Auto Scene

10/01/2024

Drag race at another level. BMW is what again??

01/01/2024

What is wheel alignment and balancing?

25/12/2023

24/12/2023

Five most important car safety features you should know and have in your car 🚘.

23/12/2023

The Chassis, also known as 'Frame', is the foundation structure of any car that supports it from underneath. The purpose of the chassis is to bear the weight of the car in its idle and dynamic states. Like follow and share.

22/12/2023

The Power-Steering Pump

The power-steering pump pressurizes the hydraulic fluid that helps the driver turn the steering wheel. Signs of steering-pump failure include leaks, noises or decreased assistance while steering. The immediate loss of power assist is more likely a sign of a broken drive belt or the loss of steering fluid. Most vehicles employ this type of mechanical/ hydraulic power steering, but because their pumps rob power and efficiency even when the car isn’t turning, a small percentage of cars use an electric pump and many new vehicles now have electric power assist.

Signs of a bad power steering pump.

* There's a squealing sound when you start the car. ...
* There are groaning noises when you turn. ...
* The steering wheel is slow to respond. ...
* A stiff steering wheel. ...
* The level of power steering fluid is low. ...
* The power steering fluid is grey. Etc.

Types of power steering

* Hydraulic Power Steering: This type of power steering uses hydraulic fluid to assist the driver in turning the steering wheel. However, it places an additional load on the engine, potentially reducing fuel efficiency.
* Electric Power Steering: EPS, on the other hand, eliminates the need for hydraulic fluid, making it virtually maintenance-free and mechanically compact. EPS is believed to contribute to better fuel efficiency in vehicles.
* Hybrid Power Steering: Hybrid power steering systems combine the advantages of both hydraulic and electric power steering.

How to Maintain Power Steering for Comfort and Durability
When your power steering system is damaged, it often manifests as a heavy or stiff steering wheel, which can significantly affect driving comfort. So, how can you maintain it properly? Here are some tips:

1. Regularly check the steering fluid
Power steering fluid lubricates and cools the power steering system. Ensure that the fluid level is always within the recommended range—neither too much nor too little. If it's low, add fluid as needed. If it's too high, have it adjusted at a service center.
2. Avoid forced steering
Steer gently, especially when making sharp turns. Avoid frequent maneuvers that cause the steering wheel to reach its maximum limit, either to the left or right. This can put excessive strain on the power steering pump and lead to rapid wear.
3. Steer clear of puddles
Avoid driving through deep puddles, as they can damage the power steering system. If you must navigate through standing water, do so cautiously and keep your speed in check.
4. Inspect rack steer boots for tears
Check the rubber rack steer boots regularly and ensure they're in good condition without any tears. Damaged boots can allow water, dust, and dirt to enter the power steering system, potentially causing rust on the steering shaft. Cleaning the power steering system periodically helps protect it from small particles that can harm it.
5. Maintain a healthy battery
Electric power steering relies on a stable and strong electrical supply. Ensure your vehicle's battery is in good condition to ensure the power steering functions correctly. If the battery weakens, you may notice the steering wheel becoming heavier than usual. Neglecting this issue can eventually damage the EPS components.
6. Avoid steering while stationary
Refrain from turning the steering wheel when your car is stationary, as it can strain the electric power steering system. Park your vehicle with the wheels straight whenever possible.
7. Regularly inspect the drive belt
The drive belt powers the power steering pump and ensures its proper function. Loose or worn-out drive belts can disrupt fluid flow and affect power steering performance. Periodically check the belt's tension and look for signs of wear or cracks. If your vehicle uses hydraulic power steering, ensure that the power steering pump belt is in good condition to prevent it from snapping.
8. Scheduled power steering system check during service

18/12/2023

A tappet is a valve train component which converts rotating motion into linear motion in activating a valve. It is most commonly found in internal combustion engines, which converts the rotating motion of the camshaft into linear motion of intake and exhaust valves, either directly or indirectly. Follow, Like and share this video

