So Fix it

A vehicles coil springs take up less space than leaf springs and are also quieter than leaf springs. When a coil spring breaks, you might end up with two independent springs. This could pose a problem when performing repairs because one spring is on top of the other. The top portion of the spring might not be accessible, and it could still be under extreme pressure. You can remove a coil spring in yourself in a series of steps. Just do the job caully and precisely to prevent injury.

Instructions

1

Park the 1972 Cutlass on solid ground and block the wheels. Jack up the car. Use a lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts. Remove the nuts and the wheel from the hub that needs the spring replaced.

2

Place a 4-inch by 4-inch block under the lower A-arm ball joint. Lower the jack so the car is supported both by the block and the jack. Unscrew the top shock nut and remove the lower shock bolts. Remove the shock from the center of the spring.

3

Insert a spring compressor inside the center of the coil spring. Hook the top and bottom of the spring compressor to a coil. Tighten the spring compressor nut to compress the coil spring and relieve pressure on the A-arms.

4

Pull the cotter pin out of the castle nut of the top ball joint using a pair of pliers. Use a socket and ratchet to remove the ball joint nut from the upper ball joint.

5

Slide a pickle fork between the spindle and upper ball joint. Smack the pickle fork end with a hammer until the spindle pops off the ball joint shaft.

6

Raise the jack slowly. Let the spindle fall to the side and release all the pressure from the spring. With all the pressure off the coil spring, lift it out of the lower A-arm.

7

Release the spring compressor from the old spring backing down the nut. Install the spring compressor onto the new spring to be installed. Slide the new spring up inside the frame of the 1972 Cutlass.

8

Lower the jack until the upper ball joint can be inserted into the top spindle hole. Push the ball joint shaft through the top spindle hole. Re-Install the castle nut to the upper ball joint. Slowly release the coil spring compressor.

9

Tighten the upper ball joint castle nut to the ball joint and insert the cotter pin. Raise the car with the jack and replace the wheel. Reinstall and tighten the five lug nuts on the hub of the 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass.

The emission controls on an Oldsmobile Cutlass are fully integrated with ignition and fuel system controls. All of these control systems work together to ensure the engine works efficiently with minimal production of harmful exhaust gases.

Crankcase Ventilation System

The crankcase ventilation system controls unburned fuel vapor that leaks from the pistons into the crankcase. Normally these vapors would leak into the atmosphere since they are under pressure. If left alone they contaminate the engine oil and allow sludge to build up in the crankcase. The crankcase ventilation system recycles these gases back into the air intake so they can be re-burned in the pistons. The Positive Crankcase Valve (PCV) controls how much of the gas is recycled at any given time.

Evaporative Emission Control System

The Evaporative Emission Control System (EEC) is a carbon canister that reduces emissions of fuel vapors from the fuel system. It stores fuel vapors and vents them through a filter containing activated charcoal. The charcoal absorbs vapors while the engine is not running. The charcoal releases the vapors into the air intake manifold when the engine is running. A solenoid closes the canister to air when the engine is turned off so that fuel vapor is not lost to the atmosphere.

Exhaust Gas Recirculation System

The Exhaust Gas Recirculation System, or EGR, reduces oxides of nitrogen emissions. Nitrogen oxides are often written as "NOx" and they are harmful to human and animal health. The EGR is a valve which, under certain conditions, allows some exhaust gas to recirculate into the intake manifold. The exhaust gas then cools combustion temperature and controls detonation of the fuel/air mixture. The EGR valve is mounted on the intake manifold and uses manifold vacuum to open up and vent some exhaust gas into the intake manifold. It is activated only when the engine reaches normal operating temperature. Too much exhaust flow into the intake manifold can cause stalling after a cold start or during deceleration.

Thermostatic Air Cleaner

The Thermostatic Air Cleaner (THERMAC) warms air entering the carburetor when the engine is cool and maintains a controlled air temperature into the carburetor. This reduces the amount of time the choke needs to be on and results in better fuel economy and lower harmful emissions.

Air Management System

The Air Management System injects oxygen into the exhaust ports, exhaust manifolds and catalytic converter to burn off any fuel vapor left in the exhaust gas. The system shuts off only during deceleration or rapid acceleration to prevent backfiring. The system reduces the levels of hydrocarbon and carbon-oxygen combinations in exhaust gases.

The 1993 Cutlass Supreme is a four-door sedan equipped with a 3.1-liter, six-cylinder engine. If your Cutlass Supreme does not start when the engine is warm, it probably is overheating. An overheated engine can be caused by not enough coolant in the system or by a leak in the cooling system. You can troubleshoot this problem yourself and save money by fixing it in your driveway or garage.

Instructions

1

Turn on the ignition so the instrument panel illuminates but do not start the engine. Note that the needle is in the "Red" area of the temperature gauge, if the engine has overheated.

2

Open the hood and locate the coolant tank, which is on the left side of the engine compartment. Remove the tank cap by turning it counterclockwise.

