Your Drive Train Explained Written by Kevin Schappell Continued from page 1 Another basic component of all drive trains is some form of a clutch. it allows engine to continue rotating while gears and wheels are stationary. Automatic transmission cars use a "torque converter" in lieu of a clutch. The last component in drive train is axle. In a rear wheel drive car axle is in rear. Engine power is transmitted from transmission to axle via drive shaft. The drive shaft is basically a metal tube with joints on each end called universal joints. These joints allow tube to move in relation to suspension and keep power flowing to rear. In front wheel drive cars axle is integrated into transmission thus term transaxle. From back of engine to where rubber meets road, drive train encompasses one of most complicated systems of your car. Some people say looking at a transmission "makes their brain hurt". The above information is directly from Auto Insight program, which you can buy online from AutoEducation.com. Common Problems: ·Manual transmissions suffer from wear mainly in synchronizers. The synchronizers make shifting easier and help to prevent gear clash. Over time synchronizers, which are made of brass, can wear out causing hard shifting and grinding. ·Automatic transmissions can also wear out, causing slipping and uneven shifting patterns. Universal joints can wear and cause vibrations while driving. Many newer universal joints are sealed and cannot be lubricated, leaving replacement as only option. Preventive Maintenance: ·Change fluid in your transmission at recommended intervals. Your owners manual will give you a time schedule in miles and or months. If you tow a boat or trailer be prepared to change fluid even sooner. Most owners manuals will give you recommend intervals for severe use like towing or off-road use. ·Do not "ride" clutch if you have a manual transmission. Learn to release clutch in a smooth motion without revving engine too much. Revving engine too much while pulling out can cause premature wear on clutch. ·If you do tow a boat or trailer, consider getting a transmission cooler for your automatic transmission. Temperatures can approach boiling point in severe conditions. Most newer trucks come equipped with transmission coolers if sold with a towing package. ·Make sure your universal joint is lubricated at oil changes if they are type, which can be lubricated. When replacing universal joints try to find replacements with lubrication fittings so you can lubricate in future. ·If you have a front wheel drive car, avoid applying gas to floor while wheels are turned at full lock. This puts stress on universals and can cause premature failure. This can happen when stuck in snow and trying to get out. What to discuss with your mechanic: ·If you are noticing a vibration in car while driving, make sure to describe when it happens. While accelerating? braking? maintaining speed? when turning? Kevin Schappell maintains http://www.carbuyersclub.com where he gives advice on buying, selling, insurance, and financing. A mechanical engineer and car guy, Kevin has decided to spend his online time helping others learn about automobiles. To learn more about how your car works, Kevin has createdhttp://www.mycarwizard.com The Engine Explained Written by Kevin Schappell Continued from page 1 Valve train: Remember oil smoke problem mentioned above in piston sections. If your car only smokes grayish/white smoke at start-up you may have leaking valve seals. Valve seals keep oil from above valve from leaking into combustion chamber. When they wear, they can allow oil to seep into combustion chamber and collect there until your start engine again. You generally do not get oil leaking past valve seals while engine is running since seals expand with heat of engine and plug leak. Another common problem is timing chain or belt will slip or even break causing cam shaft to stop rotating. Remember camshaft tells valves when to open and if it stops spinning then valves stop opening and closing. No valve moving, no engine running :-) A term you will here when talking about timing chains and belts is "interference engine". When an engine is an "interference engine" pistons and valves are so close together that if valves were to stop moving (broken belt or chain) and crankshaft kept spinning they would crash into piston. (that's interference) This crash tends to do bad things to an engine, breaking valve, bending pushrods, and even cracking pistons. This is why most manufacturers recommend changing timing chain or belt every 60,000 miles. Timing belts dry out, stretch and deteriorate over time so even if you do not have 60,000 miles on car think about changing belt after it's 6 years old. Preventive Maintenance: ·Change your oil regularly. ·Give your engine a chance to warm up before driving if possible. Let oil get into all parts of engine before driving. This is even more critical in cooler temperatures when oil is cold and sluggish. ·Change your timing belt or chain at your manufacturer's recommended interval. ·void "snake oil" additives advertised on late night TV. Regular oil changes and good maintenance habits will keep your engine running it's best. ·If you have a turbo charged engine, give engine a minute or two cool down before turning it off. This cool down period allows oil to circulate and cool down bearings. If you shut off engine immediately after hard driving, oil can gum up around hot bearings and create problems down road. What to discuss with your mechanic: ·If you have to replace your engine, discuss benefits of buying used versus new. If you plan on keeping your car for some time, a new engine might be best bet. Sometimes new engines are not much more expensive than rebuilt ones, and offer best solution. ·When trying to diagnose engine noises, be as descriptive as possible. Take note to when noise occurs; at what throttle position, and when noise started occurring. Sometimes changing weight of oil being used can cause a new noise to crop up. Make sure you mechanic knows if you changed oil brands or weight recently. Kevin Schappell maintains http://www.carbuyersclub.com where he gives advice on buying, selling, insurance, and financing. A mechanical engineer and car guy, Kevin has decided to spend his online time helping others learn about automobiles. To learn more about how your car works, Kevin has createdhttp://www.mycarwizard.com     <Back to Page 1   ImproveHomeLife.com © 2005 Terms of Use