17/12/2023

Blocking smoothing…

16/12/2023

The intake manifold is the part of an engine that supplies fresh air to the cylinders. It works with the air intake, throttle body, air filter, and fuel delivery system to ensure the proper mixture of air and fuel is being burned by the engine. If your reusable air filter is clogged up with debris, it can mess up the air-fuel ratio and ensure your engine is not breathing properly.
In a fuel injected engine, the intake manifold's two main purposes are maintaining a high volume of air and distributing it equally between each cylinder. In carbureted engines, the intake manifold distributes the fuel/air mixture from the carburetor to the cylinders.

14/12/2023

Know your car dashboard signals icon. Mechanic Mike Auto Veteran

13/12/2023

What can cause difficulty in starting in a petrol engine? | Q&A
A hard start can result from various factors, such as a weak battery or a malfunctioning starter. However, if your vehicle struggles to start after a short period of rest, low fuel pressure is often to blame.
1. Weak or dead battery: A weak or dead battery can prevent the engine from starting.
2. Faulty starter motor: If the starter motor fails or is malfunctioning, it may not be able to turn the engine over.
3. Clogged fuel filter: A clogged fuel filter can prevent fuel from reaching the engine, making it difficult to start.
4. Malfunctioning fuel pump: If the fuel pump is not delivering enough fuel or fails to work entirely, the engine may not start.
5. Faulty ignition system: A faulty ignition system can prevent the spark plugs from firing, which can make it difficult to start the engine.
6. Worn-out spark plugs: Worn-out spark plugs may not produce enough spark to ignite the fuel in the engine, making it difficult to start.
7. Bad fuel quality: Poor quality fuel or contaminated fuel can prevent the engine from starting.
8. Issues with the fuel injectors or carburetor: Issues with the fuel injectors or carburetor can affect the air/fuel mixture and make it difficult to start the engine.

Like and share and drop your comments. Mechanic Mike King Tunde Ednut News

10/12/2023

The ABS warning ⛔️ light!

05/12/2023

Car Overheating Causes, Effects, Diagnosis, & Solutions

While you can manage to drive with some problems in your vehicles for an extended period, car engine overheating isn’t one of them. Driving with an engine overheating is a quick way of sending your engine to a junkyard. That’s why it’s crucial to identify and rectify any engine overheating issues before hitting the road.

In this article, I’ll explain what causes a car to overheat while driving and the possible solutions. You’ll also learn how to diagnose overheating engines. By the end of this article, you will know the possible car overheating causes and the best solutions. But first, let’s see the reasons why a car overheats in the first place.

*What Are 10 Common Causes Of Overheating.

The most common reasons for a car engine overheating are low engine coolant, a faulty thermostat, coolant leaks, radiator problems, a failing water pump, and a lousy engine cooling fan. However, there are other possible causes, such as air pockets in the coolant, low coolant pressure, and low engine oil.

Let’s look at these possible engine overheating causes one after the other for a clear understanding of how they affect the engine temperature.

01. Low engine coolant or no coolant
The primary role of an engine coolant is to cool down the engine. So, in reality, if there’s low or no engine coolant, it’ll cause the engine temperature to rise more than it should and cause overheating. If your engine coolant is going down regularly, you need to check where the coolant is going.

However, there’s a normal coolant loss. This implies that your engine coolant will reduce over time, but not regularly.

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02. Faulty thermostat
The thermostat allows the engine coolant to travel from the radiator to the engine. The thermostat stays closed when the engine is cool and opens when the engine gets to the average operating temperature. In other words, the primary function of the thermostat is to allow the engine get to the average operating temperature and prevent it from overheating. If it’s stuck closed, the engine will overheat.

03. Lousy water pump
As the thermostat allows the coolant into the engine, the water pump circulates the coolant to every part of the engine that needs it. If it fails, the coolant will stay stagnant in the engine, which will invariably cause engine overheating. While a bad water pump will cause engine overheating, it’s essential to note that it doesn’t fail that easily.

