Menu:

 
A common complaint from drivers and motorists would be car vibrations occurring at highway speeds. Most mechanics and myself included would first concentrate on tire problems and wheel balance.
Picture of driveshaft universal joint
driveshaft universal joint

And this is definitely the most common cause of vibration complaints. But what do you do when you put on new tires and they balance out perfectly yet the vibration continues to exist on the vehicle. If the car is a front wheel drive automobile checking out the CV joints and the drive axles would seem to be the next logical step.

If it is a rear wheel drive automobile universal joints and drive shafts should be inspected for problems. Often these different types of driveshaft components can create car vibrations that feel very much like tire balance issues.
 
 
If your car AC is leaking Freon most likely your complaint is that the air is not blowing cold. Depending on how severe your Freon leak is, recharging it with one can of refrigerant may not last long.
Picture of car ac tools
car ac tools

Although the most popular type of Freon r134a is supposed to be environmentally friendly it was still not designed to be released into the atmosphere in large quantities.

If you continue to recharge your AC and it continues to leak out, this is not good for you or the environment.

Finding AC Leaks

I wrote some good articles on this subject and will direct you to them. This first article is about slow Freon leaks and auto AC repairs. There you will find some tips and strategies for locating the smaller leaks that can be extremely frustrating to find.

This next page talks about finding large car AC leaks in automotive systems. Also included on the page are links to tools to help you solve the problem once and for all.
 
 
Recycling car batteries is not as popular as it should be. When you think of the battery in most cases you would not consider it environmentally friendly.

Not only can they be broken down and recycled but they can also be efficiently reconditioned to be reused again in cars and trucks.
Picture recycling car battery
recycling car battery

In fact reconditioning batteries is a good business.

I worked in several used-car lots where we used reconditioned batteries exclusively. We would pay $15-$25 in some cases for a reconditioned battery that would last for several years.

Although the gentleman that we bought the batteries from was in it for the money and not to save the environment he was actually doing both. In some cases he was paid to dispose of the batteries or received them at no charge.
 
 
Below I provide the Chrysler V8 belt diagram that applies to the 5.2 L and the 5.9 L V8 Chrysler engines. This belt diagram also applies to the 3.9 L Chrysler V6 that is found in many Dodge Dakota pickup trucks.

These three engines are known as the LA series engines and share many components to hold down manufacturing costs. It's nice when one belt diagram covers many different engine sizes and applications at the same time.

I was surprised that the 3.9 L V6 used the same belt diagram. Doing some research I found out that the 3.9 Liter is basically a 5.2 L v-8 with two cylinders cut off.

Belt diagram 3.9L 5.2L 5.9L

Picture of dodge v8 belt diagram
Chrysler V8 Belt Diagram
The 5.2 L engine is also known as the 318 cid (Cubic inch diameter). This engine has been around for a long time. In fact it was the motor that was in my first car. This was a 1974 Dodge charger (Picture below).
 
 
The Ford power stroke belt diagram is one that is hard to do without. In many cases my experience with putting on thousands of belts makes it possible for me to figure it out on the fly. But when it comes to the Ford power stroke diesel this does not apply.
Picture of powerstroke ford truck
PowerStroke Truck

The many pulleys and drive accessories that are included on the power stroke engine make this a difficult task without having the proper belt diagram. Below I will include a picture of a common configuration used on this popular engine.

Note the routing can change on certain years. If yours looks different you can go to Mitchell and get a diagram for less then 10 bucks.

Power stroke diesel belt diagram

Picture of powerstroke belt diagram
Diesel Powerstroke Belt Diagram
One thing that you should pay close attention to when replacing the drive belt on a power stroke diesel is the condition of the vacuum pump. I have worked on a lot of these engines and
 
 
At some point in our driving career we will most likely have to replace a car battery. Deciding what replacement should be used can be left up to the professionals. But it is good idea to have some basic knowledge about the subject to make sure you're getting what you need.
Picture of optima replacement battery
Optima Replacement Battery

There are many choices available to consumers with many varying price points. Some more expensive batteries state that they will last longer and provide better reliability.

If your going to pay more money for one of these batteries it is a good idea to make sure that it still complies with what is required by the vehicle and the manufacture.
 
 
Dirty fuel injectors have become a big selling point for popular fuel additives and gas companies. A few gas companies say that they add chemicals to their fuel that will help keep your injectors clean and make your engine run better.
Picture of fuel injection cleaning kit
Fuel Injection Cleaning Kit

Some companies selling fuel injector cleaners state that they will increase fuel economy and restore engine power. All of the above statements may be true if you actually have dirty fuel injectors.

Before you pay more at the pump for gas or go out and purchase additives and cleaning solutions it would be nice to determine if they are actually needed.

Testing the flow rate and the efficiency of the injectors can not only be performed but can verify whether cleaning is necessary. I have more information on fuel injector testing on my you fix cars website.
 
 
Below will be a 5.7 L engine belt diagram that you can use to get your belt put back on. Since this is one of the most popular GM motors of all times I thought it would be a good thing to post.

Picture of the 5.7 L engine drive belt diagram

engine belt diagram 5.7L image
Belt Diagrams
This engine better known as the 350 small block is one of my favorite all-time engines. I and my friends use to joke that this engine was so popular that you could get valve cover gaskets for it in the grocery store.

Even though General Motors has moved on and replaced this engine with lighter weight larger displacement power plants the old 5.7 L remains a favorite for hot roders and truck drivers alike.
 
 
Here is the 5.4 Liter belt diagram by popular demand. Engine belt noise is a common complaint on many vehicles and many different engines. The Ford 5.4 L engine is no different in this respect. 
5.4 L engine belt diagram
5.4 L engine belt diagrams
Ford came out with some tactics to help technicians deal with this common problem. Please take a minute to read them before installing a new part on your engine.

There are many causes that can force serpentine belts to become noisy. Sometimes this is due to pulley misalignment or even a wobbling accessory pulley. Also incorrect alignment of the drive belt can result in noise and premature wear.
 
 
Often when an engine will not start the first thing to pop into somebody's mind is "it must be the fuel pump". I often have the same train of thought. And many times replacing the fuel pump is the answer to a no start condition.
Picture
Electric fuel pump

But the percentage of times that a fuel pump will cause a cranking no start condition is most likely less than 25% (just educated guessing).

I suppose the actual failure rate of the fuel pump would be determined by year make and model of the vehicle.

But because the fuel pump is so often replaced before pinpoint diagnostics are performed I thought that I would discuss the subject of how a fuel pump circuit works.

Fuel pumps and no starts

Vehicles for around the last 20 years have in tank mounted electric fuel pumps. So this will be the type of fuel pump I will discuss in this short article.

Electric fuel pumps and circuits will vary greatly depending on the vehicle year make and model. Most of these fuel pump control circuits are tied to the vehicles main computer.