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Complex machinery, like a cars transmission, requires periodic maintenance to ensure a long lifespan. Allowing air pressure into the transmission assembly can harm the transmission, rather than help.

Function

A typical transmission moves power from the cars engine, through its gear assemblies and out to the wheels to propel the vehicle forward. Transmission fluid flows throughout the assembly to provide pressurized cooling, lubrication and control gear shifting.

Considerations

Air pressure seeping into the transmission, such as from a leak, causes the transmission fluid within the hydraulic system to lose pressure. As a result, the clutch disc begins to slip, causing the vehicle to change gears roughly or not at all.

Prevention/Solution

To prevent air pressure from infiltrating the transmission, make sure all seals for the transmission filter and pan are free from cracks or twists. Verify that all bolts holding the filter and pan are torqued evenly so the seals can meet effectively.

At the time of the accelerator pedal recall early in 2010, Toyota used accelerators from two suppliers. The Japanese supplier was Denso and the American supplier was CTS Automotive Products. The Denso pedals were not recalled. The CTS pedals were. Virtually all Toyota models that are built only in North America, including the Tundra, Avalon, Matrix and Sequoia, were equipped with CTS pedals. Models built in both the U.S. and Japan like the RAV4, Highlander, Corolla and Camry may have been equipped with pedals manufactured by either Denso or CTS.

Instructions

1

Find the vehicle identification number stamped on a small metal plate on the lower corner of the drivers side dashboard.

2

Write down the VIN. If the first character in the VIN is "J", your vehicle was built in Japan and is equipped with a Denso pedal. If the first character is "1", your vehicle has a CTS pedal. If the VIN begin "4T1", you must visually inspect your pedal to determine if it was made by CTS or Denso.

3

Remove the passenger side floor mat and retract the drivers side seat as far to the rear as possible. Crawl under the dash.

4

Inspect the accelerator pedal using a flashlight. Denso pedals have four chrome or silver bolts on the left side of the pedal assembly and are stamped "Denso." CTS pedals have no obvious bolts and have a rectangular, black metal plate on the left side of the accelerator pedal assembly.

Car engines perform fast actions, such as the pistons moving within the cylinders, over many years of use. If the engine begins to fail, cylinder heads can be milled to bring the engine back into proper performance standards.

Function

Typically, milling engine cylinder heads is part of a larger repair called an engine rebuild. The lower portion of the engine block is detached, inspected and cleaned. The cylinder heads are then resurfaced to properly seat the pistons and rings within the cylinders body.

Expert Insight

Cars Direct estimates that a common four-cylinder engine rebuild can cost from $400 to $500, and as the amount of cylinders increases, so does the pricing. A six-cylinder vehicle costs about $500 to $600, and an eight-cylinder increases to between $600 and $700. Estimates are as of early 2011.

Considerations

The extent of damage to the cylinder heads can increase the cost of rebuilding. The more resurfacing that is needed requires extra labor hours to create the correct effect for a properly functioning vehicle.