04. Coolant leaks
Coolant leaks can be internal or external. External leaks happen when the coolant is leaking out of the system, while internal leaks occur when the coolant leaks into other parts of the engine or when something leaks into the coolant.

For instance, oil in coolant and coolant in oil are examples of internal leaks. If oil enters the coolant, it won’t cool the engine as it should until you identify and fix the problem. On the other hand, external leaks will either cause low or no coolant in the radiator.

05. Damaged or clogged radiator
The radiator sends cool coolant to the engine and receives hot one from the engine. As the hot coolant enters the radiator, it flows through the radiator fins, which cools the coolant before sending it back to the engine. If these fins are damaged or clogged, the radiator won’t be able to cool the hot coolant before sending it back to the engine. This will invariably cause the engine to overheat.

06. Damaged engine coolant fan
The engine coolant fan blows breeze on the radiator fins to dissipate heat from the hot coolant running through it. The fan is more important when the car is idling. So, if your car only overheats when idling, you have a damaged coolant fan.

07. Defective temperature sensor
An electric coolant fan works in harmony with the temp sensor. The sensor sends power to the fan when the engine reaches a certain temperature to help the engine maintain an optimal temperature. If the temp sensor becomes faulty, it won’t send the electric flow needed to power the fan, causing the engine to overheat.

08. Air pockets
It is essential to flush your engine coolant, but what’s more important is ensuring there’s no air pocket in the system. Air pockets can jam up the entire cooling system, and there won’t be any coolant flow. Hence, it is crucial to follow the instructions in your owner’s booklet when flushing your coolant. However, air can enter the system through a faulty radiator cap or a blown head gasket.

09. Low engine oil
Low engine coolant is another cause of engine overheating. Oh yes! Read that again. The engine oil does not only lubricate the internal reciprocating engine parts. It also helps in cooling the engine.

Without the motor oil, there will be too much friction in the engine, which will increase the temperature. If the engine temp gets too high, the engine will overheat. However, it is rare to see overheating due to low engine oil.

10. Faulty hoses or belts
You can trace back engine overheating but coolant full to faulty horse or drive belt. The drive belts and hoses are crucial to the charging, air conditioning, and cooling systems.

The drive belt transmits the engine power to the alternator, cooling fan, power steering pump, and compressor. On the other hand, the heater core and radiator hoses convey engine coolant to and from the heater core, radiator, and engine. If the belt that connects to the water pump and the engine fan is faulty or the radiator hose is bad, it’ll cause the engine to overheat.

temporary fix for overheating car

What should you do if your Car Engine Overheating?
Your car is overheating, and now what? Here are temporary fixes for overheating cars. These will help you prevent further damage to the engine.

Turn off the air conditioner. This will help relieve the extra strain on the engine.
Turn on the car heater. Yeah! Turn it on. You’ll reduce the overheating by diverting the heat away from the engine.
Locate a safe place, pull over, and shut off the vehicle.
Allow the engine to sit for 30 minutes to cool down.
Check the radiator fluid and see if it is well-gauged. If it is not, top it as needed.
Check if there’s any coolant leak and ensure the fan is coming on
Drive down to a repair shop while keeping your eye on the dashboard.

Effects of an overheating engine
Engine overheating is the quickest way to damage your engine. Severe engine overheating can cause pistons and cylinders to warp, deform, or bend. This will damage the seals between the engine and the cylinder walls, causing oil to creep into the combustion chamber and burn along with the fuel.

Warped pistons or cylinder walls also cause grinding, whining, knocking, and other terrible noise from the engine. The engine performance will greatly reduce. In a worst-case scenario, the warped pistons will break and cause engine seizure.

How to Diagnose Overheating Engine?
Since there are different overheating engine causes, there are also various steps in diagnosing an overheating engine.

