Understanding When To Replace Your Volkswagen Fuel Injector

A few decades ago, carburetors regulated the mixture of oxygen and fuel necessary to create internal combustion by employing a complex series of reservoirs, valves, and checkpoints. Unfortunately, it couldn’t ensure that all cylinders were receiving the same mixture of fuel and oxygen. By 1980, car designers had discovered a better way to do it. Instead of relying on a complex architecture of valves and gaskets, fuel injectors are computerized- so when your Volkswagen’s fuel injector is working properly, each cylinder is getting just the right mixture of oxygen and fuel for efficient combustion and engine performance.

A faulty fuel injector won’t cause big, immediate problems such as a failure to run, but over time, it can seriously throw off engine performance. Your Volkswagen’s fuel injector plays a vital role in the smooth and efficient running of your engine, and if it fails or begins to work poorly, the engine performance gradually deteriorates. Without proper replacement or repair, what starts out as a faulty fuel injector can end up causing extensive- and expensive- damage. The experts at The Auto Parts Network suggest replacing your fuel injector every 100,000 miles.

Five Symptoms of a Faulty Fuel Injector

• Decreased MPG: A sudden, unexplained decrease in your vehicle’s MPG rate could be caused by a fuel injector malfunction that allows excess fuel into the engine.

• Can’t beat the heat: A vehicle with a healthy fuel injector can start no matter what the temperature is, but one with a faulty injector will have start up issues when the temperature rises.

• Missing your idle: Since your Volkswagen’s fuel injector is responsible for the flow of gas into the engine, a malfunction can cause irregular gas flow and combustion- which is externally noticeable as rough or sputtering engine idling, also known as engine missing.

• Restriction check: When a mechanic performs an engine check on your vehicle, the fuel injector ports are tested to make sure that gas can easily flow through. Slowed or restricted gas flow is a red flag for a fuel injector gone bad.

• Gas leaks: Cracks in the fuel injector housing or attachment line can lead to gas leaks around the manifold and engine block. This is one of the most dangerous issues your fuel injector can have, since it could result in an engine fire. Smelling gasoline while your driving is a clue that you could have a leaky fuel injector.

Improve Your Vehicle MPG With A Little Help From The Auto Parts Network

Remember the days when gas prices weren’t in a constant state of flux? You could choose between $1.35 and $1.25 per gallon and never even have to contemplate the idea that next week gas prices could be up to $2.00 per gallon. While thankfully we’re no longer paying the all time high, gas prices are still pretty steep compared to what they were a mere decade ago, they’re likely to continue their upward trend in the future. Fuel economy, and getting the best mileage per gallon, has become an important issue.

So You’ve Got A Fuel Efficient Honda- Now What?

So you’re doing your part to lessen the fuel footprint- and your gas prices- by trading in your Dodge Ram for the more economical Honda Element, but gas prices still make driving everywhere you need to go an expensive proposition. Short of getting yourself an electric car- and all of the accessibility issues that come with a vehicle that requires an alternative fuel source, is there anything else you can do? Absolutely! As any mechanic or mod fan knows, cars are some of the most versatile- and modifiable- machinery in the world, and a little bit of special attention- and some help from the Auto Parts Network- can go a long way.

Learn From The Pros

These pro tips can help you get the best MPG out of your Honda Element- or whatever vehicle you own.

• Up Your Air Flow: Replacing your factory air filter with a high performance Honda Element K&N air filter can up your engine efficiency and fuel economy by as much as 14%.

• Keep Your Tires In Shape: Saggy tires can be a drag- literally- on your fuel efficiency. Check your owner’s manual for the optimum tire pressure for your vehicle.

• Monitor Your Motor Oil: Keep your engine running smoothly by making sure you’ve got the correct amount- and the correct grade- of motor oil. The wrong grade of motor oil can significantly lower your engines efficiency and MPG, so stick with the grade recommended by your vehicle manufacturer.

• Stay Oxygenated: The engine oxygen sensor regulates fuel consumption, so if you notice a sudden decrease in MPG, check out your Honda Element’s oxygen sensor.

Changing the Oil & Installing A K & N Oil Filter In Your Honda Civic

Think you’re ready to perform a DIY oil change and K & N oil filter installation on your Honda Civic? Unless you’ve got all the right tools and gear ready to go, think again. Here’s what you’ll need: A floor jack, to get your vehicle up in the air, a pair of jack stands to keep it up and steady while you work, a ratcheting wrench with a 17mm socket, an adjustable wrench that fits a 1” nut; four quarts of motor oil, an oil catch to catch the used oil, and a K & N Honda Civic oil filter, number HP-1010. You can find it at Auto Parts Network. Got all that? Then you’re ready to go!

