Repair 7

When a vehicle engine is reluctant to start, it often means that the spark plugs need changing. Like many automotive components, spark plugs dont last forever. A common malfunction is a wet spark plug. According to AA1Car.com, this occurs when the spark plug fails to fire, or fouls out. This can be caused by a number of variables, such as engine flooding, or excessive moisture build up.

Engine Flooding

Failed vehicle starting attempts eventually lead to wet spark plugs, according to E3 Spark Plugs. This happens when drivers attempt to start their vehicles multiple times without success. This can lead to engine flooding, which in turn can soak the plugs so theyre unable to form any kind of spark to start the engine. This often happens in cold weather conditions, when spark plugs that are previously worn or fouled require a higher voltage to ignite the engine. In this case, the best thing a driver can do is either wait for the plugs to dry, or remove the plugs and clean them off.

Injector Leaks

Wet fouling is less common on modern fuel-injected engines, but can happen due to a number of mechanical failures, states AA1Car.com. One example is a leaking cold start injector. This would lead to the creation of a rich start up mixture in the engine compartment that would cause the plugs to foul.

Worn Piston Rings

In older vehicle engines, worn piston rings or excessive cylinder wear often lead to wet fouling, states Mopar Magazine. This could result in the release of excess oil or gasoline into the engine compartment, which could prevent a spark from forming during an ignition attempt. Wet-fouled spark plugs can be cleaned and re-installed to work effectively.

If your van runs out of gas, this can create more problems than just not being able to move at the moment. Once you ill the tank, you still may have problems restarting the engine. Any fuel system that runs too low on gas can experience problems with the fuel pump and fuel pressure. You might be able to restart the car if you can re-pressurize the system, but its possible that you will need a new pump altogether.

Instructions

Refilling and Re-pressurizing

1

Fill the fuel tank with unleaded gasoline from an approved gas can. Use the largest amount of fuel you can transport to the van.

2

Turn the ignition key to the start position for about two seconds, then tun it back to the off position for five more seconds. Repeat this five to 10 times to re-pressurize the fuel system.

3

Try starting the car again. If it wont start at this point, you will likely need to replace a burned-out fuel pump.

4

Siphon out the fuel with a never-used vacuum pump and store it in the gas can, if you need to change the pump, then disconnect the negative battery cable.

Fuel Pump

5

Raise the van on its rear end and support it with jack stands, blocking the front wheels with heavy blocks. Raise the floor jack or a transmission jack under the tank.

6

Disconnect the electrical connectors on the fuel tank and then unclip the lower shield on the tanks right side to reveal the fuel line fittings. Loosen and disconnect the fittings with a screwdriver, then disconnect the filler neck from the tank.

7

Unbolt and remove the straps for the tank and lower it down with the jack, disconnecting the fuel pump lead.

8

Tap and loosen the locking ring with a brass punch and hammer until the tangs and cut outs line up. Pull the pump assembly out of the tank.

9

Insert the new pump assembly into the tank, making sure it is lined up in the same position as the old one was, then turn/tap the lock ring into place.

10

Reconnect all the lines and electrical connectors to the fuel pump flange, raise the tank into position and bolt the tank into place.

11

Refill the tank and perform the pressurization steps as described in Section 1.

A broken harmonic balancer bolt can cost a lot of money to have professionally removed from the threaded hole in which it is stuck. An EasyOut can help you remove the broken section of the bolt without the hassle of bringing your vehicle to a mechanic. Special care needs to be taken to make sure you do not damage the threads in the harmonic balancer or break off the hardened EasyOut inside the bolt. A broken EasyOut requires a professional machinist to remove both the broken bolt and EasyOut.

Instructions

1

Spray penetrating oil on the end of the broken bolt. Allow the penetrating oil to soak in around the bolt for five to six hours.

2

Align the tip of a center punch with the center of the broken bolt. Hit the center punch with a hammer to make a depression on the end of the broken bolt.

3

Secure a 1/8-inch left-hand drill bit in the chuck of a drill motor. Drill a hole at least 1/2-inch deep in the end of the bolt, using the center punch depression as a guide to hold the drill bit in place. Exchange the 1/8-inch drill bit for the drill bit recommended by an EasyOut set for the size of the broken bolt. Enlarge the hole with the larger drill bit.

4

Set the squared end of the recommended EasyOut into the tee-handle wrench supplied with the set. Tighten the handle of the wrench to hold the EasyOut in place.