Step 1: Inspect the radiator cap and the coolant level
Park the vehicle on a leveled surface and let the engine cool for at least 3o minutes. After that, remove the radiator cap and check the coolant level. The coolant in the radiator should be filled to the brim. If it is not, add more coolant.

Inspect the radiator cap for rust, corrosion, and visible damage. Replace the cap if it is faulty. If you find any other issues during this step, fix them.

Here’s a pro tip; test the vehicle after fixing one issue. If you test it after fixing two or more issues, you won’t know the exact problem.

Step 2: check for leaks
With the radiator filled up, turn on the vehicle and inspect for leaks. If you notice any coolant leak, trace it to where it is coming from. Examine the cooling system components thoroughly. The leak can be coming from more than one place.

Step 3: Check the engine fan
While the engine is running, check if the coolant fan is spinning. On some vehicles, the fan will not rotate until the engine reaches an average operating temperature. Ensure you turn off all the climate controls. Sometimes, leaving the climate controls on will bypass the relay trigger, which is what you are checking.

Wait for the fan to kick in. If the fan doesn’t come up and the engine starts overheating, you either have a broken fan or a faulty relay that controls it.

Let’s narrow down the problem to see if the fan or the relay is damaged. Get two wires and connect the ends to the two pins on the fan. Connect the other ends of the wires to the positive and negative battery terminals. The fan is good if it spins. If it turns, then the relay is bad. If it doesn’t, you have a broken cooling fan.

Step 4: Examine the drive belt
Sometimes, the drive belt can snap off even without you noticing. Check if the belt is still there. If the belt responsible for turning the water pump breaks, the pump cannot circulate coolant to the engine parts. This will cause the engine to overheat more than you can imagine.

If the belt is there, check and ensure it is tight. And if the belt is loose, adjust the tension through the belt adjuster.

Step 5: Burp the cooling system
If air pockets are in the radiator, the only feasible solution is to burp the system. You’ll need the recommended coolant for your vehicle and a spill-free funnel. Connect the spill-free funnel and start the car to let the air bubbles rise and get out of the radiator.

The funnel comes with various attachments. Carefully read the manual that comes with it and follow the instructions.

Having seen diagnosing procedures, let’s see how to fix overheating cars.

How do you fix a car engine that gets overheated?
After diagnosing the vehicle, you will need to do one or more of the following to fix an overheating car engine.

Top the engine coolant
Fix coolant leak
Replace lousy radiator fan
Replace bad thermostat
Flush the engine coolant
Unclog the radiator
Replace faulty water pump
Replace the damaged temperature sensor
Burp the radiator
Change a blown head gasket.
But in reality, can an engine survive overheating? The simple answer is yes. If you notice and fix the engine overheating at the early stage, it won’t do much harm to the car engine.

How do you Avoid unexpected Car overheating?
Prevention is better than cure. And in most cases, it is better to take preventive measures than to fix a problem. Here are my pro tips to prevent a car from overheating.

Regularly check the coolant level and top it when needed
Periodically check the drive belts, hoses, and cooling fan
Cultivate the habit of flushing the radiator periodically
Keep your eye on the dashboard while driving
Schedule regular maintenance.
How much does it cost to fix an overheated car Engine?
The cause of fixing engine overheating could be dependent on the level of damage and what components are faulty.

However, since several issues can cause engine overheating, it’s challenging to give the exact repair cost. Aside from the root cause of the overheating, your car’s makes and models play a huge role in determining the actual repair cost.

Final Words
Car overheating is one of the most severe engine problems you shouldn’t play with. Most times, car overheating causes could be as simple as a coolant leak due to a loose hose or low engine coolant. If you ignore the root cause for long, it’ll cause catastrophic damages and costly repair costs. So, always pull over to a safe spot once you notice the temperature gauge is rising on the dashboard. Then, follow the guidelines above on what to do when your engine overheats.

