Modern internal combustion engines operate with a precisely tuned balance of air and fuel. Fuel is delivered into the combustion chamber in very specific quantities through components known as fuel injectors. What is a Fuel Injector? A fuel injector is an electronically controlled device which sprays a fine mist of fuel under high pressure. The … Read more
Little can be as concerning as the sudden onset of a strange sound from beneath your vehicle’s hood. No matter the type of sound, one’s thoughts automatically begin to turn toward impending engine failure and the excessive expenditure that might result from such an issue. Few such noises are as common as a ticking or … Read more
In a four stroke combustion engine, intake and exhaust valves play a critical role in a vehicle’s ability to turn fuel into power. What do Valves Do? Valves control the movement of a fluid through a system. Inside your car engine, that fluid is air. On the intake stroke, intake valves must open to allow … Read more
Most motorists come to know their vehicles quite well, both inside and out. Because of this, it comes as no surprise that most vehicle owners quickly recognize any drivability issue that presents itself. Of these driveability issues, few can be as aggravating, or difficult to pinpoint as that which could best be described as a … Read more
An internal combustion engine needs four things to run: air, fuel, spark, and compression. Compression is created by spinning the engine. If the engine is off, how would you get it moving again to create this compression? Enter the starter. A starter is a big electric motor that is designed to spin your engine when … Read more
Every day, we rely upon our vehicle to start when commanded to do so, as we insert our keys into the ignition, and turn the ignition switch. Unfortunately, like any other automotive component, ignition switches do wear out on occasion. When this occurs, the severity of that which is experienced differs from case to case. … Read more
Thinking about towing or hauling a heavy load with your new truck? There are some important terms relating to weight that you should keep in mind before you set out on your next adventure. If you’re going to be buying a truck soon, it’s important to think through how you plan to drive, where you … Read more
You go out to your car in the morning to leave for work and see that your door is slightly ajar, which means that the dome light was on all night. You try valiantly to start the car, but when you turn the key nothing happens – the battery is dead. If you’ve ever experienced … Read more
There are many people in the world who still drive vehicles with a manual transmission although that’s slowly changing. These vehicles have a clutch pedal on the floor to the left of the brake pedal. The clutch is what links the wheels to the engine. All the rotational energy created by the engine gets transferred … Read more
Spark plugs have one very important purpose: to ignite the air/fuel mixture within the combustion chamber to start a car and keep it running. A secondary purpose is to transfer heat away from the combustion chamber to prevent pre-ignition. Making sure the spark plugs in your car are in good condition is crucial for it … Read more