DJ Trava

Posts Tagged ‘small engine repair manual’

On a birthday surprise trip taken a few years ago to Puerto Penasco, or Rocky Point, Mexico more commonly known, motor cycle manuals would not have helped us out a certain predicament.  I had funded a trip for a friend of mine from Boston, Massachusetts.  He wasn’t familiar with the way of the desert, nor was he familiar of just what a Toyota Camry was capable of, or not capable of as the case may be, with regards to driving on sand.

The drive from Phoenix to Rocky Point, is pretty short.  In just about 4 hours one can be sitting on the beach eating fresh shrimps and relaxing, I thought–a perfect way to spend a birthday, no need for small engine repair manuals.  However, as we were camping, and my friend didn’t want to park and walk, he thought it would be an okay idea to just drive right out onto the sand…in a Camry, no four wheel drive and not thought.  I made mention that this may not be the best idea.  But, well—there we ended up.  A great spot on the beach for a few days, but no way to get the car out of the sand.

I tried my best to think of just how we would get home, and made the best of the three days on the beach.  It was fun, we painted pelicans and ocean landscapes, but on our last night, a tremendous storm happened and we were forced to take shelter in the stuck-in-the-sand Camry.  At some point during the night, he decided to run the heater, which was reasonable in a way…as we were soaking wet and very cold.  However, in the morning we woke up, not only stuck in the sand, but with a dead car battery as well.  A self-sufficient camper, a guy that spent most of his time in one of those old school silvermotor-homes accompanied by many dogs, came to our rescue.

This man knew about automotive repair and rescue.  He had a contraption that charge our battery through the cigarette lighter in his motor-home.  He then deflated our tires so we would be able to maneuver our way out of the sand.  We made it to the center of Rocky Point, re-filled the tires with air, and headed back to Phoenix.  We did get home in one piece, but next time I take someone on a trip for their birthday, I may just buy a ticket to Spain, and hire taxis for the entire weekend.

For many people, opening  small engine repair manuals and getting to work fixing their own car is a satisfying and rewarding experience.  They will become more familiar not only with the ways in which vehicles operate, but with their own car in particular.  Working on your own car at home has many benefits.  For one, it is sometimes difficult to find the perfect and trustworthy mechanic.  While living in Los Angeles, I found the perfect mechanic, many miles away in South Pasadena.  But the drive, and one time the tow, was worth it to me as my car was in their hands, and they were recommended, and reputable.  Secondly, in fixing your own car, the monetary benefits are great.

How many times does one look at the receipt, the part may have cost $42 dollars, but the labor was $380?  When one can open a car or motorcycle manual, and fix some of the engine problems themselves, they gain a certain independence and become a bit more self reliant.  One will need to build up their auto repair tool kit which should eventually contain the following items.  A basic tool kit with screws, pliers, fuses, and wrenches is a must.  As well as the proper safety equipment which will contain among other items, a flashlight and a first aid kit.  A hydraulic jack and fuel injection testers are a must.  The jack will allow you access to the under-body of your vehicle, and this is a must.

Whether you are simply changing a tire or working on the undercarriage a hydraulic jack will make things much easier.  The injector testers may be a bit more expensive than the other items you will be collecting but they are great for diagnosing the problems that may be occurring.  One item one may not think of are suction cups.  These are items that are very inexpensive, and very helpful.  They give you a second pair of hands so to speak, making it possible to keep up a window while repair the door.

For the battery, a charger is good to have around the garage, as well as terminal cables.  These too, are not very expensive and are good to have on hand.  One of the systems that is most essential to have working properly on you vehicle, is the braking system.  Your home automotive repair tool kit should include brake bleeders.  Home brake jobs are not very difficult, and the bleeders will make the repair go much quicker and much easier.  And then of course, with a compressive set of manuals, one is ready to begin the first day in their home garage, which will lead to hours of satisfaction, and miles of driving in a car that is in tip top shape.