Car Related Tips Thread

[Toni]

Thought it would be cool to share random tips we come across when working on our cars. Tips should be quick, one ore two sentences long. I'll start it off.

When installing turbos, clock the turbine housing/chra clamp to an accessible position, that way if you have to rebuild you don't have to remove the exhaust side.

Leave oil containers on a home radiator for a couple hours to warm up when filling up an engine for the first time after major work. I get oil pressure within a few cranks.

[dpartinvr4]

don't touch things and they usually won't break

[CoreyB]

Whenever possible use a 6 point socket rather than a 12 point to avoid stripping.

Always use leverage over brute strength when loosening bolts, you can use two wrenches locked end to end, I do this often.

Never use RTV unless its necessary.

Never fully tighten just one bolt on anything, tighten them all up evenly in increments.

[dpartinvr4]

...........what's your beef with RTV?

[CoreyB]

Dont use it where you dont need it. Using it in combination with gaskets is a leak waiting to happen.

[Steve '92ES]

Learn how to read your engine codes BEFORE your car breaks. Get your paper clip, meter, test light, or logger and make sure it works and you know how to do it now so you won't be battling two problems later.

[dpartinvr4]

i've been using it in combination with gaskets for years,....you have to use it properly, a thin layer, not a gob......

[Mike-92RT]

dont rush, and be patient when working on these engines.

[CoreyB]

i've been using it in combination with gaskets for years,....you have to use it properly, a thin layer, not a gob......

Why? Was it there on the factory gasket? Did it leak before? I stand by my advice but feel free to ignore it. Anyways...




ALWAYS use a jackstand or blocking to keep the car from coming down on you, never trust a jack.

[Mike-92RT]

When you use RTV gasket, make sure you scrape off any debris with a razor blade, and then spray it with brake clean to clean off any oil and left over dirt. Use a rag with varsol in other situations when you can't spray brake clean.

If you wanna seal up your plenums and TB, apply a thin layer, finger tighten the bolts, wait 10 minutes, then fully tighten.
If you wanna seal up your valve cover, or oil pan, apply a medium sized layer, tighten the bolts just enough so the RTV just starts to squeeze out. Wait 30min to an hour, then torque the bolts down. Then let it fully dry for 3 hours.

Make sure you use the right type of RTV for the job your doing.

Follow those steps and it shouldn't fail you