Virtual Mechanic

PURPOSE
Brake lights are designed to let other drivers know when you’re braking.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR
The problem with brake lights is that it’s hard for the driver to know if they are operating or not.  One way to check this is to reverse close to a wall at night and view the reflection of the brake lights in the rear vision mirror.  Also you can ask a friend to view the rear lights while you depress your brake pedal with the ignition on.

IS IT EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR?
Brake globes are cheap at under $2.00 each.  If you decide to fit a globe make sure  that the new globe has the same voltage and wattage as the old one as this will affect the brightness of the globe.

TEMPORARY REPAIR AND LONG TERM REPLACEMENT
If you find that the globe is out, give the assembly a light tap or remove the globe and refit it.  This may resecure the connections and the globe will become operational again.  A discoloured globe is a dead globe that needs to be replaced.  There is only one way to fit a globe.  It has offset mechanism.  This will be explained in the video.

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

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PURPOSE
Brake fluid is designed to operate under high temperatures therefore it contains additives that make it hydroscopic, this means its properties will become affected if it’s exposed to water.  Brake fluid is not designed to last forever as moisture may affect the boiling point.  For this reason brake fluid must be kept in a dry place and the rubber lid on the master cylinder must be sealed to prevent moisture and dirt from entering into this reservoir.  Brake fluid is best kept for 12 months, and after that, throw it away as it may contain moisture.

Things to look for
Brake fluid, depending on its demand, may become discoloured.  When this happens renew the brake fluid..  It is important to observe the brake fluid reservoir on a weekly basis as it may descend as the front disc callipers self adjust.  It should only descend slightly, measured in millimetres at a time.  If the reservoir descends completely in a month  then it’s leaking.  At this stage, don’t even drive the car to the garage.  Brake fade is also a sign to change the brake fluid.  Brake fade is when the pedal is still hard but there is no braking reaction

Is it expensive to repair?
Brake fluid is not expensive and if you decide to replace the brake fluid make sure your mechanic bleeds all the nipples and cleans the reservoir.  If this is completely flushed, it may cost around $45.00 including time.

Temporary repair and long term replacement
Brake fluid may descend slightly in the reservoir as the disc callipers self adjust.  At this stage it’s okay to top it up with new brake fluid to prevent the buoyant level indicator from switching the brake warning light on.

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

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THE EFFECT
Non start..

THINGS TO LOOK FOR
Remove the distributor cap and have a look at the rotor button when cranking.  If it doesn’t turn, this is either the distributor drive stripped or the cam shaft gear stripped.

COST
Somewhere between $65.00-$300.00.

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

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THE EFFECT
This will give a high pitched squeal all the time, not just when braking and usually happens on disc brakes.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR
You will need to remove the wheel from where you think the noise is coming from and have a look around the stone guard.  The stone guard is a guard to prevent stones from hitting the disc brake rotor.  What you should find is a stone.  These noises just come on out of no where and they usually come on when you have been travelling on an unsealed road.

COST
You can do it yourself or your local auto club can come out and look at it for you, or your local mechanic.  The cost is around $10.00 for an inspection..

 
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

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THE EFFECT
A tappet noise can be an irritating noise but it is better than a quiet tappet.  Tappet noise may be the result of hydraulic tappets requiring replacement.  It also may be the effect of a low oil level or the result of the tappets requiring adjusting.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR
Check the oil.  If it’s been a long time since the oil has been changed, eg. 10,000kms, change the oil.   Consult your local spare parts dealer and tell them you’ve got noisy tappets.  They might be able to suggest a thicker viscosity oil.  Also check to see if your tappets are hydraulic or adjustable.  If they are adjustable then it might be okay to get these tappets adjusted.

COST
Getting tappets adjusted costs around $35.00-$45.00.  Getting hydraulic lifters replaced costs around $180.00-$250.00.

 
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

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THE EFFECT
The whole neighborhood gets to hear it!  It’s a high pitched metallic noise that when cranking the pinion gear from the starter motor is trying to turn the ring gear that has no teeth left. 

THINGS TO LOOK FOR
Basically what you will find is that with every second crank, every fifth, fifteenth or hundredth crank, you will hear this noise..  If the noises become more common, eg. every second or third or tenth crank, it’s time to get the ring gear fixed and also the starter motor pinion will have to be examined to see if it’s worn.  It may be causing the ring gear to wear.

COST
Cost of a ring gear or fly wheel and the starter motor pinion may cost around $600.00 for the complete job.  A temporary repair is, with a set of gloves,  to try to move the harmonic balancer.  That way you are moving the location of those sets of teeth and of the ring gear, and the car might start if you are stranded in a remote location.

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

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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

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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

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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

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

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

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