Automotive enthusiasts are well aware of the importance of each specific car part as it pertains to the overall working vehicle. However, men and women who are new to the world of automotive equipment may be curious as to how some of these important automotive parts pertain to the automobile’s inner workings.
One of the most important car parts in circulation is the oil pump. In most cases, the oil pump is located above the oil pan inside the engine. The oil pump is actuated by gears located on the end of the crankshaft or on the end of the distributor. As the engine turns, the gears inside the oil pump rotate and the pump cycles oil.
One of the most important components of this all encompassing automotive equipment is the pickup tube. In most cars, the pickup tube is located at the end of the oil pump and sits in the oil pan. As the pump operates, the spinning of the gears creates a vacuum that lifts oil out of the oil pan and distributes it throughout the engine.
The oil in the car’s engine is designed to both cool and lubricate the automobile’s inner workings. However, if the oil of the oil pan is too low, the pickup tube will be unable to distribute oil, thereby causing the engine to overheat and bind.
Another vital component in the automotive arsenal, as it pertains to the oil pump, is the screen filter. The screen filter is one of those all-important car parts designed to keep the engine running smoothly without contamination. In simple terms, a screen filter is a mesh screen designed to filter contaminants in sludge out of the oil before they can reach the engine and cause harm to the automobile. The screen filter is important for maintaining valid oil pressure. Over time, automotive screen filters can become clogged with debris and sludge. For this reason, regular oil changes are important for maintaining a healthy engine.
Mechanics and enthusiast seeking automotive equipment and car parts to complete oil pump installation will find it beneficial to shop online for some of the best prices and highest quality equipment on the market. Shopping online for automotive equipment is simple. All one needs is the year and model of the car in question and a list of each of the required car parts. Not only will you save money and time, but you will also find the convenience of “at your door delivery” to be a huge bonus.
Every new model year brings new bells and whistles from the auto industry. Here are the biggest changesand the unofficial rating for how it will affect you personally, either lame, game, or undecided.
Lame. Okay, so air bags were a good idea when they came out. They added safety with virtually no effort on the part of the driver. Even passenger side air bagsstill a good idea. But knee air bags? Seriously? Carmakers are even talking about making air bags to prevent back seat passengers from hitting the front seats. What will they think of next, giant padded walls inside the car to keep you from hurting yourself?
Game. Greater smartphone integration into all aspects of the car, from streaming your mp3s stored inside the phone straight into the car stereo, to projecting the navigation system in your phone onto the car’s DVD player. Now that’s smart: taking an already existing technology and adapting the car to use it without any additional effort on the part of the owner.
Lame. Apparently, the executive boardroom tables at Ford suck all the common-sense right out of the room. That’s because in spite of well-earned criticism for the MyFordTouch touch screen layout, they’ve decided to add it to more models for 2012. Touch screens work great for some things: smart phones, iPadsbut for turning up the heat in your car, it’s easiest just to have a knob. Or a switch.
Undecided. The auto-stop feature, which turns off your engine automatically at things like stop lights, is being added to more models than ever. In theory, it is designed to be imperceptibleto turn back on as soon as you go again. In practice, if it means having to wait for your car to turn on again, it could turn lame real fastor it could mean saving a few bucks on fuel with no perceived difference if it works as advertised.
Game. Secretariat would be proud. The fastest horse ever was always underestimated because of his smaller sizeand today’s engines are smaller and more powerful than ever. GM’s Buick Regal has a 4 banger that puts out 270 horsesjust about the same horsepower as a new 289 V8 produced in a 1965 Ford Mustang when they came out.
A DIY battery desulfator is a device that rejuvenates batteries in order for them to perform like brand new. Here’s a scenario for you: Your typical car battery’s life span is about two to four years. After that, it eventually dies – sometimes while you’re running pretty late to work or sometimes on a family cross country trip or sometimes just at home when you’re about to start the car up. Regardless of when or where it conks out, it’s dead and the situation renders your car useless. So, you haul the off to the recycler’s and spend some cash for a new one so that you can use the car.
But what if you could actually recondition the battery and make it work like brand new before it died out? The good thing is – you can! Most car batteries (and batteries for other machines and devices) can be reconditioned or refurbished in order to make it work like brand new and prolong its life expectancy.
What Causes The Batteries To Deteriorate, Anyway?
