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Home My WebLink AboutTimes-Advocate, 1996-04-24, Page 12COMPLETE CAR CIE \ UP & GET A 'REE" 011, t NI ERCOAT Page 12 Times -Advocate, April 24,1996 Efficient cooling systems helps avoid temperature extremes Extremes are something people try to avoid, especially when dealing with their transportation. Those extreme highs and lows can tum a nice drive into the trip nightmares are made of. The importance of keeping your car's engine out of those extremes can't be stressed enough. Especially if you want your engine to last. Fortunately, your engine was built with temperature in mind and there are things you can do to ensure your cooling system works efficiently. • Check for leaks—The main places to look for leaks in the radiator include around seams, petcocks, automatic -transmission oil cooler connections, hose connections and block and drain plugs. Good indicators of leaking are corrosion or coolant stains. If your car has an automatic transmission, check the transmission- oil cooler line connections. Whitish corrosion or coolant stains signal an external leak. A leaking radiator should be removed and taken to a specialist. Do a pressure -leak test if there are no visible signs of leaks but the engine has been overheating. • Inspect hoses and clamps—A cooling system has a minimum of four hoses: top and bottom radiator hoses and two heater hoses. Check the hoses when the engine is cold. When you squeeze them, the hoses should feel firm; when released, they should return to their shape immediately. Replace hoses showing cracks, softness, brittleness, leaks, swelling and chafing. A loose or cracked hose can cause air to get in the system, causing rust and lowering system operating pressure. Soft hoses can deteriorate from the inside, causing small pieces of hose to break off and clog the radiator and heater core. Examine clamps and clamp areas and replace ,token or • Ins • pect radiator cap–The radiator pressure cap increases the temperature at which coolant boils, increases water -pump efficiency, and eliminates coolant loss from evaporation. If the radiator cap is loose, replace it. The cap should fit tightly on the filler neck. Faulty caps cause overheating, which RFG reduces automobile pollution (NAPS)—According to the EPA, motor vehicles emit a high percentage of the pollutants found in congested cities. Fortunately, a concerted effort by gasoline and automobile manufacturers along with new legislation, is helping to reduce the level of that pollution. A new fuel has been introduced that produces at least 15 percent less pollution. The new fuels are called Reformulated Gasoline, or RFG, and are manufactured to meet the same industry performance standards as conventional gasolines. However, they reduce vehicle emissions of toxics, carbon monoxide and ozone -damaging (smog) pollutants. ultimately leads to engine damage. Also check the pressure relief valve for firm spring action. • Check coolant level --Coolant should cover upper tank tubes or reach the tank's FILL level. If the level is low, suspect a leak. If your car has a coolant recovery system, there is a bottle or reservoir to catch Coolant that passes through the radiator cap when the coolant expands. Get a rough estimate of the amount of coolant in the radiator by checking the overflow bottle level. The bottle has different markings for when the engine is hot and cold. An internal leak may be the problem if oil or rust are in the upper tank. Do a pressure check to confirm the leak and what kind it is. If the test proves negative, clean and reverse -flush the system. If the test is positive, go to a professional to check out your system. • Check antifreeze protection with a hydrometer—The hydrometer measures the amount of antifreeze mixed with water in the radiator. Run the engine and allow the coolant to warm up. Draw coolant into the hydrometer. Read the hydrometer by holding it at eye level. Some hydrometers use floating balls to indicate the antifreeze protection; others use a floating temperature scale. For best antifreeze protection, the cooling system should conform to the coldest weather in your area. Use a 60/40 mixture for added protection. When the mixture is greater than about 70 percent coolant to 30 percent water, the freezing point begins to rise. Undiluted coolant freezes at -8 degrees Fahrenheit. • Inspect water pump -Most water pumps are factory lubricated and sealed and don't normally need periodic maintenance. But bearings, seals and impeller blades wear out. Excessive tightening of the drive belt can cause bearing failure. Check the pump by removing the belt and holding the pulley in both hands. Turn and move it inward and outward. A rough grinding or loose feeling indicates the bearings are probably wom. Also check the ventilation hole below and behind the pulley by running your hand over it. If the seal leaks, your hand will be wet. Replace a water pump with a leak or worn bearings. • Check drive belt—Turn the alternator pulley by hand. If it moves easily, the belt is slipping and should be adjusted. • Check thermostat—Do this only if your engine is overheating. For an easy check, remove the radiator cap and insert a thermometer into the radiator. After starting the engine, watch the thermostat. The thermostat should start opening when the coolant begins to flow. Check this by squeezing the upper radiator hose; you should be able to feel the coolant flowing. If faulty, replace the thermostat and the gasket. AT HAY'S AUTOMOBILE RECONDITIONING INTERIOR SHAMPOOING VINYL AND FABRIC PROTECTOR EXTERIOR BUFFING AND HAND WAX ENGINE SHAMPOOING 3 YEAR SHINE GUARANTEE OIL UNDERCOATING BILL HAY Hensall Ont. NOM 1X0 1oVow.,fyreAreo (519) 262-3342 "Will pick up & deliver" Alignment seMce specialist Howard Neeb from Huron Motor Products says an alignment should be done on your car every 50,000 kms to prevent steering wander and irregular tire wear. Keep your rad fluid topped up We're Surgeons of the Auto ] Body Prof - ssion Quality repairs • Refinishers • Collision Complete Repair 8c Refinishing HURON AUTO BODY 93 Wellington St. Hensall (519) 262-2818 Ralph G. Mathonia It )yril, i` ()UAW y St'nu rr Stdy t 311idy from par is unkr lown. GREAT TOYOTA VALULS! DON'T MISS OUT! LUBE, OIL & FILTER 11-0�1 1'1 1 • Replace engine oil and filter". • lubricate locks, all latches & hinges. • Inspect air filter element. • Inspect lights, horn and wipers. ., .1,: -a • Check coolant, battery, brake and washer levels. All Toyota 2588 Models 'includes ree}omd quantity premum o and Toyota genua. of fit« Valid until June 30,1996 • COOLING SYSTEM MAINTENANCE • Pressure test the cooling system. • Inspect the hoses, water pump, drive belts and radiator. • Drain system and install Toyota long life coolant for winter and summer protection. All Toyota 4388 Models Valid until June 30, 1996 FUEL INJECTOR SERVICE • Immediately corrects poor engine performance due to dogged fuel injectors. • Use of special service equipment. • Pressure "flush- of election system with Toyota approved product. • Inspect fuel lines and hoses. • Check engine performance. All Toyota 6888 EFI Engines Valid until June 30, 1996 TOYOTA QUALit . RVirr FRONT OR REAR BRAKE REPLACEMENT Tercatordla • install genuine Toyota disc pads or shoes. • Clean & lubricate calipers or backing plates. • Inspect hoses and Ines. • Road test. Mat other Toyota MoJetr 9888 $11888 Valid until June 30, 1996 agie4 TOYOTA GENUINE PARTS 1 11ilh ilri� 0 1 lurlrti ( un % off Oil (I,,�t,t•f. i April 2430/96 t 1 Get 10% off service work Exeter Canadian Tire Store only April 24-30/96 This offer excludes oil changes. 111011riai OM..—totue tib..r..�eamone i.ta.meamma eongm J 456 Main St. Exeter 236.O16o appointmentCali Moo Hodge tor today t ;r; rot