Whats the best automotive tip you have?

[Bad Bird]

Originally Posted by Streets

Leave the nut on the bolt when you're going to pull a steering wheel off unless you want a broken nose.

Oh god, I did that a few years ago. Except that it was my front teeth. That was not a fun experience.

Tip:

It doesn't matter how good your welding is if the car is now on fire. Just ask me how I know...

[GTPete]

This is not completley safe so dont try this at home.....If you need a magnetic scewdriver and you dont have one grab some insulated electrical wire 3mm or so diameter, you need around 20 cm in length. Wrap it around the scredriver blade, bear each end of the insulation so the wire is exposed touch one end to the posative battery terminal and the other end of the wire to the negative terminal. Instant magnetic srewdriver!

Car wont start cant hear the fuel pump in the tank when ignition is tuned on or cranking, give the bottom of the fuel tank a belt with your hand or a rubber mallett, while cranking the engine.

Same goes for the alternator if it stops charging give it a light tap with a hammer.

If your carby is flooding due to a stuck needle and seat, run the carby completely out of fuel as the float level drops the needle should open enough to let the blockage pass into the fuel bowl.

If your fuel tank leaks and you need a temporary way to seal it get hold of a block of soap, break some off and cover the hole, the soap will act as a sealant.

If your clutch starting your car dont forget to turn the ignition on first.

If you break down on the freeway or a main road, use your hazard lights before you do anything else.

Pump the brake pedal after changing brake pads, before you drive out of the garage.

[1LOUDXFUTE]

Originally Posted by GTPete

This is not completley safe so dont try this at home.....If you need a magnetic scewdriver and you dont have one grab some insulated electrical wire 3mm or so diameter, you need around 20 cm in length. Wrap it around the scredriver blade, bear each end of the insulation so the wire is exposed touch one end to the posative battery terminal and the other end of the wire to the negative terminal. Instant magnetic srewdriver!

Car wont start cant hear the fuel pump in the tank when ignition is tuned on or cranking, give the bottom of the fuel tank a belt with your hand or a rubber mallett, while cranking the engine.

Same goes for the alternator if it stops charging give it a light tap with a hammer.

If your carby is flooding due to a stuck needle and seat, run the carby completely out of fuel as the float level drops the needle should open enough to let the blockage pass into the fuel bowl.

If your fuel tank leaks and you need a temporary way to seal it get hold of a block of soap, break some off and cover the hole, the soap will act as a sealant.

If your clutch starting your car dont forget to turn the ignition on first.

If you break down on the freeway or a main road, use your hazard lights before you do anything else.

Pump the brake pedal after changing brake pads, before you drive out of the garage.

not safe? you got that right!! hahahaha

[tankclare]

not safe but it works lol

[1LOUDXFUTE]

Originally Posted by tankclare

not safe but it works lol

hope noone takes him the wrong way and uses the car battery

[dom_105]

Keep a shifter spanner, leatherman (or chinese knock off) and a roll of duct tape in your spare wheel well.

And remember where you put your lock nut.

[Elks]

Take up golf, for even the most expensive set of clubs is cheaper than a half decent pair of cylinder heads.

[xbgs351]

Originally Posted by Bad Bird

Oh god, I did that a few years ago. Except that it was my front teeth. That was not a fun experience.

Tip:

It doesn't matter how good your welding is if the car is now on fire. Just ask me how I know...

Were you just wrenching on it, or were you using a puller?

[SLO AU XR8]

Originally Posted by Elks

Take up golf, for even the most expensive set of clubs is cheaper than a half decent pair of cylinder heads.

ha, I wish. I have $4500 worth in one set....

