Auto Maintenance & Repairs How-Tos
How To: Prepare a new OEM car body part for paint
In this automotive guide, we learn how to prepare an OEM car-body part for painting. For all of the gritty details, including step-by-step instructions, and to get started prepping your own parts for painting, watch this video tutorial.
How To: Diagnose and fix a "no heat" problem on a Nissan Altima
In this automotive repair guide, we learn how to troubleshoot and repair a "no heat" problem on a Nissan Altima car. For all of the gritty details, including step-by-step instructions, and to get started resolving your own Altima's no-heat trouble, watch this video tutorial.
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: Replace the valve seals if your engine is smoking
Does your car engine blow white or blue smoke when your first start it up and then stop? That usually means that your engine valve seals aren't working correctly. Watch this video to learn how to find and fix the problem.
How To: Use a lab scope for coil ramping and diagnosing good and bad coils
The lab scope is one of the most powerful diagnostic and repair tools for the modern mechanic. In this video you'll learn how adjust coil ramping with a lab scope and use the scope to determine if your have good or bad engine coils.
How To: Read a car electrical diagram with a Toyota Tacoma clutch start switch example
Being able to read an electrical diagram will greatly aide your ability to correctly diagnose car problems. If you need some help with it, watch this video for a detailed explanation of how to read an example map for the clutch start switch on a Toyota.
How To: Fix error code P1345 by changing your timing with a lab scope
If you've done major work on your engine recently, you may find yourself with error code P1345, which means your timing is off. In this video you'll learn how to use a lab scope to both diagnose and fix a distributor timing problem.
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: Find evidence of low oil pressure in your car
If the oil pressure gauge on your car is acting erratic, you might think that the fuel pump or filter on your car is bad. Assuming is not the way to fix your car, and in this video you'll learn how to figure out what is causing your low oil pressure, possibly saving you having to replace your filter and pump.
How To: Find, test, and replace the blower resistor on a Chrysler
The blower resistor is one of the many obscure parts in your car. If you find that the fan in your car only works on high, you might well have a broken one. In this video you'll learn how to find, test, and if need be replace the blower resistor in a 2002 Dodge van.
How To: Change the timing belt on a '00 Lexus or Toyota 3.0 engine
Lexus and Toyota are really the same company, which means happily that you can apply many of the same techniques to fixing both. In this video you'll learn how to change the timing belt on a 2000 Lexus or Toyota 3.0 liter engine (of Camry fame) yourself.
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: Use a lab scope to test the fuel pump circuit in a car
The lab scope is one of the most versatile diagnostic tools that you can have in your car shop. If you've been thinking about buying one or are looking for new ways to use it, watch this video to learn how to use a lab scope to test a fuel pump circuit.
How To: Use a vacuum gauge to diagnose a broken timing belt
There are several areas of your car that should contain a vacuum, and a vacuum gauge is a cheap easy way to identify all sorts of car problems. In this video you'll learn how to diagnose a bad timing belt with a vacuum gauge more cheaply and easily than any other method.
How To: Fix uneven or loose spark plug tubes that mess up your valve covers
Your spark plugs are finicky by themselves, but did you know that the spark plug tubes in your engine can become loose or uneven, leading to your valve covers not sitting evenly? Watch this video to learn how you can fix your spark plug tubes and prevent engine problems.
How To: Test a possible bad coil on your car for cheap
The coils in your car's engine can cause a lot of misfires if they aren't working properly. If you want to test them and don't have any expensive professional equipment like a labscope, watch this video to learn an easy way to test coils.
How To: Fix vacuum problems, error codes P0171 and P0174, in a Ford Escape
Determining exactly what of the thousands of parts on a modern car is broken is as difficult as doing the repairs many times. IN this video you'll learn how to diagnose and fix error codes P0171 and P0174 on a 2001 Ford Escape, which indicate vacuum problems.
How To: Inspect your car alternator and fix it if it's bad
The alternator in your car is a vital part of your electrical system. If your battery is draining quickly or your battery light comes on for no reason, you probably have a bad alternator. Watch this video to learn how to assess problems with the alternator and fix them yourself.
How To: Replace leaking intake manifold gaskets
If the intake manifold on your car is leaking, you probably have a gasket problem. In this video Emmy-winning auto mechanic Scotty Kilmer will teach you how to replace the intake manifold gasket on your car, including prepping the new one with brake cleaner, of all things.
