Hot Auto Maintenance & Repairs How-Tos

How To: Jack Up a Chevy Venture Van

This article will show you how to lift a Chevy Venture van using a floor jack and jack stands. This procedure may work on other vehicle types and models, such as cars and trucks. The key is to use the proper sized heavy duty floor jacks and jack stands to lift your vehicle, and locate the proper area of the vehicles frame to place the jack and stands.

How To: Replace a 2009 Ford Focus brake, backup, or tail light bulb

This tutorial shows you how to replace a rear light on a 2003 Ford Focus. Specifically, the video shows fixing the rear brake light, but this tutorial shows how to fix any rear light (including brake/tail, reverse, and turn signal lights). It is very simple and does not necessarily require any tools at all, though a pair of pliers comes in hand. Give me a break! Better yet, give me a working brake light on my 2003 Ford Focus! OK, if that's what you want, this video is going to show you how to...

How To: Diagnose an electrical problem with a fuel pump on an LLV postal truck

If you're working on a LLV postal truck, this video will show you how to determine if you've got a bad fuel pump or not. It's a quick diagnosis trick to determining if there's an electrical problem with the fuel pump, and first you need to take out the ECMB fuse, plug a jumper wire where it was, use a multimeter and labscope to see what's going on. The United States Postal Service (USPS) uses these trucks for all their postal deliveries, and if you're the mechanic working on it, this and the ...

How To: Install a camshaft sensor and/or synchronizer on a 1998 Ford Windstar 3.0L

This vehicle covers a 1998 Ford Windstar 3.0L which came into the shop without the chief complaint being it was stalling and running bad. After the scan, they got a code P0340, which is a cam sensor fault. The problem could lie in any part of the circuit - the sensor itself, the wiring, or the PCM. Watch and learn to see how to install a new camshaft sensor and/or synchronizer.

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: Replace the top coolant radiator hose in a Ford F-150

In this tutorial, we learn how to replace the top coolant radiator hose in a Ford F-150. If you notice that your hose is leaking and fluid, this is a sign you need to replace the hose! First, remove the coolant from the car so you can remove your hose. After you are sure you have removed all the coolant, you will then want to perform a back flush on the vehicle and flush the radiator. When you are finished with this, you will need to replace the hose and then replace all the fluids back in yo...

How To: Install a headlight upgrade on a Ford Mustang GT

In this tutorial, we learn how to install a headlight upgrade on a Ford Mustang GT. To start, remove the radiator cover and the clips around it. Now, take a 10 mm socket and remove the bolt next to the headlight. Now, turn your wheel to remove the screws around the headlight. Next, there will be 2 (10mm) bolts you will have to remove, as well as a fender lining. Disconnect your marker lights by pressing on the tabs on both sides of the car. Lay out a blanket to lay your bumper on. Now, remove...

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: Replace the camshaft sensor on a Nissan Altima

In this video, Richpin demonstrates how to replace the camshaft sensor in a Nissan Altima. The cam sensor is located by the cylinder box. First, remove the electrical connector off of the sensor. Push up on the lock on the bottom of the sensor to pull back and remove the connector. The sensor is held in by a bolt so remove the bolt with a ratchet wrench. Next, pull out the sensor. Wiggle it to remove the seal of the o-ring. Rub the residual oil on the new sensor's o-ring. Then, slide the new ...

How To: Replace an engine coolant tempature sensor on a Saturn

Richpin shows the proper way to replace an engine coolant temperature sensor on a Saturn S series. Before he explains the steps of replacing the sensor, Richpin covers the tools to use. Also, Richpin illustrates the types of tools to avoid before beginning the replacement process. First, remove the cap from the expansion tank and then tighten it the way it was before. Next, Richpin shows the procedure for locating the temp sensor. Then, remove the connector from the sensor. Afterwards, Richpi...

How To: Put a spare tire on your car

In this video it is demonstrated how to put a spare tire in your car if any of your tire is flat. First of all you should turn your car off and take out your auto manual to find out the location of spare tire and tool kit. Once you know that, take out the spare tire and the tools (mainly jack and spanner). With the help of the spanner loosen the screws in the tire. Then, with the help of a jack , raise your car a bit above the ground. Then take off the loosened screws from the tire and remove...

How To: Drain and fill the coolant in an Infiniti G35

Infiniti is like no other car, it has emotion, it has soul, it inspires. There's a difference between being physically transported and emotionally moved, and you can tell them apart when you sit inside this magnificent automobile. Although the Infiniti is like a dream car, it has its problems just like any other brand of vehicle. There's maintenance, minor repairs, major repairs, needed replacement parts, oil changes, headlight adjustment, low tires, transmission and everything else you can t...

How To: Remove the instrument cluster in an Infiniti G35

Infiniti is like no other car, it has emotion, it has soul, it inspires. There's a difference between being physically transported and emotionally moved, and you can tell them apart when you sit inside this magnificent automobile. Although the Infiniti is like a dream car, it has its problems just like any other brand of vehicle. There's maintenance, minor repairs, major repairs, needed replacement parts, oil changes, headlight adjustment, low tires, transmission and everything else you can t...

How To: Remove the EVAP purge solenoid in a Saturn S-Series

One day, your car may break down and you won't be able to afford to hire a mechanic, so what do you do... you look on the web for some how-to vehicle repair videos and become your own car mechanic, that's what. You don't need any advanced training to perform repairs and simple maintenance on your automobile, but you may need a few tools. Invest in the basic tools and you'll be prepared for just about any car malfunction you can think of. These tutorials will help get you on your way, as long ...

How To: Replace the power steering pump in a Saturn S-Series

One day, your car may break down and you won't be able to afford to hire a mechanic, so what do you do... you look on the web for some how-to vehicle repair videos and become your own car mechanic, that's what. You don't need any advanced training to perform repairs and simple maintenance on your automobile, but you may need a few tools. Invest in the basic tools and you'll be prepared for just about any car malfunction you can think of. These tutorials will help get you on your way, as long ...

How To: Remove the alternator from a Saturn S-Series car

One day, your car may break down and you won't be able to afford to hire a mechanic, so what do you do... you look on the web for some how-to vehicle repair videos and become your own car mechanic, that's what. You don't need any advanced training to perform repairs and simple maintenance on your automobile, but you may need a few tools. Invest in the basic tools and you'll be prepared for just about any car malfunction you can think of. These tutorials will help get you on your way, as long ...

How To: Remove the coolant hoses on a Honda 919 motorcycle

In this automotive repair tutorial you will learn how to replace the coolant lines on a Honda 919/Hornet 900 motorcycle. Learn how to drain the coolant, replace the existing hoses with new ones (in this case braided stainless steels ones) and refill the coolant. If you want to upgrade the coolant hoses or just need to replace the existing ones on your Honda 919 motorcycle, this video shows you how it's done.

How To: Make a quick-fix pantyhose alternator belt

You're driving down the road and all of a sudden SNAP—your alternator belt just snapped. You're losing power fast and need a quick fix, but there's no mechanic in sight. If you have a woman in the car, you may have a simple quick belt replacement—pantyhose. That's right, some simple pantyhose can act as a makeshift alternator belt until you find a proper solution, i.e. a real alternator belt. Check out this video to see how it's done!