Virtual Mechanic

The battery

PURPOSE
The battery is designed to store power and deliver power to all accessories.  Also to receive charge from the alternator.  Batteries are only as good as their connections and connections on the battery poles should not have any white powder or corrosion built up.  This is a problem.  The purpose of the battery is to hold current, receive charge from the alternator and deliver power to all accessories.  Batteries 20 years ago would last around 10 years.  Batteries today, on average, last somewhere between 18-24 months.  If you’re lucky the battery will last 4 or 5 years, but this is an isolated scenario.  Batteries don’t last long as they are designed differently, but still maintain a high price.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR
A battery may be no maintenance, low maintenance or maintenance.  The best one is a maintenance battery with the screw tops so that you can check the water level.  Most batteries will take normal water but if unsure of the quality of the water, then just to be on the safe side, use distilled water.  Don’t over fill or under fill a battery.  The best way to check a battery is to make sure that the water level is always over the plates.  If one cell is descending faster than the other this indicates that the battery is on the way out.  If the battery is vaporising and causing the terminals or poles to corrode with white powder, this is an indication that the battery is over working, either getting to the end of its life or being overcharged by the alternator.  A battery is designed to receive a charge rate of 13.3-14.2.  The preferred charge rate is 13.8-14.2 but that only applies to a very good charging system.  Batteries are only as good as the power they receive and the connections.  Batteries must be secure and held down by a battery clamp.  If not, then the battery may move around and cause an under bonnet fire.  When checking the battery take care not to accidentally put a spanner on the positive connection and earth as the battery may blow up in your face.

IS IT EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR?
Batteries vary, depending on the make and model..  The best battery to buy is one with a 2 year warranty.  Batteries do have a higher mortality rate than the average vehicle component.  Remember to keep your receipt and don’t expect the battery to last  any more than 3 years.

TEMPORARY REPAIR AND LONG TERM REPLACEMENT
If fitting a battery, be very careful to make sure the terminals are in the exact location as the old battery.  These terminals vary from battery to battery according to the manufacturer and the make and model.  These terminals are situated at different locations to allow the connections to be connected with slack.  Remember, if fitting a battery and you find the positive or negative terminal very tight or just making it to the battery pole, when the engine revs, the engine will move and the battery cable will become tight and move around and the battery pole may be yanked out of the battery causing acid to pour everywhere.

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Cooling/Electrical System – FanBelts
 Checking the fan belt is an easy task. By pushing on the fan belt you can ascertain if the tension is firm or loose. Also, first thing in the morning, by revving the engine, you may notice a high pitched screech. This indicates the fan belt is loose and needs attention ASAP. A high pitched screech may also self destruct a fan belt particularly if it’s a polyrib belt, that is a later generation type belt. It’s also called a serpentine belt.

Cooling System – Water
 PURPOSE
Water is designed to maintain normal operating temperature and will only perform this function if all other components are operating correctly. Water should include an additive to prevent corrosion and erosion. If your vehicle is driven in either a very cold or very hot climate it may be necessary to add either an anti -freeze or anti-boil solution. This will only work effectively if the corrosive inhibitor is changed every 12 months.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR

The colour of the water tells a very good story about the condition of the cooling system. Brown water is the worst, clear water is not good; green water is best and it needs to be changed every 12 months to keep the colour at its best.

IS IT EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR?

If your vehicle is pre 1990 then a good corrosive inhibitor may be okay. If it is after 1990 then contact your dealer as the seals and welsh plugs require specific inhibitors to protect these components. These additives can be expensive.

TEMPORARY REPAIR AND LONG TERM REPLACEMENT

If your vehicle has brown water, disconnect the heater hose and remove the radiator cap and secure a garden hose in the heater hose and turn on with a moderate pressure. This is the best way to reverse flush the cooling system. Please note that this should only be done when the engine is cold. It may require several applications until the water runs clear. It is a good idea to turn the heater tap as this will also flush the heater core, in case it might be partially blocked.
 
 
 More information On Basic Car Maintenance CD Rom

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Power Steering – Fluid Level
 Checking the power steering level is an easy task. You need to check 2 things with the power steering. 1: that the power steering fan belt is in good condition and that there’s no squeaking on a full lock or a high pitched screech and 2: that the power steering fluid is not descending. If you find that the fluid is descending over a period of time, say, a week or a month, you have a serious leak. Power steering fluid leaking can be serious. Please note that it is a highly flammable fluid just like transmission fluid. If you do notice that the fluid is descending you need to have that leak repaired ASAP to prevent any damage or a possible underbonnet fire.

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Checking the engine oil
 
 Checking the oil level on a weekly basis is very important. You also need to check that the oil level is not descending. The best time to check the oil is when the engine is cold on a flat surface.
If you find that it’s quite damp around the engine this is an indicator of oil leaking. If the sump is quite damp it could indicate that the oil is leaking on the road. This can be quite dangerous to motorcyclists. If you see the oil descending or you notice the engine sump is damp you need to do something about it as soon as you can to prevent a potential accident on the road.

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Alternator
 PURPOSE
The alternator is a component that is fitted outside or around the front of the engine. It is a round component and has a fan belt connected to it. If the fan belt is connected tightly it will allow the alternator to charge somewhere between 13.8-14.2 volts. The alternator is designed to charge at this voltage to the battery. The alternator’s purpose is to keep the battery recharged..The alternator is not designed to fully charge the battery if the battery is flat. If the battery is flat have it recharged by an auto electrician and then the alternator will keep the battery recharged at its full capacity. The alternator may have an external voltage regulator or an internal regulator. Most have an internal voltage regulator which regulates the voltage. The internal voltage regulator may have brushes attached to it as a complete unit and this is the component that allows the battery to receive the charge.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR

The alternator should have a tight fan belt. If not, this will affect the charge rate. An alternator should also have a secured lead and terminal at the rear of the alternator. This is the main terminal that connects a heavy duty lead from the alternator to the battery. Alternators should be checked for the voltage across the terminals at the battery for 13.8-14.2 volts. If this isn’t the case, then check the voltage at the rear of the alternator on the positive terminal and the earth on the battery terminal. If this is a lower voltage, it is showing that the battery has got a voltage drop therefore an extra lead made up to go from the alternator to the positive battery is another way of ensuring a good charge rate to the battery.

IS IT EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR?

Depending on the make and model , the alternator can cost around $150.00-$200.00 for a reconditioned alternator. Some alternators can be purchased new. Whether purchasing a reconditioned or new alternator, be sure to get a 12 months warranty. as alternators, depending on the make and model do fail. With reconditioned alternators, it depends on the auto electrician. Find a good auto electrician, preferrably one that is recommended.

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Brake System – Brake Fluid
 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.
 

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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM – Battery terminals
 PURPOSE
The purpose of the battery terminal is to hold all the cables either on the negative or positive battery poles. The battery terminal needs to be in fixed position. A sure connection is a connection that will not move. The best battery terminal is a brass battery terminal as it is not workable or malleable. There are many different types of battery terminals on the market. Most of these terminals do require replacing over 10 years and should be replaced with a brass terminal. Some battery terminals may be eaten away by the battery acid.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR

The plastic terminal may look clean and perfect but the problem is that if you need to jump start the vehicle, the connection inside the red or black terminal might be isolating the connection or causing a bad connection to the battery pole. The best way to eliminate this possibility is to cut off the red and black terminal and replace it with a brass battery terminal. This way you can see the connection and it is a sure connection. A hard to start engine or a non cranking engine may be due to a faulty battery terminal. The only way to successfully check this is by removing the terminals and cleaning both poles and terminals with a wire brush and replacing them. This might get the car started.

IS IT EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR?

A good brass battery terminal costs around $5.00. There are lead and steel terminals on the market but the best ones are the brass terminals that enable the cables to be mounted on the top. There are clones of the brass terminal that hold the cable on with thin plates. This plate has to have a thickness of 1 mm to hold the cable secure when the cables contract and expand.

TEMPORARY REPAIR AND LONG TERM REPLACEMENT

You can only really replace a battery terminal.
 

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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM  – Charging system – Battery
PURPOSE

The purpose of the battery is to receive the charge from the alternator. This charge should be received in a perimeter of 13.8-14.2 volts. If this charge is lower, eg 13 volts, the battery will be affected. If the charge is higher than 14.2 volts the battery will also be overcharged and this will shorten the life of the battery. The battery should be checked to make sure that it is receiving at least 13.5 volts of charge. It also should be checked with the headlights on as this will ensure that the battery is receiving a charge under load.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR

You need to make sure that the battery is secure and that the water level is at the correct height. The best way to check this is over the plates and under the caps. An overfull battery will create more vapour and will start to eat any metal including the battery cradle. If the battery cradle has a white powdery substance around the terminals or battery poles or cradle, hot water and/or baking soda is used to eliminate this. Baking soda is a neutralising agent on the acid, so it will take longer for the acid to return to the battery poles and the battery cradle.

IS IT EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR?

The battery should cost between $50.00-$120.00. The best battery to buy is one that you can service by filling it up with either tap water or if you’re not sure of the quality of the water, distilled water. The battery level must be maintained. If it is too low and has been neglected for a long time and you decide to put water in it then this may affect the battery. Batteries should last at least 18-24 months. Keep your warranty if you need to have it replaced within the warranty period as batteries do have a high mortality rate.

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Clutch System – Clutch Master
 PURPOSE
A clutch master cylinder is designed to hold a reservoir of brake fluid and apply pressure down a line to the slave cylinder. The master cylinder must hold residue pressure making it a completely sealed unit away from air allowing this hydraulic applicator ready at all times with the slightest pedal push.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR

The reservoir must never drop in level. The clutch pedal should never require pumping or have excessive play. This is an indication that there is a leak or air is leaking into the system. This requires attention ASAP.

IS IT EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR?

Most clutch master cylinders cost from $50.00-$200.00. Shop around for a good price. Brake master cylinders are repairable but because most brake master cylinders are made of alloy, they may an irreparable ball, making it cheaper and quicker to replace the cylinder rather than repairing it. Remember to bleed the system after fitting

TEMPORARY REPAIR AND LONG TERM REPLACEMENT

If the pedal goes to the floor with no resistance and the clutch master reservoir is empty, try topping it up and pump the pedal slowly and this should self bleed. At the same time check that the slave is not pouring out fluid. If it does then the only thing to do is get a tow truck.

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