Sunday, February 16, 2014
How to Diagnose Car Exhaust Problems
Exhaust problems are among the most subtle yet potentially debilitating issues your car will face. A damaged exhaust system will interfere with the cars performance by failing to clear harmful elements from the engine, while backed-up exhaust can release carcinogens into the atmosphere and even pose a health threat if not detected. You can diagnose car exhaust problems yourself by keeping a sharp lookout for certain warning signs.
Instructions
- 1
Examine the length of the exhaust system, starting at the engine and continuing back toward the tailpipe. Look for signs of cracks or fissures along the pipes, especially where the exhaust manifold connects to the cylinder and where it connects to the main pipe. Any area where one pipe or part connects to another is apt to develop fissures or cracks, which can be spotted if you examine it thoroughly.
2Check the exhaust port near the cylinder head for signs of burned or discolored paint. Its a sign that the exhaust system is not functioning as it should.
3Listen to the engine while it is running. You can diagnose an exhaust problem by the noises it makes: a recurring hiss or unusual popping noise is usually caused by a problem in the exhaust system. It means that the muffler or the pipes are probably leaking.
4Look at the muffler of the car. Its surface should be shiny and solid if you want the exhaust system functioning as it should. Holes, punctures, or undue rust are signs of problems.
5Poke at any questionable pipes with a pair of pliers or the end of a screwdriver. Rot or corrosion may not always appear on the surface, but it will weaken the surface of the exhaust pipes. If you can poke through the pipe or feel it give under the tool, then it probably needs to be replaced.
6Start the car and check the engines intake manifold vacuum while it is idling. It should read about 18 inches or so. If it reads lower than that, there is probably a restriction in the exhaust.
7Remove the cars catalytic converter and hold it up to a bright light: you can diagnose its effectiveness by looking through it. If you can see the light through it, the converter is working fine. If you cant, its plugged and needs to be replaced.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
How to Diagnose Front Hub Bearings on a 2000 Ford Windstar
Faulty front hub bearings can cause a number of symptoms, such as grinding, whirring, humming, shaking and excessive vibrations. These symptoms are usually most audible when turning a corner. The excess heat, friction and weight from the vehicle components cause the bearings to degrade slowly over time, causing an increase in play and looseness in the bearing unit. Because the front hub bearing bearings sustain the weight of the engine and transmission, their condition can worsen quickly creating a serious safety concern.
Instructions
- 1
Raise the front of the vehicle with a jack and lower it down onto two jack stands. Check to make sure that the vehicle is firmly supported. Place two wheel chocks behind the rear wheels and set the parking brake.
2Rotate the tire in both directions and listen for any grinding or roughness. A faulty bearing will sound rough and feel gritty while youre turning the tire. The tire should spin freely and smoothly; if it rattles or grinds while spinning then the wheel bearing is faulty.
3Grip the wheel with two hands, one on top of the wheel and one on the bottom. Rock the tire in and out while feeling for looseness. The tire should be firm and fixed in place; you should not be able to wiggle it all. Any slop or looseness from top-to-bottom indicates a bad wheel bearing.
4Lower the vehicle back to the ground and remove the wheel chocks. Drive to an empty street or highway for testing.
5Accelerate to 40 MPH and make an abrupt lane change to the left while listening for bearing noise. Accelerate back to 40 MPH and make an abrupt lane change to the right while listening for bearing noise. If the bearing noise increases when turning to the left, then the right side hub bearing is faulty. If the bearing noise increases when turning to the right, then the left side hub bearing is faulty. This is because turning to one side increase the load on the bearing of the opposite side when the weight transfers, exaggerating the bearing symptoms.
