For U Solution

BMW based its 7 series of cars, made from 1994 to 2001, on its E38 platform. The 740I --- the most popular vehicle in the series --- featured an eight-cylinder, 4.4-liter engine. All of the engines in this series use fuel injection, which requires a fuel injector to deliver fuel to the engines at high pressure. The fuel injectors for the E38 incidents are part of the fuel rail assembly on top of the engine.

Instructions

1

Remove the upper intake manifold with a socket wrench and detach the electrical connectors for the fuel injectors. Disconnect the vacuum hose on the front of the fuel rail.

2

Attach a pair of locking pliers to the adjustment screws on the hose clamps for the fuel return line on the fuel rail. Turn the screws counterclockwise to loosen the clamps and disconnect the fuel return line from the fuel rail. Remove the flare nut on the fuel line with a 12-millimeter socket and disconnect the fuel line from the fuel rail.

3

Spray compressed air around the base of the fuel injectors to keep debris out of the injector ports. Remove the mounting bolts for the fuel rail with a 10-millimeter socket.

4

Pad the corner of the valve cover with a clean shop towel and pry the fuel rail with a small pry tool to lift the injectors out of the manifold. Push the fuel lines to the side and remove the fuel rail assembly from the engine.

5

Pull the fuel injectors from the fuel rail assembly and connect the new fuel injectors. Install the fuel rail assembly to the engine and fasten the mounting bolts for the fuel rail.

6

Connect the fuel line to the fuel rail with the flare nut. Connect the fuel return line to the fuel rail by attaching the hose clamps and fasten the retaining screws on the clamps.

7

Connect the vacuum hose to the front of the fuel rail and attach the electrical connectors to the fuel injectors. Replace the upper intake manifold with a socket wrench.

The exhaust manifold collects the exhaust from all of the cylinders and channels it away from the engine through the exhaust pipe. An exhaust manifold that is cracked will no longer work efficiently and you will need to replace it. Leaking exhaust exposes anyone riding in the car to carbon monoxide fumes as well. It does not take very long to replace the exhaust manifold on a Ford. You can do the job yourself in your driveway with some basic tools.

Instructions

1

Cool the engine completely before you begin this project or severe burns could result. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Unplug the wiring harness from the electric fan. Remove the fan shroud from the radiator using a wrench. Disconnect the electrical wire from the heated oxygen sensor.

2

Remove the nut and bolt securing the catalytic converter to the exhaust manifold using a wrench. Remove the bracket bolt from the oil dipstick tube using a wrench. Remove the bolts from the exhaust manifold heat shield using a socket and ratchet. Remove the heat shield from the manifold.

3

Remove the exhaust manifold by loosening the bolts with a socket and ratchet. Remove the manifold from the engine block. Remove and discard the exhaust manifold gasket. Place a new exhaust manifold and gasket on the engine block. Tighten the retaining bolts with the socket and ratchet. Install the oil dipstick bracket and tighten the nut with a wrench.

4

Connect the catalytic converter to the exhaust manifold and tighten the bolt and nut using a wrench. Install the exhaust manifold heat shield using a socket and ratchet to tighten the bolts. Connect the electrical wire to the heated oxygen sensor. Install the electric fan to the radiator and tighten the bolts with a wrench.

5

Plug the wiring harness into the fan. Connect the negative cable to the battery and tighten the terminal nut with a wrench.

Adjust the emergency brake on your Mustang right from your home garage and save money. You can adjust it from inside the car so you dont have to get yourself dirty by working under the car. Is time to adjust the parking brake when you park downhill and the parking brake starts to slip. This means that the parking brake cable has slackened inside the cable rod and needs to be tightened with the adjuster nut. Tension put on the emergency brake over time causes the parking brake to slip.

Instructions

1

Locate the parking brake in the front center of the inside of the vehicle. Remove the console cover that houses it.

2

Lift up the emergency brake lever four notches.

3

Look for the parking brake cable rod. On this rod is an adjuster nut. Turn that nut with the pliers until it is loose but make sure it doesnt fall off all the way.

4

Release the parking brake and tighten the nut.

5

Raise and lower the emergency brake lever four times. This will set the adjustment of the parking brake.

