So Fix it

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.

The Duramax diesel engine is fitted in heavy duty trucks made by General Motors. The battery can be the cause of problems within the engine for a variety of reasons, and while the battery sometimes has to be replaced, you may be able to top up the battery fluid and get it working again. The battery itself is not particularly complicated, but it does contain some toxic chemicals so often it is better to purchase a replacement than attempt a repair yourself.

Instructions

1

Park your diesel truck on level ground and open the hood. Locate the battery. In some models it is hidden under a plastic cover. Remove the plastic cover by undoing the clips. You may need to use the screwdriver to pry open the clips.

2

Disconnect the black, negative terminal from the battery by loosening the nut on the clamp and pulling the clamp up and off the battery terminal. Disconnect the red positive terminal by loosening the nut holding the clamp in place and lifting the wire off the terminal.

3

Remove the clamp or bar holding the battery in place by loosening both nuts. Grasp the battery with both hands, remove it from the vehicle and set it on a work bench or similar.

4

On top of the battery are two rectangular covers. Pry these up with the flathead screwdriver and set them aside. They are very tight and they have acid underneath so be very caul the acid does not splash on you or anything around you. Some batteries may not have the cover in place. These are not fixable and have to be replaced.

5

Pour distilled water into the battery until the acid and water completely covers the terminals. Replace the covers on top of the battery by pushing down firmly. Replace the battery in the vehicle.

6

Replace the clamp or bar over the top of the battery and tighten the nuts to hold it in place. Replace the clamp over the positive (red) terminal and tighten the nut to hold it in place. Do the same with the negative (black) terminal

7

Replace the plastic cover over the battery, close the hood and start the truck to make sure the battery works. If the battery was dead before you started then you may need to jump start the truck.

If youre having trouble with the spare tire holder on your Toyota Sienna vehicle, you are not alone. According to a company press release dated April 16, 2010, Toyota began a voluntary recall of the 1998 to 2010 Sienna due to the possible corrosion of the cable in the spare tire holder. In July 2010, Toyota began implementing a fix for the cable, at which corroded sections are removed and anti-rust agents applied. Although the recall is limited to 20 states, any owner of a Toyota Sienna within all 50 states is entitled to a free inspection of the part. For additional information on the recall, please view the resource section of this article.

Instructions

1

Contact your local Toyota dealership. Ask for the service department. Schedule an appointment for the free recall inspection.

2

Arrive 15-minutes early for the appointment. Explain the problem to the mechanic. Go to the waiting area.

3

Read a magazine for 30-minutes, or talk to the car salesman and learn about the recall.

4

Return to the service department when your name is called. Listen to the representatives explanation of the repair. Ask questions about possible additional problems concerning the recall.

5

Receive your keys. Request a visual demonstration and specific instructions regarding the use of the spare tire holder. Drive off when done.

Sometimes being a trend-setter can be a curse. When they debuted, LH-chassis cars like the Intrepid and Chrysler 300M were visually cutting-edge automobiles that looked more like road-going Le Mans prototypes than commuter sedans. Time and trends may march on, but these cars remain just as good at everything they were good at when new.

Part Costs

Head gaskets themselves arent particularly expensive -- perhaps $100 for the pair at 2013 prices. Getting to them though, means tearing half the engine apart, and thats where youre spending your money in parts and labor. A full upper-end gasket set that includes the head gaskets, intake gaskets and everything else youll need to replace them will run you about $250; add another $75 at least for oil, fluids and sealants. So, call it $325 to $350 in parts.

Labor and Total Costs

Shops determine labor costs according to "book time," which is how much time a job should take for the average mechanic. Multiply that by the shops hourly rate, and youve got the labor cost for the procedure. The book time for replacing one head gasket is 7.4 to 7.9 hours, and you can expect to pay 9.4 of book time for both. Most shops currently charge $65 to $100 an hour, so labor will run you about $480 to $740 for one head gasket, and $610 to $940 for both. So, adding together parts and labor, expect to spend between $935 and $1,300 to have both head gaskets replaced.

A rock-chipped area on your cars paint can turn into rust if you let it go without repairing it. Repairing it immediately after it happens ensures that it does not become a bigger problem in the future. Fixing rock chips in your auto paint is not a hard repair, and in most cases can be done without a professional.

Instructions

1

Look up the year, make, and model of your car in the paint section of your local auto parts store. There will be a booklet that lists the colors that were used that year for your car. Find your paint color using that list. Dealers may have the paint you need as well, but in many cases will not sell a small enough amount to make it budget friendly to buy for small chip repairs.

2

Clean the chipped area with soap and water. This will remove any debris and ensure that the area is clean when you apply the paint. Dry the area with a soft cotton cloth.

