The Mechanic

[Z Trip]

As any of you may know, I recently painted my car, crashed it and am now having engine issues. Today I got up and called the mechanic to get a quote on how much it might cost. He wasn't sure about what I was talking about so I took it down to him. On the way(15min trip) the car was acting the usual. Only going up to 4000 RPM and no more. Once I got their, he got in the car, I was the passenger and I told him how to drive it. The car worked fine!.

I described to him what normaly happened. he told me I might have a spark problem. So today, once I got back, thats what I did.

It's easy to get the spark plugs out, the company provides a special bar that came with the car.

Here they are, all orange.

I got out some 360 sand paper and whent to work:

While doing the spark plugs, I destroyed a couple of spark plug wires. I ordered some new ones and they will be here tommorow. Thanks mom.

Since I had a new one, I decided to change the fuel filter.

The old one:

The new one: I used the white caps to seal off the old one so it didn't leak fuel everywhere.

I clamped off the fuel lines on both sides to reduce the amount of spillage. I put rags inbetween so I did not puncture the hose.

All done:

The fuel filter only took me less then half an hour to do. The spark plugs didn't take long but one of the had a washer that feel inbetween the ceramic part and the head and I was unable to get the socket on it for some time.

NOTE: This looks very easy from the pictures I just took. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. Fuel is explosive(duh) and you can damage the head if you cross thread the plugs. Let your local mechanic do the job. Thats supporting the economy.

 

[Westie]

Dude, very exceptional work. Go buy some new plugs, their cheep.

 

[rallysman]

 

[Z Trip]

Yes, I have sceen that picture. i think its High speed glazing. Another site siad it's because I use fuel treatments and additives.(OCTANE BOOST)

I would normaly spend the money on my car but at the moment, I'm saving it for someone special

 

[rallysman]

Why are you using an octane booster? Unless you actually need it it's counterproductive.

 

[Morledzep]

"spark problem" does not automatically mean you need to replace spark plugs. that is NOT where the spark comes from, that is where the spark goes and gets used.

change your wires when you change your spark plugs.. ALWAYS. not "just if i break one", that is not maintenance that is "i'm too cheap to maintain my car correctly".

you also need to check your distributor cap, rotor and especially if this is an after accident case, the wire to the computer.. this probably needs to be REPLACED.. not "repaired". This wire gets damaged easily in accidents and will cause computer failure if repaired incorrectly.. and will cause all of the problems you are describing.

 

[Z Trip]

Why are you using an octane booster? Unless you actually need it it's counterproductive.

Once and awhile i add octane booster. SO you telling me it's manking my engine make less HP then the regualr fuel does?

 

[Morledzep]

Once and awhile i add octane booster. SO you telling me it's manking my engine make less HP then the regualr fuel does?

octane booster has it's uses.. but what you are buying in your local autoparts store doesn't actually boost your octane. it's just snake oil.. it does nothing for your car and it actually can do damage over the long haul. in the form of added deposits on your intake and intake valves.

you are far better off using a reputable intake cleaner every 60K.. and again, not the snake oil they sell the GP at autoparts stores.

 

[Z Trip]

"spark problem" does not automatically mean you need to replace spark plugs. that is NOT where the spark comes from, that is where the spark goes and gets used.

change your wires when you change your spark plugs.. ALWAYS. not "just if i break one", that is not maintenance that is "i'm too cheap to maintain my car correctly".

you also need to check your distributor cap, rotor and especially if this is an after accident case, the wire to the computer.. this probably needs to be REPLACED.. not "repaired". This wire gets damaged easily in accidents and will cause computer failure if repaired incorrectly.. and will cause all of the problems you are describing.

Wires comes in 7 packs for my car, 6 for the plugs, 1 to the cap. Now what are you tlking about "rotor"? I am familiar with the brake rotor but I am uncertain about what you mean.

Hey, I am the least cheap person when it comes to cars.

 

[Morledzep]

Wires comes in 7 packs for my car, 6 for the plugs, 1 to the cap. Now what are you tlking about "rotor"? I am familiar with the brake rotor but I am uncertain about what you mean.

Hey, I am the least cheap person when it comes to cars.

distributor rotor, INSIDE your distributor cap.. if i remember right, on that distributor it has a screw that anchors it in place.. simple to replace but be sure to use a magnetic screwdriver so you don't accidentally drop the screw.