Motor Vehicle Tips

We’ve talked about engines and the combustion process they go through in order to power your vehicle. In essence, fuel goes into the combustion chamber, the spark plug triggers a small explosion contained within the chamber, and the resulting exhaust exits. The entry of the fuel and the departure of the exhaust are controlled, in large part, by camshafts. Below, I'll explain what they are and describe how they perform their jobs.

Describing Camshafts

A camshaft is a rod on which cams sit. The cams (sometimes called lobes) are oblong in shape with one end noticeably protruding outward from the rod. As the rod turns, so too, do the cams. The protruding end of each lobe is what ultimately allows them to perform their job.

Understanding Their Jobs

First, to better understand the role of the camshaft, let’s review the 4-step process that happens within your car’s combustion chamber. When the intake stroke begins, a piston sits near the top of the chamber. The piston descends, the intake valve opens, and the chamber fills with the air-fuel mixture. Next, the compression stroke begins and the piston rises, compressing the air-fuel mixture within the chamber.

As the piston reaches the top of the chamber the power stroke begins. A spark plug sits at the top. The spark plug ignites the compressed air-fuel mixture, creating an explosion. The force of the explosion pushes the piston to the bottom of the chamber. As it descends, the exhaust stroke begins as the exhaust valve opens. The piston rises and forces the exhaust from the combustion chamber.

The above description of the 4-stroke process your engine goes through is necessary to fully appreciate the job of the camshafts. I mentioned that the intake valve opens during the intake stroke. As it does, a fuel injector pushes gasoline into the chamber. As the result of one of the cams on the camshaft the intake valve opens. As the rod turns, the oblong cam’s protruding end pushes against the tip of the intake valve. As it does, it forces the valve downward and thereby, creates an opening to the combustion chamber for the fuel.

You’ll remember that the exhaust valve opens in order that the rising piston can force out the exhaust that exists after the power stroke. This happens in the same manner as with the intake camshaft. An exhaust camshaft turns and one of the oblong cams on the rod pushes down on the tip of the exhaust valve. This causes an opening in the chamber through which the gases are pushed out.

This process happens hundreds of times each minute while you're on the road. The entire system is designed around flawless timing. While engines attract most of the attention from consumers, they wouldn’t work properly without the camshafts.

Tips and Articles 4 Stroke, Air Fuel Mixture, Cams, camshaft, Camshafts, Car Repair, Cars, Combustion Chamber, Compression Stroke, Exhaust Stroke, Exhaust Valve, Explosion, Fuel Injector, Gasoline, how your car works, Intake Valve, Job, Jobs, Lobes, Piston, Power Stroke, Shape, Spark Plug

One of the easiest ways to save money on car repairs is to not pay for things that are covered under warranty. This sounds simple enough, but warrantees supplied by vehicle manufacturers have changed over the years. It is wise for the owner to find out about the warranty and exactly what is covered.

It is also the drivers responsibility to keep up on vehicle maintenance So that this warranty can be enforced. For example, if the vehicle owner fails to follow the recommended maintenance schedule, certain car problems may not be covered repairs. If the engine has an internal failure the car owner may be asked to supply proof that the maintenance schedule was followed.

The only time the dealership asks for this proof is when signs of lack of maintenance are present. If the engine is filled with sludge and the failure was due to lack of lubrication. This is an indication of lack of maintenance. At this point, it is up to the dealerships repair center to notify the vehicle manufacturer that the situation exists. The negotiation for the repair costs will begin from this point.

Save money on car repairs

This is particularly important on the newer cars that now have the 10 year 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. Over this long period of time there are even greater chances for covered repairs. Being pro active with maintenance is more inportant. If you perform Diy car repairs make sure you save your auto parts reciepts just in case.

Note that manufacturers warranties do not cover malfunctions caused by accidents, floods, misuse, high performance modifications, poor maintenance, and also problems resulting from poor quality fuel. If your electronic fuel injector rusts from water in the fuel then this might not be a covered repair.

Some times vehicle owners will make modifications to their automobile with out thinking it through. Example if you remove the factory air cleaner assembly and replace it with a high performance, cold air intake like a K&N unit, you must save the vehicle’s original parts for possible warranty service.

With 10 year 100,000 mile warranties, and now car loans that have payment schedules for up to seven years people are keeping their vehicles longer. Learning the details about your warranty and not paying for things that are covered have the opportunity to save a lot of money during the vehicles 10 to 15 year life span.

Your automobile owner manuals will provide the warranty information. Whenever there are questions about what is covered under the warranty. Review this section of your owners manual carefully. Also make sure you use the one 800-number in your owner’s guide if you have any questions.

The customer care line operating expenses are included in the price of your vehicle. Why not get what you paid for and use this service to learn more about your specific vehicle. And what auto repairs may be covered.

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