Change air filter – causes, intervals and costs

Change air filter – causes, intervals and costs

Ambient air is needed for combustion to take place in diesel and gasoline engines. To prevent dirt from getting into the oil and combustion chambers, however, it must be filtered. For this reason, the air filter is located in front of the intake tract.

In a motor vehicle, the air filter is always an important element and if the air filter is very dirty, the function of the engine can be very impaired. The air filter is also often referred to as the engine’s lungs, and it supplies the engine with air. Air is drawn in from the outside via the intake tract and dirt particles are retained by the filter. The filtered air is then burned in the cylinder with atomized gasoline.

Changing the air filter

If an air filter is dirty, then this can have a negative effect on the performance of the engine. As a result of the dirt, the engine eventually receives the lower air supply and fuel consumption increases. If an air filter is very damaged or dirty, then in the worst case it can even lead to the failure of the engine. The degree of contamination should therefore be checked regularly and only then can high consequential costs be prevented. Problems with the air filter are thus generally recognized by the increased consumption and the drop in performance.

How often should the air filter be changed and what is the procedure?

Of course, an air filter has a limited service life and must be replaced after a certain period of time. For individual models, the maintenance interval here can vary significantly. This depends on the distance driven, the conditions, the weather, the season and the filter material. To give an orientation value, air filters are usually renewed every 30,000 to 40,000 kilometers.

During inspections, the condition of the filter is usually checked. Many of the air filters are relatively inexpensive disposable products and usually in the free trade a replacement filter costs only 10 to 20 euros. If you want to change the air filter, you don’t have to go to the workshop. The removal and installation can often be done by the owner and hardly any automotive expertise is required. Of course, the independent change also saves money.

With many models, the change is a simple matter and the finely structured paper filter is located in the so-called filter box. The filter box is usually located on the engine or at least near it. The component is easily accessible, even if the attachment and exact position often vary.

The cover can be opened with a few screws or with a click lock and the air filter is removed. When changing, it is important that no dirt gets into the open intake manifold. For this reason, the change should be carried out relatively quickly.

At a workshop, the air filter as a material costs between 40 and 130 dollars. If special air filters are required, the material price is always somewhat higher. Usually about 10 to 60 dollars are due for removal and installation. These costs depend on how the air filter was accommodated. Usually the change in the workshop takes only about 10 minutes and therefore this repair is usually comparatively cheap.

If the air filter itself is changed, then a screwdriver and a rag are usually sufficient if the area is relatively dirty. First, the hood is opened and secured. In the case of the air filter box, the fasteners are opened and if the air filter mat has been removed from the housing, the housing is cleaned with the rag. A new air filter mat is inserted into the housing and the cover is closed. In the end, the hood is closed and the process is done.

Changing the air filter: costs of repair in the workshop

When changing the air filter, the amount of work is usually low. The air filters are almost always easily accessible and no other components have to be removed from the engine. The replacement of the filter is done in about 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the model. After the waiting time is small, therefore, can be waited in the workshop. Immediately afterwards, the vehicle owners can drive on again without any worries.

Depending on the labor and depending on the cost of the air filter insert, the cost can be from about forty dollars, depending on the vehicle model. Of course, this largely depends on the type of car and the workshop. For example, while a Golf V Variant is around 50 dollars, an Opel Astra H Caravan costs around 40 euros. A Ford First Lim. or the Audi A4 Avant also cost about 60 dollars. The BMW Series 3 Touring costs about from 120 dollars and a Mercedes-Benz BM 207 E-Class Coupe, for example, is about 80 dollars.

Source - https://www.waautoparts.com.au/change-air-filter-causes-intervals-and-costs/

source https://waautoparts.blogspot.com/2022/08/change-air-filter-causes-intervals-and.html

V-belt squeaks – change it yourself or have it changed?

What is a V-belt?