3

Pour 50-50 coolant through a funnel into the tank until you reach the fill line on the side of the tank.

4

Look under your car for leaks from the cooling system. If you find any leaks, have the car towed to a service shop to patch the leak. Driving your car while coolant is leaking could cause further damage to the engine.

Oldsmobile installed an integral rack and pinion power steering system on the 1986 Cutlass Ciera. A belt-driven power steering pump mounted on the front of the 2.8-liter engine supplies hydraulic pressure. Over time, the power steering pump can become worn and cease to deliver sufficient pressure. Allowing the pump to run low on fluid can also damage or destroy the internal components of the pump. Replace damaged or worn pumps to restore the full function of the power steering system.

Instructions

1

Locate the blower case and motor inside the engine compartment on the passenger side firewall. Disconnect the electrical connector from the blower motor. Remove the blower motor ground terminal from the motor case, using a nut driver. Remove the blower motor retaining screws from the blower case, using a nut driver, and remove the blower assembly from the case.

2

Place the catch pan under the water pump area of the engine. Using a screwdriver, loosen the heater hose clamp at the water pump and then remove the hose from the pump nipple. Position the hose so that it will lose a minimum of coolant while remaining out of the way for the rest of the procedure.

3

Place the catch pan under the power steering pump. Remove the hydraulic lines from the pump, using a flare-nut wrench. Cap the lines with plastic caps or tape to minimize power steering fluid loss.

4

Loosen the front pump bracket-to-cylinder head bolts, using a ratchet and socket. Loosen the rear pump bracket adjuster nut, using a ratchet and socket. Push the bottom of the power steering pump toward the engine to loosen the pump drive belt. Remove the belt from the pump pulley. Finish removing the loosened bolts and nuts and then remove the pump from the engine.

5

Insert the smooth end of the threaded puller assembly into the center hole in the pulley. Install the split puller collar that most closely fits the size of the center boss on the pulley. Slide the outer collar in place over the split collar. Hold the bottom nut on the threaded puller in place with a wrench and turn the threaded puller clockwise by hand until it bottoms on the pump shaft. Turn the threaded puller using a ratchet and socket until the pulley separates from the pump shaft.

6

Remove the rear pump bracket and front pump bracket from the old pump, using a ratchet and socket. Install the front and rear pump brackets on the new pump. Tighten the rear pump bracket nuts to 35 foot-pounds, using a foot-pound torque wrench and socket. Tighten the front pump bracket bolts to 25 foot-pounds.

7

Place the pulley on the pump shaft. Thread the pulley installation tool into the threaded portion of the pump shaft. Install the washer and nut on the installation tool. Hold the top of the installation tool with a wrench and tighten the nut with another wrench until the tool bottoms out. Remove the tool and ensure that the outer edge of the pulley boss is flush with the end of the pump shaft.

8

Position the pump on the engine. Install the front pump bracket-to-cylinder bolts and the rear pump bracket adjuster nut and tighten only finger tight. Install the pump drive belt on the pump pulley. Pull the pump bottom away from the engine to tighten the belt and then tighten the rear pump bracket adjuster nut to 35 foot-pounds, using a foot-pound torque wrench and socket. Tighten the front bracket-to-cylinder head bolts to 25 foot-pounds.

9

Install the hydraulic lines on the power steering pump. Tighten them securely, using a flare-nut wrench.

10

Install the heater hose on the water pump. Tighten the hose clamp securely, using a screwdriver.

11

Install the blower assembly in the blower case. Install the blower motor mounting screws and the blower motor ground terminal, using a nut-driver. Connect the blower motor electrical connector.

12

Use a floor jack to raise the front of the vehicle. Support the vehicle securely with two jack stands. Chock the rear wheels.

13

Turn the steering wheel fully to the left steering stop. Add Dexron II ATF to the power steering pump reservoir up to the Full Cold mark on the dipstick and leave the cap off the pump. Have a helper turn the steering wheel from lock to lock at least 20 times with the engine off while you observe the fluid in the reservoir for bubbles. Tighten the pump connections and check for leaks if bubbles are present. Maintain the fluid level in the reservoir during this procedure and start over after tightening the fittings if a leak is discovered. Add fluid up to the Full Cold mark and install the cap. Center the wheels and lower the vehicle.

14

Start the engine and run it for two minutes. Turn the steering wheel from lock to lock and verify that the operation is smooth and there is no groaning or whining noise at the pump during operation. Check the system connections for leaks. Turn the engine off. Check and top off the fluid level in the reservoir.

15

Remove the radiator pressure cap from the radiator and top off the coolant level in the radiator. Make certain the coolant level is up to the Full Cold mark in the coolant overflow reservoir.

16

Start the engine. Turn the passenger compartment heater controls to the On position and allow the engine to warm up to full operating temperature. Turn the engine off. Allow the engine to cool. Check the coolant level in the coolant overflow reservoir and, if necessary, add coolant to bring it up to the Full Hot mark.