Step by Step

Before you start, turn on your engine and let it warm up for 5 minutes, then shut it down. Put your parking brake on, and use the floor jack to raise the passenger side high enough that you can slide underneath and work, making sure to secure the vehicle with the jack stands before you proceed. Beneath the engine on the passenger side, you’ll see the oil filter near the front of the car, and the oil drain bolt facing the rear. Place the oil catch below the drain bolt, then use the 17mm socket ratcheting wrench to remove it. Drain for 5-10 minutes, and then replace the drain bolt, tightening it just beyond hand tight. Over-tightening could damage the threads. Next, place the oil catch below your old oil filter, and remove it by hand or using the adjustable wrench. Attach your new K&N Honda Civic oil filter using the adjustable wrench to just beyond hand tight, then remove the oil catch and jack stands, and lower your vehicle.

Tip: Removing the oil filter cap from the engine bay will help the old oil drain faster.

Use a funnel to pour in 3.5 quarts of new motor oil, and then run your engine for 5 minutes, shut it down, and wait 5 minutes. Next, check the oil level, and add to it if it’s below the MAX mark. Repeat the engine run, cool, and test until you hit MAX. Good work- you’re done!

Ready To Put A K&N Oil Filter In Your Honda?

So you’re ready to replace that flimsy factory stock oil filter with a premium K&N Honda oil filter- or are you... when are you supposed replace your old oil filter anyway? The tried and true answer (and the one you’ll most likely get on that oil change sticker if you go to a professional oil change outlet) is every 3,000 miles or three months, whichever comes along first. That interval isn’t arbitrary- it’s the amount of time that petroleum based engine oil takes to break down and degrade, coating your nice clean engine parts with what mechanics like to call “sludge.”

Engine oil does a lot for your engine. It lubricates moving components, protects them against wear and corrosion, whisks away contaminants, improves seals, and cools the moving parts of your engine- all those areas your radiator fluid doesn’t get to. Using a good quality oil filter, like the K&N Honda oil filter, keeps your oil running clean for as long as possible, but eventually the heat, friction, oxidation, and contaminant build up causes sludge to form. Once it begins, sludge develops exponentially, sucking up the remaining good oil and coating your engine components with a hardened layer that must be scraped and chiseled away. Wait too long to change you oil and filter, and you could be dealing with premature engine failure. Of course, many of today’s Honda owners use synthetic engine oil.

Synthetic vs. Traditional

Most synthetic engine oils promise to last far longer than the traditional motor oils’ three thousand mile/three month limit, some even claiming to go as long as 15,000 miles. Due to the Federal Emissions mandates, today’s engines run hotter, and the motor oil manufacturers have stepped up to the challenge by creating synthetic motor oils that run cleaner and longer. But while they may be lab tested for a ridiculous longevity, most mechanics don’t recommend running them to their limit in your engine. Change your oil and filter every 3-5 thousand miles for petroleum based engine oil, and every 5-7 thousand for synthetic based engine oils. You can find a wide array of oil and filter choices, as well as care tips, at Auto Parts Network.

Express Yourself with a Ford Mustang Magnaflow Exhaust System

Installing an aftermarket exhaust system is one of the easiest ways to personalize your Ford Mustang. Not only does the right exhaust system improve your engine performance, many car mod enthusiasts consider it to be a prime way of expressing their individual style and personality. Believe it or not, loudness is not the only factor here. Depending on the system you choose, your engine will have a different sound, and will sound differently in various situations. The serious exhaust enthusiasts aren’t simply asking themselves which one amps up their engine sound and performance. They’re asking whether or not it should be loud when it idles, or just during acceleration. Should it purr, or drone? And what it’s made of. They know that the best systems used high quality stainless steel. Take the Magnaflow Ford Mustang exhaust systems, for example.

Magnaflow offers mod fans a variety of Ford Mustang exhaust systems, including a standard oval muffler, and a more aggressively vocal round-style Magnapack exhaust with three inch piping. True to quality, Ford Mustang Magnaflow exhaust systems are built from pure stainless steel and the highly polished mufflers and tips come pre-packaged with a lifetime guarantee. The Magnapack tests out as smooth and sophisticated, with a deep baritone muscle sound both during idle and in drive. For Mustang owners who really want the look of a custom exhaust, dual exhaust tips are the way to go. And Magnaflow offers several which will fit readily onto your Ford Mustang. To make sure you choose the right sized exhaust tip for your Ford Mustang, measure the diameter of your vehicle’s tailpipe at its widest section- this measurement determines the correct inlet diameter for a properly fitted exhaust tip.