Known in common parlance as a V-belt, today’s cars, however, generally use V-ribbed belts, due in no small part to its optimized shape, because while a V-belt usually has a smooth surface, a V-ribbed belt has ribs running lengthwise that interlock with the ribs of the pulley.

Why does a V-belt squeal and what are the various causes?

Before we begin to answer the question of why a V-belt squeaks, it should be said at this point that a squeaking V-belt can always have several causes, and of course it always depends on the individual case. However, it is also a fact that there is always a cause for the concise squealing, which should be followed up very promptly if possible, so that no consequential damage is caused by a defective V-belt on the car! In most cases, the concise noise always occurs when there is insufficient frictional connection between the belt and the pulley.

In this case, the reason is often the lack of belt tension, which can mean that the belt has either expanded, or the tensioning device of the pulley is not working properly. But also a grease film or moisture can reduce the adhesion of a V-ribbed belt. If the belt slips as a result of this, the typical squealing can also occur here! If the V-belt whistles when starting or in a generally damp and cold climate, for example in autumn or winter, you can be pretty sure that the mixture of cold and damp is causing the squealing. In this case, the noise usually stops as soon as the engine warms up. However, the squealing does not necessarily have to be due to the V-ribbed belt, because surrounding components such as the vibration dampers, idler pulleys or the tensioning pulleys can also be responsible for the squealing noise!

What can be done about a squeaking V-belt?

It is not important what you can do about it, but first of all that you find the cause of the squeaking in the first place. To do this, the ribbed belt should first be looked at when it is at a standstill and checked for any material fatigue. If the belt is too flexible or even porous, this can be the first sign of the fault. The same applies if wet or oily residues are discovered on the ribbed belt! When inspecting the belt, however, a closer look should also be taken at the sides, because if the ribbed belt rubs against the side of the ribbed pulley, this can also be the cause of the squealing.

Another indication of a defect is if unusual abrasion can be detected. If the visual inspection at standstill does not reveal any of these indications, a visual inspection during operation and with the engine running may provide more information. If there is an odor of warm rubber or if abrasion can be detected, you are close to the cause. In addition, you should be able to touch the bearings and pulleys after running the V-ribbed belt (of course, only test out of service). If they are noticeably hot shortly after operation, the cause may be excessive friction.

What are sprays good for?

If a V-belt squeaks, V-belt spray will only help to a limited extent, because once a ribbed belt or surrounding components are defective, worn or too loose, even a V-belt spray can only partially eliminate the squeaking, but not the defects themselves! However, the sprays are not completely wrong, because they are a good means to maintain the material and keep the rubber supple. If the squeaking is weather related, a V-belt spray can be a good way to counteract that as well! The same applies if the V-belt still squeaks after a change. However, if the spray brings no or only a short-term effect, the trip to the workshop should not be too long in coming!

Should squeaking be taken seriously?

If a V-belt squeals for a longer period of time, the cause should be investigated immediately, since a defective or, in the worst case, broken V-belt can cause consequential damage and thus higher repair costs.

What does a V-belt replacement cost?

Normally, the material costs for a belt change amount to between 25 and 50 dollars. Unfortunately, it is often the change itself that costs a lot of money due to the effort involved! Depending on the type of vehicle, you have to budget an additional 150 to 200 dollars for the installation. Due to the high amount of work and the low material costs, it is therefore often worthwhile to have the V-belt changed as a precaution whenever repairs are carried out that require the V-ribbed belt to be removed anyway!

Source - https://www.waautoparts.com.au/v-belt-squeaks-change-it-yourself-or-have-it-changed/

source https://waautoparts.blogspot.com/2022/08/v-belt-squeaks-change-it-yourself-or.html

Buy winter car useful? Advantages and disadvantages!

As soon as the cold season sets in, the negative influences on a motor vehicle increase. Above all, salt and grit damage the bodywork, but frost also takes its toll on the car. In addition, there is an increased risk of accidents, which is why many drivers decide to buy a winter car. However, there are some aspects to consider, especially when it comes to the choice of vehicle, but also its registration.

