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1500 questions
15
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4 answers

How to Remove Core Plugs? (aka Freeze Plugs)

I have been removing core plugs from an engine I'm rebuilding with varying levels of violence. The engine block is aluminium and I'd like to reduce the chance of of me damaging it. How do I remove plugs while minimising the risk of damaging the…
Sam
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2 answers

Yamaha R1 intake tract configuration

Interesting Configuration The Yamaha R1 has a very strange intake design. Notice the intake horns in the image below. They sit above the throttle bodies and are not attached directly to them leaving an air gap between the throttle bodies and these…
DucatiKiller
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15
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2 answers

Why is a W-16 called, well, W?

The term "W-16" seems to imply some sort of configuration that resembles the letter W, which implies three banks of cylinders with one sharing a common cylinder head. In fact, the Bugatti W-16 in the Veyron is probably more accurately a double-V-16,…
BillDOe
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15
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5 answers

Does Vaseline dissolve rubber?

Recently, someone suggested that I apply some vaseline to an O-ring connection to see if I can find a leak. I've read that oil-based lubricants, especially vaseline, can desolve rubber. It seems like a bad idea to do this. Does vaseline (or any…
Lynn Crumbling
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15
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4 answers

Why do 5 and 6-speed transmissions typically need different gear ratios?

My 2013 Subaru WRX has a 5-speed manual, and I long for it to have a 6th gear when cruising on the highway. A friend has a 2012 Subaru STI with a 6-speed manual, and I noticed his car runs through the gears more quickly to achieve the same…
Trevor D
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1 answer

Are there different greases for inner and outer CV joints?

I was watching a video by Eric the Car Guy on changing a CV boot. In it he mentioned that there are two different types of grease, for inner and outer CV joints, which can be identified by the colour of the grease. According to him "inner joint…
Robert S. Barnes
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1 answer

Dynamometer Question - How is it operated and what are they doing?

When guys are doing dyno runs they to do it in a gear, interact with the keyboard and then do it again in another gear. It seems they do multiple runs in multiple gears. In this post Paulster explained how dynamometer functions. I would like to…
DucatiKiller
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15
votes
2 answers

Cold temperatures and tire pressure light

I have 2013 Nissan Rogue. I live in Toronto, Canada, so it is very cold here right now. I understand that cold temperatures can cause the tire pressure light to come on, but will it actually affect the reading if I use a pressure gauge (I think…
Jonathan Gafar
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1 answer

What exactly are fuel trims?

What is meant by the term "fuel trim"? Why are they so important in diagnosing engine operation issues? How do short-term fuel trims differ from long-term fuel trims?
Zaid
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15
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3 answers

Why do many hybrids have little or no trailer towing capacity?

I have noticed that many hybrid vehicles have little or no trailer towing capacity. For example, the Toyota Auris Touring Sports hybrid model has 375 kg trailer towing capacity (unbraked + braked) whereas the non-hybrid model has 450 kg unbraked and…
juhist
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3 answers

Afraid to crank engine - how can I tell if my cylinders are flooded with water?

Backdrop We had really heavy rains here today. I was in my '99 M5, idling in traffic when I noticed the brake pedal feel became really notchy. When I let go of the brakes the pedal would not travel back up easily and the engine started sputtering…
Zaid
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15
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4 answers

Does using an impact wrench instead of a breaker bar prevent damaging to nuts or bolts?

I broke two of my car's lug nut studs, and I had to take the car to mechanic for repair. The mechanic explained that sometimes lug nuts are highly over-torqued because all shops use impact gun to tighten them, but does not cause any problems as long…
Allan Xu
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4 answers

Low-side and high-side pressures lower than expected after AC repair

I just did my first automotive AC repair, after the compressor in my 2004 Lancer 2.0 ate itself, cracked its casing, and blew all the refrigerant out. I think I did the repair & recharge correctly-- and the AC is blowing very cold-- but I'm…
Cognitive Hazard
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3 answers

What are the Advantages of a Single Side SwingArm on Motorcycles?

I have noticed that Ducatis , Honda and Triumph have bikes with a Single Sided SwingArm Much like most of the scooters. Are there any advantages of following this design , if so why are not all manufacturers using it. Why are all the scooters using…
Shobin P
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6 answers

How much air should a tire lose each month?

How much air does a tire typically lose each month? Do nitrogen-filled tires actually lose less air (well, nitrogen) each month? If so, what's normal for them? According to a tire store manager I spoke with, a tire will lose about 2 PSI each month,…
Amazon Dies In Darkness
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