Alphabetical Index of All Engine Related Help Topics
Learn how to diagnose and fix engine problems including misfires, overheating, no-start issues, and performance problems. In addition to maintenance & troubleshooting.
Choose Your Help Topic From Our Alphabetical Index
(ECT) Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor – What Can Go Wrong
(EGR) Valve: Common Problems And Troubleshooting Procedures
(EVAP) Evaporative Emission System – Function – Failure – Testing
(GDI) Gasoline Direct Injection: How It Works and Its Benefits
(MAP) Controlled Thermostats: Provide Several Engine Benefits
(O2) Oxygen Sensor: Function – Failure Symptoms With Testing
(PCV) System: One Of The Biggest Causes, Of Engine Oil Sludge
(PCV) Valve: Major Problems From Lack Of Regular Maintenance
(VVT) Variable Valve Timing: Enhancing Engine Performance
4 Liter Jeep Engine Was Famous: But, Was Not Without Its Faults
A
Abnormal Exhaust Noise, Common On 02-05 Ford 6.0L Diesels
Air Injection System (AIS) – Air Pump – Function, Types, Failure
Alternator or Battery Failure: How to Diagnose and Save Money
Antifreeze In Oil: Means Your Engine Is Leaking Internally
ATV Tech Tips: if an ATV Repair Seems Overwhelming, it Probably is
Auto Repair Basics: If You Drive, You Should Learn Basic Repairs
Automatic Belt Tensioner – Function – Failure Symptoms – Testing
Automatic Shutdown (ASD) Relay – Function – Failure – Testing
Automotive Engine Failure: Warning Signs And Major Causes
Automotive Engine Valves: Function, Failure, and Testing
Automotive Fuses: Know How They Work and Why They Blow
Automotive Mechanic – Challenged Every Day, With New Problems
Automotive Sensors: Monitoring Your Vehicle’s Vital Signs
B
Bad Radiator Cap Symptoms (Causes, Testing & Fix)
Ball Hone – How To Get The Perfect Finish, For Piston Ring Sealing
Blown Head Gasket: The Symptoms, Can Be Quite Misleading
Broken Bolt : Stud Removing : Can Be A Frustrating Waste Of Time
Bubble Test – Used In Conjunction, With A Cylinder Leak Down Test
Burning Oil: Blue Smoke Is Coming Out Of My Exhaust Pipe
C
Camshaft Position Sensor Symptoms, Testing & Replacement (CMP Guide)
Car Battery – Know What Can Go Wrong, Before You Disconnect It
Car Radiator : Consequences Of Car Radiator Overheating
Car Thermostat Issues: Is Your Engine Coolant Flowing Properly
Carbon Deposits in Engines: Causes, Effects, and Prevention
Catalytic Converter – Failure Signs And Testing – Learn The Basics
Check Engine Light (CEL) – What Can Cause It To Come On
Coil On Plug Ignition System: A Game Changer in Coil Technology
Common Engine Problems – Noises, Leaks, Overheating, And Fuel
Compression Leak Between Cylinders: Without Any Coolant or Oil Leaks
Compression Test: How To Do It, Dry Or Wet – Review The Results
Coolant Mixed With Oil – In The Lubrication System – Cleaning Tips
Coolant Recovery Tank: What Does It Do and Why Do You Need It
Cooling Fan Relay – What Does It Do – Failure Symptoms – Testing
Crankshaft Damage: Causes and Prevention in Diesel Engines
Crankshaft Position Sensor Symptoms, Testing & Replacement (CKP Guide)
Crankshaft Thrust Bearing Failure – Causes And Remedies
Cylinder Bore Deglazing – Purpose – Proper Crosshatch And Angle
Cylinder Head Cracking – Overheating Is The Most Common Cause
Cylinder Head Gasket Leaks: Symptoms and Expensive Repairs
Cylinder Head Resurfacing – Getting The Correct Surface Finish
Cylinder Leak Down Test – What Are The Results Telling You
Cylinder Power Balance Testing – Uncover Hidden Engine Issues
Cylinder Sleeve – How To Install A Cylinder Sleeve To Save A Block
D
Dash Warning Lights – Only Provide A Warning Something Is Wrong
Diagnose Engine Problems: With Your Sight, Hearing, Touch and Smell
Diesel Engine Issues – The Answers May Be In The Exhaust Smoke
Distributorless Ignition System – Get to Know the Components
E
Electric Cooling Fan: What Can Stop It From Working Properly
Electric Fuel Pumps – How Do They Work – How Can They Fail
Emission Control Systems – What Are They – How Do They Work
Emission Thermactor Plugs – For Small Block Ford Cylinder Heads
Engine Antifreeze Coolant: What Does It Do?, Why You Need It?
