CDT Auto Parts

21/07/2018

Let’s see how many really know their cars.

21/07/2018

21/07/2018

YOU HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET: NOW WHAT?

Regardless of the type of vehicle you own, a blown head gasket ranks toward the top of the list of most-involved car repairs. Because of its complexity, you have to consider whether it’s worth doing or not.
We’ve already examined the signs of a blown head gasket, so let’s take a closer look at what you should do when it comes time to perform this repair. Here’s a rundown of the options you have when your engine’s head gasket fails.

What It Is

The head gasket is the seal between the cylinder head, where the engine’s valve train and a lot of other things are housed, and the lower block, where you’ll find the crank, cylinders and other moving parts attached. Because the head gasket seals the meeting point of the engine halves, you’ll find it located about halfway down the engine. This means that, in order to replace it, you have to remove half of the engine — the more critical half at that. Removing all of those parts, removing the intake, removing timing chains/belts, detaching sensors, and other various components is labor intensive and usually better left to a professional.

Replacing the Gasket
The most straightforward method of repair is to purchase a new cylinder head gasket and replace the failed one. As mentioned above, this requires not only the removal of the top half of the engine, but also a handful of specialized tools to remove and reinstall certain parts like timing chains or belts. When performing an entire head gasket replacement it never hurts to think about the nearby parts that can also be easily replaced while the engine is disassembled. Items like the water pump and timing belt are prime examples.

Stopping the Leak
If the leak is minor, however, you may be able to use head gasket stop leak. Stop leak is basically a liquid sealing compound that you pour into your radiator. From there, the coolant carries it to the head gasket, where it fills in any leaks and, once hardened, reseals the gasket. This can be an option to stop a minor leak without the headache of either tearing your engine apart or having your mechanic do so.
At first glance, a blown head gasket can seem like more than you can handle on your own. The standard method of repair involves taking most of the engine apart. If that isn’t an option, a stop leak product may be your answer but keep in mind that a proper repair is always the best choice.

Check out all the engine parts available at CDT AUTO PARTS.

21/07/2018

Breakdown Essentials

In a perfect world, breakdown essentials would be neatly packed in your boot and ready to go in the event of some unexpected automotive emergency out on the road. In reality, there’s only so much space that you can devote to carrying extra gear, fluids and supplies, which means you’ve got to pare it down to the items you’ll most likely need should a breakdown occur.

Here’s a handy checklist to get you started on expecting the best, but preparing for the worst.

Coolant and Oil
Fluids are the lifeblood of your engine’s health and as a result should form the core of your breakdown essentials kit. The most common fluid-related issue you’ll encounter out on the road is overheating, which can have many causes but is most often related to a lack of coolant circulating through your vehicle’s radiator. Having a litre of coolant in your boot to add to your car’s overflow reservoir, should the temperature needle spike, can sometimes be the difference between getting home and getting towed.

Oil is another important fluid, although a low oil condition is harder to spot. You should check your engine oil while getting fuel at least once every two weeks, and if the dipstick shows low, then having some in the trunk to add to the crankcase is very convenient. Of course, most modern cars will automatically monitor oil pressure and level and warn you should either drop too low. If this happens while you’re driving, pull over to the shoulder, assess the situation and add oil as needed from your box of breakdown essentials.

A Basic Tool Kit
No one expects you to perform serious mechanical work on the side of the road, but having a basic tool kit in the boot can keep minor issues from becoming major problems. A small screwdriver (with interchangeable slotted, Philips and torx heads), a ratchet set and pliers will go a long way toward tightening loose headlights, tail lights, engine covers and a range of interior panels that might work their way loose and make it difficult to keep driving. A tyre pressure gauge that fits inside your tool kit alongside a can of fix-a-flat is also a major boon when stuck in an emergency.

