So Fix it

The engine in your General Motors vehicle depends on precision timing and accuracy. The Opti-Spark is an ignition distributor used by GM that employs an optical sensor to trigger the firing of spark plugs. Although they are known for high performance, these devices can have increased susceptibility to wear and tear and may need to be changed more often than other types of distributor caps.

Instructions

1

Check your local GM dealership or authorized mechanic. They will have the part in stock or can order it for you and offer services for installation.

2

Search online for "buy GM optispark." This will give you the widest range of Opti-Spark designs and types from which to choose. Also try auction sites such as eBay or check several of the large companies that make Opti-Sparks for both standard and custom use.

3

Contact the retailer you have chosen and ensure that the part you are buying is correct for your vehicle. You will need to supply the make, model and year of your car.

The Acura TL is a luxury sports car in production since 1996. The 2002 model is a second generation Acura, which includes the 1999 through 2003 models. The standard engine for all second generation Acuras in North America is a six-cylinder, 3.2-liter engine with a double overhead camshaft. The timing belt synchronizes the crankshaft with the camshafts, so the cylinder valves open and close at the right time.

Instructions

1

Disconnect the cable for the negative battery terminal and the ignition coil cover with a socket wrench.

2

Place a cushion such as a wooden board on top of a floor jack. Place the floor jack under the oil pan, and raise the vehicle. Remove the front wheel assemblies with a lug wrench. Disconnect the splash shield under the vehicle and remove the accessory drive belts from their respective pulleys.

3

Lower the vehicle with the floor jack and raise it slightly to take the weight of the engine off the engine mounts. Disconnect the mounting bolts for the side mount on the front of the engine, and remove the side mount. Remove the bolt for the dipstick tube with a socket wrench, and detach the tube from the engine.

4

Rotate the crankshaft clockwise to align the white timing mark on the crankshaft pulley with the pointer on the lower rear timing belt cover. The timing marks on the camshaft pulleys must also align with their respective timing marks on the upper rear timing belt cover.

5

Hold the crankshaft pulley in place with Holder Attachment Tool 07MAB-PY3010A. Remove the crankshaft pulley bolt with a socket wrench and a 19mm socket. Pull the crankshaft pulley from its shaft with Holder Attachment Tool 07MAB-PY3010A.

6

Disconnect a bolt for a battery clamp with a socket wrench. Grind a 45-degree bevel on the threaded end of the bolt. Screw the bolt into the hole in the right cylinder head by hand to hold the adjuster for the timing belt in place. Disconnect the engine mount bracket. Turn the mounting bolt for the idler pulley five turns counterclockwise with a socket wrench, and detach the timing belt.

7

Disconnect the spark plugs. Turn the crankshaft sprocket clockwise to align the timing mark on the crankshaft sprocket with the timing mark on the oil pump. The timing mark on the camshaft pulleys must also align with their respective timing marks on the rear timing belt covers.

8

Disconnect the battery clamp bolt with a socket wrench and replace it into its original hole. Remove the timing belt tensioner and place it into a soft-jawed vise with the maintenance bolt pointed up. Remove the maintenance bolt with a socket wrench. Place Stopper Tool 14540-P8A-A01 onto the tensioner to maintain the tension setting. Turn the screw inside the maintenance hole clockwise with a flat-blade screwdriver to compress the bottom of the tensioner.

9

Replace the gasket for the maintenance bolt on the timing belt tensioner and tighten the bolt to 6 ft. lbs. with a torque wrench. Install the tensioner and tighten its mounting bolts to 33 ft. lbs.

10

Mount the new timing belt to the crankshaft sprocket, idler pulley, left camshaft sprocket, water pump pulley, right camshaft sprocket and adjusting pulley in that order. Remove Stopper Tool 14540-P8A-A01 from the timing belt tensioner.

11

Install the bolts for the engine side mount with a torque wrench. Tighten the No. 10 bolts to 33 ft. lbs., and tighten the No. 6 bolts to 104 in. lbs. Connect the timing belt covers with a socket wrench. Install the crankshaft pulley with Holder Attachment tool 07MAB-PY3010A. Tighten the crankshaft pulley bolt with a torque wrench and a 19mm socket to 181 ft. lbs.