Engine Bearing Clearance: Why It Matters and How to Measure It
Engine Bearing Replacement: Understanding the Basics
Engine Bearing: How They Actually Work: Failure Warning Signs
Engine Bottom End Parts: Know The Parts Inside Your Engine
Engine Compression – What Can Cause, Low Or No Compression
Engine Coolant Antifreeze – Engine Cooling and Testing Made Easy
Engine Coolant Leaks: How To Find Them – External And Internal
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor: Failure Signs: Testing
Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor: Step By Step Replacement
Engine Coolant: What Are The Basics You Really Need To Know
Engine Cooling Fan: Maintaining the Proper Coolant Temperature
Engine Cranks But Fails to Start: Causes and Solutions
Engine Cranks But No Start – Ignition, Fuel, Compression Are Good
Engine Damage – Look for Deterioration, Before It’s Too Late
Engine Fuel System: Signs of Trouble and What to Check
Engine Hesitation – What Is It, What Can Cause It, Diagnosing It
Engine Issues – Early Warning Signs – Major Causes Explained
Engine Knocking – Pinging – Rattling Noise – Most Common Causes
Engine Knocking Ticking Noise – Is This The End Of Your Engine
Engine Lubrication Problems – Lack Of Oil, Causing Engine Wear
Engine Misfire: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Fixes
Engine Noise: Common Causes and Solutions
Engine Noises: Where Are They Coming From: Are They Bad
Engine Not Cranking Over: One Of The Easiest Problems To Solve
Engine Oil Consumption Is On The Rise: Where It Goes, And Why
Engine Oil Leaks – How To Find Them – Repair Recommendations
Engine Oil Pressure Low – Common Causes And Ways To Fix It
Engine Oil Pressure Warning – Possible Causes And Testing
Engine Oil Sludge: Is Caused By Your Engine Oil Breaking Down
Engine Overheating: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Fixes
Engine Piston Rings – How Do They Work – How Can They Fail
Engine Power Balance Testing: Total Power Output Of The Engine
Engine Problems Can Be Scary – Learn About The Common Ones
Engine Rattling Noise – Reasons You May Have Them – Solutions
Engine Rebuild Reasons – Low Compression And Oil Consumption
Engine Rebuilding And Remanufacturing: What Is The Difference
Engine Replacement : A Comprehensive Guide, For Every Vehicle
Engine Sludge – Causes and Prevention Tips
Engine Spark Knock: Causes, Symptoms, and Solutions
Engine Stalling – Proper Troubleshooting And Maintenance
Engine Stalling Issues – Now You Question Your Vehicle’s Reliability
Engine Surging: Causes and Solutions
Engine Thermostat Problems: Will Affect Your Engine’s Performance
Engine Timing Belt – Sets The Mechanical Heartbeat Of The Engine
Engine Troubleshooting – Common Problems With Solutions
Engine Turns Over: Troubleshooting a No Start Condition
Engine Vacuum Gauge Test: A Simple Guide
Engine Will Not Start, But Fuel, Spark And Compression Are Good
Engine Won’t Start: Causes, Diagnosis & Fixes
Excessive Exhaust Smoke – A Sign Your Engine Needs Attention
Exhaust Gas Recirculation: Types, Failure, Cleaning, Replacement
Exhaust Manifold Leaks: Causes, Failure Signs, Potential Damage
F
File Fit Piston Rings – How To Do It Properly, For Critical End-Gap
Flexplate – What Does It Do ? – What Can Happen If It Fails ?
