Engine Repair & Maintenance

Carburetors

• What is the choke, and what does it do?
• My mechanic says I have a carburetor problem. Does this mean that the carburetor needs to be replaced?
• Why did the car makers change from carburetors to fuel injection?

Cylinder head, valves and head gaskets

• My mechanic says my engine has a burned valve. What does that mean?
• What is a valve job and is a valve job really necessary?
• How much should a valve job cost and why?
• Will a compression test tell me if my engine is good or bad?
• What is a leak down test?
• My mechanic says my engine has too much compression due to excessive carbon buildup. What does this mean?
• My mechanic says my overhead cam timing belt should be replaced at 60,000, miles. If so, why?
• I drive an older import car. My owners manual says I'm supposed to have the valves adjusted very 25,000 miles. What will happen if I don't?
• My mechanic says my engine has a blown head gasket. Is this serious?
• What is the PCV valve and what does it do?
• What is the EGR valve and what does it do?

Drive belts

• How do I know if a V-belt needs to be replaced?
• Is it necessary to replace the belts periodically?

General engine difficulties

• My engine has a steady miss and gets bad fuel mileage. What's wrong?

Fuel Injection

• Why did the car makers change from carburetors to fuel injection?
• My mechanic says my injectors are dirty and need to be cleaned. What does it mean?

Fuel system and gasoline

• How much octane does my engine really need?
• How can I tell if my fuel filter needs to replaced?
• How often should I change my fuel filter?