The Car Engine Stalls Right After It Starts
July 27, 2006 | Leave a Comment
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Have you ever experience when you start your car as usual, the engine starts, but when you shift into 1st gear suddenly it stalls. There are few reasons for this.
If you start the car on a cold weather, there are additional systems in the car that must operate to keep the engine running until it warm up. If your car runs with carburator engine, it is equipped with automatic choke and fast idle to keep the engine from stalling. This is because on a cold weather, fuel doesn’t vaporise efficiently.
As for a fuel injected engines, they have electronic sensors and electronic idle speed control to keep the car from stalling.
Another reason why engine stall is the engine might need to be re-tune. When you shift the gear from neutral to the 1st gear or drive (for auto transmission), extra burden is added to the engine. If the engine idles too slow, it might stall when you release the acceleration pedal or when you shift into gear.
To overcome this problem you just need to wait for at least 10 minutes after you start your engine. After that if the engine runs normally all you need to do is just drive the car as usual. If stalling occurs again, send your car for checking with the mechanic. If it’s a carburator engine, the mechanic might have to clean or adjust the choke and fast idle system. As for the fuel injected engine, the diagnosis is a bit complicated because the mechanic need to check the cold enrichment system for any problem.
Tag:automatic choke, car maintenance, car repair, carburator engine, cars, cold enrichment system, electronic idle speed control, fast idle system, fuel injection, Repair and MaintenancePopularity: 4% [?]
Toyota scolded by Japan for recall practices
July 23, 2006 | Leave a Comment
Remember my post about the recalls that Toyota made for some defect SUVs model, criminal investigation is in progress. Three Toyota offcials are suspected for professional negligence.
In a rare public scolding of Japan’s biggest company, the government reprimanded Toyota Friday and called for improved recall practices amid a criminal investigation into a 2004 accident.
The transportation ministry issued a “guidance” order requiring the automaker to report to the ministry by Aug. 4 steps it is taking to better monitor reports of defects and speed up communication within the company about possible problems, a ministry official said on customary condition of anonymity.
To read more about the news just click here.
Tag:car defect, cars, recall, toyotaPopularity: 3% [?]
GM alliance - Toyota Not Interested
July 23, 2006 | Leave a Comment
Toyota announced that it has no interest to join alliance with General Motors or has any intention to block the GM-Renault -Nissan alliance.
We are not thinking about participating,” he told reporters at a Tokyo hotel when asked about whether Toyota may either join or block the talks among GM, Renault and Nissan.
Toyota has cooperated with General Motors in a few endeavors over the years, including developing ecological technology. The companies also jointly operate an auto plant in Fremont, California, called New United Motor Manufacturing Inc., or NUMMI, which was set up in 1984.
Watanabe said NUMMI and other friendly ties with GM will continue unchanged, but he said he does not foresee new tie-ups involving major stakes for his company.
To read more about the news just click here.
Tag:cars, general motors, toyotaPopularity: 3% [?]
Spinning sound from the starter but the car won’t start
July 18, 2006 | Leave a Comment
Instead of cranking sound, you hear spinning sound or you hear the starter engage but eventually change to spinning sound when you turn the ignition switch to start.
What happen here is when you turn the ignition switch ON, the shafts for the starter motor starts to turn. The gear attached to the starter motor shaft called the starter drive, as the speed of the shaft increase, must engage with the flywheel gear which is attached to the engine crankshaft. The spinning sound is the result when the starter drive doesn’t engage with the flywheel gear.
If this happen, you won’t be able to hear the sound of the engine being turned ON by the starter motor.
If this scenario happens to you, first you need to let the motor to come to a complete rest. Wait for atleast 2 minutes before you try again. If the problem occur again, release the ignition key. Don’t pump the acceleration pedal before each start because this can cause the engine to be flooded with fuel.
When the initial attempt doesn’t work, try to start again after 2 hours. Then try to start again. I the problem still persists, you need to leave the engine overnight without any attempt to start again.
The next day try to start again. If the engine still can’t be started, you need to call in the mechanic or the tow truck. If you have a manual transmission, you could opt to push the car but if it comes with automatic transmission, you can forget it.
When you try to push, put the ignition key to ON and the transmission in gear, either the 1st gear or the 2nd gear. Normally I put the transmission to the 2nd gear. Depress the clutch pedal until the car is rolling or moving and slowly let the clutch pedal go. This will cause the engine to crank and it should be able to start. Please be reminded that a sudden surge of power could happen if the engine manage to start and get ready to control the acceleration pedal and the brake pedal.
Tag:car maintenance, car repair, cars, flywheel, flywheel gear, Repair and Maintenance, shaft, spinning sound but car wont start, starter drive, starter motorPopularity: 3% [?]
U.S. assembly plants, plans Chinese automaker
July 16, 2006 | Leave a Comment
Nanjing Automobile Corp., China’s oldest car maker which bought the English MG Motors plans to build a manufacturing plant and parts distribution centre at the Ardmore Airpark in south-central Oklahoma.
At full capacity, the assembly plant at the Ardmore Airpark will employ about 325 people, the global headquarters in Oklahoma City will employ another 150, and an estimated 35 will work at the research and development entity in Norman, for an estimated annual payroll exceeding $30 million.
