Thursday, May 1, 2014
How to Stop Body Rust
Exposure of a metal surface to oxygen and water causes it to rust. The resultant structural damage can be substantial and extensive if left unchecked. In addition to the structural damage, rust can depreciate the value of a vehicle and spoil its look. And while periodic checks can help in checking the spread of rust, it cannot be completely avoided. The good news, however, is that rust can be removed.
Instructions
Removing Rust
- 1
Park the vehicle in a shaded location, out of direct sunlight and roll up the windows.
2Put on protective gloves, dust mask and safety goggles.
3Define the area of work. To do this, mask the area around the rusted spot with a tarp that has been sealed with painters tape.
4Apply the rust-removing solvent to the rust-affected area. These solvents are available at auto body stores.
5Reapply thin coats of rust-removing solvent to the rusted area. This should be done at regular intervals of 10 to 15 minutes over the next two hours. Ideally, you should be able to apply seven or eight coats of the solvent.
6Wipe the final coat of rust solvent on the rusted area with a dry shop towel and rub vigorously until the rust comes off and there is a shiny and lective surface.
7Apply a thin layer of auto body glaze to the cleaned metal surface using a soft-bristled paintbrush. Allow it to dry.
Primer and Paint
- 8
Prepare the surface for the primer by marking rough groves in the affected area. To do this, rub the affected area (coated with the auto body glaze) with 400-grit sandpaper. This will mark the surface with rough groves, making it easy for the primer to sit.
9Apply thin coats of the primer to the surface. Use a high-quality auto body primer. Ideally, three coats of the primer should be applied at intervals of 10 minutes.
10Allow the primer to cure overnight.
11Using a 150-grit paper, lightly hand sand the primer treated area until the surface is smooth.
12Apply three to four thin coats of paint to the newly cleaned surface. The interval between each coat of paint should ideally be two hours, or as long as recommended by the manufacturer.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
How to Stop Vapor Lock in a Camaro
Although vapor lock is almost unheard of today, some older Camaros are still plagued with the problem. Vapor lock occurs when fuel in the metal fuel lines between the fuel tank and fuel pump vaporizes and an engine-mounted fuel pump draws the vapor into the pump causing it to lose its prime. With no fresh fuel being pumped to the carburetor, the float bowl empties out and kills the engine. Some older model Camaros were famous for this because the air temperature under the hood was so high due to the design of the vehicle.
Instructions
- 1
Locate the metal fuel lines under the hood. Ensure that no modifications have been made to the lines that bring them close to the exhaust manifolds. Reroute the lines away from any heat sources.
2Wrap the metal lines with foam waterline insulating tubing. The added insulation will keep the lines from overheating.
3Loosen and remove the bottom two bolts of the fuel pump with a three-eighths-inch drive, one-half-inch socket mounted on a 6-inch extension, connected to a three-eighths-inch drive ratchet wrench.
4Slip the two bolts through the mounting holes of a fuel pump heat shield. Slide the bolts back through the water pump mount and thread them back into the engine block until they are tight. Ensure that the heat shield is positioned between the exhaust manifold and the fuel pump.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
How to Stop a Car From Backfiring
Backfiring is a common problem and can be a symptom of issues you need to address. The loud bursts of noise that come out of your exhaust pipe could be a sign that theres something seriously wrong with your car. Ruling out common causes of backfire can help you diagnose your problem. Unfortunately, there are many causes and solutions, and it could take several hours to fix the problem.
Instructions
- 1
Examine your carburetor. The carburetor is the device that regulates airflow into your engine. This facilitates the controlled gas explosions that keep your car cruising along. Balance and tune the carburetor to ensure the air and gas mixture is properly balanced. The backfire may be your cars way of telling you that its not getting enough air in its fuel mixture. You may also be able to prime the carburetor to fix it if it hasnt been used in quite some time.
2Check the distributor cap. If it is cracked or broken in any way, it can easily backfire. Be sure to look very closely. Even a hairline crack can cause a car to backfire.
3Evaluate your spark plugs. These provide the spark that ignites the air and gas mixture. If they are dirty, backfiring may be a symptom of an underpowered car. Remove the plugs with a wrench and make sure the pins are the right distance from the base of the plug. There may also be small bits of dirt in the plug that could cause a problem.