Fluid Leak Under Your Car: Here’s How To Identify What It Is
Fuel Getting Into Engine Oil: Learn The Cause, Effect And The Fix
Fuel Injector – Deposits Can Build Up And Clog The Fuel Injector
Fuel Injectors: Usually Only Fail, In One Of Three Different Ways
Fuel Leak: If You Smell Fuel This Could Be a Sign of a Fuel Leak
Fuel Pressure Regulator – Do You Have The Correct Fuel Pressure
Fuel Pressure Regulators – Commonly Fail In One Of Two Ways
Fuel Pump Failure: Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
Fuel Pump Issues – Excessive Heat – Contamination, Dirt, Rust
Fuel Pump Related No Start Problems – What Should You Check
Fuel Pump Relay – Function – Failure – Testing Procedures
Fuel System Related Problems – Not Always Easy to Solve
Fuel Wash: What is it – Check If You Have It – Common Causes
G
Gas Getting Into Oil – What Can Cause This To Happen, And Why
GM 3100 – 3400 Engine Issues: Heads, Manifolds and Rocker Bolts
GM 6.6L Duramax Diesel: Choosing The Correct Head Gasket
H
Hard Starting Engine: Cold, Hot, Both or Just After Refueling
Harmonic Balancer: Function: Common Failure Warning Signs
Head Bolt Torque & Installation Guide (Avoid Head Gasket Failure)
Head Gasket Leak: External vs. Internal Leaks
High Engine Idle: Causes, Diagnosis, and Solutions
Honda OBD1 Codes: How to Read Check Engine Light Without a Scanner
How To Do A Cylinder Leak Down Test – With Or Without A Tester
Hydraulic Valve Lifter Noise: Usually, A Ticking Or Tapping
Hydrolocked Engine: What Does It Mean – Possible Damage
I
Idle Air Control Valve (IAC), Function, Failure Symptoms – Testing
Ignition Coil: Function, Coil Types, Failure Symptoms and Testing
Ignition Switch: Understanding its Importance in Vehicle Security
Ignition Timing – The Spark Plug Has To Fire At The Proper Time
Intake Manifold Leaks – Causes, Symptoms, Testing and Prevention
Interference vs. Non-Interference Engines: What You Need to Know
Intermittent Temperature Related Engine Problems, Where To Start
L
Leaking Head Gasket: Causes and Symptoms Explained
Loose Gas Cap: Most Common Cause For A Check Engine Light
Low Oil Pressure: Troubleshooting, Actually Starts At The Dipstick
Low Or High Oil Pressure: Is One Actually Better Than The Other
Low Zinc Engine Oil Guide: How to Protect Flat Tappet Cams
M
Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAF): Measuring Volume, Density, Temperature
Mechanical Engine Misfires – What Are They – How To Find Them
Mechanical Fuel Pumps – Everything You Need To Know
Motorcycle Spring Tune Up Tips – How To Stay Safe On The Road
N
New Spark Plugs: Improve Engine Performance & Efficiency
No Spark – When Your Engine Cranks, But Has No Spark
Noid Light: Tests For An Electrical Signal, At The Fuel Injector
O
Oil Consumption Has Many Causes, But, Worn Bearings Add To It
Oil Filter: A Dirty Oil Filter, Will Obstruct The Flow, Of Clean Oil
Oil Leak In Spark Plug Well – Know The Signs – What Can Happen
Oil Mixed With Coolant – In The Cooling System – Cleaning Tips
Oil Pan Gasket Leak – How to Diagnose and Confirm the Leak
P
PCV Valve System: This Is Where Crankcase Gases Get Recycled
PCV Valve: How Does It Work, Failure Signs, How To Test It
Poor Fuel Economy: Common Causes, And How To Combat Them
Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) System: What Does It Do
Push Button Start Troubleshooting: Why Won’t the Engine Crank?
