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1500 questions
9
votes
2 answers
What is the "propane test" and how is it carried out?
This test is often mentioned in the context of figuring out what's wrong with a car engine's operation (misfires, hesitation, poor fuel economy, etc.)
What is this test and what does one need to perform it?
Zaid
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9
votes
1 answer
What exactly is a head gasket?
From what I have gathered, a "head gasket" is an important part of the engine on most cars, but that is about it.
What is a head gasket?
Where is a head gasket?
Why is it necessary?
Max Goodridge
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9
votes
3 answers
What prevents engine oil from mixing with petrol in motor bikes?
Engine oil is used in the lubrication process, at the same place petrol is also there.
What prevents engine oil mixing with petrol in motor bikes?
Donnel Countess
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9
votes
5 answers
Cheap tyres on rear of car?
I've bought a car with two worn rear tyres (still legal, but between 3 - 4mm of tread left, so will need replacing soonish) and two brand new (but cheap off brand) tyres on the front.
I'm wondering what I should do when I replace the rear tyres,…
Neil P
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9
votes
2 answers
How to tell what color your car is (not in door jamb)
I bought my car used, it is a 2006 Scion tC. The original color of the car is silver, as I gleaned from looking at my door jamb. However, I believe the previous owner painted the top half of the car (the hood, half of the mirrors, and from the…
kneedhelp
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9
votes
3 answers
What is the right tool to expand a large spring-type hose clamp?
My Touareg has the intake piping secured with a bunch of spring-type hose clamps.
I currently use a miniature C-clamp to expand them, but it is painfully slow, prone to slipping and access can be a problem at times.
I have a pair of bent-nose…
Zaid
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9
votes
3 answers
Magnetic Active Suspension or Magnetorheological Damper
GM developed magnetic dampers for the Corvette several years back. What is magnetic active suspension and how does it work?
I understand there is a magnetic fluid in the shocks but how, deep down, does this work other than running electricity…
DucatiKiller
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9
votes
2 answers
What are Performance Camshafts?
I read the following question recently:
What is it about performance cams that make engines produce more power when they are installed?
I know there are a few components for cars that have "cam" in the name, like "camshaft", "cam belt", "cam…
Max Goodridge
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9
votes
1 answer
2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara 4x4 flashing
Whenever i engage my 4x4, the 4x4 light flashes. It didn't used to do this. Its annoying watching it flash. Any ideas what could be causing it to flash?
Bradshaw
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9
votes
1 answer
How can I secure the power block for my LED headlights?
I purchased an LED low-beam conversion kit and installed it yesterday in my 2010 Forester. The installation was easy enough, other than having to move the battery to get enough space to fit my headlight.
However, I am not sure whether I've done…
Joe
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9
votes
2 answers
Mazda B3000 (Ranger) Truck takes several tries to start?
I have a 2002 Mazda B3000 (essentially a Ford Ranger) that almost never starts on the first attempt. Usually it takes 2 or 3 tries before the car finally turns over. Each time I hold in the crank I hear the starter engage and the engine whir but the…
James Bilous
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9
votes
1 answer
What is Lobe Separation Angle (LSA)?
What is Lobe Separation Angle (LSA) and how is it used in camshaft design?
How is it measured?
What difference does a long or short LSA make?
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
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9
votes
1 answer
Is it possible to auto close the power window of a car using OBD and CAN bus?
I am not an electrical or automobile engineer, so pardon my ignorance.
I found this product in the market to auto close power windows for certain brands.
How can we send signals to the CAN bus using an OBD interface? Does the automobile manufacturer…
rp1980
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9
votes
6 answers
I used 0W-30 instead of 0W-20. Is it serious?
I have a Nissan Sentra 2014. I wanted to start using full synthetic oil, and the manual said I should use 0W-20. I changed both the oil and the filter (I used this one), and after finishing I realized I used 0W-30 instead.
I was thinking about…
Oscar Mederos
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9
votes
2 answers
What can I do with an Inline Spark Tester?
Due to my recent problem with weakly firing plugs, I'm looking at inline spark testers. I've seen three basic types:
The simple flashing one which goes in between the wire and plug with the plug in place:
A slightly more complicated type with the…
Robert S. Barnes
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