Do you have a screen a home with a tear in it? Would you believe that it's easier and cheaper to fix that screen than it is to buy a brand new one?
Its true, I'll show you.
The tools you will need for this are simple. You will need screen mesh/material, spline/cord and a spline tool (you can find all of these at any local home improvement store).
Start by removing the damaged screen material and cord/spline from the screen frame. A flat head screwdriver can help remove the cord/spline from the edge of the frame.
NOTE: Be gentle, you don't want to break the channel that the spline sits in or the frame is useless.
Roll the screen material/mesh over the frame to measure how much you'll need, let the material hang over the frame, you'll trim it later. Take your new spline/cord and the spline tool and press the spline/cord into the channel around the entire screen. Trim off excess spline/cord and screen/mesh and you're finished.
Good Luck!!
Please feel free to email me with any questions: Emilyrex08@Yahoo.com
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Auto Headlights
Changing a headlight is a breeze. First you'll need to determine if you have a sealed beam (which means the entire light fixture comes off and is replaced, usually on models older than 1990) or a Halogen (meaning just the bulb is replaced) All You'll need a simple screwdriver.
Sealed Beam: You'll start by removing the three or four screws holding the light in, pull the light out and disconnect the wire plug. Attach the wiring plug to the new light. Secure the light with the screws and you're finished.
Halogen lights are even more simple. Pop your hood with the latch release in your car, usually just inside the drivers door. Open your hood to look at your engine. Behind the headlight housing, pull off the plug yank out the bulb and replace with new and reconnect the plug.
Good Luck!!
Please feel free to email me with any questions: Emilyrex08@Yahoo.com
Sealed Beam: You'll start by removing the three or four screws holding the light in, pull the light out and disconnect the wire plug. Attach the wiring plug to the new light. Secure the light with the screws and you're finished.
Halogen lights are even more simple. Pop your hood with the latch release in your car, usually just inside the drivers door. Open your hood to look at your engine. Behind the headlight housing, pull off the plug yank out the bulb and replace with new and reconnect the plug.
Good Luck!!
Please feel free to email me with any questions: Emilyrex08@Yahoo.com
Tail and Brake Lights
Changing a broken tail or break light can be complicated. Lets simplify it.
The first thing you need to do is visit your local Auto parts store and get the correct bulbs. Then all you will need is a screw or nut driver. This tool looks like a socket but is on a screwdriver handle (your auto parts associate can help you find the correct tool)
All cars have different break/tail lights, so it goes without saying that getting to your break/tail lights will vary from car to car but the process is the same for cars and the same for trucks.
For a truck, you will need to drop your tailgate, there will be two screws where the light is attached to the truck. Remove those two screws with your screw/nut driver. Pull the light fixture out, determine which light is out.
If it is a tail light, turn your lights on, the bulb not lit is the one that needs replaced. If its a break light you'll do the same thing only you will need someone to press the break petal to determine which bulb is out.
Replace the light with the appropriate bulb and reassemble the light fixture on the truck. Be sure you tighten the screws tightly, you don't want the fixture to come off while driving.
For car, you'll need to pop your trunk and pull your carpet away from the side to expose the screws holding the light fixture in. On most cars the light fixtures have simple plugs that hold the light to the car. All you'll need to do is turn the plugs and pull the bulb out. Then change the broken bulbs and replace the plugs, carpet and close your trunk.
Good luck!!
Please feel free to email me with any questions: Emilyrex08@Yahoo.com
The first thing you need to do is visit your local Auto parts store and get the correct bulbs. Then all you will need is a screw or nut driver. This tool looks like a socket but is on a screwdriver handle (your auto parts associate can help you find the correct tool)
All cars have different break/tail lights, so it goes without saying that getting to your break/tail lights will vary from car to car but the process is the same for cars and the same for trucks.
For a truck, you will need to drop your tailgate, there will be two screws where the light is attached to the truck. Remove those two screws with your screw/nut driver. Pull the light fixture out, determine which light is out.
If it is a tail light, turn your lights on, the bulb not lit is the one that needs replaced. If its a break light you'll do the same thing only you will need someone to press the break petal to determine which bulb is out.
Replace the light with the appropriate bulb and reassemble the light fixture on the truck. Be sure you tighten the screws tightly, you don't want the fixture to come off while driving.
For car, you'll need to pop your trunk and pull your carpet away from the side to expose the screws holding the light fixture in. On most cars the light fixtures have simple plugs that hold the light to the car. All you'll need to do is turn the plugs and pull the bulb out. Then change the broken bulbs and replace the plugs, carpet and close your trunk.
Good luck!!