3

Rub auto polish over the chipped area. This will help to soften any edges that are ragged on the chipped surface. Too much rubbing could damage the existing clear coat on your car by making it appear cloudy. Take care not to rub more than 10 or 12 times in a smooth, circular motion.

4

Clean the finish with denatured alcohol. Do not pour the alcohol directly on the car. Instead, pour some onto a soft cloth first. Wipe along the chipped area. This will remove any polish that still remains and any grime that is left on the car.

5

Apply primer using the wrong end of a match, also known as the butt end of the match. The size of the match makes it perfect for touching up small chips. Dip it into the paint and then fill the area inside the chip, allowing it to just slightly touch the paint that is around it. Allow time to dry according to manufacturer instructions. It typically takes up to half an hour.

6

Paint over the primer with your touch-up paint. It usually will come with a brush inside the bottle. Test it on a piece of paper first if you are worried that it will not match your car color. The more coats you put on the paper to test, the more closely the color will match how it dries on your car. Wait an hour and apply another coat. Let the paint sit for several days. Lightly sand the edges or raised area of paint with fine-grit paper. Gently polish the area to blend in the edges of your repair.

The name Harley Davidson is synonymous with motorcycles, a desert landscape, street cool and rebelliousness. Some famous riders include actors Brigitte Bardot, Peter Fonda and Elizabeth Taylor. It is also the motorcycle for the notorious gang, Hells Angels, which is most popularly linked to crime and drugs. Harley-Davidson may evoke a glamorous image but even this is not a perfect brand. Even the most expert rider will probably have to tend to an oil leak at some point in his lifetime.

Instructions

1

Check from where the leak is occurring to locate the problem. Make sure to check for any holes in the fuel, oil, or hydraulic tanks. Check both the cases and the lines for leaks. The leak may not be directly from the tank but could be a mixture of oil, water and air, blackened to look like an oil leak. Checking the source of a possible leak should be a regular practice anyway to ensure you are not left without fuel in the middle of nowhere.

2

Wipe away excess oil. According to Harley Davidson Maintenance, the initial thoughts of a rider when he finds oil formation on the right side of the engine is that the oil leak is caused by a damaged push rod tube seal. In this case, the tube should be replaced. A replacement tube can be found by looking at Harley Davidson parts retailers.

3

Take your bike to a mechanic who specializes in Harley Davidson motorcycles. If the problem is recurring, your best bet is to take it to an expert mechanic. He or she may have to tear out the engine to look for the cause of the oil leak and this is best left to an expert. Affordable mechanics can be found on the Internet.

Having a manifold leak in your vehicle can cause it to have performance problems. Making sure that the leak gets fixed is important if you want your vehicle performing at its peak. Because the intake manifold is primarily responsible for distributing the mixture of both fuel and air to each of the engines intake ports, fixing these types of leaks is paramount when trying to get the most out of your engine.

Instructions

1

Check your vehicle to see if theres any oil leaking from the manifold. Identify where the leak is.

2

Disconnect the battery. Remove the nylon fuel rail and the air ducts. Once the fuel rail is removed, press the wires of the injector connectors with your fingers in order to detach them. Use a screwdriver to help make the rubber rings loose. This will aid in removing them easier.

3

Use a socket to take the throttle cables, alternator brace and throttle cable cover off. You must also remove from the intake manifold, the throttle body. Once this has been accomplished, you will need to loosen the two nuts that are attached to the EGR pipe and detach that as well. When you do this, youll find a gasket on the EGR pipe, but leave it there for later use.

4

Inspect the manifold of your engine. Remove any gaskets that seem to be loose or broken, and replace them. Clean existing gaskets with WD-40, and make sure theyre free of debris by wiping them with the cloth. Replace all of the parts you just took off. This should fix the leak. If it does not, take your vehicle to a professional.

Plastic headlight covers are prone to physical damage due to their prominent position at the front of the vehicle. Proximity to the bumper, front grille and molding offers only marginal protection from contact with foliage and other commonly encountered driving hazards. An object brushing the face of the headlamp can scuff it, as the polycarbonate material is rather soft and easily damaged. Fortunately, the softness of the material simplifies the removal of superficial scratches and scuffs by using common tools and techniques.

Instructions

1

Park the vehicle in a well-lit area.

2

Apply low-tack tape to the painted area adjacent to the scuffed headlight. Use wide tape or make several passes of narrow tape to make certain you have a generous area of protection around the headlight.

3

Wipe the headlight, using a wet rag to remove all foreign material. Scrape any paint residue or debris from the scuff with a fingernail or a piece of 320-grit sandpaper.