MG Motors plans to offer a full range of sports cars and sedans. The Oklahoma plant will produce a newly designed TF Coupe. The rear wheel drive two-seater was designed by MG’s former owners but never built.
Another British pride sports car brand bought by outsiders. Before it was Lotus bought by Proton, Malaysia car automaker.
To read more about Nanjing’s plans just click here.
Tag:assembly, china, mg motors, nanjing automobile, united statesPopularity: 3% [?]
Tips before any modification part 1
July 16, 2006 | Leave a Comment
Before you decide to do any modification with your cars, just glance through these few reminders carefully.
Keep in mind that that it’s seldom that the biggest or the most expensive is the best modification. Try to avoid the over-enthusiasm. The modification on each parts should be compatible with each other to achieve the best performance as much as possible. Here’s an example, many car enthusiasts know that to install a full race cam, which is not cheap, on a standard engine would not help much with the performance but still some do install them. Another example is eventhough the ethusiast plan his/her modification carefully with a head, cam and an exhaust system that work well with each other and it produces the maximum power at 7,800 rpm, whereas the rods, crankshaft and pistons have the safe limit of 6,800 rpm. With less modification you’ll have an engine that will less likely to blow up.
If possible retain as many stock parts, or heavy duty parts with stock dimension as possible and stick with a proven and more conventional tuning methods. There are many enthusiasts who spent quite a fortune to learn all the trick there is to get the most horsepower out of there engine but my advise is do this if you have the money and the time. Otherwise just stick with the more moderate modification.
Another tip is check out what the other tuners and racers are doing with the same engine or class as yours. For example if there’s a lightweight all alloy 1.5 litre 8-valve engine which could beat a 1.5 litre 16-valve with an iron block regardless of the brand, which will you prefer and see what lesson you can learn from it. It’s obvious that the class doesn’t demand much on the power but the overall engine weight. If you’re a racer you have to opt with the less sophisticated engine even if you don’t like the brand unless you could find a lightweight all alloy 1.5 litre 16-valve from the brand that you prefer.
I’ll give some more tips in my next post…have a nice weekend
Tag:cars, modification tips, modified carsPopularity: 3% [?]
Toyota, Nissan recalls because of factory defect
July 15, 2006 | Leave a Comment
In the United States, Toyota Motor Corp. has to recall 367,500 Toyota and Lexus SUV because a piece in the front console area could come loose and interfere with the acceleration pedal. The models involve are Toyota Highlander 2004-05 model, Lexus RX330, Highlander Hybrid SUV model early 2006 and the RX330 hybrid version.
Also in the United States, Nissan North America Inc has to recall nearly 201,000 Altima and Sentra from the 2003 models to fix a faulty sensor that could cause the engine to shut down.
To read more news about the recalls just click here.
Tag:car defect, Nissan, recalls, toyotaPopularity: 3% [?]
What if there’s grinding sound and the car won’t start
July 15, 2006 | Leave a Comment
What if when you switch the ignition key to start, you hear a grounding sound (as if the teeth of two gears are grinding against each other)? This is because the starter drive gear are trying to engage with the engine flywheel gear. If they don’t engage, the car won’t be able to start and both the gears might damage each other. Wait for at least 20 minutes and the starter drive might engage to the flywheel gear. This could start the car but the starter drive will probably grind again the next time you start your car. Send your car immediately to the workshop for repair
You know that this problem occur if when you start your car, you could hear the grinding sound. Turn off the ignition switch and wait for 2 minutes. Try again for several times but remember not to leave the ignition key at start position when you hear the grinding sound. If the starter finally engage and you manage to start your car, keep the engine running until you found a car mechanic because you might not be able to start the car again.
If the above doesn’t work and you still can’t get your car to start, wait for 20 minutes before you try again. If the car still won’t start after few attempts, wait again for at least 2 to 3 hours. Restart your car again and if this attempt fails, let your car in the garage for overnight. If you still can’t manage to get your car started, it’s most likely it won’t be able to start anymore. You have to find a car mechanic or a tow truck to send your car to the workshop.
Please be reminded that repeated attempts to start a car when you hear the grounding sound might results the flywheel and the starter to be damaged and this could be costly. Don’t dismiss this as another new sound if you’ve experienced it before. The grinding sound is the symptom of a worn out or defective starter. To repair this problem, the starter drive or the complete starter set need to be replaced. Repair this problem as soon as possible or you’ll end up with a damage flywheel and this will cost you a lot.
Tag:car maintenance, car repair, car starter, car wont start, cars, flywheel gear, Repair and Maintenance, starter drivePopularity: 4% [?]
GM to consider alliance with ‘open mind’
July 9, 2006 | Leave a Comment
It looks like GM is considering to have an alliance with Renault SA and Nissan Motor Co.
We will enter into discussions with the managements of Renault and Nissan with an open mind — eager to hear their ideas of how an alliance between our companies might work to our mutual benefit,” Wagoner said. “Given the complexity of any potential relationship, it has to be carefully considered on its merits before coming to any conclusion.
To read more about this alliance just click here.
Tag:alliance, general motors, Nissan, renaultPopularity: 2% [?]
