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Motor mounts are important automobile parts used to protect the engine, transmission and surrounding components from damage. Motor mounts also reduce the amount of noise and vibration in the vehicle to improve passenger comfort.

Operation

Motor mounts secure the engine and transmission to the body of a vehicle. Motor mounts are made of two plates of steel joined by a large rubber block. One plate is attached to the engine or transmission and the other to the frame. The rubber block cushions the movements of the engine and transmission.

Hydraulic

Though less commonly used than the rubber block design, some motor mounts use hydraulic fluid to cushion the engine and transmission movements. These mounts also use two steel plates but are connected by a small hydraulic cylinder. Some hydraulic mounts adjust while driving to optimize the mounts performance.

Troubleshooting

A defective motor mount allows the engine and transmission to move too far and too quickly. During acceleration or heavy braking, the broken mount may create a thumping noise as the engine or transmission strikes the broken mount. Broken motor mounts should be immediately replaced before this excessive movement causes damage.

A free flow exhaust is a type of system installed in vehicles for increased power and a sporty look. They are designed to remove engine emissions more efficiently than standard exhaust systems.

Purpose

Free flow exhaust systems are designed for looks and increased efficiency and power in vehicles. They are typically made of 100 percent stainless steel, which offers a nice sporty look. They weigh less than standard exhaust systems, which helps account for increased fuel economy and improvement in acceleration.

Process

Exhaust systems are used for removing spent gas from a vehicles engine; theore exhaust systems play a role in engine tuning and performance. A free flow system allows the spent gas to exit the vehicle more efficiently by changing the pipes used in the system and installing an intercooler between the engine and the exhaust.

Benefits

With a free flow exhaust system, a smoother removal of spent gas is offered. Because of this, vehicle owners notice an improvement in the overall way their vehicle runs. These systems promote better gas mileage and increased acceleration as well.

The 1999 Mercury Cougar has two engine options. The base engine is a 2.0-liter, in-line four-cylinder, which produces 130 horsepower. The optional engine is a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter V-6. No matter the engine size, the 1999 Cougar has an on-board diagnostic (OBD) computer with an OBD-II port.

Location

The OBD-II port is sometimes difficult to find on certain vehicles. However, the Cougars OBD-II diagnostic port is easy to find. It is located on the drivers side, under the dashboard and to the drivers side of the steering wheel.

Function

The OBD-II port is where an OBD-II scanner can be plugged in. This scanner gathers all of the information from the vehicles computer and displays it on a screen. Some computers even have testing functions for certain components.

History

On-board diagnostics started back in 1982 in California when the California Air Resources Board began creating regulations that required all vehicles to have an on-board diagnostic system -- now known as OBD-I -- to sense emission system failures. In 1996 the Federal Government followed suit by making the more-universal OBD-II required on all vehicles.

Torsion bars are long metal springs that are used in low-cost car suspension. As more load is placed on a torsion bar, the more the bar twists. The amount of the twist will differ depending on the material used in the bar. Torsion bar suspension is used because it is cheap and durable, but it can still go bad. Most often torsion bars are damaged through impacts on the undercarriage or through rust.

Instructions

1

Shine a flashlight into the wheel well of the car or truck. The torsion bar will be sticking out from the cars frame perpendicularly. Depending on the car, the other end of the torsion bar will be bolted to a control arm or the steering knuckle itself. Look for any cracks in the torsion bar. If there are any cracks in the bar, then it is only a matter of time before it cracks in half.

2

Feel along the torsion bar for rust. Rust patches will feel gritty like a scab. If rust is present, then the torsion bar must be replaced. Also feel the bolts that secure each end for rust. If the bolts are rusted, then it is guaranteed that the rust has spread to the torsion bar bolt holes. Make sure to repeat this process in each wheel well.