4

Attach a piece of 320-grit sandpaper on the rubber sanding block. Spray water on the scuff and on the sandpaper. Sand the damaged area by using the sandpaper and block in a direction 90 degrees to the direction of the scuff, and continue until the marks are no longer visible.

5

Attach a piece of 600-grit sandpaper on the rubber sanding block. Spray the sandpaper and the scuff with water. Sand the damaged area by using the sandpaper and block in a direction perpendicular to the previous sanding step. Continue sanding until the 320-grit scratches are removed from the headlight.

6

Sand the headlight again, using the 1000-grit sandpaper. Sand until the 600-grit scratches are removed from the headlight. Follow again with 1500-grit sandpaper until the 1000-grit scratches are removed from the headlight.

7

Apply a small amount of fine buffing compound to a soft rag. Buff the damaged area vigorously by using a circular motion until the damaged area is free of sanding haze and has a shiny appearance.

8

Apply a small amount of plastic polish to a soft rag. Rub the damaged area by using a circular motion to give the headlight its final finish.

9

Carefully remove the tape. Rinse the area with clean water to remove excess sanding slurry.

You dont want to drive with a rusted-through exhaust pipe dragging noisily on the road. Before you get to the muffler shop, heres what to do with an exhaust pipe that is about to fall off.

Instructions

1

Wait for the engine to cool down so the exhaust pipe is cool enough to touch. Place your hand near the pipe to gauge how hot it is before actually touching it, or wrap a thick rag around your hand.

2

If part of the pipe is about to fall off, remove the hanging part by bending and twisting it until it breaks free. You neednt reattach it, since you must have it replaced or welded on at a muffler shop anyway.

3

If you cant break off the hanging pipe, untwist a wire coat hanger or use some mechanics wire (available at an auto-parts store). Wrap one end around the hanging pipe and fasten the other end to the underside of the car. Do not wrap the wire around the drive shaft or anywhere where it risks becoming tangled with the drive shaft. Wrap it around a stationary part underneath the car.

4

Make an appointment at the muffler shop.

Hyundai is a car manufacturer in South Korea that primarily makes compacts and subcompacts. The 2001 models use multi-port fuel injection, which requires the fuel pump to deliver fuel to the injectors at high pressure. The procedure for repairing the fuel pump in a Hyundai is generally the same for all models from 1999 to 2005. The fuel pump is attached to the fuel tank, requiring you to remove the fuel tank when replacing the fuel pump.

Instructions

1

Remove the rear seat cushion to expose the access panel in the floor of the vehicle. Open the access panel and disconnect the electrical connector for the fuel pump. Start the engine and allow it to stall. Turn the ignition off.

2

Open the filler cap for the fuel tank and place a hose into the filler tube. Siphon as much fuel as possible from the fuel tank into a container for gasoline.

3

Disconnect the cable to the negative battery terminal with a socket wrench to prevent in the accidental discharge of fuel. Raise and support the vehicle on jack stands. Disconnect the fuel supply line, fuel return line and fuel vapor line from the fuel tank. Detach the fuel fill hose and fuel vent hose from the fuel tank.

4

Remove the electrical connector from the fuel level sender. Support the fuel tank with a jack and remove the fuel tank straps with a socket wrench. Disconnect the fuel tank from the vehicle and lower it to the ground. Move the fuel tank to a work area.

5

Disconnect the mounting bolts on the fuel pump with a socket wrench. Disconnect the fuel pump from the fuel tank.

6

Install the new fuel pump to be fuel tank, and tighten the mounting bolts for the fuel pump to between 12 and 24 inch-pounds with a torque wrench. Complete the installation of the new fuel pump by performing steps one through five in reverse order. Filled the fuel tank with fuel, and check the fuel system for leaks.

Toyota Corollas door handles can get stuck or simply not opening doors. The 2004 Toyota Corolla repair manual includes a little information on how to remove the inside door panel, but you may need help from a professional. In a few easy steps, your car door handles can be replaced or fixed.

Instructions

Removing the Car Door Panel

1

Remove the interior door panel. Remove the screws holding the panel to the door and "unsnap" the plastic panel siding. The 2002 Corolla has three screws as well as the snaps. The handle casing has one screw and two underneath the armrest in the middle of the panel.

2

Open the door and keep it open while manually locking the door, then use a screwdriver to unscrew the broken door handle. Set this screw in a safe place. You must remove the broken piece entirely. If you cannot remove the broken handle entirely, there is another solution later.

3

Remove the armrest by pulling it up from the snaps. You may need to wedge a flathead screwdriver under the pad to push it up and reveal the screws beneath. Unscrew these two screws and set aside with the other.

