Replace Your Fuel Tank Sending Unit with the Columbia SC Auto Repair Pro

A worn out fuel tank sending unit can cause any driver a headache.  While some will head in to a reputable auto repair shop or mechanic to have the work done, it isn’t always a necessity.  If you’re mechanically inclined and able to follow instructions, you can likely complete this job on your own.

Tools for the job

You will want to gather screwdrivers, both Phillips and flat head types, a hammer, open end wrenches, and the new fuel tank sending unit you will install.

 

Find Your Fuel Tank Sending Unit or Fuel Sender

In most vehicles, this isn’t as involved an auto repair as you might first think.  Start with your automobile’s manual.  The fuel tank sending unit is often positioned beneath the back seat, but it is still just as do-able if it is located under the carpet in your trunk.

 

Mechanic’s Safety Warning

ALWAYS start with disconnecting your negative battery cable!  This is done to ensure that no electrical sparks can occur.  You will be working in an extremely flammable area and MUST take all proper safety precautions.

 

How to Disconnect your Negative Battery Cable

Start with one of your wrenches on the outside nut of the negative battery cable.  You may need to place a second wrench on the opposite side as well.  Turn the nut counter-clockwise until approximately 1/16-inch from being off.  You should be able to get the cable loose with a slight twist.  If it is still stuck, you might want to try placing a flat head screwdriver into the gap above the bolt, and then gently pry it open.  Be sure that you DO NOT pull the terminal right up off the post.  This could result in serious injury. 

 

Accessing your Fuel Tank Sending Unit

The fuel tank sending unit or fuel sender is located on top of your auto’s fuel tank.  You usually access it by going under the rear seat of the car.  In some vehicles you will have to access the fuel tank by looking under the carpet in your trunk.  Once you have found your access point, you will find an access cover that is protecting the fuel tank sending unit.  The cover will most likely be secured by some screws.  You will start with lifting up either the back seat or carpet in the trunk.  Find the access cover described above.  Once you have found it, simply remove the screws securing it and remove the cover.  You are now looking at your fuel tank sending unit.

 

Removing your Faulty Fuel Tank Sending Unit

The fuel tank sending unit should have a wiring harness that is plugged in right on top.  Unplug the entire harness and just move it off to the side.  If you sending unit is secured by screws or bolts of some kind, you will need to remove those as well.

There are a couple of different ways you fuel sending unit may “lock” into place.  Many use the twist-lock type.  There will be visible notches around the edge.  You can put the tip of a flat head screwdriver into one of them and then tap it in a counter-clockwise direction.  Once it has rotated loose, you will need to very carefully remove it from the gas tank.  It will have a long rod with a float attached, so don’t just jerk it out.

 

Install a new Fuel Tank Sending Unit

All that is left now is to replace the old unit with your brand new fuel tank sending unit.  Follow the instructions backwards now to re-install all screws, nuts, bolts and access covers along the way.  Don’t forget to plug the wiring harness back into the new unit. 

And that is it!  You are done and once again are ready to roll.  If you have read through this tutorial and do not feel 100% comfortable with performing this type of auto repair, stop now.  We would be happy to schedule an auto repair or auto maintenance appointment at our Columbia, SC auto repair shop.  At Sanford’s Automotive Service, we ALWAYS do it right the first time!

How to Replace a Thermostat by the Columbia SC Auto Repair Pro

Among auto repairs a driver will commonly face is replacing a bad thermostat.  If you are comfortable performing mechanic work yourself, we can walk you through replacing a bad thermostat yourself.  This will only require about 30 minutes and it is a relatively cheap part to replace. It will be a simple task if you just follow basic auto safety tips and this how to tutorial.

For this job you will want to have a flat head screwdriver, nut driver, or ratchet to use for removing hose clamps and probably the thermostat housing bolts.  Double-check to ensure you have the proper sized tools too.  You will also need to have some work rags as well as a drip pan for the fluids. You might want to have a little extra coolant on hand too. It is important to replace any fluids lost during the repair.  A flat scraper may be useful when removing your old gasket as well.  Most important, be sure you have your new thermostat and gasket.