3

Turn the car of truck on and take it for a test drive. If one corner seems to sag excessively, then that torsion bar has gone bad. Any metal object can succumb to metal fatigue over time, especially if under constant, heavy loads. Pay special attention when driving over speed bumps. If you hear a bang, then the torsion bar has grown too soft and allowed some suspension parts to come into contact. Any worn out torsion bar must be replaced.

A catalytic converter is an exhaust emissions device that is part of a vehicles exhaust system. In charge of lowering the exhaust emissions that exit a vehicles tail pipe, a catalytic converter can negatively impact vehicle performance if it goes bad or stops working properly. What follows is a brief list of the most common signs of a bad catalytic converter.

Reduced Exhaust Flow

A major sign of a plugged up and/or bad catalytic converter is reduced exhaust flow measured at the vehicle tail pipe. Engine exhaust must travel through a catalytic converter before exiting the tail pipe; a bad catalytic converter can block and/or impede exhaust flow.

Reduced Engine Power

If a bad catalytic converter seriously impedes the flow of a vehicles engine exhaust flow, reduced engine horsepower can occur. This is due to the increase in engine exhaust back pressure that results whenever engine exhaust flow is impeded and/or reduced.

Reduced Exhaust Pipe Temperature

It is common for a bad and/or plugged catalytic converter to cause abnormally low exhaust pipe temperatures on the backside of a catalytic converter. As engine exhaust exits an engine and travels down the exhaust system and through the catalytic converter, the exiting exhaust flow can be restricted enough to cause significantly reduced exhaust pipe temperatures between the catalytic converter and the tail pipe.

Increased Hydrocarbon Emissions

Catalytic converters work by reducing the levels of hydrocarbon emissions exiting a vehicles tail pipe. A bad catalytic converter can lose its emissions-lowering capabilities and cause an increase in exhaust hydrocarbon emissions, a condition that is normally picked up when a vehicle is undergoing a routine smog inspection.

Reduced Fuel Economy

Any obstruction and/or abnormality in a vehicles exhaust system has the potential to reduce vehicle gas mileage by creating exhaust back pressure within a vehicles engine. A bad catalytic converter can cause a reduction in vehicle fuel economy if it restricts the flow of engine exhaust to the point of causing a marked increase in engine exhaust back pressure.

While the computerized engine management systems that run todays cars are extremely complex and require increasing specialized diagnostic equipment and tools, all gasoline-burning engines must still have spark plugs. The plugs allow a properly timed spark of electricity to jump through the flammable mixture introduced into the top of the piston chamber, causing ignition. Ascertaining their condition is done more through familiarity and interpretive knowledge than through the use of a single piece of equipment.

Know Your Plugs

The terms cold plug and hot plug are often used, and a knowledge of what to expect from the plug is necessary in determining its condition. The terms er to the ability of the material that the plug is made from to transfer heat, in this instance from the point at which the spark occurs into the engine block for dissipation. A cold plug transfers heat quickly and does not work well at extremely high temperatures. A hot plug transfers heat poorly, allowing heat to build up to approximately 1,550 degrees Fahrenheit, and is designed to work in that way; hot plugs are less susceptible to fouling because they burn off contamination. Identification is a question of experience: In general, hot plugs have longer insulator tips.

Visual Condition

Always allow an engine to fully cool before attempting any service work, including the removal of spark plugs. If the insulator tip of a plug that has been in service looks pale gray, or pale gray with a yellow or brown tint, the engine is running correctly, the spark plug gap is set correctly and the plug is torqued correctly into the receiver. Dull, black carbonization on the tip suggests that too-cold plugs are in use, and they should be replaced with hotter-running units. As with all visual indications, this symptom could also indicate problems elsewhere in the engine, in this instance a bad fuel mixture. Melting at the electrode indicates either that the plug was incorrectly torqued into position or that the heat range of the plug is not as suggested for the engine.

