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January 28, 2009

Basics Of Replacing Your Timing Belt

Filed under: Car Info — Tags: , , — admin @ 10:34 am

Basics Of Replacing Your Timing Belt

There are a lot of circumstances – and not all of them are car-related – that can potentially prevent you from getting to work in the morning. Your car’s timing belt is one of them. Most people have heard of them, but are still not entirely clear what they’re for or what they do. Frankly, they’re just glad to have a mechanic who knows what they’re doing when replacing it.

Essentially, this part plays a critical role in the management of the cylinders inside your car’s engine and at what rate those cylinders are ignited. Without this crucial functionality, your engine simply cannot run. That’s the main reason why you need to periodically inspect it to make sure it’s in good working condition.

Does it Need to be Replaced?

The easiest way to verify whether or not you’re due for a replacement is to check your car’s owners manual. (If you’ve been reading my articles, you’ll know that I keep pressing this point.) Depending on your car’s make and model, a different mileage point will be suggested at which you should have your timing belt replaced (or, at least inspected).

That interval is typically between 60,000 and 90,000 miles, but it can be less or more in some cases. If you don’t have access to your owners manual, you can either try to locate the information online, or simply visit to your local auto parts retailer and they should be able to tell you. They’ll have large reference manuals in which they can find the information.

Often, a lot of drivers make the mistake of assuming that since their timing belt is “squeaking” that it needs to be replaced. Despite what your mechanic may tell you, that’s not always the case. It’s not uncommon for it to make a bit of noise in very cold conditions, or in older vehicles. However, if you’re concerned, consider visiting your mechanic. He can usually tell very quickly just from looking at the part whether it needs to be replaced.

The Cost of Replacement

If it turns out that you do need to have the timing belt replaced, expect to pay approximately $30 to $40 for the part itself. That’s only an estimate; the price will vary slightly based upon the type of vehicle you’re driving. Also, it’s likely that you’ll end up paying approximately $100 to $150 for the labor involved. Ultimately, budget about $200 total to have the work performed.

Your car’s timing belt will eventually need to be replaced. The bottom line is that you should always check your owners manual. And when you have a few minutes, pop the hood and inspect the belt yourself.

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January 9, 2009

Understanding Your Car’s Speed Sensor

Filed under: Car Info — Tags: , , — admin @ 4:47 pm

Understanding Your Car’s Speed Sensor

In most cases, you’ll probably never need to think about your vehicle’s speed sensor (VSS). Like most of the parts and systems under the hood, as long as it’s working properly, you can basically forget about it. Plus, the VSS typically won’t wear out over time, so it won’t usually need to be replaced like a car battery, air filter, or spark plug. That said, it can malfunction. When it does, the failure will affect either your cruise control, speedometer, or anti-lock brake system (ABS).

Below, I’ll briefly describe what your vehicle’s speed sensor does and how it works. After reading this article, you’ll understand why it’s a critical element that plays an important role in how your car preserves your safety on the road.

What Does A VSS Do?

In a nutshell, it monitors how fast your car is moving. It accomplishes this through the use of electrical pulses. Specifically, the unit produces a series of pulses based upon the speed at which the wheels are turning. Those pulses are delivered to a central computer. The computer monitors the rate at which wheels are turning in order to adjust the output of the speedometer and cruise control system.

Technically, the VSS is normally positioned on the transmission. Separate monitors are attached directly to the wheels (referred to as “wheel speed sensors” or alternatively, WSS). It’s the WSS that monitors the rate of the tires and reports the data to the computer which controls the anti-lock brakes.

Now, let’s focus on the anti-lock brakes for a moment. The purpose of the system is to prevent the brakes from locking up. The WSS helps the ABS by identifying variations in the individual wheel speeds. If they’re spinning at different rates, that implies a lock-up. With that data (delivered by pulses from the WSS), the computer can make modifications in order to compensate.

What Happens When It Fails?

If the VSS or WSS malfunction, it can cause your car’s speedometer to output inaccurate data. For example, you might be traveling at 55 mph, but your speedometer may only indicate 20 mph. Also, your vehicle’s cruise control will likely malfunction. Remember, the computer adjusts the cruise control in order to maintain how fast your car is moving. If it is receiving inaccurate data (or no data at all), it won’t be able to make the necessary adjustments. Finally, the anti-lock brakes won’t be able to perform their job as effectively since the WSS is outputting bad data.

The first sign of a malfunctioning VSS will be your speedometer. If you notice that it is implying speeds that are obviously inaccurate, ask your mechanic to check both the VSS and WSS. As noted above, these components don’t normally malfunction. But, when they do, it can impact your safety.

For more Cars Tips:  Ways to Know your Accelerator is bad

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January 6, 2009

Introduction To Camshafts

Filed under: Car Info — Tags: , , , — admin @ 5:21 pm

Introduction To Camshafts

If you’re unfamiliar with camshafts, you’re in for a treat. Maybe you’ve overheard mechanics talking about them, and you know they have something to do with car engines, but that’s about it. Well fear not, because you’re about to get a crash course in what exactly this part is and what it does.

Back To Basics

The engine in your vehicle contains two rotating shafts. At the bottom, you’ll find the crankshaft. When your pistons fire (as a result of pressing down on the gas pedal) it causes the crankshaft to turn. That keeps the pistons in a fixed position relative to one another. Because of the way the engine works, only one piston can be at the very top center position at a time. The crankshaft ensures that the pistons will come to that center spot in a specific order at the right time.

Now, when the spark plug fires, it causes the air and gas mixture to burn, and subsequently forces the piston down. When the piston descends, it turns the crankshaft at the bottom. The turning of the crankshaft is what causes the flywheel and drivetrain to turn.

At the top of the engine is the camshaft. It regulates the timing of the opening and closing of the valves. That ensures that when the spark plug fires, there will be gas present. The exhaust is properly emptied so that the air and gas mixture can be reloaded and the entire sequence can occur again (over and over).

The most critical parts are the lobes. While the camshaft is spinning, the lobes are the parts that actually open and close the intake and exhaust valves. They do so in perfect synchronization with the pistons. Interestingly, engine performance at various speeds is directly affected by the shape of the lobes. Therefore, engineers place great emphasis on their production, depending on what type of performance capabilities the vehicle needs to have.

The most common types of camshafts are as follows:

- Single Overhead (SOHC)
- Double Overhead (DOHC)
- Pushrod

Without going into too much detail, here’s a brief overview of the main types:

Single Overhead

This type of camshaft has one cam per head on the engine. In other words, a straight 6 (inline 6 cylinder) engine would have one cam, while a V-6 would have two (one for each of the heads).

Double Overhead

You guessed it; double overhead cam engines have two for each head. So, using the same scenario as above, an inline-6 engine would have two cams, while a V-6 would have four.

Pushrod

The main difference between pushrod cam engines and singe/double cam engines is that pushrod engines have the camshaft actually located inside the engine block, rather than on the head.

If you believe you may be experiencing engine problems due to a malfunctioning camshaft, you should see a mechanic as soon as possible. Even though I describe a lot of these systems in these columns, repairing the components involved requires a trained hand. Unless you’re experienced, check with your mechanic. Most of the problems that involve this part are best left to a technician.

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