6

Park the Mustang on a downhill slant and engage the parking brake only. It should hold the vehicle in place. If it doesnt, repeat the adjustment.

A cars fuel injection system supplies fuel to the engine. In order to get optimum performance from your vehicle, the fuel must flow at a steady pressure. Regulators control the fuel flow, making sure it is consistent. Like other mechanical parts, regulators can break down and require replacement. Symptoms of a faulty regulator include lower gas mileage, excess smoke from exhaust pipes and leaking oil from the engine. Replacing a fuel regulator can be a difficult task for inexperienced owners, but if you have basic car repair experience, you can save money and replace it yourself.

Instructions

1

Relieve the pressure in the fuel tank by opening the gas cap. Open the hood of the car and separate the cable from the negative battery terminal. Pull out the cushion on the rear seat. Remove the screws on the service hole cover and take off the cover.

2

Disconnect the electrical wiring from the fuel pump assembly. Use the fuel line disconnect tool to unplug the fuel outlet pipe from the fuel pump bracket. Unscrew the retaining screws for the fuel pump bracket with the socket wrench. Pull off the return hoses from the bracket. Take the assembly out of the fuel tank.

3

Use the socket wrench to remove the fuel suction support from the fuel pressure regulator. Separate the fuel filter from the regulator. Find and remove the O-ring from the regulator.

4

Apply a thin coating of gasoline to the O-ring and insert it into the new fuel pressure regulator. Attach the regulator to the fuel filter. Connect the fuel suction support to the regulator using the wrench.

5

Replace the fuel pump assembly in the fuel tank and reconnect the hoses to the fuel pump bracket. Attach the retaining screws to the fuel pump bracket and connect the fuel outlet pipe to the fuel pump bracket.

6

Reattach the wiring for the fuel pump assembly. Reinstall the service hole cover with the socket wrench. Reinstall the rear seat cushion and reconnect the negative battery cable.

Its a good idea to proceed with caution before agreeing to car repairs at a garage. Take a few days to compare garages to decide which car garage is the best for you.

Family and Friends

Many car owners have a trusted mechanic they turn to for repairs, but if the work needed on the car is outside the mechanics specialty, ask for a erral. Aside from your mechanic, ask family members or friends if they know of a good car garage. Chances are good someone you know has had to have their car repaired at a garage. They can offer some pointers on where to get the best deal.

Insurance Providers

Your insurance provider often has information on good car garages. Many car garages leave their business cards and information with car insurance companies because its the best way for them to get more business. Additionally, these garages must meet high standards and have certification before they are a business car insurance companies are willing to recommend.

Compare Estimates

Most car garages will provide you with a free estimate. Make sure you get a detailed list of estimates. Dont be surprised if the part you end up buying at the garage cost more than it would at an auto parts store.

Customer Service

Do the staff and mechanics act professional? Do they treat you with courtesy? Do they get work done on time? Do they work well together? How garage staff treat you now is not likely to change once you are their customer. Pay attention to how you feel being in this place of business and how others act toward you. If the mechanic is rude or the counter person would rather text instead of assisting you, take your business elsewhere.

Personnel and Credentials

Some car repair requires work done by a certified mechanic or a specialist. Some garages may have these mechanics, some may not. Make sure the garage is candid about what kind of repairs need to be done on your car and whether they have the right mechanics for the job. The better garage to go with is the one that has the kind of mechanic youll need for your car repair.

Years ago in the days of R12 rigerant, when an air-conditioning service port went bad on your automobile, a Schrader valve could simply be serviced by itself. In todays 134A world, things have gotten a bit more complicated and costly. You cannot just replace the inside of a Schrader valve; now you have to replace the entire line where the port is located.

Instructions

1

Connect either the high side or low side hose on an A/C servicing station to the appropriate service port. Do not connect a line from the air-conditioning servicing station to the defective port. Evacuate the R134a rigerant into the rigerant tank on the air-conditioning station by turning on the evacuation pump and running it until all the rigerant has left the system.

2

Disconnect both ends of the line with the defective service port and remove the line. Cover the connections on the A/C system with clean shop rags to prevent dirt and moisture from getting into the A/C system.

