How To Diagnose Problems With Your Car

  • May 29, 2008
  • 23,133 Views
Please install Flash

Learn what every shake, rattle, and roll means so that a car mechanic can’t tell you that a cracked hose is a major transmission meltdown.

You Will Need

  • An on-board diagnostics reader (OBD)
  • Some basic car knowledge
How To Diagnose Problems With Your Car: Get an OBD

Step 1: Get an OBD

If your car was made after 1995, invest in an on-board diagnostics reader, which you can find online or at an auto parts store starting at about $50. (Actron is a popular brand.) When your car begins acting up, just plug the reader into a port located under your dashboard and it will identify the problem.

Expensive readers will spell out what’s wrong, while cheaper models will give you a code that you’ll have to translate.

How To Diagnose Problems With Your Car: Read smoke signals

Step 2: Read smoke signals

Learn what smoke coming from your tailpipe means. Black smoke indicates your fuel calibration is off; blue means you’re burning too much oil; white means coolant is leaking. Smoke coming from the hood is likely from a crack in one of the radiator hoses; let the car cool down before you pop the hood.

If smoke is coming from your hood and you’ve recently had your oil checked, see if the service station attendant forgot to put the oil cap back on.

How To Diagnose Problems With Your Car: Know your signs

Step 3: Know your signs

Know which signs mean big trouble, and which mean you just need to refill one of your fluids. An engine that moans when you steer likely needs power steering fluid; a brake that sinks to the floor when you stop needs brake fluid. But a clattering engine requires immediate attention — pull over, turn off the car, and call for roadside assistance.

How To Diagnose Problems With Your Car: Know your screeches

Step 4: Know your screeches

Know your screeches. A car that screeches when you accelerate may just need a new fan belt, one that screeches when you steer may simply need the power steering belt adjusted, and screeching when you slow down means it’s time for new brake pads.

How To Diagnose Problems With Your Car: Name that noise

Step 5: Name that noise

Recognize the noises that indicate an easy fix. A clicking wheel may just have a loose hubcap, or a stone stuck in it; a clicking engine could mean you’ve got a bad valve; a loud, rapid rat-tat-tat sound of metal slapping metal could be a damaged or loose fan blade; a hiss usually means a leaking hose.

How To Diagnose Problems With Your Car: Pinpoint that thump

Step 6: Pinpoint that thump

If you hear thumping noises coming from the back of your car, check to see if something in your trunk is rattling around before you panic. If the sound is more like a rumble, and it gets worse when you turn, your wheel bearings may be worn out.

How To Diagnose Problems With Your Car: Decipher that squeal

Step 7: Decipher that squeal

If your engine is squealing like a pig, it’s probably just a loose belt. And if you just drove through water, it could be that the belts are wet and the noise will go away as soon as they dry.

How To Diagnose Problems With Your Car: Identify clear liquids

Step 8: Identify clear liquids

If you notice that your car is dripping a clear fluid, see if it’s slippery. If it is, you might be leaking brake fluid, a situation that needs to be checked immediately. If not, it’s probably just water coming from the air conditioning unit, which is normal. Clear fluid can also be gasoline, but you’ll know that from the distinct smell.

Some brake fluids have a yellowish tint.

How To Diagnose Problems With Your Car: Decipher colors

Step 9: Decipher colors

Know the colors of your car fluids in case you ever see a puddle of them beneath your car. Coolant is usually green, but it can be red or brownish red as well, and the color is translucent. An opaque dark red color means you’re leaking either transmission or power steering fluid. Black, brown, or amber fluid is engine or gear oil.

How To Diagnose Problems With Your Car: Know the serious sounds

Step 10: Know the serious sounds

Know the sounds that mean serious business. If your engine gives off a knocking sound that gets faster as you drive, roars when you speed up, or whines in general, see a technician as soon as possible.

One study of auto repair shops found that 52% of repair charges represented completely unnecessary work!

Something wrong?

Report This How-To

Cancel

Comments (10)

plumberx

Great videos, Much needed Thanks

over 3 years ago by plumberx

Reply
soumeishi

Great videos

about 1 year ago by soumeishi

Reply
jiefmo

I guess yes, you know that MBT SHoes are not that ugly and the truth is that ,it can really make you feel good and benifit your body, i my oppinion ,i saw many young girls wearing MBT ,and they do look good on that shoe, so it is true that MBT Shoes are going to be top fashion maybe you didnt see other types of MBT ,there are many kinds of MBT Shoes be here and have a look , http:// www.edhardy007.com/ maybe you will know why it will be top fashion Source(s): http:// www.edhardy007.com/

7 months ago by jiefmo

Reply
Flavz

lol i like the guys expression, hahaha when he finds sumthins wrong hahah

over 3 years ago by Flavz

Reply
mmgvision

Must see for everyone that is off waranty!

over 3 years ago by mmgvision

Reply
Clark

Very informative.

over 3 years ago by Clark

Reply
bent78

how can i download this video?

over 3 years ago by bent78

Reply
Darlene212

This is the most useful video !!! I'm downloading it to my iphone today.

over 3 years ago by Darlene212

Reply
Matt_Savage

Nice tips/info.

over 2 years ago by Matt_Savage

Reply
violatoroger

Great Video, I have found this channel , it has a live telecast of the Winter Olympics ongoing as of now, try the link if the stream is still there. http://winterolympicsin2010vancouver.blogspot.com/2010/02/figure-skating-pairs-short-program-live.html

about 1 year ago by violatoroger

Reply

or to post a comment. Or, sign in using your Facebook to comment
and share your activity with your friends