Leaves accumulated near the fresh air intake can enter the car’s evaporator case.

There are several things that can cause low airflow from a vehicle’s air conditioning system. The strongest blowing vents are the middle ones with the setting adjusted to maximum or recirculate. On the max setting, the air is recirculated in the passenger compartment. Obstructions can include leaves, loose articles from the glove-box, a broken or out of position door in the Heating Ventilating & Air Conditioning (HVAC) case.

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UV dye can help in detecting oil leak sources.

It can be very difficult to pinpoint and detect the cause of leaks when the engine is covered with oil. Sometimes it’s best to clean the motor to help determine where the oil is coming from. By adding UV (Ultra Violet) Dye, the leak can be traced much easier back to the source. To begin with, it’s best to determine what type fluid is leaking, there are several things that could be leaking on an automobile.

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Ford Expedition lean codes could caused by a leaky PCV hose.

If a car has a check engine light on and has P0171 and P0174 codes stored, the most likely cause is a vacuum leak. These codes are set by the car’s computer when it sees too much oxygen in the exhaust. Excessive oxygen readings in the exhaust will set lean codes. This does not mean that the oxygen sensors are defective. It is a common mistake for people to replace oxygen sensors when lean codes are present. Just because the code is related to oxygen sensor readings, it doesn’t mean that the oxygen sensors are bad. If both of these codes are stored this means that both banks of the engine have excessive oxygen in the exhaust. If the oxygen sensors are replaced it’s most likely that the same codes will reappear. It is very uncommon for two oxygen sensors to fail at the same time.

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Tree style masking stations like this one holds paper and tape for easy access.

Professional autobody paint shops prevent much overspray by masking the car well prior to painting. Taking time for preparation can save a lot of time on cleanup later. Masking machine stations hold rolls of paper and masking tape for easy application. Windows trim pieces and tires can be taped off to prevent overspray. Many do-it-yourselfers don’t realize how easy it is to get overspray on the car. When there is a chance of getting overspray on the vehicle its best to mask the car.

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Power window problems? Read on for free tips.

Broken power windows are usually caused by one of several things. The most common problem is a bad power window motor. The second most common problem is the regulator, followed by a bad power window switch. If the window regulator is broken it could be binding or the cable could be off one of the pulleys. In a few cases, the window may just be STUCK. This happens sometimes in rear windows that get little use. The weather stripping that the window slides in (AKA called a window run) can sometimes prevent the window from moving.

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Robinair AC Manifold gauge set was originally for R12, it has been adapted for 134A

To properly diagnose an AC system the use of a manifold gauge set is needed. AC gauge pressure readings help professional auto technicians determine if the system is low and exactly what is going on with the car’s A/C system. A 134A gauge set is also used when attaching a vacuum pump to the car for evacuating/removing the air out of AC components. If air is left in the system, the moisture it contains combines with refrigerant under pressure can cause a corrosive acid to form that can destroy evaporators, condensers or even the AC compressor from the inside.

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