Hot Auto Maintenance & Repairs Posts
How To: Swap out the 4.7L engine from a 2002 Dodge Ram truck
If you're the owner of a 2002 Dodge Ram Truck you may be looking to swap out the motor for one that works. This video is part 1 of a 2 part how-to, which will show you what to do to be out with the old engine and in with the new.
How To: Replace drum brake shoes on a 2001 Honda Odyssey
Some of you out there actually own a Honda Odyssey, and if you do, you may be in desperate need of some new drum brake shoes. In this video, Eric shows you how easy it is to remove and replace drum brake shoes on a 2001 Odyssey. There's some good info on drum brake servicing, plus more!
How To: Troubleshoot and fix broken windshield wipers
If your windshield wipers don't come on when you turn the switch, then try out the solutions in this video! First, check to see if there's a blown fuse. If that's okay, next check the power going to the wiper motor. You have to take the wiper arms off to get to the motor. Watch Scotty Kilmer in this video for all the remaining troubleshooting tips for broken windshield wipers.
How To: Fix sticking power steering with Sea Foam Trans Tune
Is your power steering binding when you're trying to turn? Or maybe it turns real easy to the right, but extremely hard to turn to the left? Well, that's a classic sign of a power steering rack that has problems. But before you go out and buy an expensive rack and pinion, and take the whole front end of the car apart to replace it, you might want to try a little trick first— Sea Foam Trans Tune, which is also for hydraulic and power steering systems.
How To: Remove and replace the automatic transmission on a Dodge Neon
In this automotive repair guide, we learn how to remove and replace an automatic transmission on a Dodge Neon car. For all of the gritty details, including step-by-step instructions, and to get started removing the tranny on your own Dodge Neon, watch this video tutorial.
How To: Use a smoke machine to find an evap leak in a car
Figuring out exactly where a small leak is in a solid black car tube is tough. That's where the smoke machine comes in. In this video you'll learn how the party staple can help you test an evap line for leaks.
How To: Fix error code P0500 on a Nissan Quest
If the speedometer on your car isn't working and the check engine light is on, get your scanner out and look for code P0500. If you get that code, watch this video to learn a quick easy fix for the problem.
How To: Replace a bad expansion valve in your car AC
One of the many thing that can go wrong with the air conditioner on your car is a bad expansion valve. In this video you'll learn how to replace the expansion valve yourself, assuming that you've already drained the refrigerant from the system professionally.
How To: Figure out what's draining your car battery and fix it
Figuring out what was causing your old car battery to drain power was easy, but on modern cars it's more complicated due to their large number of electrical devices. In this video you'll learn how to find out what's draining the battery on your new car and fix it.
How To: Fix a car that cranks but won't start
If your car cranks but won't start, there are one of two main things that could be wrong: the fuel system or the spark plugs. In this video you'll learn how to figure out which problem your have and how to fix it.
How To: Change a valve cover gasket in your engine
If smoke is coming from your car's engine you definitely have problems. It might not be too bad though, you may just need to replace the valve cover gasket. In this video you'll learn how to do just that with Emmy-winning TV mechanic Scotty Kilmer.
How To: Replace the rear wheel bearings on a Toyota car
Replacing the rear wheel bearings on a car is a great place to start for at-home mechanics, as you don't need to fully lift the car or work with any really complicated parts. This video will teach you everything you need to know to change out the rear wheel bearings on any Toyota car.
How To: Find electrical shorts in a car with a test light and fix a broken 12v plug
Your car's electrical system is massive and complicated. Trying to find a short in the system might sound like a job for a professional, but in this video you will learn how you can use an $8 test light to locate a shorts in your car's electrical system. It will also teach you how to fix it if the problem is the cigarette lighter, now more commonly known as the 12 volt plug.
How To: Use Fiberglass Filler For Auto Body Repair
Assuring A Proper Repair When Welding Vehicle Sheet Metal Any weld that is performed on a vehicle requires certain steps to assure a proper repair. For example, weld-through-primer must be applied to the welded surface being welded; corrosion protection must be applied to the back side of the welded area, etc. In this article we are going to discuss why fiberglass is required for auto body repair.
How To: Repair a minor dent on a car with body filler & block sanding
In this thorough 30 minute video tutorial, Donnie Smith shows you a method of repairing a minor dent on a car with body filler and also shows you how to block sand the filler. For the novice who wants to learn more about car maintenance, this is the perfect tutorial.
