Virtual Mechanic

PURPOSE
The purpose of the fuel injection solenoid resistors are to lower the voltage going to the fuel injection.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR
The fuel injection solenoid resistors are components that rarely go wrong and are used in the early model EFI units.  They are located in a bank situated on the fire wall but they can be checked individually.

IS IT EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR?
These resistors are expensive and can be replaced from your local spare parts outlet or the wreckers.

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

PURPOSE
The carbon canister is designed to soak the fuel vapours from the fuel tank when the engine is turned off or parked in a hot or cold location.   Over time the fuel may expand and the vapours are soaked up by the carbon canister.  When the engine starts the vacuum will draw the vapours, recycle them, and  prevent the vapours from entering the atmosphere. 

THINGS TO LOOK FOR
The carbon canister may be full of petrol if the fuel tank is full and may start to overflow with petrol.  The carbon canister should be checked at least every 20,000-50,000kms to operate correctly.

IS IT EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR?
The carbon canister is rarely replaced.  If it needs to be replaced, go to your local spare parts outlet or the wreckers.

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

PURPOSE
The fuel pressure regulator is a component that regulates the pressure in the fuel rail and also removes the excess pressure and recycles the fuel back into the fuel tank.  The fuel pressure regulator alternates the pressure on idle and full throttle.  This is a physical component.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR
A fuel pressure regulator should have a vacuum hose connected to it.  If not, this will affect the performance of the fuel pressure regulator.  Also a power loss or a non start may occur due to a faulty fuel pressure regulator.

IS IT EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR?
A fuel pressure regular costs around $80.00-$90.00 and is best fitted by your local mechanic.
TEMPORARY REPAIR AND LONG TERM REPLACEMENT
A fuel pressure regulator can be replaced but it has to be proved that the regulator is faulty and this can be difficult.

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

PURPOSE
The cold start injector time switch and a cold start injector both have one thing in common.  They are designed to operate when the engine is cold.  The cold start time switch is a timer designed to turn the cold start injector on to enrich the fuel mixture for an easy start.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR
The cold start injector time switch and a cold start injector enrichment program may decide to malfunction and not operate at all or it continues to run rich when the engine is warm.  Either way, hard to start or the engine cutting out when it is cold could be an indicator that the program is not operating correctly.  Any engine cutting out when it is cold is a problem and needs to be attended to ASAP.

IS IT EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR?
It is difficult to estimate how much it will cost depending on where the problem is but it does require the attention of a specialised auto electrician.

TEMPORARY REPAIR AND LONG TERM REPLACEMENT
If the cold start injector is causing a problem by cutting out and is very difficult to start, try holding the throttle a third of the way and don’t pump it but crank the motor.  Once you start it, get it warm before you drive off.  This is a short term remedy only.

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

PURPOSE
A coolant temperature sensor is a component designed to feed a value of temperature to the computer.  This allows the computer an accurate measure of temperature making it possible to deliver the correct measure of fuel under each type of temperature.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR
The coolant temperature sensor, if faulty, may affect fuel economy but it is very difficult to check.  A possible check of the fault codes may determine a faulty coolant temperature sensor.  Also removing it and dipping it in water should change the value.  This information will be in your Specific Workshop manual.

IS IT EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR?
Most coolant temperature sensors are around $60.00 depending on the make and model.

TEMPORARY REPAIR AND LONG TERM REPLACEMENT
If the price of a new coolant temperature sensor is over the top then you might try the wreckers, but before you fit it, get it tested and keep your receipt just in case.

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

PURPOSE
The purpose of coil and spark plug leads is to deliver high voltage spark from the coil to the spark plugs.  As ignition leads carry a high voltage it is very important to use caution when handling these leads with the ignition on or with the engine idling.  Ignition leads are made of fibres to reduce the possibility of radio wave interference.  Due to the high demand of these leads they may fail at any time. 

THINGS TO LOOK FOR
Ignition leads either deliver high voltage or they start to isolate and end up open circuiting thus creating a misfire.  This shouldn’t be ignored as a misfire may be causing damage to the exhaust system.  Also it may cause damage to the ignition coil as the high voltage can create a carbon track from the secondary lug to the primary lug destroying the coil.  A faulty lead may make the engine difficult to start.  All leads should be tested for resistance. 

IS IT EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR?
Ignition leads should be purchased in a set as they are replaced all at once.  When purchasing leads buy a well-known brand as even new leads can be faulty and testing is required before fitting to make sure that the leads are not faulty. 

TEMPORARY REPAIR AND LONG TERM REPLACEMENT
Testing or fitting any leads must be carried out one at a time as ignition leads are designed to fire in a firing order.  For this reason it is best to remove and replace one lead at a time to prevent messing up the firing order, thus creating a potential backfire.

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