12

Turn the crankshaft five complete turns clockwise to position the timing belt, and align the timing marks. Connect the dipstick tube, accessory drive belts, splash shield and front wheel assemblies. Lower the vehicle and replace the ignition coil cover. Attach the cable to the negative battery terminal.

The catalytic converter reduces smog emissions by converting harmful emissions from your engine into less dangerous gases. Like any other part on your car, there will come a time when the catalytic converter will need to be replaced either because it is broken and has holes in it, or it just gets clogged up. The project is not difficult, and the entire process will take about an hour to an hour and a half to complete.

Instructions

1

Park the car on a level surface and set the parking brake.

2

Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.

3

Raise the car with an automobile jack and place a jack stand under the car at the frame rail. Position the jack stand as close as possible to the frame.

4

Remove the bolts from the front and back end of the catalytic converter with the proper size socket and a ratchet.

5

Remove the catalytic converter from the exhaust system by twisting it and tapping the ends with a rubber mallet.

6

Install the new catalytic converter in place of the old one and secure it with the bolts hand-tight.

7

Tighten all of the bolts with the proper size socket and ratchet.

8

Remove the jack stand and lower the car to the ground with the jack.

Muffler tape is an inexpensive method to repair damage to a muffler that has been dragged on the ground or has rusted through. Muffler tape is not adhesive, instead using the heat of the exhaust system to bond to your current muffler.

Function

Muffler tape should be used to repair your muffler or exhaust system for a short time. You should take your vehicle to a dealership or exhaust specialty shop as soon as possible.

Types

Muffler tape may come in strips that can be wrapped around your exhaust or in a patch kit that requires trimming the tape to the proper size.

Benefits

Muffler tape can help silence your vehicle quickly, keeping emissions levels down and your vehicle quiet as you drive.

Installing

Once you wrap muffler tape around the exhaust, the heat near the muffler will cause the tape to bond to the exhaust system. You may need to add more muffler tape if any falls off or holes in the muffler remain uncovered.

Expert Insight

Muffler tape is not a permanent solution. Vehicles are regularly subjected to extreme temperature changes, and you may find that your muffler tape falls off after only a few days or weeks of use.

Problems with the catalytic converter on your Mercedes, or any vehicle for that matter, are often more difficult to deal with than most drivers realize because it is illegal to tamper with a catalytic converter in any way. This means it is illegal to attempt to fix your Mercedes catalytic converter by any means other than having an approved certified mechanic replace it.



There are both federal and state laws governing the removal and replacement of catalytic converters on vehicles. The noise your catalytic converter is making indicates a problem that may cause your Mercedes to fail an emissions test or land you a number of federal fines from the Environmental Protection Agency if not handled properly. It is only legal to remove it if the noise is affecting its function.

Instructions

1

Check the warranty. Your Mercedes may not be covered by the federally mandated Environmental Protection Agency warranty. Federal law emissions warranty specifies that if your car was manufactured before 1996, the catalytic converter is still under warranty only if the car has less than 50,000 miles on it. If the car was manufactured after 1996, the car is legally required to have more than 80,000 miles on it or be more than eight years old to be out of warranty.

Some Mercedes vehicles have documented issues with the catalytic converters. Mercedes reached a settlement with the EPA to extend the emissions warranties on these vehicles.

2

Take your Mercedes to the dealership, or a mechanic who regularly handles these cars, and have the catalytic converter tested. You will need to go to a mechanic who is familiar with the cars exhaust system requirements and has access to original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, exhaust parts. The converter used to replace your Mercedes converter must be identical to the original Mercedes catalytic converter.

If your car is still covered by the federal warranty, it will need to be taken to the Mercedes dealership.

3

Have the mechanic thoroughly document the problem with the converter, then, if necessary, replace it with an identical new converter. Documentation of the problem is a legal requirement if the converter needs to be replaced.

Since tampering with converters is illegal, your noisy converter will probably be replaced. If the converter is still functioning, the mechanic is not legally allowed to remove it.

