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1500 questions
12
votes
4 answers
When spraying a part of a car, how do you avoid 'cut off lines'?
The corner of my rear bumper is chipped and cracked. I sanded it down, applied filler, undercoat and paint. It looks fine but I can see a little line where I masked off the area.
Are there any tips for avoiding this?
MeltingDog
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12
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8 answers
How to remove metal valve caps?
I put metal valve caps on my tires a year or so ago, because I'm an idiot. When I went to add some air to my tires one day, I found that the caps were seized up. Now I am unable to get them off. This is a sensitive part, so I can't just muscle them…
Dan
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12
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7 answers
Can a car AC unit be run on just the car battery?
This might be a silly question but I was wondering if a car AC unit be run off entirely on battery or alternator?
As this could help in
Preventing power loss during important times such as overtaking and climbing on slopes.
Increasing fuel…
saurabh64
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votes
1 answer
What is fish plating a frame?
When building a frame I've heard people refer to adding a fish plate. What does fish plating a frame do and what exactly is it?
Hᴇʀʙɪᴇ
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12
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3 answers
Software solutions to lighter flywheel issues
This great question discusses the disadvantages of a lighter flywheel:
More twitchy to drive
Shorter window of opportunity to complete gear changes
Possible stalling at low RPM
It seems to me that the disadvantages could all be resolved in modern…
dotancohen
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2 answers
4x4 for sports cars (street use)
As some of you may know from this question i am currently rebuilding my car. The plan is to rebuild it from scratch. An important part is the engine. At the moment there is a 1.4l 8V petrol engine with 60HP(44KW?). This is, of course, a bit too…
Requion
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12
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5 answers
Should Multiple Coolant Hose Leaks in a Short Time Worry Me?
Right after fixing another problem with one of my cars ( 98 Mazda 626 GF 2L ), I revved the engine and all of a sudden heard the tell tale hiss of a coolant leak:
As you can see, this hose just sprang a leak. Not a big deal, it's probably the…
Robert S. Barnes
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12
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2 answers
How to Use Glue on Dent Puller Tabs
I just got a little dent pulling kit that uses glue on tabs:
As can be seen, the tabs come in many shapes and sizes, and different surface textures; some have a ribbed surface, while others of a dimple in center or a canal like thing.
I basically…
Robert S. Barnes
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12
votes
1 answer
Do cars and passenger airplanes use the same type of exterior paint?
Can you apply a paint used for the exterior of car to the body and wings of a passenger airplane? If no, please explain why? How do the paints used differ?
nk379
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1 answer
Are widebands known to go lazy over time?
I know narrowbands can go lazy with time, but what about widebands?
This is a sequel to the cold-start misfire mystery.
It turns out that we were looking at the wrong PID's for the front O2 sensor voltages, assuming they were narrowbands. Probing…
Zaid
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12
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1 answer
What are the various causes of preignition / detonation?
A search on detonation produced some of the causes of detonation, but everything I found says there are other causes, but none list them.
The most common listed cause is the air / fuel mixture becoming too hot due to compression by a turbo. When it…
cdunn
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12
votes
5 answers
Effects of sway bar stiffness on rough, uneven roads
I just read a really nice write-up on sway bar physics. I also watched a video discussing suspension behavior on rough roads.
Let's assume the following:
A front-wheel drive vehicle being driven around a corner at a speed which, on a dry, smooth,…
Jason C
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12
votes
1 answer
Does synthetic oil expire?
I just bought a bottle of Castrol Edge oil for topping up. The oil is advertised as being 'Fully synthetic', I don't really know what that means but it was produced sometime in 2012.
That seems like a while ago, does the oil expire? I am asking…
Bogdan Petrica
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4 answers
Optimal RPM range for manual transmission
Are there optimal RPM ranges for different vehicles? I've been told it's better for the engine to drive at slightly higher RPMs (e.g. 2500-3000 for my Tacoma) than low (1000-1500).
I understand a lot depends on the gear sizing and ratios for…
amphibient
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12
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4 answers
Brakes make a "POP" sound and then I can't brake
I have a 1998 Honda Accord. I am driving today and I know that I need new brakes. They make a metal on metal screeching sound when I brake. Today as I go to brake at an intersection I hear a loud pop and my brakes stop working. I was able to avoid…
Oscar Aguilera
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