How to Replace a Fan Shroud

Below guide will teach you How to Replace a Fan Shroud . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Flashlight
  • Screwdriver
  • Socket and Ratchet Set
  • 3/8 in. Drive Ratchet
  • Fan Shroud

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $58.70 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $198.69 parts and labor

Instructions:

  • Make sure that the engine is cold. Prop the engine hood up and look for the fan shroud.
  • Fan shroud normally attached to the radiator. Examine the fan shroud carefully for any signs of damage, cracks, or any other wear and tear.
  • Remove the bolts holding the upper fan shroud.
  • Take the upper fan shroud away from the lower fan shroud by unfastening the tabs holding them together.
  • Next, unfasten the bolts holding the lower fan shroud to the radiator and take it out also.
  • Fix the new lower fan shroud to the radiator and secure it with bolts.
  • Now, position the new upper fan shroud over the lower fan shroud properly and secure it with the help of mounting bolts.
  • In the end, switch the engine on and make sure that the electric cooling fan doesn’t come in contact with shroud.
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How to Replace a Timing Belt

Below guide will teach you How to Replace a Timing Belt . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Combination Wrench Set
  • Pulley Puller
  • Socket and Ratchet Set
  • Harmonic Balancer Installer
  • Serpentine Belt Tool
  • 3/8 in. Drive Ratchet
  • 3/8 in. Drive Torque Wrench
  • Timing Belt

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $98.21 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $392.57 parts and labor

Instructions:

  • Prop the engine hood up and look for the timing belt cover.
  • Disconnect the negative battery cable from terminal.
  • Take the harmonic balancer out.
  • Take the timing cover off and get at valve timing marks.
  • Straighten the camshaft and crankshaft sprocket timing marks.
  • Take the old timing belt out and replace it with new one.
  • With new timing belt in place, make sure that the camshaft and crankshaft are in line.
  • Fix new timing cover seal and timing cover replacing the old ones.
  • Now, reinstall the harmonic balancer with the help of appropriate tool.
  • Add coolant to the radiator.
  • Change the old oil filter with new one and also add new oil to the engine.
  • Reattach the negative battery cable to the terminal.
  • Make sure that the new timing belt is properly installed.
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How to Replace a Thermostat

Below guide will teach you How to Replace a Thermostat . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Screwdriver
  • Cooling System Pressure Tester
  • Socket and Ratchet Set
  • Needle Nose Pliers
  • 3/8 in. Drive Ratchet
  • Thermostat Gasket
  • Thermostat

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $39.25 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $149.08 parts and labor

Instructions:

  • Park the vehicle on a level surface and allow the engine to cool down.
  • Prop the engine hood up and look for the radiator.
  • Take the radiator cap off and perform pressure test to verify any leaks.
  • Unfasten the radiator drain plug or disconnect lower radiator hose to allow coolant to drain out. Fasten the drain plug when the coolant level drops below the thermostat.
  • Discard the upper radiator hose as well.
  • Unfasten the bolts holding the thermostat housing in place and take the thermostat housing out.
  • Next, take the thermostat out of the thermostat housing.
  • Wipe off the mounting surface properly so the remaining of the gasket is removed. Position new gasket and reassemble the new thermostat.
  • Fix the thermostat housing in place and secure it with the mounting bolts.
  • Reattach the upper radiator hose.
  • Add coolant to the radiator reservoir and make sure the coolant level reaches to the MAX mark.
  • Switch the engine on and let it idle for few minutes. Turn off the engine and check the coolant level again. Add if required.
  • Recap the radiator. Turn the engine on again and check the temperature gauge.
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How to Pressure Test a Radiator and Cap

Below guide will teach you How to Pressure Test a Radiator and Cap . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Flashlight
  • Cooling System Pressure Tester
  • Mirror

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $0.00 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $276.68 parts and labor

Instructions:

  • Make sure that the engine is cold. Prop the engine hood up.
  • Adjust the cooling system pressure tester on the radiator. Follow manufacturer’s manual for proper installation.
  • Apply pressure with the pressure tester and look carefully for any leakage.
  • Make sure that the radiator cap hold the pressure, otherwise replace it with new cap.
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How to Pressure Test a Radiator

Below guide will teach you How to Pressure Test a Radiator . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Cooling System Pressure Tester