4

Check inside the door handle compartment for possible broken parts or pieces missing. There may be something lodged or wedged inside the handle. Take a wiping cloth or wet towel and clean the area, then check the door handle from the outside. If it is still stuck, then you simply need to replace the car door handle.

Replacing a Toyota Corolla Door Handle

5

Remove the door handle by starting at the bottom left or right side of the doors panel. Put your fingers under the plastic and pull it from the snap. It should come loose with a bit of pressure.

6

Unsnap each part of the door panel. This is a tedious process but the entire door panel must come off. Then lift the panel up and over the locking device once the panel is free. Try supporting the panel with your legs. Try to not let the panel fall to the ground. You may need assistance. If you have power windows and locks, there will be wires coming from inside the door panel, which will restrict how far the panel can be moved. Do not disturb these wires.

7

Lift the panel up and over the locking device once the panel is free. Support the panel with your legs. Try to not let the panel fall to the ground. You may need assistance. If you have power windows and locks, there are power chords andd wires coming from inside the door panel which restricted how far the panel could be moved. Do not disturb these wires in any way.

8

Look inside the door for a metal arm with an L-shaped end extending out to where the door handle was before. The tip of the metal arm needs to insert into the new door handle.

9

Take the metal arm and attach it to the door handle. The door handle needs to be inserted into place inside the door panel. Snap the metal arm once inside the door handle. You may need pliers for this.

Reattach the Door Panel

10

Attach the door handle in the door panel to the door itself. Three arms extend from the back of the door handle. There are two L-shaped arms, and one is a cylinder. They match the receiving pieces in the door frame. Line each of these as you push the door panel back on.

11

Realign the door panel by lifting it up and over the locking device before lowering it back into position.

12

Slide the door panel to one side as the door handle slides into place into the door. This brings the hole of the screw into line with the corresponding hole in the door.

13

Snap the door panel back into place. You will need to press hard on the door panel and listen to each one snap to make sure that it is securely fastened back to the door.

14

Test the handle after closing the door. Screw in the three screws from before and replace the armrest pad by snapping it back on.

It is frustrating when your car door will not open, especially when you are in a hurry or are battling extreme weather. There are a variety of reasons why a car door wont open. Identifying the problem and eliminating the cause are the first steps to fixing the car door. There are a few common issues that will help identify the problem.

Instructions

1

Eliminate the easy fixes. Check that the door locks are open. Many people lock the doors without realizing it, or the doors lock automatically when the door closes. If the door will not open from the inside, check that the child safety lock is not engaged. If the child lock is on, the door will not open.

2

Check the seat belt. If the seat belt has not fully retracted, it may be blocking the doors latching mechanism. Give the door a firm shove from the inside while pulling the door handle open. This may take quite a bit of force and multiple attempts. Once the seat belt is taken off the latch, the door will open.

3

Remove the panel of the door to access the mechanical components. Reference the car manual for the location of the door locks and its parts. Look for a broken rod or loose cable. Replace the broken part at your local automotive store.

4

Lubricate the door hinges. If the door consistently jams or opens with extreme difficulty, using a spray lubricant might be all you need. Open the door to access the hinges. Spray a liberal amount of lubricant to the hinge. To work the lubricant into the hinge, open and close the door without shutting it completely. If it continues to creak or is difficult to open, add more lubricant.

If the door locks in your Chevy Corsica have trouble working, the most likely problems lie in the connecting rods breaking or coming loose or the lock cylinder itself getting damaged. You will need to get into the door to correct any of these problems. Fortunately, the setup of the Corsicas door is quite simple with regard to removing the door panel and accessing the lock components. You may need to do some moving in and out of the car from the other side if the lock wont let you open the broken door.

Instructions

1

Disconnect the manual window handle (if equipped) with a hooked tool on its clip and then unscrew and remove the inner door and pull handles with a screwdriver and Torx wrench.

2

Unscrew the inner panels retaining screws and pry the panel off its clips and velcro retainer with a trim stick. Remove the panel from the door.

3

Inspect the condition of the rods connecting the door lock to the door handle and reconnect them with their clips if they are disconnected. Disconnect the rods altogether and replace them if they are damaged.

4

Remove the retaining screw for the lock cylinder and its C-like retainer to remove it from the door if the cylinder is damaged.

5

Insert the lock cylinder into the door with its gasket, clip and retaining screw if you are replacing the cylinder.

6

Connect the rods to the lock if you had to disconnect them to remove the lock cylinder.

7

Reconnect the door inner trim panel with its clips, velcro retainer and screws. Reconnect the inner handles with their screws and the window handle with its clip.