Questions tagged [repair]
For questions related to repairs (fixing a failed or damaged component) or repair techniques, as opposed to maintenance (preventing failure).
332
questions
23
votes
8
answers
7k
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Are tyre repair kits a viable alternative for a spare wheel?
I would REALLY like to get rid of my spare wheel. The wheel is heavy and I need the spare wheel well for... other purposes. In my history of driving I never had to use the spare wheel, so it cost me a ...
22
votes
3
answers
30k
views
Is it ok to use a scissor jack instead of a floor jack?
I need to jack up my car to take out the front driver side tire and change the p/s and alternator belt. I don't own a floor jack but I do have a scissor jack. I was wondering could I just use the ...
- 557
19
votes
6
answers
487k
views
Can this tire sidewall damage be repaired or should I replace the tire?
I* hit a curb and got a small tear in the front passenger side tire. The tear is about 1" long and goes mostly across the surface of the tire but also a little bit, maybe 1/4", toward the inside of ...
- 293
18
votes
7
answers
5k
views
How to find a part lost in the snow
How can one go about finding a very small part lost in the snow? — while working on my motorbike, one of the battery leads fell out and I can't find it. Buying a metal detector for the sake of ...
- 575
16
votes
2
answers
115k
views
How do I repair detatched interior roof fabric?
I have a 2008 Toyota Camry. The fabric above the rear window has come detached and is sagging.
I plan to use a spray adhesive (Loctite High-Performance) on the yellow foam after taping the window to ...
- 623
15
votes
1
answer
94k
views
Why is my Toyota dashboard shiny and sticky, and how do I clean it?
I have a 2008 Toyota Camry, which is primarily kept in Florida (southern U.S.).
My entire dashboard has been sticky / tacky for years. I do not know why or how it got this way. It accumulates dust ...
- 623
14
votes
9
answers
13k
views
How to add a 7th gear to a car to enhance fuel economy?
Let's say there's a 6-Gear manual transmission car, whose 6th gear equals 2000 rpm at 100 km/h (~60 mph).
How can one theoretically add a 7th gear that can maintain the same speed at 1400 rpm in ...
- 291
13
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Can I drive with a broken/without the spider spring in my clutch?
Long story short: I managed to break the spider spring inside my slipper clutch. Apparently these things happen. Below are two pictures of this work of art:
Now I have some 300km separating me from ...
- 1,765
12
votes
1
answer
5k
views
Tightening Stud Without Bolt Head
What would be the best way to tighten a stud without a bolt head? It essentially looks like this.
I need to tighten it to a specific torque(4 of these have nuts tightened on them to hold the tire of ...
- 403
12
votes
3
answers
27k
views
Is it safe to fix a bent motorbike wheel?
Long story short my front wheel took a hit and the rim is now slightly bent. Now, since this is a forged aluminium wheel, replacing it costs the best part of 1500EUR. Being on a budget I thought of ...
- 1,765
11
votes
3
answers
44k
views
When should I disconnect the battery to stay safe during repairs?
I am planning to do some car fixes and want to know what precautions I must follow in order to make it safely. Specifically, I'd like to know is for what kind of work, the battery should be unplugged.
...
- 479
10
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Can't get into trunk of 2000 mercury marquis
Anyone have any ideas to get into a locked, jammed trunk of a 2000 mercury marquis?
They key, the remote, and the button on the door all do not work, although a clicking sound is produced. You can't ...
- 101
10
votes
3
answers
3k
views
How to prioritize repairs?
My car needs some work, but I don't like taking out too much debt and my savings are sort of depleted for the moment, so I need to do a little at a time. How can I prioritize the work that needs to be ...
- 319
10
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Wheel rim chrome repair
I recently bought a used vehicle which has some aftermarket rims on it. For whatever reason the previous owner failed to take good care of them and there are areas of them (some are 2 or 3 inches) ...
- 353
10
votes
4
answers
6k
views
Rusted gas tanks, how do you repair them?
If I have an extremely old vehicle that has limited parts availability for replacement, how would I fix a rusted gas tank in order to put it back in service in a vehicle?
I've run into this issue a ...
- 33k
9
votes
7
answers
19k
views
Is it typical for a shop to charge extra for labor if you bring your own parts?
I brought my car into a new mechanic today for brake issues, and they discovered that my rear brake calipers had completely seized up. They gave me an itemized quote for parts (~$700) and labor (~$...
