mode of transportation. They live in Houma Louisiana and don’t have a lot of street traffic…compared to Houston where I live, so I guess it is relatively safe to drive.

They were looking for an economical but easy to drive and easy on the eyes vehicle, and they came across this. The RTM Tango 50 Trike.

This is what I found out about this little vehicle on their factory website.

Others General possible uses:

* Economical Commuter car alternative.
* A vehicle for older riders who don’t have the strength to lift bikes off side stands.
* A nice alternative to the “trike” conversions offered now.
* An inexpensive first car for young people.
* A “bike” to ride to work when it rains

The RTM Tango is available in two engines version Tango 50 with a 2 stroke – 49.3 cc – liquid cooled with 5.8ps and Tango 200 with a 4 stroke – 189.8cc – liquid cooled with 16.7ps both with CVT automatic transmission with reverse. RTM Tango are available in four colors red, blue, yellow and white in two tone combination with black.

RTM Tango is register as motorcycles and meets the NHTSA and DOT regulations, as well as EPA requirements. RTM Tango is a street legal vehicle and it’s recommended to check your local DMV on your states requirements for motorcycles. RTM Tango products come with a full one (1) year warranty on pasts.

Source: Auto Repair

Reader Question

My 2003 Toyota 4 Runner V6 (85,000 miles) has begun (a new problem this winter) to show hard starting after years where it showed quick start up with just a touch of the ignition key contact turn. Last night it cranked ten times and didn’t catch. Next, it cranked 6-8times and very faintly caught and very slowly began to run as if starved for something. (I resisted pumping the gas.)

Gradually (20 seconds) it came to life and ran just fine after that ( doesn’t die at idle or such.). I was concerned it wouldn’t start at all. The power is fine and it runs smoothly after it starts. I live at 8700 feet elevation and visit often at 9100 feet elev. The problem is worst at these altitudes.

I have added HEET and use 87 octane ( they sell 85 octane here as “regular”) without help. Is this problem most likely oxygen sensor failure (does it wear out?) ?; computer problem with air/fuel ratio problem? air filter? battery (its the original one); timing belt (due at 90,000), bad plugs? or… I would greatly appreciate any ideas or suggestions.

Thank you

Russ

Hey Russ,

I always start with the simple stuff in situations like this, clean the throttle body, make sure there are no obvious vacuum leaks under the hood and that the air cleaner housing is installed properly, check spark plugs, replace fuel filter, check ignition coils, check fuel pump pressure etc. etc.

I would bet you have a dirty throttle body, which can easily be cleaned by your mechanic or fast lube place. I would start there first. You are due for new plugs, so that would be my next step if a clean throttle body still gives you trouble…..hopefully that solves the problem.

Here is more on the throttle body

Blessings,

Austin Davis

Source: Auto Repair

Reader Question

My Chevy Venture the AC will run, blow hot air, and when we try and fill it with Freon, it will not take any. The fans are both running. Could this be a compressor problem? I am a female, and I don’t want to find myself being taken to the dry cleaners, on cost and bad workmanship. Please help me.

Thanks,
Roxanne

Hi there Roxanne,

You COULD have a compressor issue….or there could be a restriction in the system like from an orifice tube or accumulator drier, or there could be something wrong with the “Schrader” charging valve itself not allowing Freon to enter the system.

Charging the system with Freon should be pretty inexpensive, you might want to get a professional mechanic to do it for you just so you make sure you get the proper amount of compressor oil and Freon mix and don’t damage things that will cost you lots of money.

Blessings,

Austin Davis

Source: Auto Repair

Reader Question

Austin,

I have an 1989 Chevy Corvette, 6 speed, with 16,000 miles. Recently when I drive the car and after it is warmth up (the coolant is 180 degrees), the car will stall and the rpms drop to zero in a hurry when I put the clutch in.

The only way to keep it going at a stop is to rev the engine to 15 rpms. The car rarely gives any trouble when first starting. Area shade tree mechanics have suggested EGR valve, the computer chip, and 160 degree thermostat. Tell me what to do.

Thanks Terry

Hey Terry,

If the engine dies at idle in neutral and while coasting and when your foot is NOT depressing the clutch…then you might have an engine idle problem, and I would start by cleaning your Throttle Body bore….assuming this is a TBI engine, which I am assuming it is.

If the engine idles just fine at neutral, while coasting and only dies when you depress the clutch, you might have a problem with the clutch pressure plate. In that case, the transmission has to come out of the vehicle and you will essentially replace the clutch. I have seen similar issues with pressure plates…although rare.