Over time, the inside of the battery starts to undergo a process called sulfation, where the lead plates (the part of the battery that produces the electric charges) become coated with sulfate. The coat creates an insulation on the lead plates, which causes then to produce a lower voltage charge. Eventually, the coating becomes so thick that the battery can no longer hold any charge. When this occurs, the battery is considered ‘dead.’ However, the reconditioning process simply de-sulfates the battery in order for the sulfate build-up to break down. This clears up the lead plates, allowing the battery to produce more charge, allowing it to work normally like it usually does.
Can DIY Battery Reconditioning Be Done?
Battery reconditioning can be done at your local automotive service shop – or you can do it yourself. All you need is a desulfator or Nanopulser. This device works by emitting high voltage pulses right into the battery. The pulses force the sulfate crystals to break down and dissolve, rendering the ‘bad’ or ‘dead’ batteries useful or almost like brand new.
Where Can I Get A Battery Desulfator?
Battery desulfators can be purchased online or from local vendors – or you can have someone make it for you. Some desulfator devices come with chargers, and can range anywhere from $25 to $100. Or, you can choose to make your own DIY Battery Desulfator from scratch. Making one is simply easy and can be created using a number of items that are available from hardware and electrical stores near you.
A good guide should provide a proper work plan and should give you a diagram to follow in making your own battery desulfator. Once you have the device on hand, try practicing on spare batteries or ‘bad batteries’ that you may be able to purchase at a cheap price.
It’s a good idea to use the desulfator at home as a preventative measure. Meaning, battery reconditioning should be done when the battery is still alive, as a preventive measure – as a last minute resuscitation measure once the battery dies.
Too many automotive centers are taking advantage of the consumer’s lack of knowledge about their vehicles when it comes time for repairs. While there are many trustworthy shops that do honorable and reliable work, there are always places that are quick to take the consumer’s money while not making the necessary repairs.
The government, the press, Better Business Bureaus and other consumer rights advocates are working hard to intervene, and while some shops are getting caught and being indicted with fraud, too many are still under the radar and getting away with it.
Here are some tips on how to become better educated about your vehicle so that when repair work is needed, you will have a better understanding of what is actually being done.
Talk to Everyone
The most important thing of course is to find a reputable place thats been in business for several years. The best way to find this kind of information is to ask your family and friends where they have their vehicles maintained. Ask your coworkers and anyone whose opinion you value. Why do they like the shop they frequent, what their fees are, and how long they have been using that particular place? This is where doing a little research will save you a ton of headaches and a lot of money.
When its time to take your vehicle to the shop, be very specific in what you are there for. For example, if you are replacing tires, let them know you are there just for tire work. If the service adviser tells you that you need additional work done, question why it’s needed. If you feel the mechanic is trying to up sell you unnecessary repair work, this should raise a red flag. You have every right to request a quote for their suggested repairs and get a second opinion.
Don’t be Shy
There are times when a service adviser may tell you that you need new brakes or that you have a leak, both of which can be relatively easily spotted when the vehicle is in the air and the wheels are off the vehicle. This is generally the time these types of potential problems are found. Ask the adviser for measurements of components that are worn, such as the brakes, and ask if you can take a look for yourself. If you feel they are not being forthcoming with the information you need in order to make a decision, or they will not allow you to view the problem, do not approve the repair. Most reputable shops have no problem with these kinds of requests.
If you need major repairs, such as engine replacement or transmission repairs, always get a second opinion from another reputable shop. If you have built up a good relationship with your existing shop, this may not be necessary. But if this is the first time you have brought your vehicle to a new shop it’s important to get that second opinion.
If it’s not practical to move your vehicle, take the time to get “ballpark” estimates by telephone. Reputable shops understand the need for their customers to get additional quotes. Its in their best interest to accommodate you in any way they can in order to get and keep your business.
Be Prepared
Be a knowledgeable consumer. Read your owners manual and be prepared for the regular wear and replacement work that will arise every few thousand miles. Keep your vehicle on its proper maintenance schedule and when larger problems arise, you are not hit unawares with a huge expense.
It costs money to own a vehicle and keep it in good repair, and it can cost more than you bargained for if you are not careful. Don’t be afraid to ask for input from others and gather as much information along the way as you can. Being prepared, you stand a much better chance of avoiding automotive repair fraud.