- 413
9
votes
4
answers
2k
views
What is the most common end of life issue for a car? [closed]
What is the most common end of life issue for a car?
Does electrical issues cause end of life most frequently?
Maybe transmission?
Alternatively cracks in the chassis?
- 397
9
votes
1
answer
943
views
BMW 1 Series (2016) Bumper Repair
I recently got a new BMW 1 Series 116D (2016) on a 4 year PCP deal. A week in, I've managed to scratch the bumper.
Although it's a minor dink, I don't want there to be any risk of it devaluing the ...
- 227
9
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Repairing crack on edge of windshield
I was replacing my windshield wiper motor (after asking about it here) and while putting in the new windshield wiper motor, I hit it on the edge of the windshield causing a few cracks. I asked a ...
- 247
8
votes
3
answers
40k
views
changing a tire on a slope
So one of the tires on my car had a blowout on a road with a slight slope. I tried lifting the car up with a hydraulic jack but after the car got to a certain height the jack fell forward and the car ...
- 551
8
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Repairing a motorcycle tire puncture. With heat or without heat?
Asked a local mechanic for the charge of repairing a puncture and he says he'd charge a certain amount for simply taking a piece of rubber tube and sticking it over the puncture, or if I would pay him ...
- 1,441
8
votes
2
answers
14k
views
Sidewall of my tire has a tear, can this be repaired?
I have a Subaru Legacy 5.0i wagon, which has all-wheel drive.
Taking a right turn yesterday, my rear passenger tire bumped on a curb. About 20 minutes later the tire was flat.
There is an 'L' ...
- 414
8
votes
3
answers
8k
views
Preventing debris from falling in engine while changing valve cover gasket
I am about to change the valve cover gasket on a 2002 Ford Focus SE Wagon with the DOHC Zetec engine. I have never done this kind of thing before, and although it seems simple, I am concerned after ...
- 433
8
votes
3
answers
839
views
Can I buy a used car to learn auto repair & DIY?
I am seriously considering learning some auto repair knowledge. I don't want to use my good car as my experimental starter kit.
So can I buy a used car somewhere and have it towed home just for the ...
- 243
8
votes
1
answer
1k
views
newly rebuilt engine, long warm-up & severe shaking
I have a 2002 Toyota Celica GT with a newly rebuilt engine (ran out of oil and threw rods) but problems still persist. I was told by the mechanic to allow myself a 500 mile break in time of not ...
- 81
8
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Cant Remove Nut on Clutch
I have a 2006 Honda crf150F. I need to get to the components of my shifter to adjust something, but I need to remove the entire clutch housing to get to it.
Here is a drawing of the clutch assembly: ...
- 403
8
votes
2
answers
618
views
2006 Honda Odyssey sliding door stuck at *top*
Yesterday I replaced the roller assembly in the left-side sliding door of my 2006 Honda Odyssey, because it had been sticking and not rolling very well. One of the white rollers was indeed shattered ...
- 287
7
votes
6
answers
3k
views
Should I accept this help in fixing a 1" hole in my radiator?
My car broke down, in a cloud of steam, and I found a hole on the top edge of my radiator, about the dimensions of a vending machine slot for quarters.
A co-worker offered to help, bringing a 2" ...
- 221
7
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Sideways Impact with Median
I was driving home in a heavy snowfall yesterday, and while turning onto an onramp for a highway my car skidded out and I hit the median (separating the turn lane from other lanes) almost perfectly ...
- 173
7
votes
4
answers
14k
views
What is the best way to remove a stripped head bolt that is deep in the engine?
One of the head bolts on my 1997 Mercedes C230 stripped during removal. It is a 12 point star, I think they made be called triple square splines. The others are about 4 inches long stretch bolts. ...
7
votes
5
answers
206
views
Basic Automotive Maintenance Repair - Compiling a Toolset
I am looking into getting more serious about doing my own automotive repair and maintenance, and am working toward gathering the appropriate tools. However, I am admittedly can be a bit of an ...
- 461
7
votes
1
answer
600
views
How to tell if you have a bad clutch?
I drive a 2004 VW Passat B5.5 that I bought used with quite a high mileage so it has therefore had a relatively large amount of usage (at 118k miles). I am curious to know how to tell if the clutch is ...
- 7,927
7
votes
1
answer
23k
views
Should I be worried about bumper reinforcement condition after being rear ended?
Recently a car rear ended me at about 10 mph. Cosmetic damage to my rear bumper is not that bad and because of that I am considering to let the other person get away without making claims to his ...