Buying a winter car offers advantages but also disadvantages

Often owners choose older and used vehicles when they decide to buy a winter car. If an accident or minor damage happens, it has much less effect than with a nicely maintained summer car. But when choosing, interested parties should carefully consider whether a winter car with all-wheel drive might be worthwhile. Especially those who often have to cope with inclines are on the safe side with this drive. On the other hand, anyone who buys a winter car will have to reckon with significantly poorer safety conditions. Although this saves the buyer money immediately upon purchase, he will have to dig deeper into his pocket later for taxes, possible insurance premiums and new equipment such as winter tires. Very favorable bargains can often be found at the car recycling around the corner.

What makes the optimal winter car

If someone wants to buy a winter car, it is important to pay attention to the same aspects as for the general purchase of a used car. Ideally, the choice should go to a winter car with all-wheel drive or at least front-wheel drive. Small cars are also well suited for this time of year, as their size and maneuverability make them easy to drive on winter roads. Also, features such as ABS and a drive by means of gasoline complete the perfect car choice for the second car in the cold season.

Popular brands as winter cars

The market of models that drivers want to sell as a winter car is large. And yet, most of them rely on proven brands such as Audi and Opel. The Audi 80 and Audi 100 in particular are popular models, while the Opel Astra or Corsa are at the top of the ranking list. If you want a winter car with all-wheel drive, many Opel models are the right choice. The Fiat Panda also has this drive and has made a name for itself as a long-term purchase for winter cars. In addition, the Kia Sportage and the Nissan X-Trail are popular second cars for the cold season.

Register correctly

It is obvious that a car purchased as a winter car must be legally registered in accordance with Department of Transport. 1. For this purpose, it must also have a valid license plate; if this is missing, penalties of 60 dollars may be imposed. Of course, it makes no sense to leave the vehicle registered throughout the year. This means that the owner will soon have the option of selling his winter car again. Much better are either seasonal license plates or interchangeable license plates. While the former simply involves registering for a specific period, the latter allows two cars to alternate on the roads. It is slightly more expensive than the seasonal license plate, which helps save on vehicle tax and insurance. In this case, you only have to pay for the period actually registered and driven, which is between two and eleven months.

source: https://www.waautoparts.com.au/buy-winter-car-useful-advantages-and-disadvantages/

source https://waautoparts.blogspot.com/2022/08/buy-winter-car-useful-advantages-and.html

Accident without fault and what now?

The rights of claims settlement in the event of an accident that was not the fault of the victim are clearly regulated. Anyone who is involved in an accident through no fault of their own is entitled to a number of rights as the injured party. Which claims the injured party can assert is only determined once the question of fault has been clearly established. This is what traffic law enforcement officers are needed for.

The first steps after an accident

No matter how severe and serious the accident per se may be, the first action must always be to call the police. The traffic police will record the accident. If there is a legal dispute later, this report is of great importance for the innocent injured party. Only with the confirmation of the police, whereby the course of events of the accident is exactly and in detail recorded, the injured party has the necessary evidence to be able to claim his rights.

What mistakes should be avoided in the case of accidents that are not one’s fault – what should be considered?

An accident is an unpleasant and at the same time difficult matter, which is connected with different obligations and rights. A gross mistake is to try to handle the claims process yourself. Taking photos, making an accident sketch, contacting the other party’s accident company, etc., all these steps of taking the initiative do not lead to the desired success when things get tough in court.

At the scene of the accident, there is one thing to remember: Stay calm! What has happened cannot be undone. Attacking the other party in the accident verbally or in any other way makes little sense, because aggressive behavior benefits no one. It is much more important to secure the accident site immediately and to keep an overview. In the case of minor accident damage, so-called settlement protocols are possible. However, these should only be signed by both sides if no other claims want to be asserted. If significant damage has occurred in the accident, the claim of the injured party who is not at fault must be reported to the opposing obligation as soon as possible. If the injured party waits too long to report the damage, it will become increasingly difficult for him to prove the actual damage and thus to assert all his claims.