4Inspect the integrity of the gaskets in your engine. These gaskets keep the proper gases in and the unneeded gases out. If these are compromised, they could cause backfire.
Friday, November 29, 2013
How to Stop Rust Corrosion
Rust is the process of corrosion of iron and iron alloys. When rust accumulates on an object, such as your car, it causes more than aesthetic damage. Corrosive rust buildup can lead to the overall integrity failure of the item, which can force costly repairs and even physical injury. Luckily, with proper care and upkeep, you can stop corrosive rusting.
Instructions
- 1
Clean your items frequently according to the methods best suited to the item. For example, wash and dry your car thoroughly whenever dirt and debris builds up on the car and undercarriage. By simply washing away dirt and debris, you help prevent the onset of corrosion.
2Apply a finishing product that is specifically designed for rust prevention. Depending on the item you want to prevent from rusting, you should be able to find a wax, oil, finisher or spray that you can use during or after you clean your item as a rust inhibitor. These items, such as rust-prevention oils for golf clubs, are usually sold in hardware stores or specialty stores geared toward your item.
3Repair rust stains as soon as you see them developing on your item. This is especially important in large items, such as automobiles. Whenever you see rust or an area where the paint or steel has bubbled, repair the rust damage before it spreads. If it is a small area, you can scrape rust pieces away with a straightedge blade, warm water and soap. After ridding the item of the rust, apply a metal conditioner or primer before repainting or repairing the area to prevent the rust from forming again. You can make your own rust-inhibitor at home by combining 1/4-cup of anhydrous lanolin with 1 1/4 cups of paint thinner and stirring until blended. Using a paint brush or cloth, apply this cleaning solution directly to areas where you have removed rust. You can also soak small items such as screws or bolts in the solution for several minutes to remove rust.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
How to Stop Engine Coolant From Leaking
Leaks in a cars cooling system can have dangerous consequences for a car and can leave you stranded. In most cases coolant leaks can be visually diagnosed by opening the hood of the car and visually inspecting the cars hoses and cooling system. If you are lucky it will be possible to do a quick and temporary fix that will allow you to get your car to mechanic for a professional repair job. The essential thing to remember is not to drive car when the coolant level is dangerously low.
Instructions
- 1
Inspect the coolant level on a regular basis. The most obvious signs of a coolant leak is low levels of coolant in the coolant reservoir. Other signs include colored puddles under the car, and burning smell when the coolant drips on a hot engine. The worse case scenario is white smoke coming out of the exhaust system. This indicates that you have a head gasket problem.
2Examine all of the hoses on the radiator and coolant reservoir. If the hose has a pinhole sized leak it is sometimes possible to see the coolant dripping from the hose. Other signs of bad hoses included blisters and bulges, soft spots, hardening, and cracks. Perform a quick fix by cleaning the hose with a rag and wrapping the damaged area tightly with duct tape. This is only a temporary fix. Replace all damaged hoses with new hoses.
3Check the coolant reservoir for cracks and holes. Coolant reservoirs are made from plastic and can be easily cracked. If the coolant reservoir has a crack allow the car to cool down. Remove the reservoir. Thoroughly wash and clean it. Patch the crack with a plastic welding material or epoxy. Allow the patching material to dry and replace the coolant reservoir.
4Inspect the radiator for signs of coolant leaking. The radiator itself is prone to damage from stones and road debris and from general aging. Pinhole sized leaks in the radiator can be temporarily repaired with a radiator sealant product such as Alum-A-Seal or Bars Leak. These products and similar products are available at auto parts stores. Allow the engine to cool down. Remove the radiator cap and empty the contents of the sealant into the radiator. Run the engine for fifteen to twenty minutes. Radiator sealant works well for pinhole sized leaks and smaller holes as well, however, this is a temporary fix. Take the care to the mechanic and have the radiator professionally repaired.
5Take a close look at the water pump. The gasket and O-seal on the water pump are another possible source of coolant leakage. Look for signs of discoloration and liquid coolant on the outside of the water pump. Replace the water pump if it is the source of the problem.
6Take your car to the mechanic if you are unable to diagnose the problem. If the coolant reservoir is continually reading at a low level and you cannot locate the source of the problem, then there is an internal leak somewhere in the cooling system that requires professional attention.