Fix It

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.

Racing an engine to remove air is a method used to remove bubbles of air trapped within the coolant system of an automobile after you change the coolant. In order for the thermostat to work correctly, you must purge the system of air. Otherwise, the thermostat experiences pockets of air that disrupt the heating and cooling process. If you leave this process unchecked, it could cause expensive engine damage.

Instructions

1

Remove the radiator cap from the filler spout on the radiator. If your vehicle does not have a radiator cap, lift the cap off the expansion tank for the radiator.

2

Turn on the engine, rev it to approximately 3,000 RPM until the radiator fan turns on for a period of one minute, and then turn the vehicle off. The fan turning on is an indicator that the thermostat is in the open position, circulating the coolant through the engine. The air goes to the least path of resistance. In the coolant system, that is the hole in the filler spout.

3

Check the fluid level in the radiator. The level should be slightly lower than normal. Fill the fluid to within an inch of the top of the spout.

4

Repeat step two and three a second time and then place the cap back on the radiator.

You can read the codes on a 1989 Toyota 22RE using an OBD I code reader. An On-Board Diagnostics computer monitors all the functions of the Toyota. It illuminates a warning or service light on the instrument panel when it receives trouble codes from sensors positioned throughout the vehicle, This OBD I code reader is used to retrieve these codes. It is also used to reset the computer after repairs are made to the Toyota.

Instructions

1

Plug the OBD I code reader into the diagnostic port on the driver-side dashboard near the steering column. Dont force it in or you may bend the pins inside.

2

Put the key into the ignition and turn it to the "II" position. This will power most code readers. If not, look for an "on/off" switch on the code reader. Turn it on. Wait while the OBD I code reader retrieves the codes.

3

Write down the codes on a piece of paper. Look up the codes in the code readers manual to determine their meaning.

When the Toyota Tacoma was introduced in 1995, it featured front struts instead of shocks. The front struts are also erred to as coil over shocks because they are not attached to the integral knuckles of the truck. The true shocks on the Tacoma are in the rear, but older Toyota trucks also have shocks in the front. The difference between a shock and a strut is that the shock is a separate component from the coil spring; thus it doesnt require a spring compressor.

Instructions

1

Park your Toyota Tacoma on a flat, paved surface and place two wheel chocks in front of and behind one of the front tires.

2

Raise the rear of the Tacoma with a jack under the rear differential high enough to support it on jack stands placed under the rear axle, away from the shock bolts, nuts and steel brake lines. Leave the jack in place under the rear differential for added support but have the weight of the truck resting on the stands.

3

Put on safety glasses before crawling underneath the truck with the metric wrench set,

1/2-inch drive ratchet with shallow metric sockets and the replacement shocks.

4

Hold one of the lower shock bolt heads with a metric wrench in place and remove the nut with a ratchet and metric socket turned counterclockwise.

5

Repeat Step 4 for the upper shock and nut. If necessary, replace the nut onto the bolt and strike it with a hammer to loosen the bolts from the upper and lower shock mounts. Remove the nuts and bolts.

6

Replace the upper shock bolt and nut (with washers) onto the new shock and install it by reversing the removal procedure. Replace the lower next shock. This shock will have to be compressed in order to align the bottom bolthole to the mount so that the bolt can go through the hole correctly. Be sure to replace the washer onto the bolt. Tighten the lower nut with the ratchet and socket while holding the bolt head with a wrench.

7

Repeat Steps 4 through 6 for the other rear shock. Raise the truck with the jack, remove the jack stands then lower your Tacoma to the ground and remove the wheel chocks.

There comes a point in time when everyone that owns a car will have to replace the headlights. In most cases, replacing the headlight bulb is as simple as opening the engine compartment and replacing the bulb, but with the 2003 Honda Accord, its a little different. Access to the headlights on this model is through the wheel wells.

Instructions

1

Turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction of the bulb that you want to change. For example, if you want to change the right headlight, turn your wheels to the left.

2

Pull the electrical connection off the old bulb by looking into the wheel well from the outside of the car. The electrical connection resembles a plug.

3

Remove the bulb by rotating it counterclockwise turn.

4

Remove the new bulb from the package but do not touch the glass. Put on gloves to avoid skin oils contacting the bulb.

5

Place the new bulb in the location where you removed the old one and rotate it clockwise turn to lock it in place.

6

Plug the electrical connection back into the bulb and make sure it locks into place.

7

Repeat the process for any other bulb that needs to be changed then turn on the headlights to test them.

The American Petroleum Institute, or API, provides consumers with information on engine oil disposal, certifies the quality of oil manufacturers product and oversees oil safety and oil recycling. The API Base Oil Interchangeability Guidelines ensure engine oil manufacturers create a quality product.

Function

Because base oils have varying physical and chemical properties, API designed guidelines that engine oil manufacturers follow to create a standard of engine oil performance. The guidelines allow varying engine oil blends to work interchangeably without affecting engine performance.

Base Stock Types and Categories

Base stock defines lubricants created by a single manufacturer using the same lubricant specifications or formula each time. Base stock slate defines a product line of identical base stock lubricants with varying viscosities. Base oil defines API-licensed oil. The base stocks are then categorized one of five ways defined in section E.1.3 of the API guidelines.

Guidelines

API receives third-party engine testing data for each oil product. API then compares the data against engine testing requirements, specified in section E.2 of the Interchangeability Guidelines, before certification. In some cases, a single interchange base stock does not require engine testing.

A Tracker is a small sport utility vehicle that was sold under the GEO and Chevrolet nameplates from 1989 to 2004. The Chevrolet Equinox took the Trackers place in the 2005 model year. The oxygen sensor on your Tracker makes sure the correct air/fuel ratio is achieved by sending signals to the engines electronic computer module. Your engine will not run at its maximum efficiency if the oxygen sensor is not operating properly. The first step in replacing the oxygen sensor in your Tracker is to remove the old one.

Instructions

1

Set the parking brake. If the engine has been run recently, let it cool for a few hours before you begin.

2

Raise the vehicle with a hydraulic jack and place jack stands under your Trackers frame to support its weight. Lower the hydraulic jack and set it aside.

3

Crawl under the vehicle on the right hand side (drivers side) near the drivers door. Locate the catalytic converter, which is mounted in-line with the exhaust pipe.

4

Locate the oxygen sensor which is mounted in the exhaust pipe near the rear of the catalytic converter.

5

Remove the wiring harness connector from the oxygen sensor by squeezing in the connector tabs with your fingers while simultaneously pulling the connector from the sensor.

6

Remove the sensor from the exhaust pipe by turning it out with an adjustable wrench in a counterclockwise direction.