In an attempt to save you both time and money we created a blog entry a couple of months ago detailing some simple car repairs you can do yourself. Well, we are back with part 2 of our DIY helpguide.
Here at Dodson’s Japanese PartsWorld, our workshop and friendly team are fully equipped to perform mechanical repairs on all models of Japanese vehicles. However we know that a number of you are car enthusiasts who love the process of maintaining and caring for your beloved vehicles yourselves.
Whether you’re a bonafide ‘petrol head’ or are making your first attempt at car repairs, we’ve put together part 2 of our list of some of the simpler, DIY car repairs you can do at home.
Replace a Broken or Worn Drive Belt
Does your car sound like a squealing swine when you start it or when you use certain functions such as the AC? Chances are it’s the drive belt.
Assess the belt with a quick inspection (you’ll find it at the very front of the engine), determining whether the belt is cracked, torn or simply loose. If it’s loose it’s simple enough to tighten, lightly press your thumb on the belt at its longest part between pulleys before checking the appropriate tension for your belt in your car manual. It should not have more than 1 inch of ‘give’ in either direction so make sure when tightening you adhere to this.
Alternatively, if the belt is cracked or torn then check out this helpful step-by-step guide to replacing it: http://goo.gl/epu2aR
Replace Your Battery or Alternator
If your car isn’t turning over or certain accessories aren’t powering on, it’s time to replace your alternator or battery. Using a multimeter, you can test them to see if they really are dead and if so, it’s time for a replacement.
Try not to mistake your battery simply being dead and needing a jump for a more serious issue if you forgot to turn your lights off when you got home last night. For a step-by-step guide on replacing your car battery click here: http://goo.gl/Hvg4i
Fixing Exterior Coolant Leaks
If the next time you’re driving you notice a pool of green or orange liquid on the ground, then chances are you have a coolant leak.
Pop open the hood and look if you can see the same coloured liquid coming out of a hose or plastic piece. BE CAREFUL NOT TO TOUCH IT THOUGH as it will be extremely hot. If you can find the leak then it is simple enough to fix, all you need to do is unclamp the leaking hose before installing a new one and reinstalling the clamp – which is about as easy as attaching an accessory to a vacuum. If however you can’t locate the leak then the problem may be inside the radiator and it’s time for you to bring it on into us to have a look.
–
That concludes part 2 of our roundup of some of the more simple car repairs you can attempt at home. Once you’ve experienced the satisfaction of fixing a car yourself, you may find that more and more of your car’s maintenance issues are worth the time and effort of doing it yourself.
For all your other repair needs and car parts, talk to us at Dodson’s Japanese PartsWorld, we’ll offer advice and sort you out with the right auto part for your vehicle – whatever you may need.