A radiator enables you to have a smooth driving experience. There are various types of radiators made of different materials, but the best of them are aluminum radiators. The best aluminum radiator...

Thanks for reading , please share, like and follow.

04/12/2023

30/11/2023

30/11/2023

28/11/2023

26/11/2023

26/11/2023

How Engine works.

25/11/2023

Understanding the Oxygen Sensor: How It Works and Its Benefits
The oxygen sensor, a vital component in modern vehicles, measures the oxygen levels in the exhaust gases. It helps ensure optimal fuel-air mixture, improves fuel efficiency, reduces emissions, and aids in engine performance and longevity.

An oxygen sensor is a small electronic device that is typically located in the exhaust system of a car. It measures the amount of oxygen present in the exhaust gases and sends this information to the engine's control module. Here's how it works and its benefits:

How an Oxygen Sensor works:
- The oxygen sensor generates a small voltage when it is exposed to oxygen in the exhaust gases.
- The engine control module (ECM) reads this voltage to determine the air/fuel ratio and adjusts the fuel injection accordingly.
- The oxygen sensor constantly monitors the air/fuel ratio to ensure optimal performance and fuel efficiency.
Benefits of an Oxygen Sensor:
- Improved fuel efficiency: The oxygen sensor helps the engine adjust its fuel injection to achieve a more optimal air/fuel ratio, resulting in improved fuel economy.
- Reduced emissions: By ensuring that the air/fuel ratio is optimal, the oxygen sensor helps reduce harmful emissions from the exhaust.
- Improved engine performance: A faulty oxygen sensor can cause a range of engine problems, including reduced power, decreased fuel efficiency, and increased emissions. By ensuring the oxygen sensor is working correctly, the engine can operate more efficiently and effectively.
DTC codes:
- P0130: Oxygen Sensor Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1 Sensor 1)

- P0131: Oxygen Sensor Circuit Low Voltage (Bank 1 Sensor 1)

- P0132: Oxygen Sensor Circuit High Voltage (Bank 1 Sensor 1)

- P0133: Oxygen Sensor Circuit Slow Response (Bank 1 Sensor 1)

- P0134: Oxygen Sensor Circuit No Activity Detected (Bank 1 Sensor 1)

- P0135: Oxygen Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1 Sensor 1)

- P0150: Oxygen Sensor Circuit Malfunction (Bank 2 Sensor 1)

- P0151: Oxygen Sensor Circuit Low Voltage (Bank 2 Sensor 1)

- P0152: Oxygen Sensor Circuit High Voltage (Bank 2 Sensor 1)

- P0153: Oxygen Sensor Circuit Slow Response (Bank 2 Sensor 1)

- P0154: Oxygen Sensor Circuit No Activity Detected (Bank 2 Sensor 1)

- P0155: Oxygen Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 2 Sensor 1)

The oxygen sensor is a critical component of a car's engine management system. It helps to ensure that the engine is operating at peak performance, while also reducing harmful emissions and improving fuel efficiency. Regular maintenance of the oxygen sensor is important to ensure it continues to function correctly and to prevent issues with the engine's performance. By understanding how the oxygen sensor works and its benefits, car owners can appreciate the important role it plays in their vehicle's overall performance.

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25/11/2023

How Long Can You Go Without An Oil Change?
So how long can you go past your oil change? Well, that largely depends on several factors. Here’s where we take a closer look at the oil change intervals.

Changing Oil For Older Cars: If you have an older car, you might need to change the oil based on how you drive the car in regular operation and how you drive it when you task it a lot more. Your car can be considered “tasked” when you use it for short trips that include stop-and-go driving for sustained periods. Other instances include when you drive in extreme weather conditions or use it for heavy haulage.

Naturally, you’d need to change your oil a lot more frequently if you task it a lot. We suggest that you should not let an older car used for heavy-duty stay for more than 3,000 miles.

