Auto Repair

Very simple do-it-yourself instructions for replacing the valve cover gasket on Volkswagen 2.0L AEG engines to help seal vacuum and oil leaks. Includes Jetta, Golf, and GTI.

Do it yourself (DIY) replacement of the timing belt, water pump, and oil seals on the 4-cylinder Toyota Camry and similar cars, with photos, lists of tools, and parts recommendations.

How to replace front-end strut mounts (and struts) on the '97–'01 Toyota Camry, with a video. Plus other causes of front-end noise.

Automatic transmissions are great to drive... when they're working well. Let's look at what to do when they're not.

Basic electrical knowledge applies to so many vehical components: batteries, starters, alternators, lighting, sensors, actuators, AC systems, electric windows, and computer systems.

Install a car thermostat replacement in minutes without causing coolant leaks, damage to components, or engine overheating.

The important function of a working PCV valve, how it works, signs that it's failing, and how to test.

Find that parasitic battery drain that's causing your car battery problems whether you have a newer or older vehicle model.

If your engine won't turn over, this guide will help you find the most common—and not so common—problem sources.

AC system diagnosis can be done by feeling the lines for the correct temperature/ pressure relationship. With gauges hooked up, the pressures can be measured and then diagnosed.

Do-it-yourself Front Wheel Drive (FWD) wheel bearing replacement for most Toyotas and many other cars. Lots of photos, and details about tools needed.

Find the source of valve train noises and other symptoms using this simple guide.

How to replace the timing belt, water pump, tensioner, and guide pulleys on the 2005-2015 Honda V6 Pilot, 2004 Acura TL (same as Accord) with a video showing the repair performed on a 12' Pilot and another on a 04' Acura TL.

DIY Toyota I4 (5SFE) engine oil-leak repair. Plenty of photos and step-by-step repair instructions.

Water leaking into a car can lead to mold, corrosion, computer issues, and bad smells. Water can leak into your passenger compartment from outside or inside the car, often from the windshield.

Use a car battery hydrometer on a dead car battery or suspected bad car battery to learn its state of charge and health in minutes.

Simple, easy-to-understand, proven methods on how to earn the highest salary as an automotive technician without stealing from the customer.

I discovered how to avoid expensive car repair bills when the 'check engine light' is on. If it’s a catalytic converter warning, try my low-cost solution before going to a mechanic.

Learn how to replace a timing belt and water pump on an Accord/Acura CL F23 2.3L I4 engine (w/ video). The replacement should be performed every 100,000 miles or 10 years; whichever comes first.

Diagnose alternator and charging system problems with this practical guide to get your car back on the road faster.

Diagnose engine backfires with this guide and prevent potentially serious engine damage.

In this article, you'll find step-by-step instructions for a Toyota or Lexus Fuel Pump replacement with photos. There are no special tools required, and it's relatively safe, easy, and not too time consuming. The OEM fuel pump provider for Toyota and Lexus is Denso.

Clean and replace the throttle body for VW and Audi 1.8T engines to cure rough idle and carbon build-up.

This guide shows you how to locate, remove, and clean your exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve on Renault Trafic, Opel/Vauxhall Vivaro, and Nissan Primastar vans. Cleaning helps your diesel engine run smoothly and it's possible to bypass the valve to increase performance, and economy.

Ten possible events that can trigger a "check engine" light in a Honda. Read the ten questions here; they will give you useful information that will help your mechanic diagnose the problem quickly.

How to troubleshoot a mass airflow sensor in a few simple steps. What to look for, and how to interpret your results.

Do a timing belt replacement project in your own garage using these recommendations, tips, and procedures.

Test the throttle position sensor in a few minutes using a digital multimeter.

Troubleshoot an inductive or Hall effect type crankshaft position (CKP) sensor using a digital multimeter.

When your engine starts but stops, concentrate your diagnostic efforts on those systems or components most likely to cause the failure.

Though old news, 6-speed DSG transmissions are still on the road in many vehicles. So let's look at some of the more common problems you might encounter with yours.

DIY instructions for cleaning or replacing the MAF (mass airflow) sensor in a VW Jetta, Golf, GTI, Passat, New Beetle, A4. Included are step-by-step pictures, part numbers, and tools required for the job.

Does your engine crank, but won't start? This guide tells you where to begin your diagnostic and what to do next.

This guide will show you how to use a digital multimeter, hydrometer, and other simple tools to troubleshoot, inspect, and clean your battery if necessary.

How to test your vehicle yourself to investigate common and not-so-common reasons for a sluggish engine.

There are a lot of myths about what kind of gas you should use in your car. In this article we'll explore the most common stories and talk about which ones might actually be true (depending on your car).

Find out whether your car's temperature gauge is working right, discovering key symptoms and applying a few simple tests.

Learn how to check an oxygen sensor and eliminate hit-and-miss repairs using a digital multimeter.

Find and fix a vacuum leak in your car in a few simple steps using simple tools.

To fix performance issues, check the intake air temperature (IAT) sensor in your car using a few simple tests.

DIY guide for installing a boost gauge and wiring in a VW MKIV Jetta, Golf GTI, or New Beetle.

How to replace worn rear suspension struts and springs on your Camry. Video included.

Diagnose a water pump failure faster with these three simple step-by-step methods.

Test your vehicle catalytic converter in your own garage.

Cars and unwanted bird droppings go together, but does the color of your vehicle matter? A study of this nuisance seemed to prove that red cars are the most often targeted, but is this true?

If you recognize one or more of these symptoms, have a look into your camshaft position sensor before it gets you in trouble.

When it comes to additives, there are many claims, many promises... and just as many disappointments. When I hear about a product that "actually works," I'm skeptical, but this time I put the product to the test so that the results can tell the story!

How to replace the door glass, door glass guide, window regulator and window motor on a Camry. No special tools required. Most parts can be obtained from a salvage yard and transferred to your car.

Here are the most likely reasons for bad clutch performance, a noisy clutch, or strange behavior by the clutch pedal. Look for your symptoms here.

Check common sources of engine misfires using this friendly tip-filled guide.

Often, car lighting problems require just an easy fix you can do in minutes.

Of all the faults the ZF 6HP automatic transmission can throw at you, the E Clutch fault is by far the hardest to determine the cause of.

The GM 5L40-E is a popular transmission, but it is not without its faults. Here are some of the most common ones.

Most people only go into an auto parts store when they have an emergency. There are a few things that you should know that will save you money and keep you from being taken advantage of.

If the air conditioning system in your car blows out hot air instead of cold, most likely there is a leak where freon is escaping. A few quick checks can often determine the problem. Recharging the AC system with freon is a waste of money unless the leak can be found and fixed.

Were you told you need an $800 catalytic converter because your check engine light is on with code P0420? I’ll describe a low-cost alternative you can try first.

DIY (Do it yourself) Toyota MZFE V6 Fuel Injector Replacement. Detailed instructions with plenty of step by step photos. Replacement method can be used in the Camry, Avalon, Sienna, ES300 & RX300.

How to bleed the brakes at home fast using a vacuum pump, plus tips and warnings.

Sources of engine rough idle problems and related symptoms for a faster diagnosis and repair.

Fluid leaking from a car could mean immediate repairs are needed, or it could be something totally normal. In this article, you will learn how to identify the leak and figure out what, if anything, needs to be done about it.

How to replace the timing belt and pulley yourself on the Hyundai Elantra and Kia Spectra. Step-by-step instructions, plenty of photos, and a video!

Troubleshoot your potentially bad brake booster by using the simple tests in this guide to save time and money.

If your car’s ignition system has no spark, a few simple tests can help you locate the fault.

Some people spend hundreds of dollars on car repairs when their check engine light is on. I use this low-cost diagnostic tool to see the vehicle’s OBD error codes.

Your mechanic says you need a wheel bearing . . . what's that? In this article, you'll find pictures, videos and an explanation of what a wheel bearing is, what it does, where it is, and the noise it makes when it's damaged.

How to replace a clogged fuel filter and clean the throttle body on a Camry.