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: Clean or replace a worn air flow sensor in your car
If your car doesn't run very well and sometimes belches black smoke from the tailpipe, you may well have a problem with your air flow sensor. In this video you'll learn how to determine what's wrong with the sensor and then clean or replace it accordingly.
How To: Replace warped brake rotors on your car
If the steering wheel on your car shakes when you apply pressure to the brakes, you probably have warped brake rotors. In this video, you'll learn how to access your brake rotors, remove them, and install new working ones on your front brakes.
How To: Use Lysol to Clean Bacteria Out of Your Car's Air Conditioning System
Air conditioning systems are cold and wet and make great breeding grounds for bacteria and mold, and adding a nasty odor to the air coming out of the vents.
How To: Find out why your car is overheating and fix it
The internal combustion engine is hot by it's very nature, and keeping it cool is vital to keeping your car running. In this video you'll learn how to figure out why your car is overheating and fix some common causes of the problem.
How To: Use a scanner to figure out why your check engine light is on
The modern car is a complicated beast, but fortunately the engine code system makes figuring out what's wrong with a complex vehicle simpler. In this video you'll learn how to use a simple scanner to scan your car and figure out what has made the check engine light come on.
How To: Figure out why your car A/C isn't blowing cold air
If your A/C in your car turns on but isn't blowing any cold air, you might have one of a few problems. In this video you will learn how to check the compressor, the pressure in the system, and how to add refrigerant if it's low.
How To: Find and fix leaking spark plug tubes in your engine
If you pull the spark plugs out of your engine and they are covered in oil, that might seem terrible, but the problem really isn't that bad in all likelihood. Your probably have a spark plug tube leak, and this video will show you how to find and fix just such a problem.
How To: Fix a truck that overheats in traffic by replacing the radiator fan clutch
If your car overheats in traffic but not on the highway, you may have a broken radiator fan clutch. In this video you'll learn how to find and fix this problem on a truck, with special consideration for the massive size of such vehicles.
How To: Replace a leaking power steering hose on your car
Power steering is one of the nicest and least-appreciated amenities of the modern car, and if yours stops working you'll know it fast. In this video you'll learn how to check if your power steering hose is leaking and how to replace it if it is.
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: Repair air conditioning leaks in your car
If the air conditioner in your car has stopped pumping cold air out, you probably have a refrigerant leak somewhere in the system. In this video you will learn how to find the leak in your A/C and fix it, keeping yourself cool and comfortable.
How To: Fix engine oil leaks by replacing the oil pump seal
If your engine is leaking oil from under the pulley in the front of the engine, you probably need to replace the oil pump seal. In this video Emmy Award-winning mechanic Scotty Kilmer will teach you how to do just that at home.
How To: Fix your own drive shaft with new U-joints
If the drive shaft on your car is making clunking noises as you drive, it may be time for a new set of U-joints. In this video Emmy-winning TV mechanic Scotty Kilmer will teach you how to install U-joints in your own car and fix your drive shaft.
How To: Repair the clutch hydraulic cylinders in your car
Does the clutch pedal in your car go all the way to the floor? You probably7 have a problem with your hydraulic clutch cylinders. This video will teach you how to diagnose the problem and then fix it yourself at home.
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: Inspect and repair the radiator cooling fans on your car
The radiator cooling fans on your car are vital to keeping the car cool enough to run and pretty simple to work with. In this video you'll learn how to diagnose problems with and fix the radiator cooling fans in most modern cars. Problems include the fan motor, the fuse, and the control switch
How To: Replace the radiator on your car if it has holes in it
The radiator is one of the most recognizable parts of a car, and one that most people don't have to deal with as much as they did 50 years ago. If yours has holes, you have to replace it, and this video will teach you how to drain and replace the radiator in nearly any modern car.
How To: Change the spark plugs on a modern car
Spark plugs are some of the most important parts of your car. Engines flatly don't work without them. If you're having misfires or other engine issues, watch this video to learn how to check your spark plugs and replace them if need be.
How To: Check the compression pressure on an engine
If your engine isn't generating as much power as it should be, your may have a compression pressure issue. In this video award-winning mechanic Scotty Kilmer will teach you how to check the compression pressure in your engine and determine what to do afterwards.