Virtual Mechanic

Here’s the very first episode of the Virtual Mechanic video series on basic car maintenance. This week we look under the hood at the battery.

Podcast: Play in new window

THE EFFECT

A loose fan belt is a fan belt screaming out for help. Also a loose fan belt may perish or deteriorate rapidly depending on whether it’s a polyrib belt or a ‘V’ belt. A loose fan belt will also affect the charge rate and the cooling system if the water pump pulley is connected to that fan belt. Any fan belt that is loose will affect what it’s driving.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR

Check the belts for tension. If they feel loose, tighten them up.

COST

Nothing; if you do it yourself! When you check the fan belt make sure there is no oil around the fan belt and it isn’t cracked. An oily or cracked fan belt is a fan belt that is no longer useable. With an oily fan belt you will have to get the oil leak fixed ASAP as it will affect the belt until it is repaired. Also the oil leaks onto the road and that can become a safety hazard. Fan belts cost between $5.00-$65.00 depending on the make and model. Some fan belts are difficult to changeover, so it might be a good idea to get your mechanic to fit a new fan belt. When checking one belt, check all of them, as they all seem to go at the same time.

Buyer beware of the latest scam when buying a vehicle in Australia.

This is how it works.

A person will advertise a vehicle for sale in Melbourne, Sydney, or anywhere in Australia,
they will only use a mobile phone number, but they don’t actually own the vehicle to sell.
They will travel interstate and hire a late model vehicle and re-register the vehicle in the state they are selling the vehicle with new plates, and therefore the vehicle will show no record of any prior ownership, therefore its seems like its impossible to determine a fraudulent sale.

But wait it gets worse, they then hang around for a while to retrieve the vehicle in question and return the vehicle interstate to the hire car company with the original plates.
This makes it almost impossible for the police to locate the vehicle, because the vehicle doesn’t actually exist, in the state it was purchased for cash.

The loser is the person who paid cash, and responded to a cheaper then normal price, as well as ringing a mobile number only.

So you think how would you protect yourself from this activity?

1.Don’t purchase a vehicle from only a mobile phone number
2.Get the name and address with a landline number and ring it the next day
3.Ring the vehicle security register in your state and get that certificate send out
4.Try to pay by bank cheque

Finally its always safer to purchase a vehicle from a dealer, don’t you think.

I was shocked to hear about this but not surprised because not all states are communicating with one another, this it makes it very easy to create such a scam as this one.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

PURPOSE

The ignition switch has several functions which includes accessories, ignition on, start, ignition off. The ignition switch works best if the keys are not cut and recut because basically it will jam up the ignition. The ignition switch may also be connected to a steering lock mechanism.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR

The ignition key barrel and switch are subject to wear and there is a tendency is to get another key cut. Do not get another key cut because this key may cause the barrel to jam and not to turn. This only has to happen once and it won’t turn again. A sticking barrel lock assembly needs to be attended to A.S.A.P. If the ignition key is playing up and hard to turn it will eventually lock up.

IS IT EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR?

For a complete replacement of the ignition barrel and key it could cost from $80.00-$180.00.

TEMPORARY REPAIR AND LONG TERM REPLACEMENT

A sticking barrel may only need a squirt of graphite powder to free up the weighers inside the barrel. Be very gentle as weighers are fragile and require gentle manipulation. If the barrel sticks again get another ignition barrel and key A.S.A.P. A jammed lock will make it very difficult if towing is required. Get your local mechanic to fit a new barrel and have him get the key calibrated at a locksmith’s so it fits the doors so you don’t have to use two keys for the one vehicle. Still use the one key and have the ignition calibrated to the outside door locks.

ROAD TEST – Checking for warning lamps

PURPOSE
Warning lamps are designed to let the driver know of possible major problems before they occur. The main lights are brake, oil, charge and temperature as well as seat belt lights. Gauges will warn if a problem is starting or getting worse. All warning lights are designed to turn on with the ignition and off when the engine starts. Most gauges are designed to start with the reference points and gradually move to another reference point as the value will change eg. a fuel gauge, it starts at low and ends up at the true fuel level.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR

Warning lamps and gauges are not to be ignored as they are there to save you time and money and hopefully from breaking down. A light must turn on with the ignition. If it doesn’t turn on, then the connection or sender or wiring is faulty and needs to be attended to. A warning light staying on requires attention A.S.A.P. A gauge staying on in one position requires attention as it will not show the correct value when required. Any light or gauge must be taken on face value and the problem attended to A.S.A.P. That does not mean when you get home, eg. when travelling at night and the battery light comes on , pull over somewhere safe and inspect the problem as it could cause the engine to stop at any place at anytime.

Overheating is another signal to stop there and then.. Driving with an overheated engine may cause hundreds of dollars of damage further down the track. Two main causes for vehicles breaking down are the cooling systems overheating and the charging systems not operating 100%. If you take notice of the warning signals, 50% of these breakdowns are avoidable. Breaking down on a freeway or a busy road or anywhere at night is considered to be dangerous and should be avoided at all costs.

IS IT EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR?

Some sender units and engagers are expensive costing from $50.00 – $300.00. Going to the wreckers is another option.