37
votes
Accepted
what is round cylinder on top of classic car engine
You're talking about a classic air filter housing.
Older style air filters were round in shape and sat inside a round metal enclosure.
This is a Holden straight 6 from the 80s, where the air filter ...
- 1,096
21
votes
Accepted
What is the purpose of this black plastic loop around rim spokes?
The wheel trim that it is holding on is likely damaged, so a previous owner has added the cable/zip tie to stop it falling off. The damage may not be visible from the outside. There are plastic tabs ...
- 23.9k
13
votes
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What is this thing hanging from a wire from the front headliner at the top of the windshield?
Figured out it (thanks to a shove in the right direction by @mikes): It's the remote engine start accessory's antenna.
I didn't think of it when I was asked if I had "add-ons" because it's an ...
- 511
10
votes
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Purpose of highlighted mirrors in trucks
They provide the driver with coverage of two significant blind spots. Especially in cities, there are numerous accidents with cyclists, pedestrians or even small cars being in that blind spot and ...
- 18.6k
10
votes
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What is this box next to my car's battery?
That is your diagnostic connector. You will need a Mercedes-specific tool to read trouble codes stored by the computer.
- 12.2k
10
votes
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Purpose of small forward-facing deflectors in front of rear wheels
These are called wheel flaps or sometimes wheel spats and on some cars you see them on the front wheels too.
The purpose is just as you have noted, aerodynamics. The leading edge of the tires is a ...
- 12k
9
votes
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Discerning a component of a motorcycle
According to this https://www.yamahamotorcyclespares.co.uk/genuineparts/13208/8/yamaha%20xj6n/oil%20cleaner?uid=0 parts manual (image not copied to protect copyright) its the oil cooler assembly.
...
- 2,655
9
votes
What's this part? Hanging from left rear of Subaru 99 legacy.
It's the EVAP vent solenoid. And I think you mean right rear.
- 10.7k
9
votes
What is this solid electric component with three poles in a classic 50's car?
Looks like a 3 terminal relay (or isolation solenoid). The metal frame is Ground. The large lugs are Battery IN, Battery OUT and the small lug is for RUN or possibly CRANK.
Not sure what they are used ...
- 3,790
8
votes
Which 18-pin automotive connector is this?
It seems that this is one of Delphi's own proprietary connectors - it's not a Tyco one.
From a cursory search, the mating connector appears to be "Delphi 13658062". However there is no datasheet for ...
- 181
8
votes
Accepted
What is this U shaped tube sticking off the intake hose?
It's a silencer. It's used on the intake tract to deaden the noise of the air as it goes through the intake. It usually isn't needed, but if taken off, you'll need to ensure the hole is completely ...
- 152k
8
votes
Accepted
What is the name for the spoiler above the cabin of a semi?
It's most typically called a wind deflector. You can see it listed as such on this website. It can also be called a cab air deflector or even an air foil.
- 152k
8
votes
What is the name for the spoiler above the cabin of a semi?
That part is known as either a wind deflector or a Roof Fairing. I believe the latter is the correct technical term.
To satisfy your curiosity about the other parts as well. I know it is a little ...
- 3,917
8
votes
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This part fell from my car when driving - any idea what it is?
2nd that; its a catalytic heat shield.
Now your catalytic convertor will be able to ignite grass fires when parked more easily.
- 94
7
votes
Missing part on '87 Ninja 600R
There is a hose that connects your air box to this
As stated in comments, this is connection point for a PCV hose. The hose connects to the bottom of your air box that attaches to your carburetors.
...
- 32.9k
7
votes
Coolant Flange - What is it really called?
tl;dr: it's really called a coolant flange.
I had also never heard of a coolant flange but it turns out that it's a real part and, based on the video, it's a part that fails around 120K miles (which ...
- 24.3k
7
votes
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What is the difference between an inner tail light assembly and an outer tail light assembly?
The tail lights on this car look like:
(image source)
The outer assembly is the one on the quarter panel:
The inner assembly is the one on the trunk:
I'm 99% sure of this, but note that it is the ...
- 4,900
7
votes
why does the VW dealers in NA have a different battery than OEM?
When I worked for BMW NA, I was the 'Merican engineer responsible for batteries, start, and charging systems on BMW vehicles stateside from about 1990-95.
There was some bean-counter thing that also ...
- 12.4k
7
votes
Do month-year coloured dots on batteries signify install-by expiration date?
No, these are not sell-by dates or expiration dates. If batteries expired within a couple of months of manufacture, they'd be useless for their intended purpose. Getting a battery that's been ...
- 1,567
7
votes
Do month-year coloured dots on batteries signify install-by expiration date?
The "9/16" marker (at Walmart, at least) is the nominal date of manufacture - the actual date may be a few weeks earlier.
It's used for warranty replacements. Walmart batteries are often on a 3+2 ...
- 8,652
6
votes
Accepted
What is this in my 5.4 triton?
That is the anti lock brake module or ABS. While it is in you engine compartment it has nothing to do with the engine. The reason it has a 4x4 sticker on it is that ABS for 4x4 vehicles is slightly ...
- 16k
6
votes
Accepted
What is this lever?
I'm not positive, but it looks like a vent actuator. In most older vehicles there were manual vents down in the foot well area of the passenger cabin. You'd have to reach down to actuate it by pulling/...
- 152k
6
votes
What is this part?
I'd need exact details to confirm, but this should put you on the right track:
"Stopper, rear"
This genuine part fits your 2007 BMW 1 Series (E82,E88) 135i.
Stock Code 33316794866 ; 33316763411
...
- 12.4k
6
votes
Accepted
Small black box located under intake manifold
It's a vacuum canister, it holds vacuum so the EGR can operate smoothly.
Video of a guy talking us through the Subie's intake on his workbench
Video of the same guy talking us through the Subie's ...
- 12.2k
6
votes
What is this object
It's a damper, probably from a glove box door. Does your glove box open and close smoothly with a little resistance? Or does it just plop open when you pull the handle? If it plops open, that part is ...
- 1,134
6
votes
What is the purpose of this black plastic loop around rim spokes?
These cable ties are usually found on the cheaper plastic wheel trims as they can fly off. Some of the more expensive ones suffer from the springs and tabs getting bent when owners force them.
Seen ...
- 34.6k
5
votes
Accepted
What is the name and part number for the large splash-shield item under the engine?
That part is the "lower engine cover assembly":
Honda part number 74110-TR3-A20. The insert plates there are also available separately, the large part only seems to come as a full assembly:
Lower ...
- 4,900
5
votes
why does the VW dealers in NA have a different battery than OEM?
I think the focus of this question is an understanding of Volkswagen part numbers.
The Volkswagen part numbering scheme is fairly straight forward to understand once you know more about it. ...
- 23.4k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible