Archive for the ‘Weekly Checks’ Category.
August 30, 2009, 09:42
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.
August 30, 2009, 09:38
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.
August 30, 2009, 09:34
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.
August 22, 2009, 06:04
Tyres – Wear
To check the condition of the tyres for wear or fractures you need to carefully rub your hands around the perimeter of the tyre while at the same time checking the opposite direction for misalignment. If you notice that there appears to be a fracture or a misalignment, the tyre needs to be replaced or you need to have a front end alignment done on the vehicle. If a problem is detected early on, you will prolong the life of the tyre.
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August 21, 2009, 06:02
Tyres – Pressures
Check the tyres on a weekly basis. Checking the pressure and the tyre condition will prolong the life of the tyre. You need to check and see if the tyre is wearing unevenly. Or if you rub your hand all around the perimeter of the tyre checking that the tyre has no bulges or fractures, be very careful as any glass or sharp objects which have lodged in the tread can cause some damage to your hand.
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August 15, 2009, 06:01
Transmission – Fluid Level test
Checking the transmission fluid level is important. You need to check 2 things here. 1: You need to make sure that the fluid is not contaminated or discoloured and 2: at the same time make sure the fluid is not descending over a period of a week or a month. If you find that the transmission assembly is quite damp around the pan you need to have this seen to ASAP. A leaking transmission is dangerous as transmission fluid is highly flammable on a hot surface so that’s why you need to check this and have it rectified if you do notice any leaks.
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August 15, 2009, 05:59
Lighting – Tail Lights
Checking the tail lights is an easy task. You can do this on your own. Turn the headlights on with the vehicle in park with the engine off, walk right around the vehicle and also put the parker lights on to make sure that the front parkers are working effectively. Also, while you’re there, it wouldn’t hurt to check the number plate light. It’s always a little item that everybody misses except you know who!
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August 15, 2009, 05:58
Lighting – Stop Lights
Checking the stop lights is an easy task. All you need to do is to reverse up to a brick wall or a glass building, late in the afternoon, depress the brake pedal, and just have a look in the rear vision mirror to make sure you can see a reflection and that both stop lights are operating effectively. Or alternatively have a friend depress the brake pedal as you walk around to the rear of the vehicle checking that one stop light is not brighter than the other. Both lights should be equal in brightness.
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August 15, 2009, 05:44
Safety – Rear Vision Mirrors
PURPOSE
Rear vision mirrors are designed to allow the driver to view about 160° behind the rear of the vehicle and to be adjustable for driver comfort. A driver should not have to move to obtain correct vision The mirror is moved instead.
THINGS TO LOOK FOR
A loose mirror is a mirror that cannot be used. This may only require a minor adjustment. Another problem is a broken external mirror glass, which affects your driving vision and driving decisions eg. changing lanes or passing another vehicle and needs to be attended to ASAP.
IS IT EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR?
Remote mirrors may cost up to $300.00. If only the glass is broken, remove the whole assembly and take it to a glazier, as they will cut a piece of mirror and fit it for around $30.00. If the glass is tinted, the glazier may not stock that type of glass, but still get it replaced. The tint is more of a cosmetic issue than a safety issue.
TEMPORARY REPAIR AND LONG TERM REPLACEMENT
Taping a mirror together is a short term fix only as it still affects the driver’s vision.
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August 15, 2009, 05:42
Cooling System – Radiator hoses & Heater hoses
PURPOSE
Radiator and heater hoses are designed to carry water at high temperatures or coolant under pressure from the radiator to the engine, heater core and also the inlet manifold to prevent the manifold from icing up, and a gas converter, if fitted. Radiator and heater hoses are designed to hold a pressure of 13-16 lbs per square inch (psi) before they will split.
THINGS TO LOOK FOR
Radiator and heater hoses may last 2 to 3 years before they require replacement. All hoses should be checked for bulges, brittleness and softness. It is easy to check these hoses. A pinch test will determine whether it is too soft or too hard or just right. One brittle hose anywhere in the cooling system is an indication that all the hoses should be checked. If a number of hoses are found to be perishing or brittle, it’s a good idea to replace all the hoses especially the radiator bypass hose, the very little one around the water pump area or thermostat housing. These little radiator hoses are the most troublesome as they are never replaced and always seem to burst at the wrong time.
IS IT EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR?
Replacing a radiator or heater hose with the correct type is very important. Most hoses are moulded into shape allowing the hose not to rub against any sharp object. An average price for a radiator hose is $25.00 and for a heater hose $17.00.
TEMPORARY REPAIR AND LONG TERM REPLACEMENT
Fitting a hose is usually easy but sometimes you might find that the housing or the pipe might be made of an alloy, it might be a thermostat housing or any type of alloy connection, and could be corroded. Replacing an original hose or a swollen hose on a corroded aluminium pipe could still leak after fitting, so it might be a good idea to replace the pipe or housing if it is too far gone.
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