Hot Autos, Motorcycles & Planes Posts
How To: Disconnect a car battery before working on the electrical system
If you work on your own car and don't want to get electrocuted, you should disconnect the battery before you do any major work. This video will show you how to do it quickly and safely, ensuring your continued auto maintenance safety.
How To: Inflate flat or low tires on a car
Maintaining proper tire pressure improves the ride quality of your car and your gas mileage. To ensure that your tire pressure is at the correct level, follow these instructions to check the pressure and fill it to the correct level.
How To: Get a car with a dead battery to run with a push start
If you've ever left the lights on in your car for a long time or just have a bad alternator, then you know all too well the pain of a dead battery. This video will teach you how to push start a dead battery car, which can often restore it for long enough to get you to the shop.
News: Segway + Skateboard + Tank Threads = SICK Off-Road Shredder
I don't know how else to say it. In a word, the DTV (Dual Tracked Vehicle) Shredder from BPG Werk is just plain awesome. "Built as a first response modular platform to better equip the soldier to deal with crisis situations, the DTV is a new class of vehicle that can handle any terrain at high speed. It’s low center of gravity and rugged design make it ideal for a wide variety of applications including, reconnaissance, rescue/recovery, mobile surveillance/offensive platform, med-evac, rapid r...
News: Shinya Kimura is One Bad Ass Motorcycle Artist
Shinya Kimura is an artist. And his art is the motorcycle. Though a legend in Japan for some time now, the motorcycle engineer first came into the American public eye as a contestant on Biker Build-Off, a Discovery Channel channel show featuring custom bike builders. Kimura has been accredited with originating the popular, vintage style trend of customized bike building (think Pimp My Ride meets retro Harley Davidson).
How To: Use a timing light to adjust the timing on a 1928 - 1931 Model A Ford
If you're lucky enough to own a 1928 - 1931 Model A Ford, you've got a piece of automotive history. You also probably know that they are infuriatingly hard to work on. This video will help alleviate your repair pains by showing you how to use a timing light to adjust the timing on your Model A Ford.
How To: Torque cylinder head bolts on a Honda Accord
Cylinder head bolts are big, strong bolts that do much of the work required to hold your engine together. If you've taken your engine apart and are putting it back together, you're going to have to torque the cylinder head bolts to get the block back together, and this video will show you everything you need to know to do it on a 2000 Honda Accord.
How To: Fix a spark plug well oil leak in a Honda Accord
If you've got oil leaking into the spark plug wells on your Honda Accord, you're not alone. This a pretty common problem, and fortunately for you this video is here to show you how to fix it, assuming you're decent at auto maintenance already. Make sure you line everything up when you reinstall the rock assembly!
How To: Identify the cause of a noise coming from your car
When cars start to get older, their many fragile moving parts start to make noises they never made before. Sometimes, when your car starts making a new noise, it can be very difficult to identify what is causing the noise and what you need to do to repair it. This video offers some great tips for finding the source of different kinds of car noises, from engine noises to suspension noises.
News: See the Car-Accident-Causing Optical Illusion in Action
UPDATE: Here's the latest on the optical illusion disaster waiting to happen: the "warning illusion" has been installed, and now you can now see it in action below.
How To: Repair a minor windshield leak from the side mirrors on an LLV postal truck
Unless the windshield is obviously cracked, there are only two other possible causes to a leaky windshield. One is from the seal around the whole glass, because it's broken or worn by age, and the other is the more common culprit on LLV postal trucks, and that's where the side mirror bolts on. This is is hard to see without a mirror and flash light, but check it before you replace the windshield, because if it's the source of the leak, you'll still have a leak even after replacing the windshi...
How To: Replace the left (non-driver's side) windshield wiper pivot on an LLV postal t
Unlike other automobiles, the LLV (Long Life Vehicle) postal truck is driven on the right side of the vehicle, not the left. This can complicate repairs for any mechanic if they're not familiar with these trucks which carry mail across the country by the United States Postal Service (USPS). One repair that isn't easy is replacing the windshield wiper pivots. Actually, the driver's side (right) wiper pivot is pretty easy, but the left side is quite a chore. If the one's you're working on are w...
How To: Remove and replace the valve body for a Toyota A750E/F or AB60E/F transmission
If you need to replace your valve body on your transmission, this video tutorial will show you how simple it is to do yourself. This focuses specifically on the valve body replacement of the Toyota A750E or A750F model transmission, and can also be applied to the AB60E or AB60F transmission, which can be found in vehicles like the Tundra, FJ Cruiser, 4Runner, Sequoia, and more.
How To: Install a Toad Stop braking system for towed vehicles
In this video, we learn how to install a Toad Stop braking system for towed vehicles. First, determine where you are going to install the braking system. Insert the electrical wires into the appropriate spots by reading the labels that are on them. After this, use a drill to lock down any parts that are loose. Once you place the braking system in, you will need to lock it down using the wires that come with it. Make sure these are installed properly throughout the entire vehicle up until you ...
How To: Keep your RV stove from going poof when it turns off
The stove in your RV is crucial for cooking on the road, and maintaining the LP system that supplies it is vital to your safety. If your RV stove is making a "poof" sound when you turn it off, it's not too hard to fix. This video will tell you about two potential solutions that will ensure proper stove function.
