Sunday, May 4, 2014
How to Change a 96 Ford E350 Fuel Pump
The Ford E-Series is a line of full-size vans that has been in continuous production since 1961. The number in the series indicates the carrying capacity of the van, such that 350 indicates a carrying capacity of one ton. All versions of the E350 use electronic fuel injection, which requires the fuel pump to maintain the fuel system under high pressure. You must remove the fuel tank on the 1996 Ford E350 to replace the fuel pump.
Instructions
- 1
Detach the electrical connector for the fuel pump relay in the engine compartment and engage the starter for 10 seconds to empty the fuel system. Attach the electrical connector for the fuel pump relay. Disconnect the negative battery cable with a socket wrench to ensure you dont start the engine inadvertently while replacing the fuel pump. Siphon the fuel from the fuel tank with a hose and drain the fuel into a gasoline container.
2Raise the vehicle and support it on jack stands. Disconnect the electrical connector for the fuel pump assembly and detach the fuel lines from the fuel tank. Support the fuel tank with a floor jack and disconnect the filler tube retainers with a socket wrench. Remove the straps for the fuel tank and lower the fuel tank with the floor jack. Move the fuel tank to your work area.
3Clean the fuel tank around the fuel pump assembly with a shop towel to keep dirt out of the fuel tank. Turn the locking ring on the fuel pump assembly counterclockwise with a locking ring adapter for a 1996 Ford E350. Remove the locking ring from the fuel pump assembly and pull the fuel pump assembly out of the fuel tank. Discard the old gasket on the fuel tank.
4Clean the mounting flange for the fuel pump assembly with a shop towel and coat the mounting flange with a thin layer of lubricant meeting Ford specification ESA-M1C75-B. Install the new gasket and fuel pump assembly into the fuel tank. Place the locking ring onto the fuel pump assembly and turn it clockwise until it locks into place.
5Install the fuel tank by performing Step 2 in reverse and fill the fuel tank with fuel. Connect the negative battery terminal with a socket wrench. Turn the ignition on to pressurize the fuel system.
Saturday, May 3, 2014
What Is a Gear Drive

A gear drive drive requires two gears for operation. The two gears are spur cut, and the drive gear receives force from the power output. The drive gear then transfers power to the driven gear.
Different Drive Systems
All drive systems require a drive gear. The drive gear is the main transfer from the power source to the driven gear. A belt from the drive gear to the driven gear is a "belt driven" system. Another option is the "chain driven" system. The "chain driven" system uses a chain from the drive gear to the driven gear. The "gear drive" system is direct gear-drive. The drive gear is directly meshed with the driven gear.
Common applications
Gear drives are used in transmissions, rear ends and transfer cases; at times the drive gear will be smaller than the driven gear. Different gear ratios enable the transmission to shift to lower or higher rpm speeds.
Automotive gear drive
Gear drives are used on automotive engines. A "gear drive" usually ers to the timing drive; it replaces the common timing-chain with spur-cut gears. A gear drive is known for the "whining noise" it emits. The teeth of the gears mesh together as the gears turn with the rotation of the engine. This keeps the engine in time.
Jeep Commander Electrical Problems

Electrical problems in Jeep Commander vehicles have led to recalls by Chrysler and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Registered vehicle owners should have received notification from the manufacturer with instructions on where to bring the recalled Jeeps for free repair.
WIN Module Defect
On May 6, 2010, Chrysler recalled 40,131 vehicles, including 2010 model year Jeep Commanders, for a Wireless Ignition Node (WIN) module exhibiting a binding condition of the solenoid latch. It is possible to remove the key from the modules ignition switch before the shifter goes into "park" mode, which may allow the vehicle to roll away and cause a crash.
Airbag Wiring Defect
On April 7, 2009, Chrysler recalled 4,314 vehicles, including certain 2009 Commanders, because a wiring defect may cause the drivers side airbag not to work properly. During manufacturing, the wiring was inadvertently reversed on the steering column control module driver airbag squib connector.
Front Control Module Defect
On February 5, 2008, Chrysler recalled 1,338 Jeeps, including 2008 Commanders, for a manufacturing defect in the front control module that could cause the engine to stall while driving or not to start. The electrical problem may cause the windshield wipers to stop working properly.
Friday, May 2, 2014
Tips on Professional Truck Frame Repair
Repairing a rusted or cracked truck frame professionally is a desirable skill, both for those who work on big rigs and for do-it-yourselfers restoring older classic trucks or fixing their own trucks to make sure they pass inspection. Whatever the reason, there are a number of steps to performing a professional truck frame repair that you should follow.
Removing Accessory Pieces From the Frame
The first step to professional truck frame repair is to remove any unnecessary pieces of metal, mounting brackets, or other items from the frame. This is important not only so you dont damage these pieces while you are performing the frame repair, but also so that you can check them for damage or other problems while off the vehicle. Make caul notes of what you have removed and where it goes so that youll be able to reassemble everything.
Sandblasting
A key step in successful truck frame repair is to sandblast everything. Sandblasting is an abrasive process that allows for complete removal of rust, old paint and dirt from the metal, so that you can caully inspect the truck frame for hairline cracks or weaknesses. Mark any areas that you may need to repair or replace completely before continuing.
Remove Damaged Areas
Remove any metal areas that are damaged, cracked, or rusted through. By using either a cutting torch, plasma arc cutter, grinder or similar tool, you can get rid of these areas and begin to template and replace them with fresh metal.
What Causes a Lock Up Torque Converter in the Transmission
Theres nothing wrong with a locked-up torque converter; as a matter of fact, lock-up torque converters have been making automatic transmissions more efficient for decades. Youll only encounter brief periods during your driving cycle where converter lock-up is not beneficial.
Converter Operation
Torque converters are fluid couplers. A turbine fan attached to the outer case (which is bolted to the engine) pushes transmission fluid through a matching turbine on the transmission input shaft. The engine doesnt push enough fluid when idling to engage the transmission turbine. As rpm rises, that fluid will begin to push against and spin the transmission-side turbine, engaging it and moving the car.
The Problem
Because there was no direct connection between the engine and transmission, a non-lock-up converter will always get worse fuel mileage than a manual transmission, which uses a clutch.
Lock-Up Function
A lock-up converter uses a clutch pack very similar to those inside the transmission itself to lock the converter case to the transmission input shaft. At about 25 mph, the computer sends a signal to an electronic actuator inside the transmission to engage the clutch pack and lock the drive line together.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
German Car Tools

