Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Problems With Losing All the Gears in the Transmission
Transmission problems in cars can cost thousands of dollars to repair. The gears in your transmission provide the mechanism to allow your car to move at different speeds. If your car has lost all the gears in the transmission, you will have a major problem on your hands for several reasons.
Not Moving
You car will not move if you have lost all of the gears in your transmission. Your transmission is responsible for all of the forward gears along with reverse, park and drive. At best, your car will have died in some semblance of neutral and you will be able to push the car. At worst, your entire drive train will be completely frozen, preventing you from moving the car without physically dragging it or completely removing the transmission from underneath the vehicle.
Repairs
Replacing a transmission is universally expensive, regardless of what kind of vehicle you drive. Rebuilding a transmission is also expensive, though often slightly less than buying a completely new one. Expect to spend upwards of $1,000, and prepare to spend $2,000 or $3,000 on repairs before the car will operate again.
Time
If you have lost all the gears in your transmission, prepare to take the bus for a few weeks while your car is in the shop. Transmission replacements and rebuilds are not quick processes. Depending on your location, the availability of parts for your vehicle and and how much money you want to spend, expect your car to be out of commission for at least a week and possibly longer.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
The Fog Lights Are on All the Time in a Toyota Tundra
Fog lights provided additional visibility when driving through heavy fog or rain. The Toyota Tundras fog lights are mounted on the lower edge of the front bumper cover. They are controlled by the fog light switch located on the steering column.
On/Off
Inspect the turn signal stalk to find the fog light switch. It is affixed to the edge of the stalk. Turn the fog light switch forward to turn on the fog lights or turn it backward to turn them off. As long as there isnt a problem with your Tundra, using the switch should operate the fog lights.
Faulty Switch
If turning the fog light switch back does not turn off the fog lights, there could be a problem with the fog light switch. Because the the switch is integrated with the turn signal stalk and headlight switch, the entire combination unit will likely have to be replaced. This requires disassembling the steering column to access the switchs mount.
Electrical Wiring
Ideally, you will test the switch prior to replacing it. An automotive voltmeter or similar tool can do this. If there is no problem with the switch, search for a short in the electrical wiring. This process can be tedious, but once the short is located, the wiring can be repaired, restoring the fog lights operation.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Why Is There Oil All Over My Manifold Exhaust Pipe
Oil on the exhaust manifold or blue smoke spewing out of the tailpipe is commonly caused from a compromised gasket or cracked exhaust manifold. The head gasket is the main seal protecting the engine cylinders from engine oil. A compromised head gasket or O-ring will allow oil into the cylinders and exhaust manifold piping.
Exhaust Manifold Function
The exhaust manifold is secured directly to the individual engine cylinder ports. Exhaust gases expel from the combustion chamber into the exhaust manifold before moving towards the tailpipe. There must be an airtight seal between the manifold pipes and the cylinder ports.
Blue Smoke
Blue exhaust smoke may be coming from your tailpipe. Blue smoke indicates oil in the cylinder ports and then exhaust manifold -- a sign that a gasket or O-ring protecting the cylinders from oil has failed.
Diagnosing A Compromised Exhaust Manifold
Oil commonly enters the inner portion of the exhaust piping after leaking through the cylinder ports but it is possible for oil to find its way onto the external portion of the piping. This occurs one of three ways: a crack in the manifold piping, a compromised exhaust manifold gasket or a blown oil seal. In any case, an engine oil seal has failed.