How To: Jump Start a Car
We've all been there before: We're in a hurry to get somewhere (often in bad weather), so we get in the car, turn the key in the ignition and.....WHUH! WHUH! WHUH! The darned battery is dead! After a stream of choice expletives (that is, if you're anything like me....;o)), we open the trunk and take out the jumper cables - but what if we don't know how to use them? Even if we do, we can often forget such things in crisis situations when we're pressed for time.
How To: Avoid using bad flywheels for an LLV postal truck
When replacing flywheels on an LLV (Long Life Vehicle), which is a postal truck used by the United States Postal Service (USPS) and made by Grumman, always look for the quality of the new flywheels ordered. Just because they're new doesn't mean they're good. The ring gear can sometimes be welded off-center to the plate, which will make the starter teeth grind the new flywheel. If you don't want to replace the fly wheel a second time, watch this video to see how to spot check them.
How To: Fix a transmission leak at the speedometer drive gear on an LLV postal truck
A common problem for an LLV postal truck is a transmission fluid leak at the speedometer drive gear on the side of the transmission. This video will show you how to repair this transmission leak at the seal. LLV stands for the Grumman Long Life Vehicle, which the United States Postal Service (USPS) for all mail delivery. More than likely, it's an O-ring problem (speedo seal) where the speedometer cable attaches.
How To: Replace a control arm on an LLV postal truck or Chevy S-10 pickup truck
The control arm on a Grumman Long Life Vehicle, or LLV, postal truck (used by the United States Postal Service (USPS)) is exactly the same as the control arm on the Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck, so the replacement procedure is almost identical. This video will show you that procedure, but it's important that you get the right part for the side you're replacing. The LLV is right-side steering, so the driver's side is the passenger's side on the S-10. It's a little confusing, so be careful.
How To: Fix a plugged up air conditioner drain hose on a Jeep Liberty
A common problem on Jeep Liberty SUVs involves the passenger side carpet getting wet because of the air conditioner drain hose being plugged, where the condensation water is supposed to drain from. The drain hose sticks out about an inch inside the engine compartment, and is relatively easy to access. All you need to do is use a wire, at least six inches, to probe into it and release and buildup. You can also blow air into the hose. Watch and learn this simple A/C repair trick.
How To: Remove and replace the timing belt on a 1997 Mazda 626
If you have (or are working on) a 1997 Mazda 626, the timing belt is a relatively easy replacement job. If you need a little guidance from a professional mechanic, then follow along to this video for the step-by-step instructions for removing and replacing the timing belt in the '97 Mazda 626.
How To: Remove and replace a front wheel bearing on a 1991 Ford Explorer
A wheel bearing doesn't have to be a costly fix for the mechanic. It could be a relatively cheap repair job for all you do-it-yourselfer types. There are different types of wheel bearings, but the type explained in this video, on a 1991 Ford Explorer, is a self-contained all-in-one assembly. If you have a '91 Ford Explorer, or a different vehicle with this kind of wheel bearing, then you're in luck… watch and learn.
How To: Smoke test an EVAP leak (code P0442) in a 2002 Jeep Liberty
After running a diagnostics test on a 2002 Jeep Liberty, if you get the code P0442, that means you have an Evaporative Emission Control System (EVAP) leak detected, which is just a small leak, but a leak nonetheless. This video will show you how to smoke test the EVAP leak to find the problem spot inside the vehicle.
How To: Reset the timing on a Chevrolet pickup truck
Anytime your do work on the distributor, you're going to have to reset the timing on your vehicle. This video covers resetting the timing on a Chevrolet pickup truck, but this method could also work for other make and models pickups. In order to reset the timing, you have to disconnect the set timing connector. Watch and see the whole process.
How To: Install a camshaft sensor and/or synchronizer on a 1998 Ford Windstar 3.0L
This vehicle covers a 1998 Ford Windstar 3.0L which came into the shop without the chief complaint being it was stalling and running bad. After the scan, they got a code P0340, which is a cam sensor fault. The problem could lie in any part of the circuit - the sensor itself, the wiring, or the PCM. Watch and learn to see how to install a new camshaft sensor and/or synchronizer.
How To: Lift the bed of a Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck for easy access to the fuel pump
If you're working on a Chevrolet S-10 or similar pickup truck, the easiest way to getting to the fuel pump is not by dropping the gas tank, but by lifting the bed of the truck. If you have the mechanic's equipment, you can get this done fast! Doesn't have to be a Chevy S-10. Could work for any lightweight pickup truck.
How To: Lift a pickup truck bed instead of dropping the tank for fuel pump access
For most vehicles, the only way to replace the fuel pump is by dropping the tank, which could take a long time. But on most flatbed pickup trucks, there's a simpler way to access the troublesome fuel pump. Simply unbolt the bed and lift that sucker up! See the trick to avoiding the gas tank.