Changing Oil for Newer Cars: As for newer cars, there come with oil-life monitoring systems that know when you should change your oil. Some systems use time and mileage, while others use the driving conditions to detect when the oil starts to degrade.

Regardless of the oil monitoring system, you get a prompt on the dashboard when it is time to change the oil. So it is a lot more straightforward as to how long your car should stay without an oil change with newer cars. Once you get an alert for an oil change, delaying an oil means you are risking damage to your engine and increasing the possibility of costly repairs.

That said, the time intervals are also affected by the oil technology. How long can I go without an oil change synthetic? Engines that use synthetic oil are known to go for as long as 15,000 miles between oil changes depending on the age of the car and driving habits.

can you change oil too often
FAQS:
Q: How Many Miles Is It Safe To Go Over Your Oil Change?
Years back it was believed in the automotive space that oil changes had to be implemented every 3,000 miles. The emergence of modern lubricants and improved engine designs have changed all that. It is common to see cars that go between 5,000 to 7,500 miles without an oil change.

It is even more interesting with car engines that use full-synthetic motor oil; Those engines can go for as long as 15,000 miles without needing an oil change. You’d be surprised at the answer to an internet search on the question “how long can a honda go without an oil change.”

Q: What Happens If You Go Too Long Without An Oil Change?
Going too long without an oil change increases the risk of destroying your engine and incurring huge repair costs. Here is why. Engine absorbs debris and dirt, which causes it to degrade into sludge. Once it gets to this form, the oil no longer draws heat from the engine, and this causes the engine to overheat, seize up or even blow a gasket. Overheating can also distort some of the metal parts of your engine. So is it bad to go 2000 miles over oil change? Not necessarily. Some cars are built to go even longer with fully synthetic oil. However, why increase the risk of engine damage?

Q: How Many Months Can You Go Without An Oil Change?
That depends on the car’s age, the driving habits/conditions it is involved in, and the car’s makes. Once upon a time, it used to after three months. The evolution of car engines and oil technology has changed all that because we now have cars staying for much longer before needing oil changes. Heck, even car manufacturers recommend a six-month interval while others suggest longer periods.

Q: Can You Go a Year Without An Oil Change?
No. Even if you didn’t get to put many miles on the car. The thing is, if you delay oil change, the engine oil can go bad after sitting idle in a car engine. Once it has degraded, it becomes a bad idea to use this oil in your vehicle. So there is no way for your engine to function optimally without changing the engine oil.

Q: Can I Drive My Car When It Needs An Oil Change?
Yes, you can. Your car engine can perform well when it needs an oil change, even if you have exceeded the recommended interval for an oil change. You can even go 1000 miles over oil change. The catch is that with each mile that you drive your car after it becomes clear that you need an oil change, you are increasing the risk of engine damage and reduced vehicle efficiency.

Q: Does Oil Go Bad Sitting In An Engine?
Your motor oil can go bad sitting in the engine. Like most automotive products, engine oil can only last for a stipulated period. Once that period has lapsed, the oil goes bad by sitting in the engine. What happens is that it loses some of its viscosity and ability to provide proper lubrication to the components of your car engine.

Q: Should You Change Your Oil Every 3 Months?
It depends on several factors, top of which are the driving conditions, the type of oil used, the make of the car, and how old the car is. It used to be that you had to change your oil after every three months. However, automotive advancements have changed all that as there are now car engines that stay longer than that.

Final Words
Engine oil is vital to the optimal operations of any car engine. It provides lubrication, reduces the engine’s temperature, improves fuel consumption, and enhances engine longevity. If you don’t change the oil you could cause problems like engine failure, reduced engine performance, and possible loss of vehicle warranty. So how long can you go without an oil change?

Well, we recommend that you get an oil change as soon as a few thousand miles or as soon as the indicators on your dashboard alert you to that need. Better still, we recommend that you adhere to the manufacturer’s recommendations in the car owner’s manual.

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