Recognizing symptoms of a bad EGR valve will help you troubleshoot potential problems sooner and restore engine performance faster.

Check your fuel pump relay — and other automotive relays — in minutes using three different simple methods.

Eight ways your car radiator can cause your engine to overheat, plus troubleshooting tips.

When your brake lights don't work, apply these simple diagnostic tests.

Diagnose and fix common vehicle charging system problems using a few tools and this guide.

Check for cooling fan problems using this simple guide and tips.

Do-it-yourself replacement (with video!) of the front end of the Honda CRV: the front suspension strut, lower ball joint, control arm, and sway bar/stabilizer bar link.

Find out why your car battery discharges by applying these simple tests at home.

Common brake problems, such as a soft brake pedal, pulling to one side while braking, or vibration while braking can have serious implications for your car's health (and your health, in turn!). Learn more about the most common brake issues and their solutions, here.

Handy tips to troubleshoot your dead or dying battery to know if it is still can be used or it's about time to get a replacement.

This article will explore signs and symptoms of a bad heater core in your car, from fog and drips to funny smells in the cabin, no heat in the cabin, or the engine overheating.

Mice, rats and other rodents can do surprising damage to your car engine and other automotive parts. How do you keep them out of your vehicle?

How to do a timing belt replacement for the Toyota V6 Camry, Avalon, Solara, Sienna, HIghlander, Lexus ES300 and Lexus RX300. Video instruction, lots of photos, and step-by-step instructions.

Match these common symptoms to your possible manual transmission issues for a faster diagnosis.

How to tell if your MAP sensor is bad and how to test it in your garage.

There are a few types of transmission you might find in your vehicle; here are the differences between them.

Tips and precautions to use when replacing your brake pads, so you can get quality results on a Honda or any other vehicle.

If your steering wheel vibrates or your car shakes while driving at highway speed, find out why. Don't spend money unnecessarily on an alignment or other services that won't fix this problem.

This collection of repairs for Honda Harmony lawnmower transmissions is growing monthly. If your Harmony transmission has a problem, we probably have the solution!

Check these common sources of car vibration and noises and repair your car sooner.

Having problems with your car's thermostat? This article shows you how to check your thermostat in a few minutes without removing it from your car.

Three common brake noises I encounter every day: a grinding sound, a thumping from the rear, and a squeak. Includes a repair technique for noisy drum brakes that I found by trial and error.

Proper maintenance helps prolong the useful years of your car. I’ll tell you how I'm keeping my old car running as good as new with little cost for upkeep.

DIY Toyota Camry tuneup, plus PCV valve cleaning. Use iridium plugs for better fuel economy and performance. Also, if you notice an oil leak inside the spark plug tube, I have a video showing you how to fix it.

Diagnose the most common problems with your car's starting system without special equipment or knowledge, based on the symptoms described here.

DIY how-to instructions, with photos, for replacing the head gasket, timing belt, water pump and radiator on a Honda Accord. The repair pictured here was done on a Honda F23 2.3L I4 engine, the engine also used in the '98-'99 Acura CL, '98 Odyssey, and '98-'99 Oasis.

In this article, we'll discuss how a variable displacement compressor automatically adjusts its capacity by adjusting its piston displacement, and how such an adjustment is being controlled.

This guide helps you diagnose turn signal problems when one or more of the signal lights refuses to work.

If your car loses power going uphill, check these common potential faults.

If you smell gas inside your car, your first guess might be that there's a fuel leak, but here are five other very common reasons you might smell fuel.

How to replace the radiator on your Toyota Camry. No special tools required. Plenty of photos and step-by-step instructions.

How to drain and replace the ATF on your Camry, or flush the ATF if necessary. Includes videos of flushing the ATF with and without the help of a 12-volt oil pump.

If you are like the millions of people electing to drive their cars beyond the 100,000 mile mark, it would be wise of you to invest the money into getting the proper maintenance needed that this integral moment in your car's life.

Is your car using too much oil? How to do some tests to find the reason. Learn about common leak sources and prevention.