Andy Y
Andy Y is an automotive expert at RepairPal, the leading online source of auto repair resources and estimates. With many ASE Master certified mechanics on staff who have decades of experience, RepairPal knows all the fine points of car repair.
Posts by Andy Y
A camshaft actuator is a mechanical or electronic device that is mounted on the camshaft gear. Its purpose is to slightly advance or retard the timing of when the camshaft opens or closes the intake and/or exhaust valves.
A camshaft actuator is a mechanical or electronic device that is mounted on the camshaft gear. Its purpose is to slightly advance or retard the timing of when the camshaft opens or closes the intake and/or exhaust valves.
Mounted between the engine block and the oil pan, the crankcase supports the crankshaft, allowing it to spin freely while transmitting power (torque) from the engine. .
The crankshaft pulley (harmonic balancer) is mounted on the end of the crankshaft. Its purpose is to turn the drive belts that operate the engine accessories (alternator, air conditioning compressor, etc.
The crankshaft pulley (harmonic balancer) is mounted on the end of the crankshaft. Its purpose is to turn the drive belts that operate the engine accessories (alternator, air conditioning compressor, etc.
The engine block is the main body of the engine assembly. It contains the cylinders that accommodate pistons and connecting rods.
The engine block is the main body of the engine assembly. It contains the cylinders that accommodate pistons and connecting rods.
Engine cylinders are machined round bores (tubes) inside the engine block that house the pistons. As the engine operates, the pistons move up and down within the cylinders.
Engine cylinders are machined round bores (tubes) inside the engine block that house the pistons. As the engine operates, the pistons move up and down within the cylinders.
Mounted to the top of the engine block, the cylinder head houses the intake and exhaust valves, as well as the spark plugs. .
Mounted to the top of the engine block, the cylinder head houses the intake and exhaust valves, as well as the spark plugs. .
An engine valve is what allows air into (or exhaust out of) a specific cylinder. Each cylinder has at least one intake and one exhaust valve.
An engine valve is what allows air into (or exhaust out of) a specific cylinder. Each cylinder has at least one intake and one exhaust valve.
An idle air bypass kit is a computer-controlled electronic shutter valve that allows measured amounts of air around the throttle plate to increase or decrease the engine idle speed as required. .
An idle air bypass kit is a computer-controlled electronic shutter valve that allows measured amounts of air around the throttle plate to increase or decrease the engine idle speed as required. .
An idle speed control motor maintains proper engine idle by mechanically opening and closing the throttle as commanded by the engine control module. .
An idle speed control motor maintains proper engine idle by mechanically opening and closing the throttle as commanded by the engine control module. .
The oil cooler is a small radiator-style cooler that lowers the temperature of the engine oil and circulates it back to the engine. .
The oil cooler is a small radiator-style cooler that lowers the temperature of the engine oil and circulates it back to the engine. .
An oil seal is a metal reinforced rubber seal that prevents oil from leaking past a rotating shaft. .
An O-ring is typically a neoprene rubber ring that is used to seal and prevent fluid loss when two surfaces are bolted or pressed together, such as a thermostat housing to an intake manifold. .
The intake manifold is the part of a gasoline engine that distributes air (and sometimes fuel, depending on the type of engine you have) from outside the car to the individual cylinders, where the air and fuel are burned to produce power. The intake manifold attaches to the engine’s cylinder head, with a gasket in between them to provide a tight seal.
The intake manifold is the part of a gasoline engine that distributes air (and sometimes fuel, depending on the type of engine you have) from outside the car to the individual cylinders, where the air and fuel are burned to produce power. The intake manifold attaches to the engine’s cylinder head, with a gasket in between them to provide a tight seal.
The positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) hose carries crankcase gases from the engine to the intake manifold, where they are drawn into the cylinders for combustion. .
Positive crankcase pressure is the pressure created in the engine oil crankcase by combustion gases leaking past the piston sealing rings, usually during hard acceleration. .
Positive crankcase pressure is the pressure created in the engine oil crankcase by combustion gases leaking past the piston sealing rings, usually during hard acceleration. .