[ltd]

Always use O2 sensor safe silicon on any gasket repairs

[DENKO]

today's automotive tip is "i'd rather walk then drive or been seen in a holden"

[xbcool]

Originally Posted by yetchh

dont worry about the leftover bolts.. they probably weren't useful anyway

I agree if theres no left over bits ya aint doin it right

[Imagine_]

Tip:

- Clean the thread out, as well as the bolt before re-using as you won't strip a thread
- When installing a nut/bolt etc... start the thread with your hands (also prevents a striped thread)
- White out is your friend ( mark a timing chain/belt, cams, alignment of any components even numbering your components)
- Always but a rag under the Wiper arm end when replacing the Wiper Rubbers
- If a bolt/nut is too tight give it a hit with a hammer!!!
- To make sure you have bleed the cooling system properly turn your heater on inside the car.... once the heater is pumping out hot air - you are free of any air-locks
- Use the correct tool on each bolt/nut/screw it makes life easier!
- Where a pair of rubber gloves, it'll save you time trying to get the oil, brake dust off your hands! lol
- General thumb of rule.... Lefty Loosy Right Tighty

All i can think of for the moment! Enjoy!

[Melz]

Don't connect the positive lead to the negative terminal and then the negative lead to the positive terminal and try to start the car....especially when there is no fusable link...... :

[james22]

^^^ lol. Just make sure you use rubber gloves and not latex like I did....

It melts to your hands..... yowieee

[Melz]

Originally Posted by james22

^^^ lol. Just make sure you use rubber gloves and not latex like I did....

It melts to your hands..... yowieee

Gloves are for girls.... (and thats coming from a girl : )

[yetchh]

Originally Posted by dom_105

And remember where you put your lock nut.

Hah.. and before you drive remember to take it off after youve finished tightening nuts.. i lost a couple that way

[Burnout]

Originally Posted by Jastel

Change the $10 Power Steering Hose nut
Not the $100 Power Steering Hose

Too right - I suffered from that : !

[tankclare]

Always carry some spare tools in your car. Has helped me a few times plus handy when helping someone else out.

Always carry some spare oil in your car. Has saved me a few times.

When welding or doing electrical work on your car disconnect the battery first.

Buy yourself a set of ratchet spanners!

If you can't undo tight nuts or bolts. Give them a hit with wd40 and put a ring spanner on the end of your spanner for more leverage. Does wonders.

Measure twice and cut once!

Never over tighten your spark plugs. Firm is plenty.

When loosening and tightening wheel nuts always work in a star pattern. Stops you warping rotors and you will know wheel is on properly.

[VioletGT]

Righty Tighty - Left Loosy.

[mrbaxr6t]

I have some

1. Use butter to remove road tar from your paintwork

2. when using a breaker bar never pull it upward between your legs

3. always carry a can of that stuff you can squirt into tyre to stop puncture

4. on dedicated LPG or car that cant run on petrol - dont run out LPG

5. LISTEN to someone older and wiser before attempting anything

6. RTFM then RTFM again then refer #5

7. cheap tools are more expensive when you keep smashing/breaking them

8. expensive tools are extremely expensive if you lose or lend them

9. never send someone else to the wreckers to pick something up for you, you will only have to go anyway to swap the part

[downthetrack]

If you're about to change the diff oil, make sure the filler nut is able to be undone before draining the oil.

[The Mighty Red]

never use an air gun to tighten nuts and studs etc , very bad things can happen :

[Bad Bird]

Originally Posted by xbgs351

Were you just wrenching on it, or were you using a puller?

It wasn't the XB. This was a very long time ago, and on a Torana. I learned my lesson.

[Iggypoppin']

Mrbaxr6t, with the butter thing...does that really work? And how ok earth did you figure that out?

[ryanstev]

I hope this hasn't been posted.

If you're going down a long hill, engine braking but you still have to occasionally brake, turn your A/C on, the extra drag on the engine reduces how much you need to brake.

I've never tried this, but read it years ago and thought it sounded like a good tip.

[Iggypoppin']

NEVER let your shed get messy.
NEVER let your mates drink near your car in the shed. Those empty bottles and cans will really pee you off in the morning..

[Imagine_]

Originally Posted by Melz

Gloves are for girls.... (and thats coming from a girl : )

Go get some Diesel oil and brake dust on your hands... then count the days or shall i say weeks before you hands are clean again! Just don't touch any white, cream, beige colours until your hands are 100% clean!

[X000BOSS]

if in need of a little lube (for injector o-rings for example), and the vaso etc is no where to be seen, get the little satchel of lube from your packet of condoms.

[XR6_661]

Originally Posted by VioletGT

Righty Tighty - Left Loosy.

I say this in my head all the time when I'm doing a bolt haha