December 2023

This heavy duty brake pad spreader tool set is so much better than the tools sold at auto parts stores I’ve used a cheap caliper piston retracting tool for years. I never really liked it, but I never shopped around to see what else was out there. OrionMotorTech sent me their heavy duty brake pad spreader kit to try out. There’s no comparison. Here’s what I found. Here’s a disc brake pad spreader tool you can buy at an auto parts store Here’s the OrionMotorTech brake pad spreader tool set … Read More
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How motor mounts work and how they fail Motor mounts, also known as engine mounts, play a critical role in securing the engine to the chassis of a vehicle and in reducing engine vibration. There are three types of motor mounts; traditional rubber (elastomeric) mounts include two metal plates bonded to a rubber block or bushing, hydraulic fluid-filled mounts, and active motor mounts that are electrically controlled to reduce engine vibration. This article will discuss how motor mounts work and how they fail. How a traditional motor mount works A … Read More
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Motor mount replacement cost Like most automotive repairs, motor mount replacement cost varies based on the engine design and whether the carmaker installed traditional rubber (elastomeric) mounts versus hydraulic, active or even magneto rheological mounts. In addition to the cost of the part, labor also varies, depending on how many mounts must be disconnected in order to raise the engine, and how many components must be disconnected in order to access the mount. Rubber motor mount replacement cost Traditional rubber motor mounts are the least costly, running from as low … Read More
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Symptoms of a bad motor mount As an engine creates torque, there’s always an equal-and-opposite-reaction to the torque twist. To keep the engine in place and resist twisting, carmakers secure the engine and transmission with motor mounts and at least one transmission mount. In a traditional engine engine, there’s a motor mount on the right and left side of the engine. However, in a transverse mount engine that can be three or four motor mounts. This article deals with the symptoms of a bad motor mount. See this post on … Read More
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Head gasket replacement cost Online Head Gasket Replacement Cost estimates are way off the mark If you do an internet search for head gasket replacement cost you’ll see that J.D. Power comes up first with a price of $1,000 to $3,000. There’s no way in hell you can get head gaskets replaced for $1,000, so their low price is way off (see the labor costs below). The 2nd hit is from Cartalk and they say the cost is between $2,000 and $6,000. Based on just the labor costs shown below, … Read More
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3 Way AC Manifold Gauge Set for R410a R22 R134a Refrigerant It’s impossible to fully diagnose and maintain your car’s AC system using just the single gauge on a DIY recharge kit. To do it right, you need a manifold gauge set. That allows you to compare high and low pressures to get an idea of how the system is working. See this post for more information on AC pressure gauge readings and what they mean. And see these posts for the full complement of AC testing and diagnostic methods. … Read More
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The Mechanic Doctor – Resources for Amateur and Pro Auto Mechanics
Have you ever considered how to prepare your car for an icy freeze? The seasonal shift and temperature drops require
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Oxygen sensor replacement cost Oxygen sensor replacement cost varies based on whether the sensor is actually an old style oxygen sensor or actually air/fuel ratio sensor. Many people mistakenly call and air/fuel ratio sensor, an oxygen sensor. While an older oxygen sensor costs around $80, it’s not uncommon for an air/fuel ratio sensor to cost almost $400 for the part alone. To learn more about the difference between an O2 sensor and an air/fuel ratio sensor, see this post. The sensor replacement cost also varies by its location. Upstream sensors … Read More
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4 Way AC Manifold Gauge Set for R410a R22 R134a Refrigerant It’s impossible to fully diagnose and maintain your car’s AC system using just the single gauge on a DIY recharge kit. To do it right, you need a manifold gauge set. That allows you to compare high and low pressures to get an idea of how the system is working. This 4 Way AC Manifold Gauge Set from OrionMotorTech.com works with R410a R22 R134a Refrigerants. The set is pro grade and is reasonably priced at $55. The 4 way … Read More
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Best brake caliper wind back tool kit Rear calipers with integral parking brake require you to wind the caliper piston back into place before replacing brake pads. You’ll need a brake caliper wind back tool kit. You might be tempted to buy this cheap wind back tool: DON’T! The wind back procedure requires you to push in while turning and in my experience, this cheap tool doesn’t work well at all. You may save a few bucks, but it’ll turn a fairly easy job into a lot of work. And … Read More
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