Please feel free to email me with any questions: Emilyrex08@Yahoo.com
Tires
Most women I know look at a tire and say, 'yep, its a tire'. Most men will kick it or tell a woman its low on air (even if it's not). So the big question is how can you tell if your tire is low without having to take it to a shop.
Simple answer, All you need is a tire gauge. They are very inexpensive, costing only a dollar or two at your local auto parts store. You can also get them at your local Wal-mart.
So how does it work? Start by making sure the stem of the tire (that is the part of your tire that sticks out that the air goes in) is closes to the ground, that way you get a more accurate reading (that is a step you don't HAVE to do but is recommended).
Open your drivers side door, either on the door (on the inside by the latch) or the door pillar (Again by where the door latches shut) you are looking for the PSI. It stands for Pounds per Square Inch. That tells you how full to make your tires.
After removing the cover on your valve stem take your new pressure gauge and press it firmly onto the valve stem, the end will slide out to show you the PSI of your tires. If you hear air escaping you're not measuring the PSI correctly and need to push the end of the valve stem back in and try measuring the PSI again.
To put air in your tires you'll need an air compressor or most gas stations have 'air' that you can put into your tires.
Good luck!
Please fill free to send me any questions: Emilyrex08@Yahoo.com
Simple answer, All you need is a tire gauge. They are very inexpensive, costing only a dollar or two at your local auto parts store. You can also get them at your local Wal-mart.
So how does it work? Start by making sure the stem of the tire (that is the part of your tire that sticks out that the air goes in) is closes to the ground, that way you get a more accurate reading (that is a step you don't HAVE to do but is recommended).
Open your drivers side door, either on the door (on the inside by the latch) or the door pillar (Again by where the door latches shut) you are looking for the PSI. It stands for Pounds per Square Inch. That tells you how full to make your tires.
After removing the cover on your valve stem take your new pressure gauge and press it firmly onto the valve stem, the end will slide out to show you the PSI of your tires. If you hear air escaping you're not measuring the PSI correctly and need to push the end of the valve stem back in and try measuring the PSI again.
To put air in your tires you'll need an air compressor or most gas stations have 'air' that you can put into your tires.
Good luck!
Please fill free to send me any questions: Emilyrex08@Yahoo.com
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Basic Car Repair - Tune Up
The basics of a tune up include; Oil change(oil filter and clean oil), New air filter, spark plugs, wires, distributor cap and for some cars a rotor.
You can check with your local auto parts store for the right parts for your car and if you'll need a rotor.
You will need to make sure you also have all the right tools. You'll need: An assortment of ratchets and sockets. A oil filter wrench is helpful as well as spark plug sockets. Both flat and phillps head screw drivers, a pair of pliers and an oil funnel. Gloves can be handy if you don't want to get your hands dirty.
So lets get started. NOTE: You'll want to make sure your engine is cool or you risk the chance of being burned.
To start, pull the drain plug on oil pan, located on the underside of the engine on the oil pan. You will need a socket and ratchet to get the drain plug off. IMPORTANT: Make sure you have something under the oil pan to catch the old oil.
As soon as the oil is a thin stream you'll want to remove the oil filter. The location is different for all vehicles, the easiest way to locate it is to look at the underside of your engine for a round filter that says oil filter on it. They aren't usually on very tight and just require a firm tug to get it loose. If it doesn't come off, that is where your oil filter wrench comes in handy. NOTE: The filter has oil in it and will need something under it to place the filter in and catch any dripping oil.
While the oil is draining lets move to the plugs, wires and distributor cap. They can be a little tricky but if you change them each one at a time its a breeze. Start by disconnecting the negative batter cable, you don't want to get shocked. For that you will need a socket, ratchet and possibly a pair of pliers.
Remove the cap with all the wire's still attached with a screw driver. Place the old cap aside for a moment and replace the rotor if your car needs one(the rotor is located under the cap). Install the new cap with a screwdriver. The old cap and new cap should be identical, take the wires from the old cap and place on new cap as they appear on the old cap.
Still with me? Okay lets move on.
Move to one side of the engine pulling a wire off just the spark plug. Remove the spark plug with the spark plug socket and a ratchet and replace with a new plug. NOTE: Make sure your spark plugs are gaped correctly, your car will not run right if they're not. Most plugs come pre-gaped but any auto store clerk can give you the correct gap for your plugs and show you how to check them.
After installing the new plug, remove the wire you pulled off the plug from the distributor cap. The easiest way to tell if it is the right wire for that plug is to measure the old wire with the new one, they will be the same length. Attach the new wire to the new plug and distributor cap. Repeat these steps with the rest of the wires and plugs.