Jumper Cables
If your battery’s dead, there’s nothing better to have in your breakdown essentials kit than a set of jumper — unless it’s a portable battery pack that lets you jump your own car back to life. The battery pack is more convenient, while the cables take up less space.
First Aid

Cut yourself while working on the car? Feeling sick on a road trip? A simple first aid box with bandages, pain relievers, tweezers and gauze should be considered vital when assembling your breakdown essentials. Make sure to include a small flashlight, too, so you’re not applying bandages in the dark.

Although you don’t want to put your whole garage in your boot, stocking it with these essentials should be just what you need to get you out of a jam.

Check out all the tools & equipment available at CDT Auto Parts. 42 Old Malawi House, Harare.

21/07/2018

Car cleaning kit. Visit us today.

21/07/2018

Don’t forget your triangle. Don’t get caught by the police without it.

21/07/2018

Visit us at Shop #3, Old Malawi House, 42 Harare St. Harare.

14/06/2018

Time to test your knowledge. What’s the most important thing to do when getting your car tuned up?

14/06/2018

IS YOUR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON? HERE ARE 5 COMMON CULPRIT

As a driver, there’s no greater frustration than seeing your check engine light on for no obvious reason — or after you’ve already repaired what you thought was the issue. The real problem is that the check engine light is so ambiguous.
With the check engine light on, it’s important to note that there are some 5,000 diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) that might be behind it. Fortunately, some DTCs are more common, and usually easier to diagnose, than others. Here are five of the most common problems that can illuminate your check engine light, along with their DTCs, which are useful if you attempt to access your on-board diagnostics system.

1. Faulty Oxygen Sensor
Oxygen sensors monitor fuel trim and catalytic converter functioning, depending on location. Uncorrected fuel trim, due to a faulty oxygen sensor or heating circuit, results in higher emissions, lower fuel economy and possible damage to the catalytic converter.
The common DTCs are P0030, P0131 and P0165.
2. Faulty Ignition
Ignition coils, spark plug wires and spark plugs are designed to deliver a precisely timed spark to burn fuel in the cylinder, but damage or weakness can lead to incomplete combustion or a misfire. A faulty ignition should be remedied immediately.
The common DTCs are P030x and P035x.
3. Failed Catalytic Converter
The catalytic converter reduces emissions from harmful compounds found in car exhaust by converting them into less harmful compounds before they leave the exhaust system. However, overheating, underheating or contamination can reduce its effectiveness and lead to your check engine light illuminating.
The common DTC for this issue is P0420.
4. EVAP Problems
To keep unburned fuel vapors from contaminating the atmosphere, a system of tubes, valves and a charcoal canister store them until they can be burned in the engine. This is called the evaporative emission control, or EVAP, system. Faulty valves are common, but refueling while the engine is running or forgetting to install the gas cap are more common, all of which can trigger the check engine light.
The common DTCs related to the EVAP system are P0440, P0446 and P0455.
5. Contaminated MAF
The mass air flow (MAF) sensor samples and measures air going into the intake system, but blockage or contamination can skew sensor readings, leading to fuel trim problems. Cleaning it might help, but sometimes the vehicle requires a replacement sensor for a sure fix.
The common DTCs related to the MAF sensor are P0171 and P0172.
Thanks to advanced electronic controls, today’s engines are more powerful, cleaner and more efficient than ever before, but everything wears out, burns out or breaks eventually. Delaying check-engine-light repairs can lead to reduced fuel economy and even collateral damage. For example, the check engine light might be on due to a spark plug or thermostat issue, but ignoring it could result in catalytic converter failure.
Even if your vehicle seems to be operating well for the moment, it’s important to resolve small issues when your check engine light comes on to avert bigger problems. There’s no need to panic but have your vehicle scanned, diagnosed and repaired as soon as possible.
Check out all the tools & parts available @ CDT Auto Parts. For more information about check engine light problems, chat with a knowledgeable expert at Shop #3, Old Malawi House. 42 Harare Street. Harare.

24/02/2018

We have relocated to Shop #3, 42 Harare Street, Old Malawi House, Downtown Harare