About: Brad Paugh

AC System Basic Information

Automotive AC systems serve the purpose of blowing cool air into the passenger cabin in a vehicle. The components of an AC system include the compressor, condenser, evaporator and accumulator. AC systems with an accumulator have an orifice tube while AC systems with receiver-drier have an expansion valve. The article here covers the basic…

Damaged ignition coil with melted plastic and oil residue

Symptoms of Faulty Ignition Coils

Symptoms of Faulty Ignition Coils The ignition coil is the source of the spark that ignites the air-fuel mixture in the engine's combustion chamber. The ignition coil receives a voltage of 12V from the car's battery and multiplies it to a higher voltage level. The multiplied voltage is then delivered to the spark plugs…

Diagram of Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system in a car, showing sensors and computer.

What is Electronic Stability Control?

The Electronic Stability Control, abbreviated as ESC, is a technology that helps ensure the safety of a car. The technology is also referred to as the Electronic Stability Program (ESP). The Electronic Stability Control was introduced in the 1990s by Bosch, one of the top auto-parts manufacturer, and was first employed in a Mercedes Benz…

Timing belt inspection checklist with associated parts and diagrams

Timing Belt Replacement Procedure

What is a timing belt? The timing belt, a part of the internal combustion engine, connects the camshaft and crankshaft. It ensures that the engine's valves close and open at the right time during the intake and exhaust strokes. It prevents a collision between the engine's piston and valves. A timing belt is also…

Turbocharger Repair – Shaft Play

Turbocharger Tips

Turbocharger shaft play is a term that applies to the actual shaft which runs between the intake and exhaust housings of a turbo. There are many types of turbochargers that each will have acceptable shaft play. Most turbo units are floating bearing turbos which means that the oil pressure is required to stabilize the…

Known Issue: Toyota Prius AC Oil Contamination

Proper Knowledge of Air-Conditioning Systems is Vital! Hybrid A/C systems may be classified as service-critical from more than just one perspective. Service-critical in the sense of higher demands to the required know-how and skills than for any other auto air-conditioning system. Working on vehicles with high voltage drive systems also requires know-how on how these…

Diagram of a car's cooling system with cooling fan highlighted

HOW TO REPAIR COOLING FAN

A/C Tips

The internal combustion engine used in modern day vehicles is based around the idea of a gas being ignited and then the force from that explosion being harnessed to create movement. This process creates a large amount of heat which needs to be dispersed to prevent engine components from being affected by it. The cooling…

Diagrams of a universal car radiator, showing core tubes, cooling fins, and coolant flow.

Universal Car Radiator Diagram

The coolant system in modern cars is a simplistic idea that has evolved over the years. Understanding how it works is the first step to being able to fix issues that may arise. The figure below depicts a simple break down of a radiator on an older model vehicle in which the basic parts of…

Complete strut assembly breakdown with labeled parts: New Strut, Coil Spring, Mount, Isolators.

HOW TO REPAIR SUSPENSION

The suspension repair "How To" section of our site is here to help when you need that little bit of extra knowledge to get your project up and running. From the list below select the video or article that is related to info about the product line desired. VIDEOS How To Change A Rear Shock…

Rack and pinion steering system diagram with labeled parts: input shaft, valve body, cylinder, boots, and tie rod.

What is a Rack and Pinion?

The Rack and Pinion is the assembly in a vehicle that rotates the wheels from side to side when the driver turns the steering wheel. This set up is usually found in lighter vehicles and will be replaced by a steering gear box in heavier applications. This is due to the gearbox's ability to…