How To: Replace an oil pressure sending unit to fix a low engine oil pressure gauge
Your "check gauges" light comes on inside your vehicle, which prompts you to notice your oil pressure gauge, which is reading pretty low. What do you do to resolve this car problem? In this video, Scotty Kilmer shows you what you can do to shut that low engine oil light off for good!
How To: Read a window motor electrical diagram for a car
Electrical diagrams are hard to read for all but the most mechanically-inclined, and the ones for the power windows on cars are notoriously complicated. This three-part video will teach you how to read these diagrams and make sense of what you see.
How To: Replace the door hinge pins on a car
When the doors on your car get older they often stop closing as well as they once did. If you've checked the striker plate and that seems fine, you may need to replace your door hinge pins. This video will show you how to do just that.
How To: Fix the air conditioning condenser on a Mazda 6
The Mazda 6 is a great little car, but if you like to work on your car yourself it can be a nightmare. It's bays were clearly not designed with ease of repair in mind. Watch this video to learn how to fix a broken air conditioning condenser in a Mazda 6, if you dare to try.
How To: Decipher multiple error codes from a car
When you use a scanner to look for error codes on a car, many can show up at once and confuse you as to the nature of the problem. Often, all of the codes are responses to the same problem. Watch this video for tips on interpreting multiple error codes.
How To: Fix the lamp out module on a 1996 Ford Explorer if your headlights are broken
Ford Explorers have a weird problem where the lo-beam headlights won't work even after the bulbs and fuses have been replaced. This is because they draw their power from the lamp out module, and this often breaks. Learn how to fix it in this video.
How To: Fix error code P0171 on a 2000 Ford Escort
Automotive computers and error codes are a blessing and a curse for mechanics. If your 2000 Ford Taurus shows error code P0171, that means the air fuel mixture is lean. This can be caused by a number of things, and this video will show you one easy thing to check for that might save you a trip to the shop.
How To: Fix a spark plug well oil leak in a Honda Accord
If you've got oil leaking into the spark plug wells on your Honda Accord, you're not alone. This a pretty common problem, and fortunately for you this video is here to show you how to fix it, assuming you're decent at auto maintenance already. Make sure you line everything up when you reinstall the rock assembly!
How To: Replace the left (non-driver's side) windshield wiper pivot on an LLV postal t
Unlike other automobiles, the LLV (Long Life Vehicle) postal truck is driven on the right side of the vehicle, not the left. This can complicate repairs for any mechanic if they're not familiar with these trucks which carry mail across the country by the United States Postal Service (USPS). One repair that isn't easy is replacing the windshield wiper pivots. Actually, the driver's side (right) wiper pivot is pretty easy, but the left side is quite a chore. If the one's you're working on are w...
How To: Remove and replace the valve body for a Toyota A750E/F or AB60E/F transmission
If you need to replace your valve body on your transmission, this video tutorial will show you how simple it is to do yourself. This focuses specifically on the valve body replacement of the Toyota A750E or A750F model transmission, and can also be applied to the AB60E or AB60F transmission, which can be found in vehicles like the Tundra, FJ Cruiser, 4Runner, Sequoia, and more.
How To: Smoke test an EVAP leak (code P0442) in a 2002 Jeep Liberty
After running a diagnostics test on a 2002 Jeep Liberty, if you get the code P0442, that means you have an Evaporative Emission Control System (EVAP) leak detected, which is just a small leak, but a leak nonetheless. This video will show you how to smoke test the EVAP leak to find the problem spot inside the vehicle.
How To: Reset the timing on a Chevrolet pickup truck
Anytime your do work on the distributor, you're going to have to reset the timing on your vehicle. This video covers resetting the timing on a Chevrolet pickup truck, but this method could also work for other make and models pickups. In order to reset the timing, you have to disconnect the set timing connector. Watch and see the whole process.
How To: Lift a pickup truck bed instead of dropping the tank for fuel pump access
For most vehicles, the only way to replace the fuel pump is by dropping the tank, which could take a long time. But on most flatbed pickup trucks, there's a simpler way to access the troublesome fuel pump. Simply unbolt the bed and lift that sucker up! See the trick to avoiding the gas tank.
How To: Use a shortcut to quickly remove a heater core on a 2001 Ford Taurus
When working on the dashboard of any vehicle, make sure you disable the vehicle's airbag system first. Your service manual should tell you how to do that. In this video, the heater core is plugged up in a 2001 Ford Taurus, which means it needs to be taken out. The book states it will take 5 hours to complete, mostly because of the dash. But this trick will cut the time down to 1.5 hours. First, get you heater hoses off in the engine area. Then proceed to watch a mysterious bracket being cut o...
