Saturday, June 30, 2012

Window Regulator Repair Cost


So how much would one pay to fix his car window? Replacing window components aren’t that much. But of course, you need to check first what the real problem is or what part of your window is defective. It may be the switch, window regulator, the rotor or the cable. In this article, we’ll discuss about the average cost of fixing a car window regulator. To distinguish it, one must first know if he has an automatic window regulator or the mechanical type.

For mechanical window regulator, one needs to manually turn a small knob to raise or lower the window. And since it does not require any electrical component or power to function, repairing is not costly. And if one knows how to remove the door in order to access and replace the window regulatorparts, the more one can save. But if not, you may need someone experienced to do it for you.

While the automatic window regulator utilizes an electrical mechanism to make use of the window that is operated by a switch. Since this type of regulator is functioned electrically, it may cost more than the replacement of mechanical window regulator. One will still need to take the door out and replace the whole component. But one should be careful in replacing it, the cable and wiring may gone bad if done wrong. So it is advised to allow mechanics to do this replacement. A wild estimate would be between $500-$1000.

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Locking Gas Cap


It was reported last 2008 that the sales of locking gas cap has been tripled. With the price of fuel rising up almost every week, there are bad people that are stealing fuel from other cars. So for this reason, car owners have to protect their ‘Liquid Gold’ from such illegal things.

Mainly a locking gas cap would protect your fuel tank and your fuel from being stolen or tampered with. But be careful when purchasing such gas caps. You may face problems with it especially if the gas cap isn’t compatible with your tank so you would need to be sure that the new cap has the same seals and responds to similar pressure circumstances as the stock one. Some drivers make their own gas caps but that is not really advisable to do. An aftermarket can work but you may still want to check if it works properly with your vehicle. You may save some cash with aftermarket caps, but it can give you headaches so investing with an OEM would allow you to be secure that your new cap is safe.

And a quick piece of advice for those drivers that are thinking of having a locking gas cap and for those that are already have one installed, make sure that you have the spare key inside your car just in case you lost the original key for your locking gas cap.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Purpose of a Coolant Overflow Tank


So what is the real purpose of a coolant overflow tank? Is it different with expansion tanks? Well, the true overflow tank is an add-on part that is mainly used with a conventional cooling system. This conventional cooling also includes radiator. So let me explain a bit of something I know. This cooling system is packed through the filler neck on the radiator and it must be filled with almost half inch to one inch below the bottom of the filler neck. Now, if that has been filled any higher, of course it will be full so the excess coolant will be then vented. Then the overflowing coolant is then expelled to either the atmosphere or into the coolant overflow tank. And if one can see it, the actual flow of excess coolant is on one direction only, and that is to the coolant overflow tank. Thus, an overflow tank provides us a catchment basin, but not like an extra coolant reservoir. The only think lacking is that the coolant in the overflow tank won’t pour back into the cooling system due to the reason that liquid can’t pour back from a lower pressure to a higher one. So I guess that’s about it. So if you are thinking of adding a coolant overflow tank, it’s not actually a waste of money.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Diagnosing Window Regulator Parts


Have you experienced a problem with your window recently? Trying to pull it down or up but to no avail? Now that is really a pain in the head. Some would hear the motor hum but the window wouldn’t go up or down. And most of the times, we would point that the switch is defective but there is a lot more to check before we can conclude that the switch is the culprit to your defective power window.

One of the things to check is the wire or cable attached to the motor and switch. And for you to check it, you would need to take off the door panel and remove the motor and track the window wires and cable. But because the cable is under tension within a spring mechanism, it is a bit hard, if not impossible to fix the cable itself. If the cable is fine, not broken or twisted, that it is just out of position, it would be possible to slide it back into the guides.

The other thing to check which in most cases the real problems is the window regulator. And if that is the case, it is most likely to be a replacement, not a repair. And be careful when buying replacement window regulator parts because a poor quality regulator assembly may just waste your money. Purchase an OEM regulator to save you the trouble of buying one again.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

What To Expect This Year From Jaguar?


This might not be new to those people that are present at last year’s Auto Show but nonetheless, I would want to share this for all car enthusiasts out there. And so to start, I would quote what the Global Brand Director of Jaguar cars had said.

“The new 2012 Jaguar range is our finest yet. Every one of our models fully embodies the brand ideals – innovation, bold design, and effortless high performance. Our designers and engineers strive continuously to keep Jaguar ahead of the competition – creating cars that stand apart from mainstream premium offerings, while remaining accessible to an ever wider spectrum of customers.”

Well with this speech, even I would be expecting a better vehicle from them. I’m not saying that they are not building and producing reliable cars but we could expect more from them, which is a bit more exciting right?

The new 2012 Jaguar model range that includes Jaguar XF sedan, Jaguar XK sports coupe and convertible and the flagship Jaguar XJ sedan makes a considerable improvements across its performance and refinement to a new level. While we can expect the design enhancements to build up the contemporary appeal of Jaguar’s line up.

These three cars are results of technology and design recreation from Jaguar. The XF, receives restyled front and rear bodywork, maintaining the evolution of Jaguar parts design that is observed from flagship XJ.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Classic Car: BMW 2002tii


Is there anyone here a fan of classic or vintage car? Recently, I have been browsing and reading about classic cars and one car caught my attention, the BMW 2002, specifically the 1972 BMW 2002tii.

It is categorized by reviewers as a good classic but may not be the best classic car for the price range it is in. But since it is a BMW, consumers don’t mind spending a bit of money with it. The said vehicle is responsive and “built solid”. When you look on the outside, almost everything is in stock except it has a wider suspension. But no worries, one has an option to custom it the way the owner would want it to be. And to add, it has a M12 multi-valve motor and 325 box, full of suspension, m3 diff and also a custom prop and sideshafts. And since this classic is bundled with disc brakes, one’s safety isn’t compromised.

This classic car isn’t just for collection purposes; the performance that it can give surpasses some sedan cars. The two liter engine was filled up with tii head & pistons. This five-speed may not be the great looking car but it offers you a solid and easy-to-work and not to mention easy to find BMW 2002 parts as well, in a reasonable cost.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Car Manuals: Chilton or Haynes?


When it comes to car manuals, there are two brands that always come to mind, it is either get a Chilton or a Haynes manual. In a long time, these brands have been trusted by a lot of owners and drivers, experienced or not, when it comes to auto repair manual. But if were to ask, what is the best and most accurate repair manual between these two?

For accurate and detailed information about repairing and fixing different vehicle types, Chilton manual is the one to get. You would be surprised to see that repairs are made simple that even a beginner would understand. With the use of vacuum and wiring diagrams, it was made possible by Chilton manual. And to be more helpful, Chilton allows consumers to talk to certified mechanics for their car problems.

Well for Haynes, they offer unique advantages to DIYers. Haynes is more focused in car rebuilding. It offers step-by-step instructions and very useful information on how to rebuild your car the way you want it. Now to make it more understandable by users, those instructions come with pictures so you’ll know if you are doing the right thing or not.

Now to answer which manual it is to get, it would be determined if what certain auto repair you are into right now. If you are just repairing you car, you can grab a copy of Chilton manual. But if you are in the process of rebuilding your vehicle, then go get a Haynes manual.