If youre looking for high quality tools to maintain or repair your automobile, you cant go wrong with the excellent quality of tools made in Germany. With a good set of German car tools, it is easy to work confidently on any vehicle, whether built on the metric system or the U.S. standard system. You can rely on your German-made tool sets, since they seldom break and take a long time to wear out.
Stahlwille Car Tools
The Eduard Wille GmbH, of which Stahlwille Tools is a subsidiary, was founded almost 150 years ago. Stahlwilles high quality forged tools are used all over the world. With a Stahlwille car body repair tool set, you can easily fix your auto body problems. Stahlwille also offers specialized tools for vehicle doors and for working with auto glass. If you need tools for your cars carburetors, valves and pistons or for the brakes, the company offers these too. Also, Stahlwille has circuit testers, voltage testers and crocodile terminals. You will find just what you need, and it will be of the best German quality.
Gedore German Car Tools
The Gedore company from Remscheid, Germany, manufactures all its tools in its own facilities. The exacting standard of quality to which the company adheres makes it easy to work with Gedore tools, and the companys wide selection ensures you will find the right tools for any car job. Gedore manufactures tools in the metric and the American standard system, so you can use them on any type of automobile. Whether you need torque tools, wrenches, impact tools or screwdrivers, Gedore has a tool that will do the job. Gedore also manufactures the trolleys for work under your car.
BGS German Tools
BGS has manufactured car tools in Germany for more than 35 years. It offers excellent socket sets in metric and American standard. The companys sockets and many of their other tools are manufactured from chrome vanadium steel and the hardness and torque of all their tools is in accordance with German DIN standards. Their spanners, ratchets and wrenches, also manufactured from hardened, chrome plated vanadium steel, are perfect for getting into hard-to-reach spaces while working on your car. Automotive tools include brake service and tire service tools, glass removal and assembly tools, a full set of engine tools and special sockets and wrenches.
Elora Tools
The Elora-Werkzeugfabrik GmbH was founded in 1924 in Remscheid, Germany. Elora manufactures all kinds of tools and specializes in automotive and auto body tools. It offers a line of special automotive tools geared to German auto brands like Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagen and Audi. If you need special auto piston tools, you might want to check out its piston groove scrapers, ring compressors or piston reset tools. They also offer the highest quality fuel system tools. Its sockets for diesel injection nozzles also fit Japanese car brands like Nissan and Mitsubishi.
How to Change Head Gaskets on a 3000GT
A blown head gasket in a Mitsubishi 3000GT can impact the engines performance, as well as the vehicles fuel efficiency. When there is a hole in the gasket or it is overheated, the coolant can mix with the engine oil and damage the block. When a head gasket leak develops, it makes a tapping noise. Replacing the gasket takes between 4 to 6 hours of complete.
Instructions
- 1
Drain the coolant and oil from the engine. Remove the intake manifold. Unscrew the exhaust manifold.
2Remove the camshaft sprocket from the camshaft using the MD998754 torque wrench. Remove the timing belt rear cover. Remove the timing belt. Unscrew the power-steering pump-bracket connection and generator-brace connection.
3Disconnect the vacuum-pipe assembly. Remove the rocker-arm cover. Using the MD998051 torque wrench, unscrew the cylinder-head bolts. Take out the cylinder head. Remove the old cylinder head from the engine block.
4Lay the cylinder head gasket on the cylinder block with the identification mark at the front top. Follow the operations above to reassemble the removed parts.