How To: Quickly test the functionality of a coil-on-plug system in almost any vehicle
Working on a coil on plug system can be pretty frustrating for mechanics. So, if you're trying to diagnose a no-start or misfire, how do you know if that spark plug coil is firing? Is that even your problem? This video will show you two methods for troubleshooting the misfire problem. The first quick little test involves a coil-on-plug adapter (tester). Keep watching for the second method. This works for almost all vehicles.
How To: Use a lab scope and inductive pickup to test a coil on a car spark plug
One reason your vehicle may be misfiring is from a spark plug problem. To help you out, this video, aimed at mechanics, will help you diagnose the problem by using a lab scope and inductive pickup to test a coil on a spark plug. This could be done for virtually any vehicle. If you have the equipment, this is the test to try out.
How To: Use a smoke machine to identify a cylinder compression leak in a truck
The truck in this video was having a misfire problem during routine service. This video for mechanics will show how to find the problem of this misfire. The first thing to look at is the lab scope. After that, comes time for the smoke machine test to identify a possible cylinder compression leak. Watch and learn. This is very similar for a lot of different automobiles.
How To: Test vehicle relays in place with stranded copper wire
This is a really great tip for any mechanic's toolbox. Most people switch out relays in the vehicle to determine whether they're bad or not, but sometimes that doesn't do the trick. Sometimes it's necessary to check the relay in place, in the relay box, and there's a simple trick to doing so, for any automobile. Just wrap some stranded copper wires around the contacts and plug it back into the relay box. Then test!
How To: Use a coffee maker to install wheel bearings into an axle without a press
Many axle bearings must be pressed on, and it's a fairly simple job if you have a press available. But if you don't have a press, try this little trick to get the job done. All you need is a coffee maker. Yep, that's right. Make yourself a pot of hot joe, and when it's done, place the bearing on the heating element. By the time you finish the cup of hot coffee, your bearing should be hot enough to expand. This could work for any vehicle!
How To: Troubleshoot a mysterious coolant leak on a 1999 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L
The main complaint for this 1999 Jeep Cherokee, 4.0L, is that the Low Coolant Light keeps flashing on and that it keeps needing coolant. Nothing seems to be leaking on the ground, so where's the leak going? After doing the normal pressure test to spot the leak, and the combustion gas leak, and the overnight test, nothing seemed to work. The coolant leak could not be identified. So, it must be the cylinder head, right? But you need evidence of that first. Watch and learn how to prove your theo...
How To: Troubleshoot a misfire (code P0305) on a 1999 Mercury Villager 3.3L
If you didn't find the solution to your misfire problem in this video, then the 1999 Mercury Villager 3.3L might have a code P0305 (Cylinder #5 Misfire). This is great troubleshooting advice from a professional mechanic to help you diagnose the problem. The vehicle is a '99 Mercury Village, 3.3L, with 150,000 miles on it. The chief complaint is the CEL (check engine light) comes on and it runs like it has a misfire. It feels like a steady consistent misfire, which is code P0305. Watch the vid...
How To: Troubleshoot a misfire (code P0304) on a 1999 Mercury Villager 3.3L
As a mechanic, you can't get paid until you fix it, and you can't fix it until you diagnose it, which means a quick diagnosis means a quick fix which means a quick payout. If life was always this easy! This automotive video will show you how to troubleshoot and diagnose a 1999 Mercury Village, 3.3L, with 150,000 miles on it. The chief complaint is the CEL (check engine light) comes on and it runs like it has a misfire. It feels like a steady consistent misfire, which is code P0304 (Cylinder #...
How To: Smoke test and find an EVAP leak in a 2003 Dodge Caravan
This is a great video for mechanics (and possibly do-it-yourselfers) for troubleshooting an emissions problems in a 2003 Dodge Caravan. You'll learn how to do a quick smoke test and find a possible leak in the EVAP (Evaporative Emission Control system). The problem can be as simple as a faulty hose.
How To: Troubleshoot a horn that's not working in a 1991 Ford Ranger pickup truck
This video will help you diagnose and troubleshoot a non-working horn in a 1991 Ford Ranger pickup truck. First off, the electrical diagram is a great place to start. Make sure the horn switch is getting power from the source. To test this, all you need is power and a ground to test it at the steering wheel. To see what else could be the problem, watch and learn from a professional mechanic.
News: What if Airbags Were on the Outside of Your Car?
A team of Japanese researchers have developed an airbag system for the exterior of the car, rather than the interior, with the purpose of protecting pedestrians.
News: 3D Optical Illusion Scares the Poop Out of Canadian Drivers
Imagine this scenario: Late for work, you jump in the car. Going your usual 10 or maybe even 15 miles over the speed limit, suddenly a ball tumbles into the road, closely pursued by a little girl! Scared sh*tless, you slam on your brakes.
How To: Replace outer tie rod ends
In this video, Rich Pin teaches us how to replace an outer tie rod end on a vehicle. First, get the vehicle in the air supported on jack stands, and remove the tire wheel assembly. Next, put a mark on the top of the tie rod shaft so you know where to line it up when you replace it. Next, loosen the jam nut from the rod, remove that and the nut. Remove the tie rod end after this by shocking it with a hammer. When it is removed, replace it with a new part and then attach all the bolts and nuts ...