DIY Auto Blog

Precautionary measures to stop engine backfire

June 17th, 2012

When your car backfires, not only is it annoying and embarrassing, but also it is causing damage to your engine. It is caused by excess fuel that has escaped the engine and explodes in the carburetor, exhaust system or air cleaner. The problem of backfiring is less common in newer cars, which have been designed to prevent unburnt fuel from escaping the engine. The sound of a backfire is obvious, as well as the loss of power you will more than likely experience right after. Proper maintenance of your vehicle as well as fixing problems as soon as they arise can eliminate the reasons that backfiring occurs.  There are some common reasons for backfiring that you need to watch for. Keep in mind the problem of backfiring has nearly been eliminated in newer vehicles, but if you drive an older vehicle, there are a number of causes for backfiring.

Causes of engine backfire

If you have a missing or blocked catalytic converter, you may experience backfiring. Catalytic converters play a vital role in the proper function of your engine. They remove unused hydrocarbons from exhaust gas as well as clean potential pollutants out before they reach the outside air. If the converter is gone or is not working the way it should, it allows unburnt fuel to pass through the exhaust causing an explosion in the exhaust system. Although replacing the catalytic converter is a pricey repair, it is small in comparison to having to replace an engine damaged by backfiring.  Another common issue that can cause backfiring is a vacuum leak.  The system that forces air into the exhaust is vacuum-sealed. Any compromise in this seal will negate the pressure and prevent the injection of air into the exhaust. This leads to a build-up of exhaust gases that can cause small explosions as well. Vacuum leaks can be relatively inexpensive to fix, again much cheaper than having to replace and engine because of damage caused by misfiring.

If your engine light comes on, although you may be tempted to ignore it because you vehicle seems to be running as it does normally, do not ignore it. There are many reasons that your engine light will come on, but one of the most common is a faulty oxygen sensor or sensors. Oxygen sensors measure the amount of oxygen in the fuel system and tell the engine’s computer how to produce the optimal fuel and oxygen mix in the engine. If the oxygen sensor is not working properly, it can send the wrong information to the engines computer system. This can cause a higher fuel to oxygen ratio, leading to an excess of unburnt fuel, which can again cause explosions in the engine or exhaust system. The check engine light is one of the most important lights on your dash to pay attention to, as soon as it comes on, make sure you take your vehicle in for repairs as soon as you can to prevent any additional problems or damage to your engine.

What to do to prevent engine backfire

Regular maintenance can eliminate the potential of backfiring before you even have a problem. Making sure that belts are in good working order and not loose is important as they affect engine timing. If the belt is slack, it can cause the engine to be out of rhythm and therefore will not be using fuel efficiently which can lead to backfiring.  Fuel filters and air filters should be checked periodically as well. A blocked fuel or air filter can again affect the fuel and oxygen ratio setting up ideal conditions for backfiring.  Maintaining a vehicle as well as getting any problems fixed immediately can keep you from having any problems with your vehicle.

Summary

If you try to take care of any backfiring problem yourself, but it is still occurring, it is best to let your mechanic handle it, especially with a newer car. Most backfiring problems in newer cars are computer related which require the tools and expertise that only a mechanic can provide. If you have an older car and have replaced a clogged air filter and done the small things you could to try to alleviate the problem, then it is time to take your car to a mechanic. No matter what is causing the backfiring problem, keep in mind that every time it happens it is damaging your engine. It is much easier and cheaper to fix a problem that may cause or is causing your vehicle to backfire versus replacing the entire engine.

Determining the correct wheel rim or hubcap size

May 24th, 2012

It happens to everyone at one point or another, you get too close to a curb or find a pothole deep enough to eat half your car, and you lose a hubcap or bend your rim. Losing a hubcap is more of an aesthetic issue, while bending a rim can cause bigger problems such as air leaks from the tires, and the chance of it blowing out if you are driving at freeway speeds. If you have hubcaps, chances are you have stock steel rims that came with your car originally.

Wheels are coated steel, aluminum or alloy rims that do not require hubcaps, and can usually be very expensive to replace, especially if they are a special manufacturer option or an aftermarket part. It is important to know the difference between a rim and a wheel, as rims are far less expensive than wheels, and you cannot have hubcaps and wheels at the same time, but you can have rims and hubcaps. If this all seems a bit confusing, just take your car to the nearest auto parts store and they can direct you to exactly what you need, and probably help you get the parts you need as well.  On a side note, you want to make sure you did not damage the tire as well.

