David Sturtz
David Sturtz 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 David Sturtz
A timing belt idler is a small pulley that helps route and stabilize the timing belt in its correct position. Depending on the size and length of the belt and engine, there can be one or more idler pulleys.
A timing belt idler is a small pulley that helps route and stabilize the timing belt in its correct position. Depending on the size and length of the belt and engine, there can be one or more idler pulleys.
The camshaft seal is the mechanical oil seal between the camshaft and the cylinder head. .
The camshaft seal is the mechanical oil seal between the camshaft and the cylinder head. .
The crankshaft seal is the mechanical oil seal between the crankshaft and the timing cover. .
The crankshaft seal is the mechanical oil seal between the crankshaft and the timing cover. .
The timing cover gasket is the working seal between the timing cover and the engine block. .
The timing cover gasket is the working seal between the timing cover and the engine block. .
The valve cover gasket set is the complete set of gaskets required to create the working seal between the valve cover(s) and the cylinder head(s). .
The valve cover gasket set is the complete set of gaskets required to create the working seal between the valve cover(s) and the cylinder head(s). .
The wiper blade is a rubber blade attached to the end of the wiper arm. The wiper blade should be replaced when it no longer adequately removes rain or snow from the windshield, which impairs the driver's visibility.
The wiper blade is a rubber blade attached to the end of the wiper arm. The wiper blade should be replaced when it no longer adequately removes rain or snow from the windshield, which impairs the driver's visibility.
Driven by the crankshaft, the multi-ribbed serpentine belt powers engine accessories such as the alternator, air conditioning compressor, power steering pump, and, sometimes, the water pump. .
Driven by the crankshaft, the multi-ribbed serpentine belt powers engine accessories such as the alternator, air conditioning compressor, power steering pump, and, sometimes, the water pump. .
The oil pan gasket is the working seal between the oil pan and the lower part of the engine. .
The oil pan gasket is the working seal between the oil pan and the lower part of the engine. .
The automatic transmission pan gasket is the mechanical seal between the transmission and the transmission oil pan. .
The automatic transmission pan gasket is the mechanical seal between the transmission and the transmission oil pan. .
The hub assembly connects the suspension knuckle to the wheel. It includes a sealed wheel bearing and the mounting hub for the wheel.
The hub assembly connects the suspension knuckle to the wheel. It includes a sealed wheel bearing and the mounting hub for the wheel.
Parking brake shoes are small brake shoes housed inside the drum portion of the rear disc brake rotors. When the parking brake is applied, cables actuate the parking brake shoes and force them against the inside drum surface of the rear disc brake rotor.
Parking brake shoes are small brake shoes housed inside the drum portion of the rear disc brake rotors. When the parking brake is applied, cables actuate the parking brake shoes and force them against the inside drum surface of the rear disc brake rotor.
The alternator belt is a flexible rubber belt driven by the engine to power the alternator. The alternator belt can be the common "V" profile or the more modern flat-ribbed style.
The alternator belt is a flexible rubber belt driven by the engine to power the alternator. The alternator belt can be the common "V" profile or the more modern flat-ribbed style.
The air conditioning drive belt is a flexible belt made of rubber (and reinforced with cord) that is powered by the engine to rotate the air conditioning compressor. .
The air conditioning drive belt is a flexible belt made of rubber (and reinforced with cord) that is powered by the engine to rotate the air conditioning compressor. .
The cooling fan motor is an electric motor that turns a cooling fan. Vehicles may be equipped with multiple cooling fan motors and fans.
The cooling fan motor is an electric motor that turns a cooling fan. Vehicles may be equipped with multiple cooling fan motors and fans.
It may be necessary to recharge the air conditioning system refrigerant if the system has lost its cooling efficiency. Before any AC system repairs are performed, the system must be free of moisture and contaminates and leaks should already be repaired.
It may be necessary to recharge the air conditioning system refrigerant if the system has lost its cooling efficiency. Before any AC system repairs are performed, the system must be free of moisture and contaminates and leaks should already be repaired.