Gapping

The space between the electrode and the insulator tip must be exact for the plug to function correctly. Spark plug gap-testing tools are a set of wafer-thin blades -- each blade looks something like a fingernail cleaner -- that rotate on a pivot in and out of a case. These tools used to be ubiquitous in every do-it-yourselfers and professionals kit, but modern engines and plug technology have made them all but redundant. New plugs are now delivered with the gap precisely set and do not deform under any but the most extreme of engine conditions. If a modern spark plug gap changes under use, that is a symptom, not a cause; the cause must be determined by engine diagnostics and the plug set replaced after rectification of the fault.

Equipment

An array of equipment is available to test spark plug condition, but the visual checks suggested and a regular maintenance schedule make the investment practically unnecessary, even for the professional. The spark plug gapping tool is, as noted, all but redundant in modern vehicle maintenance practices. Working according to the manufacturers instructions, it is possible to use a volt-ohmmeter to ascertain the circuit load.

Voltage Testing

Metered spark gap testers are available that plug into the coil to measure the jump of the spark. Capable of handling current between 0 and 40,000 volts, the tool diagnoses faults in the coil, the ignition wires and the plugs.

Testing Spark Plug Wires

Inline spark testers that use a bulb do not give a metered reading, but they do give an instant indication of whether a coil-wire-plug circuit is operational. The device is inserted between the plug and the wire, after you have first removed the wire from the top of the plug. When the engine is turned over a bulb flashes if the circuit is functional but does not flash if it is faulty. Compact ignition testers are extremely simple to use to verify that there is a spark to the plug. Fitted into a plug wire end and clamped to the engine, they should spark when the engine is turned over. If they do not, there is a problem upstream of the device.

Solenoids are used in a variety of systems, but most commonly in cars. Starters in particular use solenoids. Often when a vehicles starter is malfunctioning the solenoid is the problem.

Definition of a Solenoid

Solenoids are a type of electric motor. They are commonly used in cars as heavy duty relays. The technical definition of a solenoid is a device or motor that can produce back and forth, or linear, motion when a force is applied. Solenoids will respond to hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical force.

Solenoids as Actuators in Cars

Solenoids are mainly used in cars as actuators. A solenoid will move a component a certain distance after electricity has been applied. Starters are probably the most common actuator component. Another common usage in vehicles is as a relay. A solenoid closes a circuit when electricity is applied.

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Types of Solenoids

Solenoids can also be used in propane, nitrous-injections and propane systems. Fuel injectors are also solenoid valves. There are different types of solenoids. The push type uses a spring to hold the solenoid closed; it opens when voltage is applied. The pull type pushes out a solenoid arm when electricity is applied. A third type is push/pull, which works in both directions.

Solenoid Mechanics

A solenoid has a coil set that it uses to induce a magnetic field on a permanent magnet. The magnet will either be attracted or repelled when power is applied to the coil. In a car, the solenoid in the starter is a relay which moves metal contacts into place which closes a circuit. The solenoid is sent an electrical current when the ignition key is turned. This triggers the magnetic field of the solenoid that pulls on the contacts, closing the circuit.

A ball joint links the console arms of the front and rear suspensions to the wheel hub assemblies of your vehicle. In some vehicles, the ball joints connect all components of the suspension.

Significance

Rear ball joints are sometimes used in vehicles that are front-wheel drive and have independent suspensions. In some newer vehicles, the rear suspension is assembled with ball joints to link all parts of the suspension together.

Function

The ball-and-socket design of the ball joint provides swivel room for the knuckles of the joint as the wheels of the vehicle are steered. It also allows the suspension to handle changes in the road as the vehicle is moving.

Considerations

If there is a problem with the ball joint, you might hear a knocking noise when your vehicle goes over small bumps in the road. Erratic steering and wandering are also indicators of problems with the ball joint.

Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification is a widely recognized and sought-after auto mechanic credential. A mechanic with an ASE certification is one of about 385,000 mechanics around the country who has passed at least one specialty certification exam and who has at least two years of relevant work experience. They also have to recertify every five years. Finding an ASE certified mechanic can help you know that your vehicles problem will be solved by someone recognized as a knowledgeable professional.

Instructions

1

Make a list of the shops in your area. Find a list of them in the phone book or online. Keep your list manageable. Having a list of more than about five to ten shops will take too long to work through. ASE certification is not so rare that you will have to look for very long to find an ASE certified mechanic at a shop.

2

Call each shop and ask if mechanics there are ASE certified. You can also check the shops websites for information about certification. Cross off shops that do not have any ASE certified mechanics on staff.

3

Visit some shops on your list. Look on the walls to see the blue ASE logo on certificates of mechanics in the shop that have attained ASE certification. Also check the front door. ASE signage may also be posted on or near it.

4

Look on the uniforms of the mechanics on duty at the shop. Many of them wear an ASE patch on their sleeves. Many mechanics also carry ASE certification proof on their person as well.

5

Visit the ASE website (ase.com). Type in your zip code or city and state on the ASE Blue Seal Recognized Business Locator page to find an ASE participating shop in your area.

Replacing a car engines head gasket involves a major tear down of the engine. The procedure also calls for precise measurement of metal surfaces, and the technician may have to repair other parts of the engine as well to prevent future head gasket failures.

Scope of Job

While the head gasket itself consists of a single part, preparing the engine for its replacement represents a large-scale operation, according to Repair Pal. The repair technician must remove air intake and exhaust components, and drain the coolant. In some cases, the technician also must remove the timing assembly, valve covers and camshafts.

Precision

Replacement of a head gasket first requires precision measurements using a straightedge, according to AA1 Car. These measurements must indicate variations from flatness as small as 0.002 inches. Resurfacing a head usually requires the help of a machine shop.

Considerations

Head gaskets wear out for a variety of reasons. AA1 Car notes that anyone replacing a head gasket also should inspect the rest of the engine for potential problems and be ready to perform additional, possibly elaborate repairs.

An AC condenser is one of several parts that work together to form a vehicles AC system. Pressurized gases that have gone into the condenser come out of it as liquid rigerant and are then utilized by the rest of the system.

Location

An AC condenser looks somewhat like a radiator only a bit smaller. Although its location can vary according to vehicle type, its usually positioned slightly under the vehicles grill, with the radiator located right behind it.

Cooling

There are several benefits awarded to a condenser because of its location. When air flows through the grill of a vehicle, a condenser will use this to assist it with the cooling of rigerant. Its location near the radiators fan also brings about extra cooling assistance.

Collecting

An AC compressor is known to let out all kinds of debris when it is in use. Because of a condensers low position, it is able to effectively catch and collect much of this debris and oil before it has a chance to spread to other parts of the system.

The Pontiac Grand Am has many parts incorporated in its design. Locating a large part is simple because it stands out. However, if youre trying to locate the Powertrain Control Module, this may cause a level of difficulty.

Significance of PCM

The PCM is an electrical computer that stabilizes the many sensors that your Pontiac Grand Am has. Without the PCM, things such as coolant malfunctions and overheating would occur.

Location of the PCM

The PCM on any Pontiac Grand Am is located behind the glove box. You must remove the screws attaching the glove box to physically see the PCM. Use caution if youre going to remove the glove box door.

Problem With Your PCM

If you are aware that the PCM is damaged or malfunctioning on your Pontiac Grand Am, see a professional mechanic or Pontiac car dealer about fixing it. Any electrical component of a vehicle must be handled by a professional to ensure safety of both you and your vehicle.

A U joint, or universal joint, is a type of connection used in many applications, but primarily in a car or trucks drivetrain. The universal joint takes its name from the ability of the joint to move in any direction.

Locating the U Joint

Most rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive trucks have two universal joints on each end of the driveshaft. The driveshaft runs from the transmission to the rear differential and works to convey power from the engine to the wheels.

U Joint Appearance

The universal joint itself is cross-shaped, but when connected, the joint is identified by the U-shaped end of the driveshaft where it connects to the U-shaped end of the transmission and rear differential.

Common Problems

As a universal joint wears out, it often will make a metallic thump when the truck is placed into drive or reverse. This is due to the driveshaft taking up the slack in the joint. Worn universal joints also may cause the driveshaft to spin out of balance. An out of balance driveshaft may vibrate when the transmission is engaged.

When buying an alternator, or other car part, many consumers are surprised to learn that they are charged a core deposit. However, the deposit is returned when the old alternator is returned to the parts store.

How it Works

When buying a new alternator, the buyer pays the price of the alternator plus a deposit. After the new alternator is put onto the car, the buyer can exchange the old alternator for the deposit.

Conditions

The conditions for the old alternator to be accepted will vary depending on store policy. Information on the core return should be given at the time of purchase and is often included on the receipt. Most cores must be returned in rebuildable condition, within a set amount of time and in the box that the new part was sold in.

Core Deposit Purpose

The reason parts stores want the old alternator is that it will be sent to be remanufactured and resold. Parts stores charge the core deposit to assure that they receive the old part.

The Chrysler HEMI engine was first manufactured in the 1950s. Variables in piston design include the piston type, piston pin types and number of rings found on each piston.

HEMI Engines

Hemispherically-shaped combustion engines (HEMIs), first manufactured by Chrysler in the 1950s, were further developed in the 1960s and 1970s. Newer versions are considered lightweight compared to similar engines.

Types

Chrysler HEMI engines use a horizontal slot piston with a steel strut. They use free floating piston pins and have three rings per piston. They are manufactured using an aluminum alloy with a tin coat.

Longevity

Some Chrysler HEMI engine blocks, such as the 6.1-liter engine, come with revised coolant channels and oil jets used to cool the pistons. This decreases wear and increases the devices longevity.

The headlamps on your 2001 Lexus IS300 are expensive parts of your luxury sedan that can last decades without any maintenance. But headlamps can crack or break in an accident or when hit by rocks or other road hazards. In such cases, they need to be replaced. Or you might want to switch your headlamps to aftermarket headlamps that are more powerful or stylish. In either case, you can remove your Lexus headlamps in minutes.

Instructions

1

Open the hood and pull back the rubber gasket located behind the headlamp.

2

Open the metal tab on the back of the bulb with a flat-head screwdriver.

3

Turn the bulb counterclockwise and remove it from the headlamp assembly.

4

Remove the three bolts across the top of the headlamp assembly with a socket wrench fitted with a 10 mm socket.

5

Release the tab underneath the weather stripping on the side of the headlamp assembly and remove the assembly.

6

Disconnect the wiring harness by pushing down on the plastic piece on top of the harness, then pulling the plug out of the harness.

An integrated starter generator (ISG) is the combination of a starter, generator and flywheel system into one auto part. It is used to enhance fuel efficiency and vehicle performance on automobiles with combustion engines.

Purpose

When a vehicle comes to a complete stop, the integrated starter generator switches the engine off. When the accelerator is pressed, it starts the engine again, thereby saving gas that is usually wasted when a vehicle is in idle.

Benefits

Integrated starter generators offer faster vehicle cranking than a 12-volt starter. Also, they save fuel by reducing idling time when a vehicle is stopped.

Other Functions

Regenerative braking -- which happens when a vehicle decelerates by way of electric power -- is aided by the integrated starter generator. Also, the ISG functions as an alternator by generating electric power in a running vehicle and charging the battery.

Coupling alignment refers to the process of bringing the coaxial shafts of a vehicle into alignment. Different types of couplings can tolerate very different degrees of misalignment. If misalignment is a common worry for you, it may be best to prepare for the worst and use the most flexible couplings whenever possible. Misalignment can result in several undesirable consequences.