Replacing a hubcap

If you lose a hubcap, and it is not a classic or collector car, you may want to invest in a new set of four. You can usually find them in any auto parts store or even your local chain department store. The most important thing you need to know is what size hubcaps to buy. The easiest way to determine the size of your rim to buy the right size hubcap is using the tire size. Look closely at your tire and look for numbers that are #/#/#, for example 205/65/15. The number you are concerned with is the last number in the series. In the example given the last number is 15, which means you have 15-inch rims, so you would look for 15-inch hubcaps. Hubcaps, depending on what style you choose, are inexpensive but can make a world of difference in the look of your vehicle. To remove the old hubcaps you can usually use a flathead screwdriver to pop them off, and tap the new ones on with a small rubber mallet if they do not snap right into place. If you bent your rim as well, you obviously want to replace that before you install the new hubcaps.

Replacing a rim

If you bend a rim, it is usually not too much of a challenge to find a new one either. The best place to look for a new one is a salvage yard. Usually you can purchase one for as much as a set of new hubcaps. Again, you want to make sure you have the correct size as well as the correct bolt pattern for your vehicle. To determine the size of the rim, use the same procedure as finding the size to get hubcaps. You also want to count the number of lugnuts holding the tire on the car. Most cars have what is called a unilug pattern, which is five bolts. Occasionally you will run across a vehicle with four, but it is more common to find the five. Search online for salvage yards in your area and call around to get the best deal. Remember when you got get the new rim, it may not be the best looking one, but make sure there are no bends, dents or cracks. It does not matter if it does not look brand new, you will be putting a new hubcap over it anyway.

Replacing an aluminum or alloy wheel

If you have aluminum or alloy wheels, small cracks are sometimes hard to detect. Even if your tire does not appear damaged, you may want to take it to a local mechanic or tire shop anyway. A small crack or bend in an aluminum or alloy rim can cause a leak around the outside of the wheel if the seal is broken.  It is better to be safe and take it in to be checked, so if the seal is compromised they can do an easy repair, as opposed to having to replace your entire wheel if your tire blows out due to a leak. If the rim is cracked or bent, it is probably better to replace it then chance driving on it.  If you are looking for a factory rim, you may want to inquire at a body shop to see if they can get it for you, as they usually have vendors that handle both factory and aftermarket aluminum or alloy rims.

Summary

Losing a hubcap or damaging a rim or wheel does not have to be the end of the world. Knowing what size your rim is may be the hardest part of replacing the hubcap or rim. Replacing a hubcap or rim is inexpensive, but fixing it right away is much cheaper than damage that can happen if you have a damaged rim. If you have aluminum or alloy wheels, err on the side of caution and get it checked if you hit a large pothole or curb and you think you may have damaged it. Know your tire size and be proactive when it comes to repairs to save you from expensive repairs in the future.

Installing LED under car lights

May 24th, 2012

Installing LED lights on your vehicle is another way to personalize your vehicle and make it stand out in a crowd. Undercar lighting has been used in some form since the late 1950s, but back then, they were far from state of the art such as they are today. They did lose popularity for a period, but are making a comeback as an affordable way to add to the look of your vehicle.

The can be purchased in almost any color, can flash or alternate colors, or do a number of other things. Before you invest in them, however you want to check your local laws. Some cities do not allow them at all; others only allow certain colors, as they do not want flashing red and blue lights to be confused with those of an emergency vehicle. Once you have found out the particular laws you need to know and have an idea of the look you want, you can set out to find and install the right set for you.

About LED under car lights

Most LED under car light systems are sold in kits that include lights to go around the entire undercarriage perimeter of the vehicle. Included in the kit is all the mounting hardware and instructions you need to install them as well. Keep in mind installing these lights will involve drilling holes in the underbody of your vehicle as well as electrical work. You also need to be sure that you purchase a kit that is compatible with your vehicle.  An online search will probably be the best way to find a good deal on a kit and be able to check what is available for your vehicle at the same time. This can help you decide easier what kit is right for you. They will also sort them by budget so you can find one that fits into your price range as well. If there are retail vehicle customization shops in your area, and you would rather not wait for the kit to be delivered, you can take the information you get online to a store and see if they have what you are looking for or something comparable.

Installation options

If you decide to purchase the kit online, once you receive the kit, you need to make the decision if it is something you feel comfortable with installing or finding someone else to install it for you. They are not a project for the occasional do-it-yourselfer, especially if you have never done any electrical work on your own vehicle, or do not feel comfortable drilling holes in the underbody. You might want to find someone more experienced or enlist the help of a friend who has done them before to help you. If you or your friends are not comfortable with the installation, there are a large number of customizing shops that can install them for you. If you know that this is not a project you want to tackle, you can either purchase the kit online and inquire with a local customization shop about the installation, or just purchase the kit there and have them install it.

Summary

No matter what look you want, there is probably a set of LED under car lights that can fit it. The innovation in these lights has been tremendous over the original ones introduced 20 plus years ago. You want to make sure you know the local laws about colors and styles, as well as deciding if it is a project that you want to undertake. If you do not feel comfortable installing them, you are better off paying the extra money for a professional to install them then risk damage to your vehicle or its electrical system.