Try to rule out the simple stuff first, like a dirty throttle body or a vacuum leak under the hood somewhere. I would also suggest you find a mechanic who is capable of working on Vette’s, since they are a different animal.

Blessings,

Austin Davis

Source: Auto Repair

Reader Question

I have a 1967 Chevy Camaro with disks on the front and drums on the back. When I apply the brake pedal the front brakes work, but the back do not.

I have it up on jack stands and cannot turn the front tires by hand while the brake pedal is depressed. If I start the car (while on the jack stands) and put the car in gear the wheels turn freely while the brake pedal is depressed…I have to wait until the wheels slow down to put the car back in park!

Any help you could be would be appreciated.

Pete

Hey there Pete,

I would first open up the brake lines in the rear and make sure you have brake fluid coming out of them. If you don’t have brake fluid going to the rear brakes you most likely have a bad brake proportioning valve, which is probably located under the vehicle under the driver seat area. Follow the brake lines from the master cylinder to the rear brakes to find the valve then replace it.

These valves can rust and restrict the flow of brake fluid, although this is rare, but I have seen this happen several times on older vehicles. BUT before you just run out and replace this valve, open the rear brake lines before the valve and make sure you have ample fluid going TO the valve. You could have a problem with the master cylinder if you can’t get fluid to the proportioning valve.

If you DO have ample brake fluid coming out of the lines at the rear brakes, then I would try adjusting the rear brakes. The rear brakes should just barely drag on the drum as you turn the wheel by hand. Also make sure the brake shoes are installed correctly and facing the right way, and that the self adjusters are also installed correctly and are working properly.

Blessings,

Austin Davis

Reader Follow up

Hey there Austin,

I opened the rear brake lines and had fluid coming out, so I opened up the lines in front of the prop valve and had fluid going to it.

I adjusted my brakes again (the driver side shoes were reversed as you suggested). I am able to stop the rear wheels with the emergency brake, but still unable to make an impact with the pedal.

To me this leaves only the power booster…correct?

Pete

Hey there again Pete,

I think you are very close to solving your problem. OK, if you DO have brake fluid coming to the rear wheels when you stepped on the brake pedal, AND you corrected your brake shoe installation (reversing the shoes happens all the time) the next thing on my list would be to inspect/replace the two rear wheel cylinders. I highly suspect your wheel cylinders are rusted and not operating. You can test my theory if you are VERY careful.

Remove the wheels and the rear drums. Have someone VERY VERY VERY carefully and VERY GENTLY push slowly down on the brake pedal about 1 inch. You should see the two wheel cylinders begin to move and push the shoes out. If you don’t see anything happening, I bet the cylinders are frozen shut with rust and not allowing the brake fluid to push out the shoes.

If you push the brake pedal down too far you will push out the wheel cylinder plungers and they will need to be replaced….and it’s messy. Don’t get fluid on the shoes, if you do spray them down with brake cleaner spray before re-installing.

If the wheel cylinders DO push out the shoes, then you are still out of manual adjustment and need to properly adjust the rear brakes. Since you do have brake fluid at the rear brakes (assuming you have ample fluid, not just a small drop or two of fluid) I am assuming your brake master cylinder and proportioning valve are working properly, and the restriction is in the rear cylinders. There has to be a rust restriction somewhere in the system.

Blessings,

Austin Davis

Source: Auto Repair

There could be a Stephen King movie about electrical corrosion. It’s a tiny, green and white, crusty, invasive little beast that sneaks in one dot at a time. Before long,…

Source: About Auto Repair

Diesel pickup trucks have not had a large market share in the present or recent past. The automakers will try to change this in the very near future. The American pickup truck market has been the strongest sector for American-made vehicles during the last decade. Chevy Ford and Dodge have been supplying well-built long-lasting trucks to the power-hungry pickup truck market. The power plant in these vehicles has mainly been a large gas engine.

With the increasing need for every vehicle built to obtain the best possible fuel mileage, something has to happen. The most logical choice at this point would be to install a diesel power plant to preserve the power yet increase the fuel economy. The pickup truck manufacturers are betting that diesels will be a better answer for the power-hungry buyers in their market than a hybrid or alternative fueled truck.

The American buying public has resisted the diesel pickup truck for many reasons. Some of the leading reasons for this resistance would be the conception that a diesel engine is noisy, slow and smoky. And this is definitely a true statement of the diesel engines of the past. American truck manufacturers have been hard at work for the last decade to improve the drivability and performance of these diesel engines. Also for the 2008 model year, stricter diesel emissions standards has required installation of a particle filter that greatly reduces the soot and smoke that the vehicle expels.