5

Place the tapered end of the EasyOut in the drilled hole running through the center of the broken bolt. Turn the tee-handle wrench counterclockwise to force the EasyOut into the hole. Continue turning the wrench until the broken section of the bolt backs out of the threaded hole.

Vehicle headlights are not only a safety feature that improves vision in the dark and rain and allows other vehicles to see you at night, they are also required by law. You must replace headlights as soon as they begin to dim and immediately if they burn out completely. Since vehicle headlights come in a wide variety of sizes and styles, you must examine the vehicle to determine which one will fit.

Instructions

1

Open the hood of the vehicle and lean inside to look at the back of one of the headlights. Locate the wire that attaches to the back of the light, which is the power supply. Pull the wire straight out from the back of the light. In some cases, the wire will have a small tab that you squeeze before removing it.

2

Grasp the rubber cover on the back of the light, called the dust cover, and pull it straight out from the light to remove it.

3

Locate the metal clip that covers the back of the headlight and holds it in place. Press down on the top of the clip to lower it away from the light.

4

Grasp the bottom of the bulb, which will be clearly visible in the center of the headlight and pull it out away from the light.

5

Look at the metal base of the light bulb for printed words, which will identify the bulb type and wattage. The most common types of headlight bulbs are sizes H1, H4 or H7.

There are a number of reasons to completely remove a truck engine, including refurbishing, replacing and general repairs. Each size and style of engine will have small differences, so the exact process of removal will be slightly different, but the basic procedure will remain the same regardless. The vehicles owners manual will provide the specifics for attachment locations and any model-specific tools that may be required. The procedure requires more than one person to work the overhead winch because the weight of the engine makes it dangerous for one person to handle.

Instructions

1

Park the truck on a level surface and set the parking brake. Open the hood and disconnect the negative battery cable. Remove the retaining bolts from the hood hinges and remove the hood from the vehicle.

2

Place a bucket under the radiator drain valve. Open the valve with a socket wrench and drain all of the fluid. Disconnect the radiator hoses and electrical connections from the engine.

3

Place a bucket under the engine oil drain plug. Remove the plug and allow the engine oil to drain completely.

4

Disconnect all of the sensors from the engine. These may include, but not limited to the crankshaft sensor, temperature sensors, oil pressure sensor and throttle position sensor.

5

Disconnect the throttle cable. Disconnect the cruise control cable. Remove the ground straps connected to the starter and engine.

6

Disconnect the starter and alternator. Move them out of the way or remove them from the engine compartment depending on their location and whether they are inconvenient to the larger project.

7

Jack up the front of the vehicle and place jack stands under the axles for stability. Disconnect the exhaust pipes and crankcase breather. Disconnect the fuel lines and fuel injectors. Remove the throttle body and intake pipes.

8

Remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle. Remove the fan shroud, fan, coolant pump and water lines. Disconnect the vacuum lines. Disconnect any additional connections.

9

Remove the bolts from the engine mounting brackets. Depending on the model of engine, there could be anywhere from three to six mounting bolts. Remove the torque-converter and all of the belts.

10

Attach the overhead winch to the engine using heavy chains and hooks. Raise the engine slowly while one person steadies the engine to keep it from damaging anything. When the engine is completely clear of the engine compartment, swing it to one side and lower it to the ground.

A PCV valve--sometimes erroneously referred to as a "PVC valve"--is a Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve, and is responsible for the continual expelling of gas from an engines crankcase. This is a one-way valve. If you do not change your oil at regular intervals, the valve can become plugged and fail, so you should perform regular oil changes. If the valve does fail, youll need to know how to remove it in order to replace it.

Instructions

1

Pull the hood release lever to open the hood of your vehicle.

2

Run your fingers along the inside of the hood to locate the hood release latch. Once you have located it, pull up on the latch to open your hood.

3

Locate the PCV valve, which will be on the crankcase. Look on the top of your engine or on the sides. It is a small rubber plug that is stuck directly into the engine. It looks almost like a rubber bottle stopper.

4

Pull off any hoses that are attached to the valve. There are two main designs of PCV valves. One is directly plugged into the crankcase, while the other is inline with two hoses. If your vehicle has an inline PCV valve, youll need to simply pull the hoses off the valve and then remove the valve itself. If the PCV valve is plugged directly into the crankcase, youll need to grab the end of the valve with your pliers and twist the valve. Youll need to give it a good pull, but it will come out.