Search results

The above mentioned car just had the timing belt break, car has $185k on it, the belt had 90k. This is an interference engine, so there may well be valve or piston damage. Replacing the belt itself is going to run $1,100 even if there's no other damage. My question is, is there a way to assess...

As the title says, 16k miles ago with little forewarning I had my shocks/struts replaced on my 07 RAV4 2.4L with I believe Monroe Econo-matics, including stabilizer bar, end links, etc. At least that's what they said they installed, I can't see a label or model name on the shocks themselves. Due...

I'm getting ready to install new spark plugs in my Harley, it uses old-school style plugs where it is recommended you use anti-seize on them. When I installed the plugs currently in use i used copper anti-seize, however I was going to use aluminum anti-seize this go round. Since I assume the...

Folks on here often say in order to clean up an engine they'll run a few short OCI's of like 3k before going to a regular OCI of say 5-7k. My question is if oil is still in good shape at 5-7k (or even at 10k), what benefit are you getting from a super short OCI like 3k? Would it be even better...

With the Mobil 1 rebates upon us I'm thinking about picking up some HM 5w30 for use in a vehicle that I've been running Maxlife in (w/ a very minor oil weep down the crankcase). I still have about 2 qts of Maxlife left so I'd be mixing the next OCI. I know the oils are generally ok to mix in...

I know lots of people have the week between Christmas and New Years off, I usually like to get some bike tinkering done during that time. I'm going to change out the shock oil in my Road King, lube up the steering head, shift pedal, and clutch cable, get a new rear tire. The shock oil I've never...

As I do maintenance on my '00 RK I like to experiment to see what works or doesn't work, and maybe other folks can benefit. Although I definitely follow the mfr recommendations as a starting point, I do admit I'm more willing than most to experiment a little, and with all the wildly varying...

I have weeping brake bleeders on my front calipers, 2000 HD Road King. Since these are the original bleeders and have some wear I'm just going to swap them out with OEM replacements. I've done many brake bleeds but never replaced the bleeders entirely, I'm just looking for some advice. I want...

I know there are tons of reviews of Redline used with HD transmissions, some say it's night and day better, some say they can't tell a difference. So I decided to see for myself, maybe someone else can benefit. . I had RP MaxGear 75w90 syn in my '00 HD Road King for 8500 miles. Shifted great, no...

Maybe someone out the can help me, I have a Harley RK that has a warped front disc. I thought no problem, take it to the dealer and they can turn it and flatten it out, right? No dice, they won't even do that work of fear or legal trouble. I called an independent Harley shop and no go there...

I've read the threads on oil separating from grease, but I'm curious if anyone I in the same situation as me. I very infrequently use my grease gun (Harley only), maybe 1-2 times a year, so a full size cartridge lasts a number of years. The rest of the time it just sits and no matter what I do...

I know there's always a debate about changing the oil filter every OCI vs every other OCI,but what about doing the oil and filter on their own specific change interval? I do 10k OCI's and so my 15k filters (FU and the like) don't coincide with OCI's. So it occurred to me doesn't it makes sense...

I have a Troy Bilt TB4 blower that has a 3 oz oil capacity. The manual states oil changes at 40 hrs which seems super long to me given the small amount of oil, especially using it in a hot climate. I've been doing short OCI's at about 10 hours in an effort to get some internal cleaning done (the...

Ok I know this shouldn't be rocket science, but does anyone have tips on on how to remove a thin aluminum valve cover that's been RTV'd to the engine (rather that using a gasket) ? The instructions say to gently pry it off around the corners, but man this thing is stuck solid and won't even...

This weekend I'll be changing the coolant for the first time on my daughter's 2011 Kia Soul w 1.6L engine, it's LONG overdue. I know to do the flush I'll need to drain, refill with water, warm up the engine, then let it cool again to drain and repeat until clear. My question is, how cool do you...

I bought a new PCV valve from Napa that I'm getting ready to install in my 2011 Kia Soul. I know it's supposed to let air through in one direction only but I couldn't help but test it by blowing through it. Air passed freely in one direction as it should but I was surprised that in the opposite...

This came off my 07 RAV4 with 83k on the engine. The filter was on for 5k (1 year), using Havoline DS 5w20 syn. This OCI I used my $2 per qt Castrol Gold EP 5w20 syn and a Napa Platinum filter. I know the Castrol is overkill for the limited miles I go on this vehicle, but whatever it was cheap...

Are these basically the same thing and interchangeable for most auto applications such as plug wires etc? I normally get those packets of dielectric at the auto parts counter, use the tiny bit I need and toss the rest, which got me to thinking should I just go ahead and use the silicone grease I...

I'm replacing (long overdue) plugs in my daughter's 2011 Kia Soul 1.6L, I believe the OEM plugs are copper, Champions I believe but I haven't pulled them yet to be sure. Anyway, assuming the OEM spec is indeed copper, should I stick to them or is there a performance or mpg benefit to going to...

I know there's a similar question over in the motorcycle forum but maybe it's different for mowers, anyway I did the first valve adjustment on this blower (very long overdue), and I got to wondering if I should expect to see them tighten or loosen down the road. FWIW the intake was good, the...