Why is it important to hire an independent motor vehicle appraiser?

An independent motor vehicle appraiser objectively and thus quite impartially records the damages incurred in the accident. He takes a close look at the damage and draws up an accident report based on his analyses. This documents all the defects that can be traced back to the accident, and he also estimates the cost of repair, if this is possible.

After an accident for which the vehicle was not at fault, the expert opinion of an independent motor vehicle assessor is important because his damage report goes far beyond the scope of a cost estimate prepared by a motor vehicle repair shop. If repair is impossible, the independent motor vehicle appraiser can determine the replacement value or the current value of the vehicle. In this way, an appraisal covers possible additional and subsequent costs that are not included in an ordinary estimate.

How to find an independent appraiser?

Unfortunately, it is not so easy to find the right independent appraiser. Objectivity and qualification are sometimes thin on the ground when it comes to appraisers.

What does an independent expert opinion cost?

The more severely the vehicle was damaged, the higher the expert’s fee. The more serious the damage to the car, the longer the appraiser will need. The costs are calculated on the basis of corresponding tables. The fixed amounts that are charged for certain services are based on these tables. Depending on the damage incurred, the independent expert opinion may cost a lot or less. If the amount of damage including GST is 2,000 dollars, the basic fee of the expert ranges from 265 to 355 dollars. If the amount of damage is around 20,000 dollars, then the expert receives a fee of between 940 and 1,355 dollars.

However, in the case of accidents without fault, the fee is settled by most independent experts with the opposing insurance company, so that the injured party does not incur any costs for this. With the following independent experts, the accident appraisal is free of charge in the case of accidents without fault.

source - https://www.waautoparts.com.au/accident-without-fault-and-what-now/

source https://waautoparts.blogspot.com/2022/08/accident-without-fault-and-what-now.html

The EGR valve: function, signs of defects and replacement.

What is an EGR valve?

The abbreviation EGR stands for exhaust gas recirculation. The EGR valve is a very important component of this device, which serves to reduce the temperature of the exhaust gases produced during the combustion of fuel in the engine and the release of nitrogen oxides into the environment. During exhaust gas recirculation, a portion of the exhaust gases produced returns to the intake side of the engine via a pipe and the valve, where it re-enters the engine’s combustion chamber along with the fresh gases. The recirculation of the exhaust gases, which are low in oxygen and contain carbon dioxide, displaces fresh air in the intake manifold, which reduces the oxygen content of the gases being recirculated. The recirculated exhaust gases do not participate in the combustion process, but must nevertheless be reheated, i.e. they absorb heat energy, which causes the overall combustion temperature to drop.

The task of the EGR valve

Exhaust gas recirculation does not take place constantly, but only in the partial load range when the engine is running particularly lean. After a cold start, during the warm-up phase or when the engine is running at full load, exhaust gas recirculation makes little sense. The EGR valve is needed to control exhaust gas recirculation. It opens and closes the connection between the exhaust manifold and the intake manifold. The valve is located on the engine, usually near the exhaust manifold. By means of control electronics, it is possible to activate exhaust gas recirculation only under certain load conditions and engine temperatures and to deactivate it in driving situations when its use makes little sense.

When a defect occurs in the exhaust gas recirculation system

If the EGR valve is defective, there will be a significant deterioration in exhaust gas values as well as a deterioration in driving behavior. Idling problems, jerking or loss of power may occur. If necessary, the engine control unit may also go into emergency mode. If the valve is defective, problems may arise during the emissions test. However, in most cases the driver will visit a workshop before this happens, because the driving behavior deteriorates significantly due to poor throttle response and a sometimes severe loss of power.

