Sunday, July 25, 2010

Offbeat solutions to those interested in DIY

Odd fixes for DIY

You will find a lot of DIY solutions that you can use in case you are willing to take an odd take a look at things when fixing a vehicle. Popular Mechanics shows Mike Allen offering auto fixes that are just a little off beat.

Fuse box issues with the first fix

The first example used by Allen is of a driver stranded on a mountainside. Somebody stops, looks at his car and looks closely at the fuse box. The passerby explains that swapping a fuse could work considering fuses in automotive boxes generally are alike. Each fuse is connected to a different electronic function of the car. Connecting functions with their fuses is simple- check the owner manual. Intelligent drivers will already have this chart on their fuse boxes for emergencies like this. The traveler’s problem is that his fuel pump is dead. Switching this fuse from something unimportant to the fuel pump slot will solve all the problems.

Odd solution 2- Cooking some eggs and diet soda on a radiator

Have a radiator hole? Raw eggs cracked to the radiator is a suggestion by Allen. Don’t use anything but the radiator for this. The idea is that the egg white will sink down and plug the hole temporarily. Try your drink if the fluid has gotten low in the radiator. Topping off with diet soda (without sugar to clog the water pump) helps. Beer and iced tea may also work in a pinch. Just do not make a habit of topping off with Fresca.

Three- oil and nature

Your vehicle gets hurt when on bad roads. Oil leaks are caused when rocks hit the oil pan. In the rough area that caused the leak, the answer can be found. Allen recommends using a twig to plug the hole. Using your Bowie knife (you are within the wild, so you probably have one), whittle it into shape and hammer it into the oil pan puncture. You will have to cut off the end of the stick so that it doesn’t catch on anything and make the problem worse. If there isn’t really enough oil left within the crankcase before you fix it, you can top it off with water before continuing. We are told by Allen, “The oil-pump pickup is not on the exact bottom – the remaining oil will float on top of the water”. You should only do this if there is absolutely no other option. If you can very easily walk to a store and purchase motor oil, that’s the more desirable option.

Offbeat auto fix No. 4- Cleaning up that gas tank hole

This is a variation on the last problem, but this time Allen discusses a hole within the gas tank. You have to be able to carve a chunk out of soap. Get to a mechanic as fast as you are able to after hammering that chunk in. Do not siphon gas like they do in “Dukes of Hazard”. You will have to leave your car or get ready for a long trip of pushing it to a garage.

More info available at these sites

Popular Mechanics

popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/repair/4331569

Fixing the oil pan and clearing away the foliage

youtube.com/watch?v=F1eb_5lR97Q



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