Virtual Mechanic

THE EFFECT
A loose timing belt will rub up against the plastic housing surrounding the belt.  It also can cause a distributor drive to chatter at idle.  A loose fan belt may slip causing the timing to go out which can give poor performance or  cause a potential misfire.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR
If you feel you have a suspect timing belt you may have to remove some of the housing to get to it to feel the belt  to see if it is loose.  Otherwise take the belt to your local mechanic to rectify.

COST
The cost to adjust a loose timing belt is around $30.00 but remember, this timing belt lasts somewhere between 60,000-80,000Kms.  If it is around about that time, it might be a good idea to get the timing belt replaced as a timing belt replaced before it snaps is by far the cheapest repair or service on any fan belt.
This article is found in the Virtual mechanic CD Rom
You can download it for the price of a latte, but you will learn not to buy a lemon
By Darren Gow-Brown, Melbourne Australia ©2009

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.
This article is found in the Virtual mechanic CD Rom
You can download it for the price of a latte, but you will learn not to buy a lemon
By Darren Gow-Brown, Melbourne Australia ©2009

THE EFFECT
Everybody notices the squealing brakes.  It could be an indication of very low brakes or it just might be a simple rectification of the pad material.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR
Squealing brakes certainly need to be checked if they are low.

COST
If the brakes are low then the cost to replace a set of disc or drum brakes is around $100.00-$200.00 depending on what is required at the time.  If the brakes are okay and they are not squealing it may cost around $45.00 to put anti squeal solution on and to prevent the squealing from occurring again.  This may need a repeat application as some squealing brakes are hard to rectify.

This article is found in the Virtual mechanic CD Rom
You can download it for the price of a latte, but you will learn not to buy a lemon
By Darren Gow-Brown, Melbourne Australia ©2009

THE EFFECT
The car will overheat mainly when it’s idling.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR
A thermo fan should switch on periodically when idling.  If it does not, make sure the connection to the thermostatic fan switch is okay. A fan fuse might also have gone.  Check all the fuses. Find the thermo fan relay, wiggle the relay or swap that relay with an air conditioning relay, provided that the amperage on the relays are all the same.

COST
Depending on why it’s not switching on.  If it’s the fuse it will only cost 50 cents but if it’s the thermo fan switch it could cost around $90.00.  The thermo fan itself could cost $150.00.  The wiring could cost $30.00 to correct.  The thermo fan not switching on may be bypassed or bridged at the relay or at the connection, just to get you home.

This article is found in the Virtual mechanic CD Rom
You can download it for the price of a latte, but you will learn not to buy a lemon
By Darren Gow-Brown, Melbourne Australia ©2009

THE EFFECT
The cooling system will maintain normal operating temperature under all driveable conditions. 

THINGS TO LOOK FOR
It’s always a good idea to look at the thermostatic fan to understand how it operates.  Because thermostatic fans are thermostatically controlled, they should switch on and off.  A good thermostatic fan in a very good cooling system will switch on for between 20-40 seconds.  If the fan switches on for longer than 60 seconds this might be a cooling system that is unable to cool down with the thermostatic fan. If the fan stays on for 5 seconds then this is an excellent cooling system as it never requires a lot of effort from the thermo fan.

 
This article is found in the Virtual mechanic CD Rom
You can download it for the price of a latte, but you will learn not to buy a lemon
By Darren Gow-Brown, Melbourne Australia ©2009

THE EFFECT
Eventually the effect will be destructive towards the head gasket going and also the head warping.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR
First thing to do is to turn the vehicle off for 1/2 hr and then carefully open the bonnet and moving away from the cap, use a set of gloves or rag, remove the radiator cap, then start the vehicle and check the water.  You can only pour water in after you have started the vehicle up.  Check for leaks.  Check that the thermo fan is switching on and off periodically over 1/2 hr time parameter.  If you find an excessive water leak, depending on what it is, if it can be repaired by the roadside, good.  If not, then a tow is required.

COST
Depending on what it is.  If it’s a hard to get at hose, it could cost $60.00-$90.00.  If it’s a thermostatic fan or a viscose fan, or a water pump, the price will vary.

This article is found in the Virtual mechanic CD Rom
You can download it for the price of a latte, but you will learn not to buy a lemon
By Darren Gow-Brown, Melbourne Australia ©2009

THE EFFECT
This type of problem will give the same effect as a blown head gasket.  It will cause the cooling system to appear unstable.  It may also cause the upper radiator hose to tear apart as the thermostat decides to open with a great force of hot water.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR
If you decide to put another radiator hose on what you  need to do is feel the upper and lower radiator hoses at normal operating temperature, very carefully, just in case the radiator explodes, and they should be almost the same temperature.  If one is cold and one is hot, this indicates a sticking thermostat.

COST
To replace the thermostat it will cost $30.00-$90.00 depending on the make and model of the vehicle and also depending on how old the vehicle is.  The thermostat housing bolts may break as you try to remove them.

This article is found in the Virtual mechanic CD Rom
You can download it for the price of a latte, but you will learn not to buy a lemon
By Darren Gow-Brown, Melbourne Australia ©2009

THE EFFECT
The needle will climb too high, basically the whole cooling system will not stabilize and also you may find water in the oil and oil in the water. 

THINGS TO LOOK FOR
If you have a suspect blown head gasket and you are driving, stop the engine for 1/2 hour, then very carefully lift the bonnet and using a rag or a set of gloves, gently remove the radiator cap.  Remember the radiator cap has 2 clicks. Turn the cap with your hand.  Do not put your head right over the top of the radiator when you are opening it, move your head right away,  just in case it decides to explode.

COST
It could cost between $550.00-$2,000.00 depending on the make and model.  If you have a suspect head  gasket, have the vehicle towed.

This article is found in the Virtual mechanic CD Rom
You can download it for the price of a latte, but you will learn not to buy a lemon
By Darren Gow-Brown, Melbourne Australia ©2009

THE EFFECT
While driving you may notice that the engine is revving but the car is not moving any faster.  You may also notice that when you have four people in the vehicle that the vehicle seems to have no power but plenty of revs.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR
The best way to check any slipping clutch is to put it into fourth gear, bring the revs up, let the clutch out, and the car should stall.  If the car does not stall, then it’s the clutch slipping, but you must also check for clearance.  If the clutch cable does not have clearance then a simple adjustment might be all that is necessary.

COST
If it’s only an adjustment, about $10.00-$30.00.  If it’s the clutch assembly then it could cost $250.00-550.00 depending on the make and model.

This article is found in the Virtual mechanic CD Rom
You can download it for the price of a latte, but you will learn not to buy a lemon
By Darren Gow-Brown, Melbourne Australia ©2009

THE EFFECT
The exhaust fumes may be coming into the car and if this continues the hole might get larger and therefore the muffler could collapse and start dragging along the road.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR
Try to locate where the noise is and the best thing to do is to get it repaired ASAP.

COST
Depending on where the leak is.  If it’s only a small hole that’s corroded, you might be to get it cut out or replaced.  This could cost between $50.00-$150.00 depending on how much of the system needs to be replaced.

 
This article is found in the Virtual mechanic CD Rom
You can download it for the price of a latte, but you will learn not to buy a lemon
By Darren Gow-Brown, Melbourne Australia ©2009