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $0.00 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $63.24 parts and labor

Instructions:

  • Make sure that the engine is cold. Prop the engine hood up and look for the radiator.
  • Carefully examine the radiator for any signs of leak, damage or corrosion.
  • Following the instruction, position the cooling system pressure tester.
  • Using cooling system pressure tester, apply pressure and look for any leakage.
  • Don’t forget to test the radiator cap as well.
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How to Perform a Valve Job

Below guide will teach you How to Perform a Valve Job . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Screwdriver
  • Socket and Ratchet Set
  • Standard Hammer
  • Needle Nose Pliers
  • 3/8 in. Drive Ratchet
  • Exhaust Valve
  • Intake Valve
  • Valve Spring Compressor

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $55.50 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $737.42 parts and labor

Instructions:

  • Park the vehicle on a level surface and prop the engine hood up.
  • Detach the negative battery cable from the negative terminal.
  • Put the drain pan under the radiator drain plug and unplug the radiator drain plug.
  • Let the antifreeze agent drain out completely.
  • Take the air filter and air intake system out. Also, detach all the rubber vacuum hoses.
  • Detach all the linkages or cables connect on the top of the engine.
  • Now, look for the vehicle’s intake manifold.
  • Discard all the pipes, linkages, or hoses which are connected to the intake manifold.
  • Now, using appropriate tools, unfasten all the mounting bolts holding the intake manifold in place.
  • Take the intake manifold out of the vehicle.
  • Wipe off any debris, dirt or any other contaminants gathered on the mounting surfaces.
  • Now, you need to approach the valve covers.
  • Take the valve covers away. Also, remove the exhaust manifold.
  • Look for the vehicle cylinder head. You need to refer to the manufacturer’s suggested sequence to unfasten the cylinder head bolts.
  • Pull the cylinder head watchfully from the engine compartment. Make sure that the cylinder head doesn’t sustain any damage on its surface.
  • The cylinder should be steam cleaned. Then, dismantled the head and thoroughly examine it.
  • Using magnaflux test, examine the cast iron head for any cracks. This is a test which makes use of magnetic field and iron powder to locate the cracks.
  • Also, examine the straightness of the head as well. You can use a straight edge and feeler gauge to examine the straightness of the head. Replace or resurface if necessary.
  • Examine the valve guides, seats and valves. Valves guides often receive damage and require to be changed.
  • Next, examine the valve seats for any signs of wear and tear. Minor damage can be rectified by resurfacing the seats. However, severe damage means to replace the seats.
  • Now, examine the valves for any signs of damage like cracks, bending, overheating etc. If the damage is not severe, you can reuse them otherwise replace them with new ones.
  • Apart from these, you need to thoroughly check valve springs, push rods, lifters and rocker arms. Make sure that all the parts are free from wear and tear and can be reused. Replace any damage parts with new units.
  • Once everything is examined carefully and damaged parts are replaced with new ones, reassemble the cylinder head into the vehicle by reversing the whole process.
  • Take a solution of coolant and distilled water and add it to the radiator.
  • Make sure that the solution will reach up to the MAX mark in the radiator.
  • Before recapping the radiator, switch the engine on and let it run in an idle state for some time. Switch the engine off and check the coolant level again in the radiator. Add more coolant mixture if needed. Recap the radiator.
  • Take a small drive and verify the valve job.
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How to Check Engine Oil Level

Below guide will teach you How to Check Engine Oil Level . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Funnel
  • Shop Towel

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $0.00 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $63.24 parts and labor

Instructions:

  • Secure the vehicle on the flat surface to get an accurate reading of oil level.
  • Switch the engine on and let it remain idle for few minutes.
  • Switch off the engine and wait for a while so that the oil settles down in the reservoir.
  • Prop the hood up and look for the engine oil dipstick. Take help from owner’s manual to spot the location of the dipstick.
  • Remove the engine oil dipstick from the tube and wipe it clean with a clean cloth.
  • Insert the dipstick again into the tube and pull out again to check the oil level.
  • Make sure that the oil level is in between MIN and MAX marks.
  • If the oil level is low, add more oil so that it reaches to the MAX mark.