Pushrods On G.M. 3.1-3.4 Engines – This Is Where Length Matters
R
Radiator: Engine Overheating Causes and Consequences
Rear Engine Oil Leaks – Finding The Real Location Of The Leak
Rear Main Rope Seal – Alternatives For Many Older Engines
Reduced Engine Power Warning Light – What To Do And Why?
Reducing Fuel Consumption – Keep More Money, in Your Pocket
Reducing Fuel Cost Is Easy: If You Can Follow A Few Rules
Repeat Engine Failures From Not Diagnosing The Original Problem
Rocker Arms Dislodging – Along With Valve Seats Falling Out
Rough Engine Idle and Misfires When Cold: GM V8 Engines
Rough Engine Idle: Common Causes, With Possible Solutions
Rough Idling Engine: What Does It Mean, How to Fix and Test It
Running Dynamic Compression Test: Evaluating Individual Cylinders
S
Serpentine Belt: Function – Failure Signs – Easy Replacement
Spark Plug Color: Learn The Symptoms And Recommendations
Spark Plug Health Is Directly Linked, To Your Engines Performance
Spark Plug Problems: Function, Failure And Replacement
Spark Plug Reading: How To Do It: What It Can Tell You
Starter Motor Problems (Symptoms, Causes & Diagnosis)
Sticking Valves Because Of Carbon Deposits And Rich Fuel Mixture
T
Tailpipe Smoke: What Does The Color Of The Tailpipe Smoke Mean
Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) – Function – Failure – Testing
Timing Belt Basics – Avoid the Unexpected Cost of Engine Damage
Timing Belt Failure: Causes, Symptoms, and Solutions
Timing Belts – Chains Or Gears, All Do The Same Thing, Differently
Timing Belts: Connect Parts Together, To Operate In Sequence
Top Dead Center – Is When the Piston Is at the Top of Its Stroke
Torque Specification – Torque To Yield – Torque, Plus Angle
Torque To Yield Bolts (TTY): What Exactly Are They
Turbocharger: How it Works and Why it’s Essential
V
Vacuum Leak Detection: How to Find & Fix Vacuum Leaks Safely
Vacuum Leak Repair: Locations, Common Causes, Common Repairs
Vacuum Leaks – How To Quickly Find Them In 5 Easy Steps
Vacuum Test Basics – What To Check And How To Do It
Valve Cover Gasket Leaks: There Are Common Warning Signs
Valve Guide Wear – How to Identify and Reduce Oil Consumption
Valve Job: Why Would You Need One – Causes – What To Expect
Valve Lash – Getting All The Facts For Setting And Adjustment
Valve Lash Setting For Quiet Engine Performance
Valve Lifters: Hydraulic vs. Mechanical (Solid), Learn the Difference
Valve Seats: Learn How To Install And Grind Valve Seats
Valve Springs Can Cause, Floating Valves and Pumped Up Lifters
Valve Stem Seal Failure: Follow The Symptoms and Conditions
Valve Stem Seals: Basic Function, Seal Types, Failure Symptoms
Valve Train Noise – Where Is It Coming From ? – Is It Bad ?
Valves and Piston Rings: Problems, Causes and Solutions
Variable Valve Timing (VVT) – Benefits & Advantages Explained
Variable Valve Timing (VVT) – Function And Its Advantages
Vehicle Noise: What Do You Hear And When Do You Hear It?
W
Water Pump And Timing Belt Replacement – Tips And Instructions
Water Pump Failure: Common Signs to Identify
Water Pump Noise: Signs of Failure and Potential Engine Damage
Wet Compression Testing Is A Step Up, From A Regular Test
White Stuff Under My Oil Filler Cap – What Is It ? Is It Bad ?