Care and Cleaning

Road bumps, low curbs, debris, and lowered vehicle suspension are not your friends when it comes to your vehicle’s exhaust system. Basic maintenance begins with regular under car check-ups to make sure your exhaust system and the components holding it in place remain intact. The next step is regular and thorough cleaning. Over time, dirt and road grime will dull the nice polished shine on your Ford Mustang Magnaflow muffler and tips. Ordinary car wash soap is great for removing this mundane debris, but you’ll want to use an exhaust cleaner and polish from time to time to swank it back up.

Music to Your Ears- The Ford Magnaflow Muffler

So you’re ready to up the performance of your Ford with an aftermarket exhaust system, and you’re already imagining the throaty growl of your new muffler. You’ve done some research and shopping around and decided to go with a Ford Magnaflow exhaust system. But which muffler will give you the best sound? Is there a difference? Sure there is. Magnaflow mufflers come in different shapes, sizes, and materials, such as stainless or aluminized steel, so there is a difference. But how much does it affect the sound of your muffler?

Muffler Style and Sound

There are three basic stylistic differences between the various Magnaflow mufflers available for your Ford. Let’s take a look at each, and the effects they may or may not have on your muffler sound.

Shape: Depending on the particular fitting requirements of your vehicle, your Ford Magnaflow muffler may be round or oval shaped. Between the two, there is absolutely no difference in engine performance or sound. The only decision to be made here is which shape fits your Ford better.

Material: You will have a choice between getting a stainless steel or aluminized steel muffler. Both styles offer identical internal construction, and despite the name difference, both are internally constructed from stainless steel. That material difference is purely in the outer shell. Stainless steel mufflers are the more expensive of the two options, but the stainless steel shells retain their appearance longer and are more durable than the aluminized steel shells. Performance wise, the two muffler styles are identical, offering high-flow engine performance. The sound is not affected one way or another by the muffler shell material either, so your main consideration here is whether you are willing to spend a little more for a longer lasting appearance, or just do a bit more material upkeep.

Size: The size is what will really determine a difference in sound. The basic rule is amazingly simple: the smaller the muffler, the bigger the sound.

The Sound Of Music

All Magnaflow mufflers give your engine a smooth, sophisticated growl which is more aggressive during acceleration. Check out all the Magnaflow exhaust system and muffler options for your Ford at the Auto Parts Network. And let your engine sing.

Caring For Your BMW Magnaflow Exhaust Tips

You’ve tricked out your BMW with a high-flow performance BMW Magnaflow exhaust system, and you’ve even gone the extra little bit and added exhaust tips to get that designer styling look. You keep your car clean, inside and out, you enjoy taking care of your vehicle and keeping it in the best possible condition. But one day you notice a flaw. When you wipe down your exhaust tips they don’t seem to come clean. Instead of their usual shiny silver, your exhaust tips have taken on a yellowish gold discoloration. You try rubbing harder but it’s a no-go. How did this happen? What can you do about it?

The How & Why of Exhaust Tip Discoloration

Ironically, the cause of exhaust tip discoloration is inherent in their final polishing process. The final polishing compound is comprised of finely ground metal particulates, and during the polishing process some of these tiny metal granules become embedded in the microscopic pores of the exhaust tips. Over time, these tiny passengers oxidize, changing in color to give your exhaust tips a yellowed, discolored appearance. The oxidization of your exhaust tips can be accelerated if they are exposed to harsh climates or excessive heat. In some cases, high temperature exhausts can actually cause your exhaust tips to turn blue.

Despite the implication of the name, stainless exhaust tips are more vulnerable to oxidization discoloration that the chrome versions. However, both chrome and stainless exhaust tips will discolor, especially if they are single walled. Single walled exhaust tips of any material type discolor more rapidly than double walled tips because they lack a thermal barrier, making them much more susceptible to the acceleration of oxidation due to heat. For this reason, BMW Magnaflow exhaust tips are double walled.

Fixing & Preventing Oxidization

Whether your exhaust tips are stainless or chrome, they’ll need periodic polishing with a metal cleaner and polish compound to keep up their natural shine. While you can use whatever brand you favor for your vehicles other shiny components, the folks at the Auto Parts Network particularly recommend Eagle One Wire Wheel Cleaner, which will keep your tips shiny without putting any more polish particulates into your exhaust tip pores. For $5 per 26 oz. bottle, it’s an inexpensive way to keep your BMW looking priceless.