Difference between revisions of "General maintenance"

Latest revision as of 08:31, 9 July 2018

Back to main mod page

Introduction
OK, so technically this isn't a mod.

But it must be said that the starting point for an efficient vehicle is one that's maintained in good condition. There's little point in building on a weak foundation.

Particularly if you're driving an older vehicle, there are a number of maintenance items that should be checked to ensure you're starting from the best possible position.

Instructions for mod

Check for any of the following

- missing or defective thermostat, causing low operating temperature

- clogged intake manifold exhaust crossover passage (for heating intake manifold)

- engine misfire caused by bad spark plug, ignition wire, coil, dist. cap or rotor

- late ignition timing

- bad vacuum advance unit (common in old cars)

- stuck centrifugal advance mechanism in distributor (needs oil occasionally)

- bad tension adjustment of centrifugal advance springs

- defective oxygen sensor (causes rich mixture)

- defective coolant temp. sensor for engine computer (causes rich mixture)

- worn timing belt (may cause rich fuel mixture in fuel injected cars with a MAP sensor)

- incorrect timing belt installation (timing marks should line up)

- sticking or poorly adjusted carburetor choke (causes rich mixture)

- dirty air filter on an engine with a carburetor (causes rich mixture at high power)

- clogged or defective PCV valve

- incorrect valve clearance (especially if too tight)

- high performance camshaft installed (not efficient at low power)

- worn valve guides (makes fuel mixture too lean at low power)

- vacuum leak from bad vacuum hoses or intake system gaskets (causes lean mixture)

- dirty fuel injectors

- bad fuel pressure regulator

- bad MAP sensor for fuel injection

- leaking intake duct between air flow sensor and throttle body

- too much alcohol in gasoline with old car (requires carb. modification for correct mixture)

- rusted or missing exhaust heat stove or pipe for heated air intake

- loss of compression pressure due to worn rings or leaking valves

- sticking EGR valve (causes rough idling and rich mixture on some engines)

- exhaust backpressure caused by clogged catalytic converter, muffler or crushed pipe

- stuck exhaust manifold valve for some V type engines. Intended for fast warm up.

More engine problems:

- high idle speed

- high fast idle speed when cold

- incorrect idle mixture adjustment (carburetor or fuel injection)

- leaking fuel line or carburetor (dangerous too)

- clogged jets (calibrated holes) inside carburetor

- defective power valve in carburetor

- worn camshaft lobes

- high alternator voltage (should be about 14 volts when warm)

- high oil level (interferes with crankshaft movement)

- high oil pressure (relief valve stuck or has wrong spring)

- stuck cooling fan clutch (runs fan when not needed)

Problems that increase rolling resistance:

- sticking disk brake calipers

- tight drum brake adjustment

- warped brake rotor or drum

- sticking parking brake cable

- incorrect wheel alignment, front or rear (check tire wear)

- worn suspension joints (ball joints, steering joints)

- worn control arm bushings (changes wheel alignment)

- worn or incorrectly adjusted wheel bearings

- leaking grease seals for wheel bearings

- use of snow tires when not needed

- leaking tires, causing loss of pressure

- warped tires

- bent rims, causing car to shake

- poor wheel balance, causing shaking at high speeds

- worn shocks or springs (forces driver to brake more)

Automatic transmission problems:

- wrong fluid level

- incorrect throttle valve cable adjustment

- bad vacuum modulator or vacuum hose to modulator

- sticking valves in valve body, causing delayed shifts; changing transmission fluid may help

- failure of torque converter to lock up (if equipped with lock-up torque converter); it should engage at 30-55 MPH, reducing engine speed about 10%

- stuck stator clutch in torque converter

Manual transmission problems:

- wrong fluid level

- excessive oil viscosity

- bad bearings

- failure to engage one or more gears

Differential problems:

- wrong fluid level

- excessive oil viscosity

- bad bearings

- high ratio ring and pinion gear set installed for racing

User experiences

Please enter your user name and any relevant data in the table

Problems / Consequences of mod

Information required: What are the consequences of the mod, Eg: drivability issue, stalling, engine wear,

References

Forum thread links

List of common mechanical problems that hurt fuel economy

External links