4

Make sure the mechanic also fills out a warranty card as required by federal law. Save a copy of everything for your records in case of emissions inspection problems at a later date.

An engines exhaust manifold routes exhaust gases from the engine to the vehicles exhaust system. Without the exhaust manifold, hazardous exhaust fumes can reach the interior of the vehicle. Installation of the exhaust manifold is usually the final step of the engine installation process, but installation is also necessary when an exhaust manifold gasket is replaced. Thankfully, installing an exhaust manifold is a straightforward process.

Instructions

1

Ensure that the exhaust manifolds mating surface is free from old gasket deposits to begin the installation process. Old exhaust manifold gaskets rarely leave gasket deposits, but if any deposits are present they should be scraped away with a gasket scrapper.

2

Place a new exhaust manifold gasket over the manifolds mating surface. Do not apply gasket sealer to this gasket.

3

Position the exhaust manifold with its gasket against the portion of the head where the manifold attaches, then place one exhaust manifold bolt through one end of the manifold and into the head. Turn this bolt only until it begins to grasp the threads within the head.

4

Insert another manifold bolt into the opposite side of the exhaust manifold and turn this bolt only until it begins to grasp the threads within the head.

5

Insert the remaining exhaust manifold bolts through the manifold and into the head.

6

Tighten each exhaust manifold bolt to the required torque specifications with a torque wrench to complete the installation. Refer to the vehicles specifications manual for this torque setting.

Buick introduced the LeSabre Marquee as a concept car in 1951. The nameplate officially became part of the Buick lineup in 1959. Before discontinuing the model in 2005, Buick had sold over 6 million LeSabres, and for 12 years it was the best-selling full-size vehicle in the U.S. The Buick LeSabre has sold with a number of different transmissions, all of which are prone to problems. Signs of a bad transmission in a Buick LeSabre arent difficult to detect.

Leaks

Look at the ground under where the Buick LeSabre is normally parked. Puddles of fluid, stains and spots are all signs of a leak. If the leak appears red in color, there is a good chance the Buick LeSabres transmission is leaking.

Fluid

Even without a noticeable leak, the transmission fluid is possibly getting dangerously low. Use the transmission fluid dipstick to check for proper operating levels. If the fluid is not translucent red or smells burnt, change the fluid.

Vibrations

Vibrations and shuttering of the vehicle during gear shifts is a clear sign that something is not right with the Buick LeSabres transmission. The transmission is designed to shift smoothly and easily; vibrations are a sign that shifts are not happening as intended.

Noises

Grinding, whining or any other unusual noises coming from the transmission are a clue that something is wrong with the gears or transmission valves. Transmission noises usually come from the floorboards and near the center of the vehicle.

Overheating

Overheating of the transmission is a severe sign that something is wrong with the Buick LeSabre transmission. Overheating is caused by internal breakdown or during heavy towing, rocking the vehicle, racing or stop-and-go driving in high-heat environments. Signs of overheating are smoke, burnt transmission fluid and excessive heat near the shift lever.

Oil leaking from an automobile may have numerous sources, and many car owners overlook the shocks as a possible culprit. Shocks use oil to dampen the movements of the vehicle, and this function can sometimes lead to a leak.

Location of Shock Leak

Most automobile suspensions use struts on the front wheels of the vehicle and shocks on the rear. Shocks will leak oil just inside the rear wheels of the vehicle. Struts also use oil and may also leak. Oil leaking from a shock may run down the shock or drip onto other suspension components or the vehicles frame.

Inspecting Shocks for Leaks

To locate the leak, wipe away any dirt or grime from the shock. After cleaning, drive the vehicle and recheck the shock for fresh oil. A leaking shock will also work less effectively. You can check its functionality by shoving down and then releasing the corner of the vehicle with the suspect shock. If the shock is working properly, the car will settle back to the original position without bouncing.

Dealing with Leaks

A leaking shock has either a corroded body or a failed seal. In either case the shock will require replacement. Shocks should be replaced in pairs, even if only one side has failed. The result of replacing both shocks at once will be an even amount of suspension support on each side of the vehicle.