Causes of a defective EGR valve

The most common cause is a blockage of the EGR valve, caused by contamination due to soot that occurs during combustion of the fuel-air mixture. Over time, the exhaust gases leave heavy traces inside the valve, which can cause it to stick. Sooting of the EGR valve is particularly common in diesel engines. Defects or problems can also be caused by damaged cable connections or seals, as well as leaking connecting lines and hoses. Depending on the position in which the EGR valve remains due to the soiling, various fault symptoms can occur. For example, if it remains open all the time, the engine draws in a high proportion of exhaust gas, while the amount of fresh air drawn in decreases. The electronic control unit for engine management then lowers the amount of fuel injected, which in turn reduces engine performance. Some vehicles indicate the defect by lighting up the engine control light.

Cleaning and replacing the EGR valve

In principle, it is possible to clean the valve. However, this should at best be done as a preventive measure. In the event of a defect, cleaning is no longer of any use and the valve must be replaced, as must the seals located on the valve. Improper cleaning can also cause further damage to the exhaust gas recirculation system. The cost of replacement depends on the type of vehicle. In principle, the replacement can also be carried out yourself. However, it is advisable to visit a specialist workshop. The workshop can check the EGR valve and other parts of the engine control system and determine whether any possible impairment when driving is actually attributable to the component.

source - https://www.waautoparts.com.au/the-egr-valve-function-signs-of-defects-and-replacement/

source https://waautoparts.blogspot.com/2022/08/the-egr-valve-function-signs-of-defects.html

Turning A Scrap Car Into Cash With WA Auto Parts

Sooner or later, every car owner is confronted with the fate that their car no longer functions satisfactorily. Defects accumulate, increasingly frequent defects cost money and even the cost of wearing parts eventually becomes too high. With increasing age, every car sooner or later becomes “ready for the scrap heap”. If, on the other hand, you have an accident, your car can become an economic total loss within seconds. The only solution? Get rid of the car!

Simply leaving the unroadworthy vehicle on the side of the road is not possible without legal consequences. Instead, such cars must be professionally dismantled, disposed of and finally deregistered in Australia. But instead of paying money to get rid of your scrap car, you can simply get some. There are several options for this.

Private sale vs. recycler

One thing is certain: the old car has to go. For the options you have, the condition of the car plays a big role. If your car is old, but still roadworthy and also has a valid  sticker, it is comparatively easy to look for a private buyer. An online advertisement offers a solid platform for this, with which you can easily reach potential buyers, as long as the advertisement is attractively designed. It is not only lovers of old, aging cars who like to go in search of bargains.

Car hobbyists are also often on the lookout for them, in order to cannibalize the vehicles and reuse the parts for their own purposes. How much you get for the car depends entirely on your negotiating skills. Some interested parties offer money for the entire car, while others are only interested in individual parts. Depending on how you present the car in the ad or how you come to an agreement, the selling price can be different high or low. Here, of course, the condition and quality of the body, equipment and aggregates play a significant role.

If your car is unroadworthy and without a sticker, a private sale can be problematic. Getting an attractive sum for a scrap car is usually unlikely. In principle, such a scrap car is taken directly to the recycler. But be careful: not every recycler will let you scrap your car for free. Often there is a fee of 100 euros or more. In addition, the unroadworthy car must be transported to the recycler at your own expense. So the only profit you can make here is if you cannibalize the vehicle yourself beforehand and sell the valuable parts. Is there perhaps a simpler solution how to make your scrap car easy and uncomplicated money?

Purchase enterprises

Beside the private sales and the classical auto utilization purchase enterprises offer such as WA Auto Parts an uncomplicated alternative, how one gets rid of problem-free its scrap ripe vehicle. Before the sales two-stage evaluation takes place, in order to determine the remaining value of the vehicle. This happens completely uncomplicated, because WA Auto Parts tells you the answer to: What is my car still worth? The first stage is carried out by means of an online price calculator, into which the most important vehicle data such as make, model and the year of first registration are entered. Within seconds, you get an initial estimate based on current market data.