Main Reasons

The main purpose of performing a coupling alignment procedure is to align the surfaces of the coupling. This is done by bringing the center lines of the shafts into alignment. It is the alignment of the center lines of the shafts that are responsible for maintaining the maximum service life of the bearing, couplings and the vehicle as a whole.

Consequences of Misalignment

There are several unfortunate consequences of coupling misalignment. The first is increased load on the bearings and fittings. Over time, this puts unnecessary strain on the bearings and fittings, which contributes to general wear and shortens the vehicles overall life. The second unfortunate consequence is the flexing of the shafts, which again causes unnecessary wear. Finally, coupling misalignment results in vibrations being transmitted throughout the body of the vehicle. This causes wear not just on the couplings and surrounding parts, but on every aspect of the vehicle, shortening its overall life.

Deciding on a Method

There are several different methods of performing coupling alignment. When choosing a method, there are many different factors that must be taken into account. These include the speed at which the vehicle generally operates, the tools available to the person performing the alignment, the intended uses of the vehicle, the alignment tolerances and specifications, the length of time available to perform the alignment procedure and the condition of the vehicle at the time of the alignment procedure.

Methods

Depending on the aforementioned factors, mechanics will choose one of four coupling alignment procures. The first is a rough alignment using a straight edge and feeler gauge. The second is called "rim and face dialing." The third is called cross dialing, which uses either a graph method or reverse reading dialing method. Finally, the fourth is laser alignment.

Crash gearboxes use straight-cut gears and are found in vintage cars, large trucks and racing cars. The speed of the engine must be matched to that of the gearbox before a gear is engaged.

Operation

When changing gears, the clutch disengages the gearbox from the engine then selects a new gear before re-engaging. With straight-cut gears, if the engine speed does not match that of the gearbox, the gears will grind together and cause potential damage to the clutch and gears themselves; thus the speeds must be matched before a gear is engaged.

Double Declutching

The clutch is used twice for every gear change. First the clutch is depressed, and neutral is selected; the engine is then revved to the appropriate speed before the clutch is depressed once more and a new gear selected. This is a complex technique that requires an experienced driver.

Advantages

Crash gearboxes produce less friction and loss of power. In racing, this is a great advantage, and with the ability to rebuild the gearbox after each race, the damage caused by incorrect gear changes is not considered a major problem. Crash gearboxes are also very robust and able to deal with much more power and torque than helical gears.

A remanufactured long block is an automobile engine that was used, then removed from an old vehicle and refurbished, then sold to a customer who needs a new engine. The term "long block" refers to what components are included in the final product -- a long block includes cylinder heads and some related parts while a short block does not. If your car is in otherwise good shape, replacing a worn engine with a long block is an economical alternative to buying a new car.

Remanufacturing an Engine

A remanufactured engine starts as a used engine. A mechanic or a technician at a remanufacturing facility will inspect the engine, looking it over for cracks and other conditions that determine whether it is rebuildable or not. If so, the facility fully takes apart the entire engine and cleans and inspects all the parts. Then the parts that are reusable, such as the block, the heads and the crankshaft, are resurfaced and put back into service. The rest of the parts are replaced with new parts, and the engine is reassembled.

Types of Remanufactured Engines

Remanufactured engines come in three general configurations. The short block consists of the engine block, crank shaft, pistons, connecting rods and sometimes the camshaft. The long block is nothing more than a short block with the cylinder heads added, as well as a camshaft and rocker arms. A complete engine adds in things like an oil pump, valve covers, an oil pan and an intake system.

Things to Consider

It has become more economical to replace an entire engine assembly instead of removing the old components from your existing engine and putting them on a new short block. It also takes less labor. Additionally, it makes sense to have all new or refurbished parts by using a long block rather than putting old parts on a new engine as is required with a short block. Check with a remanufacturing facility about what its long block engines contain. Different facilities sometimes have different ideas on what a long block contains.