The lackluster performance of a diesel engine has also been improved. Twin turbo diesels, along with variable geometry turbo diesels have entered the market with rave reviews. A quick search on you tube will reveal many videos of the Chevy 6.5 turbo diesel in a pickup truck turning an eight second quarter mile. Also, the Ford 6 L turbo diesel with the variable geometry turbo is a high performer right off the showroom floor.

Why turn to a diesel pickup

A diesel engine due to its high compression ratio is a very efficient internal combustion engine. Most diesel engines will achieve double the miles per gallon than a gas engine of the same size or displacement. Diesel engines are big all around the world and America’s resistance to the diesel engine will be coming to an end. For right now, diesel fuel prices are slightly higher than gasoline prices. This is mainly due to a sudden spike in diesel popularity.

An example of this is that when you pull up to your local gas station. There will usually be five to 10 gasoline pumps to one or two diesel fuel pumps. Once the infrastructure at your local gas station accommodates additional pumping stations and tanks for the gaining popularity of diesel engines, fuel prices should stabilize and be about the same.

The diesel engine is an amazing piece of automotive technology. Internal combustion created without a spark plug should be respected. If you want to continue to have an extremely powerful pickup truck it is time to consider a diesel-powered version of this great American workhorse.

Learn how to make your own bio-diesel, Install the home made on demand hydrogen system and apply the proven fuel mileage enhancements all in one place. This triple threat to the gas company’s profits can role back your fuel costs to 75 cents a gallon. Visit fuel trips for more information “ Click Here”

Source: Auto Repair Info Blog Spot

 General Motors Holden is celebrating it’s 60th year of local vehicle production by unveiling the ‘Coupe 60′ at the 2008 Melbourne Motor Show. Touted strictly as a concept car, Holden says the Coupe 60 is a “60th anniversary gift to the fans worldwide.”

More images in the Photo Gallery.

Holden has stopped short of calling this concept car a Monaro but admits that it may be a hint that the Monaro is set to make yet another comeback.

 The coupe shares it’s wheelbase and underpinnings with the VE sedan and comes equipped with the Chevrolet sourced 6.0 litre V8 which is expected to put out somewhere in the vicinity of 300kw. This engine has been designed to run on up to 85 per cent ethanol and with Holden’s Active Fuel Management can run on only four cylinders during light throttle and cruising conditions.

 The styling of the concept coupe is fairly radical with huge 21 inch wheels filling out the bulging wheel arches and twin side-exit exhausts behind each door adding another muscular element.

 Considering that the original Commodore Coupe of 1998 was said to be a ‘concept only’ car and went on to become the Monaro, one has to wonder if this vehicle will find it’s way on to the showroom floors as the new Monaro in the not-to-distant future.

Source: drive.com.au 

Source: AUTOFIX.COM.AU

 One of our champion long-term site sponsors, American Muscle is helping to sponsor an attempt at the ECTA Land Speed Record for a Production Supercharged vehicle with a Stock Bottom End which is currently at 186.853MPH from a standing mile. Attempting this feat will be the car’s 73 year old owner Robert Self.

 The attempt will be made April 5th & 6th, 2008 at the East Coast Timing Association (ECTA) in Maxton, North Carolina. On the ECTA’s 1mile x 30ft abandoned runway track, Robert is looking to hit a cool 200 - 210MPH and have room to stop.

 A fully custom roll cage, Halon fire extinguishing system, and drag chute have been installed by S & W Racecars. All performance enhancements and custom SCT dynamometer tuning have been performed by Eric Swarr & his team at Swarr Auto Performance Center in Collegeville, Pennsylvania.

 In addition to the $15,000 Whipple Industries Supercharger upgrade, Robert has an additional $30,000 over the car’s $170,000 base price invested in performance and safety upgrades. AmericanMuscle.com will be setting Robert up with the proper tire setup for running speeds in excess of 200MPH in a 1000+ horsepower car, and also helping to promote the event.

 Exclusive and exciting American Muscle Images and Video Footage are available of this future record breaking vehicle. Images in zip file are 1024×768, if you require original 300dpi images for print; please contact nick@americanmuscle.com with the name of the image(s) you require. Full the full image collection of this awesome piece of machinery please visit the Autofix Photo Gallery. 

You need to a flashplayer enabled browser to view this YouTube video

Source: AUTOFIX.COM.AU