13
votes
Accepted
How long should I wait for engine to cool down before I can check coolant?
The exact time taken depends upon various factors:
The ambient temperature
The amount of heat insulation in the engine bay
Volume of coolant in the engine
How hot the engine got while driving
...
- 9,989
12
votes
Accepted
Keeping track of removed screws?
This is the sort of thing where one should let common sense prevail¹.
Based on my experience, a thorough job will keep track of the following aspects:
storage - ensuring that the part isn't ...
- 39.1k
11
votes
Accepted
Are there requirements for building a car-PC and it's software?
There is legislation known as "E-Mark" that pertains to electronic devices that are permanently installed in a vehicle. This car PC manufacturer is UK based and has a great description of ...
- 13.3k
10
votes
Accepted
How to use an engine stand
You will need to either reuse the bolts that attach the gearbox (transmission) to the engine, or if these are the wrong length buy some new bolts with the same thread pitch but at the correct length. ...
- 1,698
10
votes
Are there requirements for building a car-PC and it's software?
My 2012 Volkswagen Golf has an RCD510 multimedia unit which features a touch screen, card slot, USB connector, bluetooth and six disc drive, integrated front and rear parking sensors. I know that ...
- 23.5k
10
votes
Accepted
How to recharge my A/C
First, a word of warning. To do it right (and not waste expensive refrigerant, or risk ruining your A/C compressor), you'll have to get a few pieces of equipment. If you're just going to do this ...
- 1,364
9
votes
Keeping track of removed screws?
One trick I've used before is to draw an outline of the part on a sheet of paper, then push the screws/bolts through the paper in the right places - this does both the association with the part and ...
- 28.7k
8
votes
Are there requirements for building a car-PC and it's software?
This article speaks to how Android Auto complies with regulations:
Google built Android Auto so that it complies with recognized
automobile safety standards, including the National Highway ...
- 2,567
7
votes
What happened to the paint on my 2014 Toyota Prius V? Is there a way I can DIY repair it?
It looks like typical Toyota paint to me. The paint is delaminating from the soft bumper. You can paint this yourself, but you'd need a paint gun, compressor, special tools, and some understanding of ...
- 153k
6
votes
Accepted
I'm a DIY motorbike mechanic- want to become a DIY car mechanic
1) can I easily transfer my skills to being a DIY car mechanic? I've just bought my first car- and so I've never worked with cars before. The basics are pretty much the same aren't they? The gearbox ...
5
votes
Accepted
What battery should I buy for my vehicle?
There are a number of ways to go about purchasing a new battery for the vehicle. Easiest way would be to find the part number and see if any of the local parts stores have the same part number or can ...
- 306
5
votes
Accepted
Is there any car that comes from factory with a integrated dashcam?
One notable option for an integrated dash cam is the new C7 Corvette. As a dealer installed option, you can get a complete Performance Data Recorder (PDR) that includes a dash cam:
The PDR records ...
- 13.3k
5
votes
I'm a DIY motorbike mechanic- want to become a DIY car mechanic
Yes your skills are transferable. If you are so inclined get a couple of academic text books from a library and look through them. It will help you understand the differences in the systems.
Your ...
- 2,115
5
votes
How long should I wait for engine to cool down before I can check coolant?
If you have any doubts, don't do any of this, just wait til the system is cool to the touch. Steam is extremely dangerous!
With that said, you can open the system a lot sooner than a matter of hours, ...
5
votes
Accepted
2002 Ford Escape: Flushed system, new compressor, topped off with oil and coolant, still not blowing cold air
Vacuuming the system isn't a "do if you want to" ... it is a must do if you want the system to work. There are two reasons to vacuum the system before entering refrigerant. First, it gets ...
- 153k
4
votes
As a consumer, can you buy the "OEM service manual" for your car direct from the manufacturer?
I'm not sure that you can purchase one from the manufacturer, but you can purchase them from Helminc.com without issue for many brands (but mostly American). I purchased two different ones from here, ...
- 153k
4
votes
Why do the batteries on some cars need to be hot-swapped?
We use this type tool. It plugs into the ODBII port. There are many memorized settings that can be lost. The most troublesome are radio security codes and luxury cars with driver preference settings, ...
- 11.6k
4
votes
Accepted
Is it possible to know if a screw hole needs to be re-threaded?
Clean the hole up as best you can and get lots of light on the scene. Try screwing a bolt into it and seeing if it bites and tightens up properly (obviously one with the right thread pitch). If it ...
- 23.5k
4
votes
Is it possible to know if a screw hole needs to be re-threaded?
"Stripped" means the threads are damaged. Re-threading (using a tap) cuts new threads, and cutting new threads out of damaged threads in a hole that is probably too big will not make it any better.
I'...
- 41
4
votes
Effectively planning and seeing a DIY project through to completion
TL DR;
Project Management techniques in use today are difficult to apply directly to something as small as fixing one car.
Project management is a term used to refer to a number of different ...
- 1,646
4
votes
How can I re-attach rear muffler pipe to muffler body
What you are looking for can be found by googling "exhuast repair kit." It's essentially a sleeve with 2 clamps that you fit over or under (depending on the design) your affected exhaust ...
- 1,646
4
votes
Accepted
Homemade 'Car' Vehical
There's 2 things to consider when attempting what you are considering to do:
Make it road legal: that means 3 things.
a) First, it must conform to the minimum equipment list of your jurisdiction ...
- 12.2k
3
votes
Accepted
What options are there to minimize thread corrosion in rust-prone applications?
First one that comes to mind is anti-seize compound. Some are a mix of aluminum, copper, and graphite lubricant. I use this all the time on my lugs nuts (2000 Toyota Camry with steel wheels) and it ...
- 9,326
3
votes
Accepted
Can I buy a used car to learn auto repair & DIY?
I think there are better ways to learn, rather than going into the expense of a used car, unless you get it for free. If you get a lemon you will end up getting even more frustrated because repairs ...
- 1,154
3
votes
Ferrari 3.0L V8 - muffler positioning, and x-flow for specific sound
Ferrari V8's have flat-plane crankshafts, which should already give yours a very distinctive exhaust note that I believe is what you're referring to as "rasp".
As such, I don't think a cross-pipe is ...
- 39.1k
3
votes
As a consumer, can you buy the "OEM service manual" for your car direct from the manufacturer?
For a Toyota, you can get the same service manuals that the dealers use, manuals produced by Toyota, online: https://techinfo.toyota.com/
3
votes
Programmatically defrost car windows?
The most convenient solutions are an electric engine block heater (as @mikes mentioned) or a petrol/diesel powered stationary heater. The latter is expensive, but generally more powerful than a block ...
- 4,422
3
votes
Effectively planning and seeing a DIY project through to completion
From my own personal experiences:
Damaged a thermostat gasket that was seized on while try to remove a stuck-open thermostat; learnt that the replacement part was at least 2 weeks away after the ...
- 39.1k
3
votes
Effectively planning and seeing a DIY project through to completion
I do a lot for DIY, from mechanics to woodworking to building to whatever gets in the middle of my path :) and by my experience I can resume:
Never assume more tasks you can handle: if you see you ...
- 3,336
3
votes
I'm a DIY motorbike mechanic- want to become a DIY car mechanic
I made a similar decision to maintain my own car after inheriting a car hoist. I have zero background in mechanical things other than push bikes... but I have the DIY desire, hence trying to fix ...
- 905
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible