So this is prety basic but I better explain it to be safe. What does ‘post cat’ mean on an oxygen sensor.
Every car after 1996 has at least a few O2 sensors. Most have 4 of them. For most cars there are 2 located before the cat and 2 after. What does this mean?
The sensors determine the type of air going out of your exhaust and adjusts the air intake to improve performance and reduce pollution. Therefore the sensors have to be located in the exhaust. The middle of the exhaust is the catalaytic Converter that attempts to kill the last bit of pollution leaving your car. Thus the sensors are ‘Pre Catalatyic Converter’ or Before the cat and ‘post’ or After the Cat. They are usually not the same sensor.
Left and right is pretty straightforward. Just remember that these are as if you are sitting in the drivers seat. All auto parts are determined this way.
Read our recent article about Audi Turbo or Natually Aspirated. Now its your turn to vote. Please vote and add some comments.
Loading ...So with the price of gas these days, everyone is looking for better mileage. I had a friend who was looking at buying a late model off lease Audi A4. He was looking at both the Audi Turbo model and the non turbocharger model. The question is, which way to go?
Audi offers both the Audi A4 Turbo model and the naturally aspirated version. Both are fun cars to drive, but the extra kick of the turbo and the better MPG usually wins it for me.
The turbo version will typically get much better MPG too. I say typically because if the turbo is not working correctly or has been over juiced, then maybe not. The problem with the turbocharged vehicles is that they don’t have the boost until about 2-3 thousand RPM. Some drivers just don’t like that. They feel like they need that extra power at take-off. I personally can live without it. Especially at $4 gas.
Audi Parts and VW Parts by Engine code
Comments OffEvery manufacturer has different ways of coding their vehicles. If you are looking for BMW parts you often need to know the chassis code. For Audi Parts and Volkswagen Parts it is the Engine Code.
Where do you find the Engine Code? Typically there is a metal plate located under the hood. This will have lots of information about the vehicle. The engine code for Audi is typically a 3 letter code.
The engine code for an 2001-2004 VW Jetta Diesel is ALH. This ‘ALH’ engine is also used in the Beetle diesel engine and can be used to find parts. In 2004 they introduced the BEW Diesel engine. In 2004 it was a transition year. You would need to know this code since they sold both engines that year.
So a straightforward question today. What to do with a leaking power steering rack? You can try a leak stop but you are probably doing more harm than good and it won’t last you very long. The only real option is to replace it. Some rack and pinions leak more than others. Jaguar steering rack are notorious for leaking. Here’s an old joke for you.
Q - Why didn’t Jaguar build computers?
A - They couldn’t find a way to make them leak
So the answer is really to replace the part. Its not really that hard to get to if you can get the car raised up. Buy a good part and try and do the work yourself.
In the middle of summer everyone is doing some ac compressor repair and installation right now. One of the important parts of the install is the evacuation of the old freon and contamination
The A/C system must be free of moisture and air to work properly. Removing the air and moisture
with an A/C system vacuum pump for 45-60 minutes is necessary to deliver proper and long lasting A/C performance.
Its hard to believe, but water based moisture is an ac system killer. In order for the auto air conditioning compressor to not leak or fail later on, you need to be 100% dry and that is why leaving the vacuum pump on longer is always better. Even a small amount of moisture is deadly.
So we got a good question about auto parts recently. What does a crank angle sensor do? Well, it measures the angle of the crank, of course.
To be more specific it measures the angle of the crank to tell the engine computer how to set the ignition timing. If you’re old school or have ever worked on old cars then you have a timing gun and have probably pulled a distributor cap. Modern cars are much more advanced, they use the crank angle sensor and the cam sensor to help the engine adjust the timing. Thus you get variable valve timing engines, because they can set themselves.
So why do you have to replace it? Probably because it is bad. More seriously, probably because the engine won’t start. Possible wierd timing problems are happening like knocking, or popping, but usually that kills the engine.
Quick tip on adjusting a Mercedes Steering Gearbox.
The adjustment screw is very sensitive so go only 1/8 turn at a time. Turning the screw in will ‘press’ the bushings and the box will tighten at the center. Going counter clockwise with the screw will ‘release’ the bushings and the box will loosen at center. You are not tightening a box, but generally moving the pressure point. So you will tighten at center but release at the ends of the gear.
Be very careful and drive for a few days between adjustment. At a certain point the bushings will be gone and you will have to replace the steering box.
Someone asked me if they are supposed to do anything with the oil on their pontiac supercharger. I told them quite clearly yes and no.
GM superchargers typically have 4oz of oil in them. Like a sealed transmission they are typically never changed. I would recommmend changing every 5-10 years and anytime you replace the supercharger. The oil does not have a drain plug and requires a syringe. The recommendation is to use a large syringe to pull the oil out. You should get close to or all of 4 ounces. You can purchase replacement super oil from any GM dealership. Refill with the same amount you put in.
