Cracked block? There aren't many two-word combinations that send a shiver up a car guy's spine. In most cases that means the block is DOA, and it's worth its weight in scrap only. Sometimes there is ...

Inside the engine are several fascinating parts, which you can see in Figure 7-8. At the top are the cylinder heads. These contain the mechanisms that allow the valves to open and close, letting the ...

Today’s cars and trucks are literally rolling test beds of technology, which has tended to make the days of the so-called shade tree mechanic and eyeball diagnoses of what ails a given model a distant ...

The costs of buying a new or used car have climbed in recent years, and so has the average repair bill. If a vehicle purchase or major repair isn’t in the cards (or budget), maintaining the health of ...

Chrome bumpers made a quick exit from the automotive scene in the late 1980s. In their place are elaborate but flimsy plastic covers hiding stamped steel impact beams—with a swath of Styrofoam ...

Buying a car is a big decision, but price isn’t the only factor. Inevitably, it will require service. How much will the model you’re eying cost you to repair? Fortunately, you can find out. CarMD ...

Any given garage or workshop can house a multitude of different small, diesel engine-powered implements, such as log splitters. The annoying thing about these many small engines is that, much like the ...

You're a capable weekend car mechanic. You've got basic tools and skills. You've mastered oil changes and tire rotations. But when a big repair comes along, it's decision time. Take it on yourself, or ...