- 463
7
votes
1
answer
2k
views
How are fuel injectors controlled?
I took the fuel injectors off of a wrecked Volvo 850 GLT 1996. I was testing them to see if they still worked by simply supplying voltage to them, and they do. I noticed that when I increase or ...
- 251
7
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Is my Paint damaged beyond repair?
I've just bought my first car (used) and noticed that there appears to be a significant chip to the paintwork on the roof.
Can anybody explain the level of damage there is to the paint?
Will the ...
- 203
7
votes
1
answer
15k
views
I drove with the handbrake on for 1000 metres
I left my handbrake on for about 1000 meter when driving this winter. I smelled something burning when I opened the front door.
Since then there is often a burning smell back right wheel after ...
- 71
7
votes
3
answers
7k
views
Motorcycle randomly loses power
I have a single cylinder, 200cc, carbureted, 5 speed, 12V, 2006 Lifan LF 200 motorcycle that typically runs fine. It will sometimes randomly lose power and I cannot get it to go above 25 mph. When ...
- 171
7
votes
2
answers
4k
views
What repairs can a garage do without asking for permission if the car is in for MOT and service?
I recently sent my car to the garage for its MOT and service. It's a 1999 Nissan Almera so I wasn't expecting it to pass without some work being done to it.
However, when I got the invoice back it ...
- 171
7
votes
1
answer
1k
views
How can I repair this cracked plastic caravan skylight?
We purchased a retro 1970s Viking fibreline caravan on Saturday and promptly pushed it into our carport. The crunching sounds alerted us to the height of the caravan and now I'm left with a skylight ...
- 191
7
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Is it possible to replace the I20 rear parking camera lens
Someone scratched my car's rear parking camera and broke the lens. However, the camera is still working fine. I'm thinking that the lens would be less expensive than filing an insurance claim, and I'd ...
- 179
6
votes
5
answers
21k
views
As a consumer, can you buy the "OEM service manual" for your car direct from the manufacturer?
I recently found out you can buy a repair manual for your specific car (in this case Haynes and the repair manual is specific your make/model but spans multiple years). When I went to my car's Haynes ...
- 416
6
votes
3
answers
631
views
A/C still malfunctions after repair. How concerned should I be?
The A/C compressor went out on my '05 Sienna.
I replaced the compressor but not the receiver/dryer and expansion valve.
Now the A/C is sort of working right: It has separate front/back controls. ...
- 247
6
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Mazda 2 engine fan starts after turning engine off
Apologies for some unclear terms, I have no idea how some of the components are correctly called in english.
I have a 2003 Mazda 2 DY gasoline with about 77k KM driven. Since a couple of months, the ...
- 185
6
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Shop replaced engine, blew about six weeks later
A local repair shop recently replaced the engine in my 06 Pontiac Solstice. They obtained a used engine from LKQ. I'm not sure how many miles the replacement engine had (unfortunately).
Wednesday ...
- 3,149
6
votes
2
answers
723
views
Holes in exhaust manifold
On a diesel tractor, the exhaust manifold has developed two holes, possibly from thin castings, and possibly from rust. The manifold is cast iron, and I would like to patch it. A local farmer tried ...
- 2,115
6
votes
1
answer
381
views
Cadillac CTS How to deal with water in spare wheel compartment
I live in UK and winter season is wet to say the least - I just found a swimming pool in the back on my Cadillac in spare wheel compartment. It's not to close to the edge but not to far ether.
The ...
6
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Paintless dent removal for old tank
Is there a way to remove dents like this on the right side of the image? I've seen suction tools but the reviews are bad. Any ideas?
- 141
6
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Torn metal found beneath oil filler cap, need help identifying part and severity
I was replacing the oil today when I noticed torn metal inside the engine -- never a good sign. This is a 2005 Pontiac Vibe 1ZZ-FE, on which there is a lot of documentation but none proved useful to ...
- 91
6
votes
1
answer
117
views
Identify parts I need from a supplier catalog
I'm French and I own an old Volvo V70 car whose automatic gearbox sounds seriously tired.
In Europe an specially in France, automatic gearbox is not usual as it may be, say in USA, so it's not easy ...
- 195
6
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Is it possible to repair the lower engine cover assembly?
Has anyone ever successfully repair this part with epoxy, or a heat gun (melting the plastic) or anything that lasts? Mine is pretty screwed up, but it seems like a relatively insignificant part.
I ...
- 597