Shock is a medical condition that often occurs due to some sort of trauma. According to the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, shock, also known as circulatory collapse, sets in when the blood pressure in a persons arteries is too low to supply adequate blood to his organs and tissues. In a state of shock, a persons skin becomes cold and sweaty and his pulse becomes weak. Breathing becomes irregular, the mouth becomes dry and pupils dilate.

Septic Shock

Septic shock results from microorganisms entering the bloodstream. Anything that introduces bacteria into the blood stream can cause septic shock. This condition causes immune chemicals to be released into your bloodstream to fight the infection and triggers widespread inflammation, leading to blood clots and leaky vessels, according to a description of the condition by National Institute of General Medical Sciences. The condition deprives the body of blood flow and damages the bodys organs. An extreme form of this reaction results in septic shock and could cause death. People with chronic illnesses such as diabetes and kidney or liver disease face a higher than average risk of septic shock.(see erence 1)

Anaphylactic Shock

Anaphylactic shock is caused by a severe allergy reaction. This results from an anaphylaxis reaction that could set in within minutes or seconds of your exposure to something you are allergic to, such as milk or peanuts, as MayoClinic.com explains. A flood of chemicals is released by your immune system during an anaphylaxis reaction. This could cause you to go into shock as your blood pressure drops and your airways become too narrow to allow normal breathing. (see erence 2)

Cardiogenic Shock

When the heart is too weak to pump enough blood to meet the needs of the body, the result could be a cardiogenic shock. Damage to the heart muscle from a severe heart attack is the most common form of cardiogenic shock, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Not everyone who has a heart attack goes into cardiogenic shock as a result though. Only about seven percent of people who experience heart attack go into cardiogenic shock. (see erence 3)

Exhaust flex pipes are a flexible metal pipe sections that are used either in areas where an exhaust pipe needs to be flexible, or to repair a damaged exhaust system. While they are all-metal, it is common for one to fail and require replacement.

Construction

Automotive exhaust pipes get extremely hot from the exhaust gas passing through the system and out the tailpipe. Due to this, when an exhaust system needs to bend, shift or be flexible, the manufacturer cannot use traditional materials like rubber. The flex pipe is made of metal strips woven into a lattice, and thus can withstand exhaust gas heat. Higher quality flex pipes will be made of stainless steel.

Use

Automotive engines move slightly during operation, whereas most exhaust systems are fixed from the mid-section back. Flex pipes allow the engine to move and not crack or rupture what would otherwise be an inflexible metal exhaust pipe. Flex pipes are typically found where the exhaust manifold meets the downpipe or mid-section of an exhaust, which is closer to the engine than to the exit tailpipe.

Availability

Exhaust flex pipe sections are widely available at automotive stores in a variety of lengths and diameters.

If you plan to remove the oil seal in the rear axle housing of your Jeep Grand Cherokee, it helps to have a seal puller. Rental pullers are available at many auto parts stores and will help prevent damage to the pinion shaft. The oil seal is in the housing where the pinion shaft passes through the differential and keeps the oil from running out of your axle. Replacement seals are available from Jeep or most auto parts stores.

Instructions

1

Raise the rear of your Jeep with a jack and support the truck with a set of jack stands under the rear axle. Locate the pinion yoke, where the axle and driveshaft meet. Place an alignment mark on the yoke and the driveshaft with a paint pen for use later.

2

Remove the four 10-millimeter bolts from the pinion yoke with a wrench, then separate the drive shaft from the yoke. Caully set the drive shaft aside.

3

Locate the pinion nut in the center of the pinion yoke. Install a large socket and breaker bar on the nut and rotate it counterclockwise. Remove the nut and washer from the shaft.

4

Remove the pinion yoke from the shaft with a yoke puller. If you do not have a puller, you can rent one from many auto parts stores. If you cannot find a puller, heating the yoke with an oxyacetylene torch will allow it to swell and come loose. Caully slide it off the shaft.

5

Place an oil drain pan under the pinion shaft to catch any oil that might seep from the differential when you remove the seal.

6

Place the seal puller over the shaft and engage the arms with the inside edge of the seal. Turn the puller counterclockwise with a socket and ratchet, pulling the seal from the bore.