The upper intake manifold is a very common failure point on the venerable GM 3800 Series II engine. Often when it begins to fail, the car will show the symptoms of a head gasket failure, however actual head gaskets failing on this engine is VERY rare. One of the first signs of the intake manifold failure is coolant loss, these intakes can leak internally into the engine, or externally near the thermostat housing. In extreme cases, the leak can get so bad internally that it can actually hydro-lock (when an engine fills with so much liquid that the pistons cannot...

Oxygen Sensors: How to Diagnose and Replace By Larry Carley c2007 Today’s computerized engine control systems rely on inputs from a variety of sensors to regulate engine performance, emissions and other important functions. The sensors must provide accurate information otherwise driveability problems, increased fuel consumption and emission failures can result. One of the key sensors in this system is the oxygen (O2) sensor. It is often referred to as the “O2” sensor because O2 is the chemical formula for oxygen (oxygen atoms always travel in pairs, never alone). The first O2 sensor was introduced in 1976 on a Volvo 240....

We found these instructions online and posted them for the use of our customers. I had to replace passenger-side front Dana 44 axle hub (unit bearing) and the axle u-joints after 100,000 miles on my non-ABS 97 Dodge Ram 1500. To check for hub failure prior to the wheel falling off, you can jack up the wheel, grab the top and bottom and try to wiggle it. If it moves, then you need hubs or ball joints. Watch the ball joints for movement. If they stay put, then the hubs are bad. Although they can be pricey, I recommend replacing...

The Ignition distributor is basically the heart of the ignition/spark system. The PCM, ECM, or vehicle computer is the brain and controls the distributor. The distributor is being removed from most late-model vehicles and a direct ignition system is being installed. The direct ignition system basically supplies spark directly to the spark plug rather than going through a distributor to distribute the spark. The distributor has many parts including moving mechanical parts and several electrical components that are subject to extreme engine conditions such as heat and extreme voltage that the ignition coil produces. Most late-model vehicles that still use...

This information is from the Ford Service Manual and is specifically for a 2002 Ford Explorer. However, it can be used for all 2002-2010 Ford Explorer’s, Mercury Mountaineer’s, and Mercury Mariner vehicles. The hub bearing on the rear of these vehicles is unfortunately not a bolt-on hub assembly. This is a job that a do-it-yourselfer can do. However, this repair requires the actual bearing and outer hub to be pressed in/out. The best way to go about this repair is to have a machine shop do the actual press work. You can do all of the other labor yourself and save several hundred dollars...