3

Inspect the connections for discoloration. If the connections are clean and slightly oily there are probably no other problems that caused the service port to go bad. Blackened connections could be a sign of internal compressor problems. Investigate further and perform any necessary repairs.

4

Connect the ends of the replacement line with the built-in service port just as the old line was connected. Ensure that any O-rings or seals at the ends of the lines are replaced and lubricated with mineral oil before the new line is installed.

5

Connect the other hose from the A/C servicing station to the replacement port. Start the evacuation pump and run it for 15 to 20 minutes to ensure that all the moisture has boiled out of the A/C system. Note the vacuum readout on the A/C station. Allow the system to sit for 10 minutes. Recheck the A/C stations vacuum readout to ensure there is no loss in vacuum. A loss indicates a leak in the system, probably in one of the two replacement line connections. Repair as needed.

6

Remove the service hose from the high side service port and start the vehicle. Turn the climate control switch to "Maximum." Set the machine to charge the system with R134a and the correct amount of compressor oil through the low side service valve. When enough rigerant is in the system, the air-conditioning compressor will start and draw the rest of the desired amount of rigerant and oil into the system. Remove the low side hose, completing the replacement of the service port.

Properly working headlights on a car are vital for your safety and the safety of other drivers on the road. Fixing the headlights on your Mitsubishi Eclipse is an easily implemented task with the use of just a screwdriver and a few minutes of your time. The specific headlight required for your Eclipse will depend on the year it was made so consult a auto parts specialist if there is any questions on the unit required for your specific car.

Instructions

1

Purchase you replacement headlight. Check with the auto parts representative for the correct fixture for your year of Eclipse vehicle and the proper side that you are fixing. They should be able to give you the exact part for your needs.

2

Turn your car off and remove the keys from the ignition. Pop the hood of your Mitsubishi and make sure that it is properly secured so it does not close while you are repairing the light.

3

Look at the rear of the light fixture and locate the four screws around the light perimeter that holds it in place. Remove these screws with a flathead or Phillips screwdriver, whichever that specific year of car and light fixture call for.

4

Place one hand on the back of the light fixture and one on the front. Gently but firmly push the light towards the front of the car. Stop pushing when you have pushed it forward 2 to 3 inches.

5

Work your fingers behind the light fixture and disconnect the wires that are connecting the light to the car. There will be up to three sets of wires. Pull the wires away from the unit gently to disconnect them and set the old light aside.

6

Remove your new headlight from the packaging and slide it into the space where the old light unit was. Connect the wires in the back of the new light, push the light into place, and secure the light into place with the four new screws that came with the new unit or the old screws.

7

Turn the lights on to test your new headlight. If for some reason it does not work properly, unscrew the unit and make sure the wiring is properly connected. If not, take the new unit back and get a different one to try.

Carbon brushes are electromechanical conducting devices that connect to moving parts to provide an electric current. They are typically used in motors, generators and alternators. Many carbon brush uses exist, but the three basic uses are in household applications that run on alternating current (AC), automotive applications that run on direct current (DC) and industrial applications that run on both AC and DC.

Household

Carbon brushes are a common component in household appliances such as power tools, gardening equipment and office equipment. Vacuum cleaner turbines, hair and hand dryers, and washing and drying machines are also common applications of this type of carbon brush, which is generally much smaller than its industrial or automotive counterparts. Micro-carbon brushes, for example, are precision parts designed for toys, electric razors, and audio and video equipment. In such small dimensions, carbon brushes are often placed inside tiny battery-operated mini-motors designed to transmit power silently and with the least amount of friction to moving parts such as wheels and razors.

Automotive

Cars generally use small and auxiliary carbon brushes for DC motors, starters and alternators. Alternators are devices that convert mechanical energy to electrical energy. They consist of a wire-coiled rotor that produces a magnetic field when a current runs through it. Automotive carbon brushes are used to supply the current to the wire coil in the alternator. Automotive carbon brushes can be found in most passenger vehicles, motorcycles, trucks and oil- and diesel-fueled cars. Even smaller, specially designed carbon brushes are used in steering wheels and contacts for airbags.