Tips & Warnings

  • Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while doing repair work on your vehicle. This protective clothing such as safety goggles, latex gloves, and closed toe shoes keep your safe from injuries.
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How to Change Engine Oil and Filter

Below guide will teach you How to Change Engine Oil and Filter . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Floor Jack
  • Combination Wrench Set
  • Drain Pan
  • Oil Filter Wrench
  • Jack Stand Set
  • Oil Filter

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $10.85 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $78.41 parts and labor

Instructions:

  • Secure the vehicle on a flat surface and actuate the parking brake. Switch the engine on and let it run idle for some time so that the engine warms up.
  • Prop the engine hood up and look for the engine oil fill cap.
  • Take the engine oil fill cap away.
  • Put a drain pan at the bottom of the drain plug. Unbolt the oil drain plug and let the oil drain out in the pan.
  • Once the oil is completely drained out, fasten the oil drain plug back to its position. Use new gasket to provide essential tightness.
  • Now, put a drain pan underneath the oil filter. Take an oil filter wrench and take the filter out of the vehicle. Remove the gasket also. Clean the mounting surface thoroughly to remove dirt, debris or other contaminants accumulated.
  • Lubricate the new gasket with oil and position it properly on the new oil filter before installation. Fix the new oil filter along with new gasket.
  • Take engine oil specified for your vehicle. You can take help from owner’s manual to know the recommended oil types. Add engine oil up to the required mark.
  • Using engine oil dipstick, examine the level of the oil. Make sure that the oil level is more than the full mark.
  • Put the engine oil fill cap back and switch on the engine. Leave the engine idle for few minutes.
  • Switch the engine off and examine the oil level again with the engine oil dipstick.
  • Make sure that you disposed off the dirty oil properly. You can take it to recycle center or any auto repair shop that can recycle it for you. Never spill the oil on ground or in drain hoses.

Tips & Warning

  • Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while doing repair work on your vehicle. This protective clothing such as safety goggles, latex gloves, and closed toe shoes keep your safe from injuries.
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How to Rotate Tires

Below guide will teach you How to Rotate Tires . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Floor Jack
  • Jack Stand Set
  • Air Pressure Gauge

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $0.00 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $79.05 parts and labor

Instructions:

  • Park the vehicle on a flat surface.
  • Take the hub caps away and loosen the lug nuts of the front as well as rear wheels. Keep them in place for a while.
  • First raise the front of the vehicle with floor jack and support it with jack stands. Then, raise the rear of the vehicle with floor jacks and support it on the jack stands. Now you have all four corners secured on jack stands.
  • Examine the tires for any visible damage.
  • Take the lug nuts away and take the wheel assemblies out of the vehicle.
  • Now, you need to rotate the front wheel assemblies towards the back direction and that of rear wheel assemblies towards the front direction. This cross rotation of the tires is essential.
  • Put the tires or wheel assemblies back to the vehicle.
  • Secure the wheels properly with lug nuts. Follow the star pattern to fasten the lug nuts.
  • Remove the jack stands and ground the vehicle by lowering the floor jacks.
  • Again fasten the lug nuts carefully.
  • Record the tire pressure for all the four tires and inflate them as required.

Tips & Warning

  • It is strictly suggested to turn the tires from front to backward direction by keeping in view the disposition of lofty performance of tires and mounting techniques.
  • In order to get the accurate pressure readings, make certain that the tires are not hot and in resting position for quite a long time, to say for an hour. This is necessary because the pressure increases when temperature of the tire increases.
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How to Replace Wheel Lug Nuts

Below guide will teach you How to Replace Wheel Lug Nuts . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Floor Jack
  • Ball Peen Hammer
  • Socket and Ratchet Set
  • Jack Stand Set
  • Lug Nut

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $23.52 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $130.52 parts and labor

Instructions:

  • Park the vehicle on a flat surface.
  • Make certain which lug nuts need to be removed. If these are the front wheel lug nuts, raise the front of the vehicle up with floor jack and support the vehicle on jack stands.
  • Take the lug nuts away and observe carefully the threads on the wheel studs.
  • Take new lug nuts and try threading them with hands to make certain that they properly fit on the studs.
  • Fasten the new lug nuts in a star pattern.
  • Remove the jack stands and ground the vehicle.
  • Again fasten the lug nuts properly.
Posted in Tires & Misc. | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment