What is the first thing you do when something happens to your car? Of course, you take it to the nearest car mechanic.
In today’s world, it’s not easy to maintain your vehicle as it requires timely service and repairs that are not free.
But do you know there are many things for which you do not need to approach the mechanic that will help you reduce your maintenance cost and help you if you are stuck at a place where there is no mechanic near you?
10 Simple Car Repairs And Replacement Parts
Here we share 10 simple car repairs that you can perform using standard equipment and replacement parts.
1. Replace Engine Air Filter
Replacing the engine air filter is one of the easiest repair works that you can do yourself. You have to first inspect the air filter to know its condition. Then, you will need to unclip or unscrew the filter box retainers and remove the previous filter.
A shop light will be required to check how much light can pass through the filter. If 50% of the light gets blocked, the filter will need a replacement. Remember, engine air filter replacement can be done on your own, but you will need to go to a professional service center for the entire car engine replacement.
2. Replace PCV Valve
A PCV valve or positive crankcase ventilation valve controls the flammable crankcase vapors flow back into the engine for their safe burning. If the engine backfires, the valve is closed to prevent any major damage to the engine.
With time, carbon gets accumulated in the valve, leading to a loss in spring tension. To replace the valve, you can wiggle it out of its rubber grommet and make it disconnected from the vacuum hose.
Well, if you think a car battery replacement is as easy as replacing a PCV valve, you will be wrong. For that, you will need help from a professional.
3. Gas lifts
Did you know that you can replace the gas lift cylinders too? New lifts are available at any auto parts store, from where you can buy them and hire a helper to hold the liftgate or hood while you can disconnect and then replace the old and exhausted lifts.
Though a metric socket set is used in most gas lifts, others use a ball and socket connection style, where the two of them are held together with a spring clip. To disconnect the spring clip, you must use a flat blade screwdriver between the cylinder and the clip.
4. Replace Non-Headlight Bulbs
To reach the burned-out license plate, fog light bulbs, or side marker, you must remove the retaining screws and the lens. Then, you should pull the bulb directly out of the socket. Now you must put in the new bulb. To put the bulb in the proper place, you should use a paper towel to hold it.
5. Replace Broken Antenna
Another easy repair work is by replacing a broken fender mount antenna mast. In this case, you have first to unscrew the mast portion that is still there. Replacement mast is also available for buying at any automobile parts store.
Next, the antenna cable must be disconnected from the radio, and a heavy string must be connected to that end. This step will be followed by unscrewing the antenna mount from the pillar and direct pulling out the string and the old antenna. Finally, you will need to attach the new antenna cable and connect it to the radio.
6. Touch Up Chipped Auto Paint
Chipped auto paint will lead to rusting, which can be a big problem for your car. So, what to do? You have to buy touch-up paint, wax and grease remover, and fine tip paint applicators from any store.
You have to use the wax and grease remover to clean the chop and then dip the fine tip applicator in the paint. We recommend not to add too much touch-up paint.
7. Fix Leaky Sunroof
Are raindrops constantly falling on your head? Then, there must be a clog in the sunroof drains. Fixing takes a few minutes only, where you should first open the sunroof and search for the drain holes in the rear and front corners of it.
Once you find the holes, you should use a plastic tube or small rubber to the shop vacuum end and pull out stuck debris from the drains. Then you can pass water into the drains and see whether it is draining onto the garage floor or driveway.
8. Fix Minor Dents and Door Dings
Fixing minor dents will require sandpaper grits, cream paste, auto body filler, and plastic applicators. In the beginning, you have to rub the coarse grit sandpaper over the dent to expose the bare metal. Then you have to feather the edges, followed by a cleaning step using wax and grease remover.
After mixing the body filler, you should apply a light skim coat to make the sandpaper scratches. Few more times of skim coating and sanding will be required before the final step of touch-up paint.
9. Fix Tears In Leather And Vinyl
You have to buy a leather repair kit for this purpose. Begin the procedure by gluing reinforcing fabric into the underside of torn leather or vinyl. The heat-set filler should be mixed to get the fabric color, which must be applied to the torn part. You should find a closely resembling textured mat for your leather or vinyl and place it on the liquid filler. The patching tool should be heated, pressed on the textured mat, and removed.
10. Replace Cabin Air Filter
If there are clogs in the cabin air filter, the car’s blower motor can get damaged, and the AC may need to run harder and longer. You can buy a replacement from any auto parts store. The access covers need to be removed, and the old filter needs to be slid out. For the new filter installation, you have to see the airflow direction.
However, you have to take the vehicle to a professional car mechanic in Adelaide for a detailedcar AC service.
Conclusion
Generally, the leading car service shops in Adelaide offer comprehensive care services at affordable price ranges. So, if you need engine diagnostic servicesfor your car, you can contact them.