Industrial

Industrial carbon brushes are used on large commutator machines, in which the current between the rotor and external circuit is periodically reversed. These include AC and DC motors, slipring rotors, traction motors, turbogenerators, windmills, hydro power stations and steel, cement and paper mills. Industrial carbon brushes also can be used to power battery-driven cars, cable cars and trolley buses, and they are often used in construction vehicles such as forklift trucks and cranes. Brushes connect the generator to the rotor through the commutator, which has copper segments, or lands. The brushes bear the brunt of wear and tear between the rotating rotor and the non-moving generator while conducting electricity between them. Industrial brushes are specially designed to withstand extreme temperatures.

The Acura TL was debuted in 1995 as a mid-size luxury sports vehicle. You can remove the rear seat on your 1999 Acura TL at home, saving yourself a trip to the dealer or mechanic. Sometimes it may become necessary to remove the rear seat so that you can have it reupholstered or replaced. It is kind of a heavy, bulky job but it doesnt take long to do. Allow about 30 minutes or less to complete the task once you have obtained a socket wrench set.

Instructions

1

Slide the front seats all the way forward to give yourself some room to work in the back.

2

Lift up the back of the rear seat cushion in the crevice to find a bolt. Remove the bolt with a socket wrench.

3

Pull the latches underneath the rear seat cushion forward to free them from their hooks. Remove the seat cushion from the Acura out one of the side doors.

4

Find three bolts under the seat back and two above the seat back near the headrests. Remove all five bolts with a socket wrench.

5

Pull the seat back forward and out of the vehicle.

In 2004, Chrysler informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it would recall certain Liberty model Jeeps equipped with 3.7-liter engines, citing problems with the two valve cover studs. In 2006, Chrysler recalled some two-wheel drive Liberty vehicles with 3.7-liter engines, because of issues with the left oxygen sensor wiring harness.

Significance

If affected Jeep owners dont repair the defects prompting the recall, the wiring harness issue could cause a fire under the hood. Liberty owners should contact the manufacturer or the NHTSA, supplying their Jeeps VIN number, to see if its been recalled.

Risks

In both recalls, the risk of fire stems from the chance that the alternator harness and/or the wiring harness could come into contact with a hot exhaust pipe, leading to potential personal injury and/or property damage.

Remedies

Dealers must add protective caps to the valve cover studs and re-route affected wiring harness to repair the alternator wiring harness issue. To repair the oxygen sensor wiring harness problem, dealers must secure the excess length of the wiring harness and fix any damage already done to the wiring.

Head studs increase the holding power between the engine block and the engine head. This keeps an installed head gasket in place when under the stress of a high horsepower engine. A head stud looks similar to a bolt without the hex head. The coarser threads of the stud hold secure in the threaded holes of an engine block and the finer threads hold a nut to keep the head secure to the engine block. Improperly installing head studs will cause damage to the engine block and to the head, costing you a lot of money in replacement parts.

Instructions

1

Spray brake cleaner into a threaded engine block hole. Push the end of a pipe cleaner into the hole to clear it of debris. Pull the pipe cleaner from the hole. Rotate the pipe cleaner and push the other end in the hole. Repeat the process of spraying brake cleaner and cleaning the hole with pipe cleaners until the end of the cleaner pulls from the hole free of debris.

2

Thread a chaser tap in the cleaned hole. Run the tap to the bottom of the hole. Remove the tap. Spray brake cleaner in the hole. Push a wire brush in the hole. Pull it quickly from hole. Repeat the wire brush cleaning three to four times. Blow compressed air in the hole to remove remaining debris. Clean each threaded engine block hole as described.

3

Apply red threadlocking sealant on the larger coarse threads of the head studs.

4

Align the sealant coated threads of each head stud with a threaded engine block hole. Turn each bolt clockwise with the correctly sized wrench until the stud tightens in the hole and the bottom of the stud hex nut sits tight to the top of the engine block.

The Grand Cherokee is a mid-size sport utility vehicle produced by the Jeep division of Chrysler. The WJ versions of this vehicle include the 1999 to 2004 models and represent a complete redesign over the previous Grand Cherokee. The most common engine in the 2001 Grand Cherokee is a 6-cylinder, 4.0-liter engine. The replacement of the water pump on this engine requires you to remove additional components to access the water pump.