How To: Troubleshoot a mysterious coolant leak on a 1999 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L
The main complaint for this 1999 Jeep Cherokee, 4.0L, is that the Low Coolant Light keeps flashing on and that it keeps needing coolant. Nothing seems to be leaking on the ground, so where's the leak going? After doing the normal pressure test to spot the leak, and the combustion gas leak, and the overnight test, nothing seemed to work. The coolant leak could not be identified. So, it must be the cylinder head, right? But you need evidence of that first. Watch and learn how to prove your theo...
How To: Cut R&R (remove & replace) time for an engine in a 2000 Chevrolet Express van
For most vehicles, the way you remove and replace (often referred to as R&R) an engine is by disconnecting everything from the motor and pulling it out of the frame. With the 2000 Chevrolet Express, the book time states 22 hours for R&R of the engine this way. But there is a shortcut, and it cuts the time nearly in half! It involves the backwards approach, where you lift the body of the Chevy Express off the frame, then pull the engine out.
How To: Troubleshoot a horn that's not working in a 1991 Ford Ranger pickup truck
This video will help you diagnose and troubleshoot a non-working horn in a 1991 Ford Ranger pickup truck. First off, the electrical diagram is a great place to start. Make sure the horn switch is getting power from the source. To test this, all you need is power and a ground to test it at the steering wheel. To see what else could be the problem, watch and learn from a professional mechanic.
How To: Change front brake pads on a Ford Escape
Don't waste money on pricey mechanics! Doing your own vehicle repairs can save you tons of dough, but just because you're avoiding the mechanics, doesn't mean you can't learn a thing or two from them. In this video, a professional shows you the quick steps to changing out the front brakes on a Ford Escape. After taking of the front wheel, you'll have to deal with the calipers and the brake pads, along with a few other things. But don't worry. Any do-it-yourselfer can change brakes. And the Fo...
How To: Remove and replace a Mitsubishi valve body control center
If you're Mitsubishi transmission is acting up, there could be something wrong with the DSM valve body, which is the hydraulic control center located in the engine. This video is super helpful for anybody needing to troubleshoot their valve body. You'll learn how to take the valve body out, and then reinstall it.
How To: Change your air filter on a 2008 Ninja motorcycle
In this tutorial, we learn how to change your air filter on a 2008 Ninja motorcycle. You will need: a number 5 Allen wrench, a screwdriver, and a new air filter. First, take the side cover off your bike with your screwdriver. After you remove this, set it down to the side as well as everything else that comes with it. Now, remove the air cover from the filter and set the screws to the side. Next, find your air filter and remove it from it's space. After this, replace the old filter with the b...
How To: Apply glaze putty to a damaged car
To apply glaze putty to your car, after it has been damaged, you will need the following: 80 grit sandpaper, goggles, respiration mask, putty
How To: Feather edge paint to prepare a damaged car for primer
In this Autos, Motorcycles & Planes video tutorial you will learn how to feather edge paint to prepare a damaged car for primer. Feather edging is the process of feathering or layering each layer of coating in order to prevent a rough edge. Use a 6 inch DA and 150 - 220 grit sandpaper to feather edge the paint edge. Apply the sandpaper all along the edge of the paint till the edges are smooth. Feel it with your hand to ensure that all the edges are smooth. Feather each layer of paint at least...
How To: Replace an inner tie rod on a Ford Explorer
In order to replace a inner tie rod on a Ford Explorer, you will need to loosen the jam nut first. Remove the pin and the nut, next. Loosen the outer tie rod. Count the rotations as you remove it. Remove the bellows boot. The inner clamp is not removable. You have to damage it to remove it. You will need an inner tie rod tool. Use your inner tie rod tool and adapter. Spin it. Compare the old and new part to make sure that you have the right one. Now, reinstall the rod. Align the vent tube wit...
How To: Hotwire a Nissan Patrol if you lose your keys
This tutorial is only for those who need it! Please don't be stupid and try to commit a crime. Anyway, in this tutorial you'll find out how to hotwire a Nissan Patrol in the likely event that you lose your keys. Messing with a cars wiring can be bad news if you don't have any idea of what you're doing, so be careful. Good luck and enjoy!
How To: Change a flat tire on a moter scooter
In order to change a flat tire on a motor scooter, you will need the following: the wrench that came with your scooter, a tire tube, a socket wrench, an allen wrench, a standard wrench, and a Phillips head screwdriver.