Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Stack Exchange
Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Stack Exchange

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Lots of sparks and heat when jump starting a car

I just tried to jump start a friend's car. When I connected the jumper cables, there were a lot of sparks. They were connected for nearly 30 seconds and I noticed a lot of heat and smoke coming from both batteries. I immediately disconnected and…
Mike Cole
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magnet on oil-filter- is it a good idea?

The use of magnetic drain plugs (to catch ferro-magnetic metal particles) is well established. Is it better to attach a magnet to the oil-filter?
Warren Hudson
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Paint peeling around body filled area 6 months on

I sanded and filled a dent in my cars plastic/foam bumper, applied primer and factory matched auto paint. This worked and look fine for about 6 months. Today I noticed the paint around where the filler is is beginning to crack and peel. Would anyone…
MeltingDog
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Engine Size and Fuel Consumption

I have this weird misconception that the engine size is related to the amount of fuel being burned in one cycle(4-stroke engine). I know this is stupid but how does engine size relate to the amount of fuel being burned in one cycle. For example I…
Dean
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Motorcycle Headlight Conversion

I've decided to install a new headlight on my bike. The current setup is two bulbs, one is on for low beam and both on for high beam, with two wires going out of each (h11?). Here is a short video of someone taking apart theirs (I have the same…
Bass
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Front right 'squeals' when turning

Hi I have an incredibly frustrating noise coming from the front right of the car. It only occurred after replacing pads and rotors. It occurs when turning left (weight on right) and occasionally going straight. Seems to get worse the hotter it gets…
user2818700
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Cleaning fuel injectors

I have a total of 4 fuel injectors in my hand, and was wondering how I'd go about cleaning them, and how to tell if they're any good. I do get a loss of mileage, and my engine hesitates a lot. And i did receive a p0171 code. So i thought i'd check…
TrippedStackers
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What is a suitable air compressor for a home garage?

What type and size air compressor (HP, Tank Size, CFM, direct drive/2 stage... etc) would be suitable for a home garage where I'm going to do small amounts of maintenance but nothing major? So I would need to be able to use a tyre inflator and a…
Scott
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Parking --- in gear or neutral?

This question is discussed all over the internet, but it seems to be just a voting procedure. I'd like to get a high-quality answer, and, since I couldn't find it on SE, I'll ask it again here. With the manual transmission, when parking on a…
texnic
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Reasons for loss of radiator fluid

I've had to top up my car's radiator fluid twice in the last month after discovering that the expansion tank (plastic container where one usually tops up) had completely drained out (roughly a gallon). The first time, I noticed a puddle of coolant…
Zaid
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Finding And Fixing A Short

Make: Chevy Model: Cavalier Year: 1993 (old I know) Symptoms Turn signal no longer works. The lights do not come on, and there is no "ticking" sound. New Fuse for signal blows as soon as the car is turned on, and signal is activated. Question I…
Josh
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Do I need to torque my spark plugs?

I have never torqued them before on several vehicles that I do tune ups on. I just apply a bit of anti-seize lube and get them "snug" and everything seems to work fine. Should I be using a torque wrench to ensure they are properly installed?
Tone
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How to ensure nuts holding wheels are properly tightened?

I'll need to help put wheels on a sedan that is currently parked on bricks near a building after some bad guys had stolen previous wheels. I'll likely have only a basic wrench that was shipped with the car. Each wheel is to be held by five nuts each…
sharptooth
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Good template for keeping maintenance records?

I'm looking for ideas on templates to use to record service for multiple vehicles. Excel is preferred format, but open to all in interest of gathering ideas. Anyone have any templates?
Tone
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What's making my coolant overflow?

I got home to find a trail of coolant down the driveway and puddles forming under the car (1991 Toyota MR2 - 5SFE). Concerned that I blew a hose, I checked them all. Nothing. Finally decided to see if I had anything left in the overflow to see…
Brian Knoblauch
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