UAS Motors

Do It Yourself Series

5 Reasons Your Check Engine Light Is On

It may be a little nerve wracking when your check engine light comes on. Usually, there is no warning or explanation for why the check engine light comes on. When you see this light come on take it to garage for check up. There are many reasons why a vehicle's check engine light can come on, however, these are the five most common reasons.

1. Fuel Cap Is Loose, Damaged or Missing
You wouldn't think a fuel cap would be that important, but it is. When a fuel cap becomes loose or is broken, it can leak out fuel vapors, which can throw the whole fuel system off. If your check engine light comes on, but your car isn't feeling jerky or strange, the first thing you should check is the fuel cap.

2. Catalytic Converter Needs Replacing
Catalytic converters are another common item that drivers face. The catalytic converter works to reduce exhaust gasses. This is primarily because these parts won't fail unless there is another underlying issue. When it fails, it stops converting carbon monoxide into less harmful emissions.

3. Replace Oxygen (O2) Sensor
Malfunctioning oxygen sensors are one of the most common car repair problems. The O2 sensor can fail as a result of neglecting car repairs, engine issues or simply from using gas with a higher concentration of ethanol. Over time, the sensor gets covered in oil ash and it reduces the sensors ability to change the oxygen and fuel mixture.

4. Spark Plugs Need Replacing
The spark plug ignites the air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber of your vehicle. The spark plug wires deliver the spark from the ignition coil to the spark plugs. When the plugs are failing, the spark plug misfire, which will make your car jolt while accelerating.

5. Replace Mass Airflow Sensor
The mass airflow sensor tells the car's computer to add the proper amount of fuel based on the air coming through to the engine. When the mass airflow sensor becomes faulty, it can increase emissions, cause the car to stall and it can decrease fuel mileage.

If your check engine light is on, don't remove and replace the battery as this will just remove the warning light but will not solve the underlying problem. Use the On Board Diagnostic-OBD to can for errors on the computerbox and resolve them or take the vehicle to your mechanic . If you wait you could make the problem worse. Make sure you keep your vehicle running like new by performing regular maintenance. This could help keep your car running longer and save you from costly repairs.

CONTACT US @ UAS MOTORS where we can do diagnosis and repair your vehicle

Do It Yourself - Series

Why Is My Engine Overheating?

If steam is pouring from under your hood, a temperature warning light is glowing bright red on your dashboard or the needle in the temperature gauge is cozying up to the High mark, it’s time to pull off the road and shut down the engine before it fries: You’ve got a problem with your car’s cooling system, and you want to do everything you can to keep it from overheating — a much bigger problem.

Any indication of engine overheating is a serious problem, so the best course of action is to shut down the engine to prevent further damage to it. Driving a car with an overheated engine can warp cylinder heads and damage the radiator or internal engine parts such as valves, camshafts and pistons.

Even letting the engine cool for an hour and topping off the radiator with a 50-50 mix of antifreeze and water may not fix the problem.

Here are some reasons an engine will overheat for your troubleshooting needs:

✴️The coolant level could be extremely low because of long-term neglect, or because a coolant leak has developed in the radiator or radiator hoses. Coolant circulates inside the engine block to cool it, and the leak might be in the block, or from the water pump or heater hoses.

✴️Old coolant loses its corrosion-inhibiting properties, allowing rust to form and ultimately causing damage.

✴️The thermostat that allows coolant to circulate may be stuck in the closed position or a clog may have developed, perhaps from debris in the cooling system.

✴️The engine cooling fan has stopped working or the radiator’s cooling fins are clogged with debris so that the air flow that reduces the coolant temperature is restricted.

✴️The radiator cap has gone bad and no longer maintains enough pressure in the cooling system, allowing coolant to boil over (engines normally operate at about 210 to 220 degrees Fahrenheit).

✴️The head gasket that seals the gap between the cylinder head and engine block may have failed, allowing coolant to leak inside the combustion chambers. The steam should be visible coming out of the exhaust system.

✴️The water pump has stopped working, or the belt that drives it broke or is slipping and not pumping enough coolant.

✴️You’ve overloaded the car exceeding the vehicle’s cooling capacity. (You probably also strained the transmission.)

Checking your engine coolant level in the overflow tank on a regular basis can help avoid disasters. If you have to keep topping off the coolant, that’s an indication of leaking that should be taken care of before it becomes a major one where you’re paying for a more serious issue with overheating in your cooling system.

Having your coolant tested and the entire system inspected by a mechanic every couple of years is an even better way to prevent cooling system problems.

At UAS MOTORS WE'VE A VAST EXPERIENCE IN REPAIRING YOUR VEHICLE COOLING SYSTEM

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