Questions tagged [diy]

Acronym meaning "Do It Yourself"

86 questions
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Are there requirements for building a car-PC and it's software?

I am currently rebuilding a car as a hobby. As a part of it I am planning on building in a car PC with custom software for some multimedia usage, navigation and some diagnose usage. I know there are pre-built systems to buy and install in the car…
Requion
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Ferrari 3.0L V8 - muffler positioning, and x-flow for specific sound

I am re-designing a Ferrari exhaust system with 2 objectives: 1: enhance the specific high pitch raspy sound that you expect from a small Ferrari V8. 2: achieve a good free-flow design. There is approx 1.5m of tubing between the header and the tail…
10
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4 answers

How long should I wait for engine to cool down before I can check coolant?

I know engine temperature should go down to "C" mark before opening radiator cap. However I'm finding that the temp just stays on normal for a long time. I think I've read people say you need to give an engine 30 minutes or so to cool down before…
James Wilson
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How to use an engine stand

This is one thing which I have asked many times on a car forum and never received a satisfactory response for. I know that the engine block is somehow bolted onto an engine stand like the one pictured below, but I have some specific…
Zaid
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Exactly how much refrigerant is in there?

A concern that comes up regularly when troubleshooting A/C problems is whether an A/C system has too little refrigerant (hello leaks) or too much of it (hello overcharging). The traditional way to do this involves drawing out all the refrigerant…
Zaid
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How can I fix the paint in my car?

My car has several types of paint issues that I worry that they might cause me big troubles in the future. I am looking for ways to solve these issues now so that I save some trouble in the future. Specifically I wish to do some Rust prevention and…
gota
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Can I buy a used car to learn auto repair & DIY?

I am seriously considering learning some auto repair knowledge. I don't want to use my good car as my experimental starter kit. So can I buy a used car somewhere and have it towed home just for the purpose of self-study? I am from Asia and am not…
fhcat
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Keeping track of removed screws?

Put simply, are there any good tricks for keeping track of removed screws and bolts when you're dealing with a lot of them? I'm officially one evening into an interior restoration job on my '88 BMW M5, and around twenty screws in, I've just gotten…
Matthew Haugen
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DIY Alternator Belt Tensioner

I've got a diesel engine in my boat, but the previous owner had somehow snapped the alternator bracket, and fitted it fixed to the boat rather than the engine. Now the alternator doesn't move when the engine rocks putting strain on the belt. The…
Adam
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DIY car repair: Which car should I try to start with?

I would like to start working on cars as a hobby and to turn a small investment into a larger one. I have little experience working on cars but I am learning. I really enjoy working on them and would like to make some extra money. I live in an area…
Kevin Howell
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Is there any car that comes from factory with a integrated dashcam?

I have a car dash cam on my car and I think it does not really integrate well to the car. It blocks some of the view and may attract thieves. Is there any car that as an integrated dashcam from the factory? How/where could I integrate a…
Gabriel Diego
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What is the best way to remove a stripped head bolt that is deep in the engine?

One of the head bolts on my 1997 Mercedes C230 stripped during removal. It is a 12 point star, I think they made be called triple square splines. The others are about 4 inches long stretch bolts. There isn't enough space to get anything in there.…
James Sheridan
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DIY - How to create a car paint booth? What's Involved?

Thinking about painting my next project car, and came across a YouTube video where the OP built a makeshift booth in what appeared to be his garage. Fast forwarding to later videos when he brought the car into the sun, it turned out fairly well,…
MDMoore313
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How to recharge my A/C

How would one go about recharging the Air Conditioning system on a car? My air conditioning is no longer blowing cold, and I think I need to recharge my A/C.
Cullub
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Can I use empty refrigerant bottles to store used refrigerant?

Based on symptoms and measurements, I have reason to suspect that my neighbour's car's AC system has too much refrigerant in it. Some of the refrigerant has to go. To my knowledge, even if environmental regulations penalize the local automotive…
Zaid
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