Next is the air filter. It is fairly simple and all you will need is a screwdriver. The location of the air filter is different for every vehicle however they are usually on top of the motor in a black plastic box. In some vehicles the black box is located on the side by a wheel well. All you do is open the black box with a screwdriver, remove the old filter and install the new one. Replace the black box and secure with the screw.
Okay, so now that all of that is done, lets finish with the oil change.
Start by installing the new oil filter. To do this correctly you'll need to clean the oil filter housing. Just take an old rag and wipe the area you are attaching the filter to. To make sure you get a good seal on your new oil filter you'll need to oil the seal. Simply dip your finger in the new oil and run it around the seal just lightly coating the seal. After installing the filter just as tight as you can turn it, take your oil filter wrench and tighten the filter another quarter turn. With your ratchet and socket replace the drain plug. Make sure it is tight, you don't want a leak.
On the top side of the engine, you'll see a cap that reads oil, remove that cap and place the correct amount of oil for your vehicle, checking it with the dipstick when you're finished. Different cars require different amounts of oil, again your local auto parts sales man can help you determine how much and what kind of oil you need for your car.
Replace the negative battery cable with a socket and ratchet, clean up and you are finished!!
Feel free to email me with any and all questions.
Happy car repairs.
You can check with your local auto parts store for the right parts for your car and if you'll need a rotor.
You will need to make sure you also have all the right tools. You'll need: An assortment of ratchets and sockets. A oil filter wrench is helpful as well as spark plug sockets. Both flat and phillps head screw drivers, a pair of pliers and an oil funnel. Gloves can be handy if you don't want to get your hands dirty.
So lets get started. NOTE: You'll want to make sure your engine is cool or you risk the chance of being burned.
To start, pull the drain plug on oil pan, located on the underside of the engine on the oil pan. You will need a socket and ratchet to get the drain plug off. IMPORTANT: Make sure you have something under the oil pan to catch the old oil.
As soon as the oil is a thin stream you'll want to remove the oil filter. The location is different for all vehicles, the easiest way to locate it is to look at the underside of your engine for a round filter that says oil filter on it. They aren't usually on very tight and just require a firm tug to get it loose. If it doesn't come off, that is where your oil filter wrench comes in handy. NOTE: The filter has oil in it and will need something under it to place the filter in and catch any dripping oil.
While the oil is draining lets move to the plugs, wires and distributor cap. They can be a little tricky but if you change them each one at a time its a breeze. Start by disconnecting the negative batter cable, you don't want to get shocked. For that you will need a socket, ratchet and possibly a pair of pliers.
Remove the cap with all the wire's still attached with a screw driver. Place the old cap aside for a moment and replace the rotor if your car needs one(the rotor is located under the cap). Install the new cap with a screwdriver. The old cap and new cap should be identical, take the wires from the old cap and place on new cap as they appear on the old cap.
Still with me? Okay lets move on.
Move to one side of the engine pulling a wire off just the spark plug. Remove the spark plug with the spark plug socket and a ratchet and replace with a new plug. NOTE: Make sure your spark plugs are gaped correctly, your car will not run right if they're not. Most plugs come pre-gaped but any auto store clerk can give you the correct gap for your plugs and show you how to check them.
After installing the new plug, remove the wire you pulled off the plug from the distributor cap. The easiest way to tell if it is the right wire for that plug is to measure the old wire with the new one, they will be the same length. Attach the new wire to the new plug and distributor cap. Repeat these steps with the rest of the wires and plugs.
Next is the air filter. It is fairly simple and all you will need is a screwdriver. The location of the air filter is different for every vehicle however they are usually on top of the motor in a black plastic box. In some vehicles the black box is located on the side by a wheel well. All you do is open the black box with a screwdriver, remove the old filter and install the new one. Replace the black box and secure with the screw.
Okay, so now that all of that is done, lets finish with the oil change.
Start by installing the new oil filter. To do this correctly you'll need to clean the oil filter housing. Just take an old rag and wipe the area you are attaching the filter to. To make sure you get a good seal on your new oil filter you'll need to oil the seal. Simply dip your finger in the new oil and run it around the seal just lightly coating the seal. After installing the filter just as tight as you can turn it, take your oil filter wrench and tighten the filter another quarter turn. With your ratchet and socket replace the drain plug. Make sure it is tight, you don't want a leak.
On the top side of the engine, you'll see a cap that reads oil, remove that cap and place the correct amount of oil for your vehicle, checking it with the dipstick when you're finished. Different cars require different amounts of oil, again your local auto parts sales man can help you determine how much and what kind of oil you need for your car.
Replace the negative battery cable with a socket and ratchet, clean up and you are finished!!
Feel free to email me with any and all questions.
Happy car repairs.
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