It’s an unfortunate fact of a car’s life that when it gets old, it gets worst. Sometimes it’s obvious when something breaks, but other times it’s harder to tell when it simply doesn’t run the way it used to. For a couple bucks, and few minutes of your time, you can make your car run almost like new again.
You don’t need any advanced mechanical skills. All you need to do is buy some specific cleaners, a couple tools (that you probably have most of already), and just a few minutes of your time. Yes, you can make your car run so much better that cheaply, and in about 30 minutes. Here’s how…
First off, if you’re new to vehicles and not exactly sure where parts are, check out The Random Automotive’s guide: Car Basics – What’s Under the Hood.
Fuel System/Injector Cleaner
As time goes on, deposits can build up in your fuel system, including your fuel injectors. Fuel injectors are what spray the correct amount of gas into your engine, which is then ignited by the spark plugs. Injectors are expensive, so it is best to take care of them. Taking care of them also allows your engine to receive the correct amount of fuel that it needs.
At any auto parts store, or even Walmart, you can find a fuel system cleaner. I picked Gumout, but a very popular brand is also Seafoam. Seafoam takes bit more effort, so take note of that. Follow all instructions on the bottle. Basically what it comes down to is to run your gas tank to nearly empty, empty the correct amount of cleaner into your gas tank, and then fill up. It should help break up carbon deposits in your engine, and clean your injectors.
Change your Air Filter
For you to live, you have to breathe. Your car is no different. Your engine pulls in air through its intake system, that air is mixed with the fuel from your injectors, and your sparkplugs ignite the mixture. The first part of the intake system is your air filter.
This is generally located in your airbox. You can check your manual or online to find out where it is in your vehicle. If your filter is brown and covered in leaves, it’s time to change it. It’s only a couple bucks at your local auto parts store, and it’s simply a matter of pulling the old one out and putting the new one in. Your car needs clean air, like you.
Clean your Mass Airflow Sensor (MAF)
Now things get a bit more “mechanical,” but are still very easy. Your mass airflow sensor is located after your air filter in your intake tube. It’s made of some electronic components that read and measure the air coming in. Based off those readings, it will tell the engine how to run: how much fuel, idle speed, and so on. So, if this gets dirty, you could get false readings, and your car may not run as well.
For a couple bucks, you can pick up some MAF cleaner. Locate your sensor in your intake tube. Normally it either splits your tube into two pieces, or is something that is stuck into it. It generally is the only thing directly past your air filter that has an electric connector going to it. Pop that connector off, then unscrew or unclamp it, and carefully remove it. Follow the directions on the can, but you generally spray it down and reinstall it. Be careful not to touch or damage the diodes on the MAF, or your car may not run correctly.
Clean your Throttle Body
This is one of the more advanced things we’ll be doing, but it will help a lot. Your throttle body controls how much air actually enters the engine. Inside the body of the throttle body itself is a valve or two that open and close to control the flow of air. Over time, carbon and other grim will form on and around it. This can cause your car to sputter or stall at idle or in park.
Like everything else, you can pick up throttle body cleaner for a couple bucks. Do not use carburetor cleaner. Unclamp and pull back or remove your intake hose from the throttle body. This will expose the valve. Spray your cleaner onto an old cotton t-shirt. Begin gently wiping down the inside of the housing and the valve. You’ll need to clean the behind and the backside of the valve. Gently push the bottom of the valve to open it. Use your other hand to clean the backside and the rest of the housing behind it. Don’t push too aggressively. Most newer throttle bodies are electronically controlled, and you don't want to damage the motor.
Change your Sparkplugs
Sparkplugs are what is responsible for the combustion of your engine. Check your manual as to when they need to be replaced. Replacing them could be simple, or a major pain in the ass depending on where they are located. Make sure you can access each plug before you begin. You will need your new plugs, a ratchet, and sparkplug socket.
It's a simple as removing your spark plug wire, unscrewing the old plug, putting the new one in, and reinstalling your wire. The biggest thing to make sure of is that you’re putting the wire back on the plug you took it off of. If you don’t, it could mess up your car’s firing order. To make it easy, just replace one at a time.
So there you have it! For about $20 (minus the cost of the sparkplugs) and about thirty minutes of your time, you can make your car run almost like new again! Going to a shop to do this would probably cost you over $100. Take care of your car, and it will take care of you!
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good post
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