The second step is to book a personal appointment for an appraisal at one of over 100 branches throughout Australia, where the vehicle is closely examined by automotive experts. After the appraisal, the customer is presented with a purchase offer, which he can accept if he is interested. Thus, one has sold his scrap car, and this is even possible within just 24 hours. With this purchase company, one has the advantage that the condition of the vehicle does not matter. Thus, even cars that have been declared a total loss can be presented without any problems. If the car is immobile, they will even help organize a transport.

The value of the car matters

Whether you sell your scrap car privately, through a purchasing company or dismantled into individual parts is entirely up to you. If it has to be done quickly and you simply want to dispose of your car, you are well served by a vehicle recycling company. However, make sure it’s a certified business to avoid any nasty surprises. You can find a car recycling company near you on our car recycler overview.

In addition to the damage present, each scrap car has different characteristics that are important for pricing. In addition to make and model, equipment and accessories also determine the selling price. Therefore, it is important to determine the car value before any sale. Reputable purchasing companies usually offer this service free of charge. Only then will you know the exact value of your vehicle and be able to turn your scrap car into cash.

Source - https://www.waautoparts.com.au/turning-a-scrap-car-into-cash-with-wa-auto-parts/

source https://waautoparts.blogspot.com/2022/08/turning-scrap-car-into-cash-with-wa.html

How much does it cost to change shock absorbers?

What is a shock absorber on a car?

The shock absorber, also called vibration damper, absorbs shocks and vibrations transmitted from the road surface to the vehicle. The structure of a shock absorber is quickly explained. It consists of a cylinder and a piston. Inside the cylinder is gas or oil. By moving up and down, the gas or oil is forced through fine openings or sucked back again. This causes the vibrations to lose intensity.

When does the vibration damper need to be replaced?

The durability of a shock absorber depends on several factors. Bad roads with many potholes, frequent driving on dirt or forest roads or driving too fast in curves will cause a shock absorber to become defective more quickly than would be the case under normal conditions.

The shock absorber is a wearing part and should be checked approximately every 80,000 to 100,000 kilometers.

Shock absorber wear is gradual and one quickly becomes accustomed to a shock absorber that no longer functions properly. However, there are simple ways to determine if a shock absorber is defective. Unevenly worn tires, high tire wear, a vibrating steering wheel or even rumbling noises can be signs. An unmistakable sign of a defective shock absorber is leaking oil.
Shock absorber replacement is often difficult. Usually the tire and the brake caliper have to be removed; sometimes also the tie rod, which is part of the steering system. Work on brakes or steering should only be carried out by specialist workshops.

At least the front shock absorbers are usually assembled with the spring to form a single unit: The spring strut. To separate the shock absorber from the spring, the complete strut must be removed and the spring tensioned with a special tool so that the shock absorber can be removed. Tensioning the spring releases enormous forces, which many a mechanic has paid for with broken bones. It is therefore essential to consult a specialist workshop. If a shock absorber is not connected to a spring, it can easily be removed by anyone with technical experience.

What does a shock absorber replacement cost?

The cost of a shock absorber replacement varies, of course, and depends on the type of vehicle. Shock absorbers for an SUV or a sports car are significantly more expensive than shock absorbers for a mid-size car and can sometimes reach a 4-digit amount. A normal shock absorber costs between 50 and 150 euros. However, you should bear in mind that it makes sense to change the shock absorbers in pairs. That means on one axle right and left.

Of course, one must not forget the workshop costs. Here, too, there are big differences and a price comparison is always worthwhile. Some workshops offer all-inclusive prices and thus make the costs for a shock absorber change clear.

On average, the work per axle will cost around 150 to 200 euros. If we calculate the maximum in each case, you will have to pay about 500 euros per axle for a shock absorber replacement. The minimum is only about 250 euros.

However, your safety and that of others should be worth it.

Source - https://www.waautoparts.com.au/how-much-does-it-cost-to-change-shock-absorbers/

source https://waautoparts.blogspot.com/2022/08/how-much-does-it-cost-to-change-shock.html