Instructions

1

Allow the vehicle to sit over night to ensure the coolant will not burn you. Place a container under the radiator drain and remove the drain cock. Drain the contents of the radiator into the container and replace the drain cock. Store the coolant for later use.

2

Disconnect the cable for the negative battery terminal with a socket wrench so you dont start the engine inadvertently. Detach the electrical connector for the cooling fan and remove the accessory drive belt. Disconnect the cooling fan and its pulley from the engine.

3

Remove the retaining bolts for the water pump pulley with a socket wrench and disconnect the power steering pump. Detach the coolant hose and heater hose from the water pump. Disconnect the mounting bolts for the water pump and remove the water pump. Discard the gasket for the water pump.

4

Clean the mating surfaces of the water pump and engine to remove any traces of the old gasket. Place a new gasket onto the new water pump and install the water pump to the engine. Torque the mounting bolts for the water pump to 17 foot-pounds with a torque wrench.

5

Attach the heater hose and radiator hose to the water pump. Install the water pump pulley and torque its mounting bolts to 20 foot-pounds. Connect the power steering pump and the cooling fan assembly. Torque the mounting bolts for the cooling fan to 31 inch-pounds. Install the accessory drive belt and attach the electrical connector for the cooling fan.

6

Connect the battery cable to the negative terminal with a socket wrench and ill the cooling system. Start the engine and check for leaks in the cooling system.

You can reset the computer on your Honda Element right from your home garage, saving yourself a trip to the mechanic. The Honda Element is equipped with an onboard diagnostics (OBD) computer, which receives and stores trouble codes from sensors positioned throughout the vehicle. When it receives one of these codes, it alerts you by illuminating a warning or service light on the instrument panel. Once you have had the problem looked at and fixed, you or your mechanic will need to reset the computer in order to shut off the lights and keep your vehicles computer functioning properly.

Instructions

1

Find a port under the dashboard on the drivers side of the vehicle that is the same size and shape as the connector on the OBD code scanner. Plug the scanner into the port.

2

Put the key into the ignition and turn it to the "on" position but dont start the engine. The vehicles power turns on the scanner. Let the scanner read the trouble codes.

3

Press the "reset" or similar command on the face of the scanner to reset the vehicles computer. Unplug the scanner and shut off the vehicle.

4

Wait 60 seconds then start the engine. Verify that the warning and service lights have shut off on the vehicles instrument panel.

If you have owned a car for any length of time, you have probably already figured out that cars will break down from time to time. Cars are made up of a complex arrangement of mechanical and electronic parts, all of which have the capacity to fail or malfunction. Fortunately, replacement parts exist to replace virtually any component on your vehicle that breaks.

Replacement Parts

Automotive replacement parts are parts that are made to replace existing parts when they break. Replacement parts are manufactured by both the vehicle manufacturers and aftermarket parts manufacturers. You can by a replacement for virtually every component on your vehicle, including body panels, knobs, dials, wiring, belts, pumps, pulleys, sensors and even the mechanical parts such as the engine and transmission. Granted, if your vehicle is not a common make or model, you will often have a harder time finding replacement parts or have to get used parts, but the components are still out there and available for purchase.

OEM Parts

Original Equipment Manufacturer parts (OEM) are auto parts that were manufactured by the same company that made the original part. This means that the part is identical to the original item that was in your car in every way possible. OEM parts are often considered desirable by mechanics and vehicle restorers because they keep the vehicle in as close to original condition as possible.

High Performance Parts

Performance parts are designed to be more sophisticated and higher quality than the original manufacturer parts. These may correct design flaws that the original parts experienced. They may also be designed to improve performance by increasing horsepower or the capacity of a component. for example, a larger radiator to improve efficiency of the cooling system.

Used Parts

There is a large market for second-hand or rebuilt auto parts. Some components, such as alternators and starters, can be professionally rebuilt and used again. Rebuilding typically involves replacing the internal components of the part. Used parts can be purchased from a parts reseller such as a junkyard. Used parts tend to be less expensive than new parts and many used parts come with a warranty.