First Step: Thermostat Removal

First you must locate your thermostat. They are commonly found on top of the radiator hose.  Occasionally we see one mounted on the bottom. Place the drip pan under the work area to catch fluids that leak when you disconnect things. Use the tools listed above to disconnect your top radiator hose from your engine. Once it is loose, remove it from the engine allowing all drips to fall into the pan beneath. Next remove the thermostat housing bolts. These bolts keep your thermostat securely in place.  With the housing bolts free, remove the housing and lift your thermostat out.

Step Two: New Thermostat Installation

Usually you will find pieces of your old gasket sticking around the area you pulled the thermostat from.  Use a work rag to plug the hole and your flat scraper to scrape the entire old gasket away. This area needs to be as clean as possible before you proceed.  Once done, you will need to set the new gasket in place.  Now install your new thermostat.  Be sure that the power unit is pointing to the block.  Once positioned, replace the housing and the housing bolts removed earlier.  Be sure they have a tight fit. Next, reattach the radiator hose and clamp you disconnected in the beginning. Your last step should be to determine how much coolant you need to replace.  Be sure you add enough to bring the water or coolant level back to the area marking full. 

Step Three: Test your work

It really is just that simple!  Replacing a thermostat is cost efficient and easily done right in your parking spot or driveway.  As the proud owner of an auto repair shop owner, I truly pride myself on educating our customers; not only on the repairs I perform, but on ways you can save money by safely performing basic auto repairs at home. If you ever doubt your work, your abilities to perform auto repairs, or you simply don’t have the time, just bring your car or truck to Sanford’s Automotive Service in Columbia, SC.  We offer superior customer service, total customer satisfaction, and we always do it right the first time. 

Auto Repair Safety Advice with Columbia SC Auto Repair Pro

Performing a number of auto repairs yourself can save you money, but only if you make sure you’re doing it right.   

Many automotive repairs and maintenance tasks can be fixed or repaired by anyone willing to properly research and follow instructions exactly.  There are also many safety aspects that should be remembered.

This information offers advice in steering clear of home auto repair dangers.  Some appear to be common sense, but still are worthy of your attention.

NEVER start on a repair that you do not feel completely comfortable taking on. If you are unsure about the repair, always find a profession mechanic to complete the job. You are better off paying a professional than attempting to repair alone and ultimately creating a bigger problem or, even worse, more damage. Many automotive systems are extremely complex. Repairs sometimes call for considerable skill and expertise, as well as special tools and equipment. A simple mistake can result in damaging expensive electronic components.

Another factor to consider is physical limitations. Replacing or repairing certain components may require heavy lifting, crawling beneath a vehicle, laying or working in uncomfortable, awkward positions, not to mention all of the reaching, pulling, bending, twisting, straining and multiple strenuous activities a body may not be accustomed to.  Use your common sense concerning these things.

Auto repairs need your complete and full attention. DO NOT attempt to perform ANY auto maintenance or auto repair if you are tired, feeling bad, even a little intoxicated, taking any medication or anything which may otherwise impair your motor skills or concentration in any way. 

Other Tips to Keep in Mind

 

• NEVER smoke or create any type of spark while working on ANY fuel system components. This means your fuel filter, fuel pump, carburetor, fuel injectors, and gas tank or fuel lines.

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• Have a fire extinguisher handy for any unexpected accidents. Be sure that the fire extinguisher has a "B" (for use with liquids & grease fires) and "C" (for use in electrical fires) rating.

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• NEVER smoke or allow sparks anyplace near the car battery! This battery contains hydrogen gas that is very volatile. If jump starting, always make the final jumper connection to the engine or chassis. Sparks in the vicinity of the car battery may cause an explosion!

Be sure to check back often for more from the Columbia SC Auto Repair Pro. Sanford’s Automotive Service wants to keep every driver informed, up to date, and SAFELY navigating the road!

Exhaust Problems & Noises - Columbia SC Auto Repair Pro Info

Exhaust noises mean exhaust problems.  And when you have exhaust problems, you need to get them taken care of quick.  Some unresolved exhaust issues could become deadly to your passengers or yourself.   

The first step in solving any auto trouble situation is locating the source.  When your auto repair troubles lie with your exhaust system, there are many tell-tale noises you may be able to use to help diagnose your specific exhaust problem.  Once diagnosed, you can then determine if you need an auto repair shop that offers muffler and exhaust repairs.

One sound you may be hearing while your engine is running is a rattling or buzzing sort of noise. This is at times caused by loose heat shields that are located in the region of your catalytic converter or exhaust pipes. Rust weakens spot welds that are holding the heat shields to the exhaust system. When a shield has gotten loose enough to start vibrating it may create a rattling or buzzing noise that can often be heard through the whole car. There are other noises that may only be able to be detected while running at certain RPMs or only when you are decelerating.  This is attributable to harmonic vibrations.  The vibrations are shaking your exhaust system at a resounding frequency.

Finding loose heat shields can get tricky because they are not always easily visible.  a medium-sized screwdriver can aid in inspecting shields, utilizing it to check for looseness. If you do find a loose spot weld, loose heat shields can be re-secured by re-welding, and in some cases, by installing some clamps. Replacement of a heat shield is recommended if badly rusted or showing other more extensive damage. NEVER remove a loose heat shield without replacing it! These are necessary parts to keep the intense heat away from the car’s floor pan and other sensitive mechanisms in the vicinity.

Another buzzing variety of noise you may hear originating from your exhaust is harmonic resonance. This is frequently seen with high revving four-cylinder engines.  This type of noise is typically loudest when operating at certain RPMs or while accelerating hard, especially if you are with a load.

If your exhaust related noises seem to come from the tailpipe, you need to listen carefully.  If the sound being produced is a whistle or high-pitched hiss, you may have a restriction within your exhaust system.  This restriction causes abnormally high backpressure.  Another issue often associated with this backpressure is the engine lacking high-speed power.  Experiencing reduced fuel mileage is also another indication that your engine is having problems exhaling.

Mufflers and exhaust pipes will all start rusting and get rotted sooner or later.  If your vehicle is or has been exposed to large quantities of winter road salt or if it is often driven for short-trips with heavy stop-and-go driving, you may experience this type of damage to appear sooner. Short trips create a high level of condensation in the exhaust system.  This is because your muffler and pipes are not being allowed time to reach a high enough temperature to evaporate this water. When your muffler is found further from the converter in the back of the vehicle, moisture will pool inside your muffler, which creates rust and erosion from within. As this water combines with sulfur in the exhaust it creates highly corrosive acids that will then begin to eat through the exhaust system’s metal parts.

Mufflers and resonators that are behind your rear axle are typically quite vulnerable to this kind of corrosion.  This is because they usually run a lot cooler than a front-mounted muffler, creating a moisture trap.  They often experience trouble or failure due to internal corrosion.

Columbia SC Auto Repair Pro on Choosing the Right Auto Repair Shop

Some auto repair shops have a better reputation than others.  You need make sure the repair shop you choose fits your needs.  For instance, not all auto repair shops have an ASE Certified Master Mechanic on staff.  Different auto shops will often provide different areas of expertise as well.  Here are some tips that should help you locate the right mechanic or car repair shop for you!

1. Go online – Check opinions and reviews!

Company websites are a great start.  Every business wants to highlight their reviews, especially if they’re great!  Independent auto repair review websites and customer opinion sites are other great sources in starting your search.  Print resources only give credentials and bullet points, but these days, you can locate scores of review sites offering valuable, honest opinions from verified actual customers.  Looking for a starting point? Try typing a shop’s name and city in quotations into the search bar.  For instance, try running a search on the terms “Sanford’s Automotive Service Columbia SC”.  The results that you get should bring a variety of places where we can be found online, plus several places you can go to read actual reviews from our customers.

2. Do not be afraid to ask questions.

You need to make sure that the shop you choose has experience with your particular make and model.  How do we determine this?  By calling and asking questions.  In addition to asking about your make and model, if you already know what specific repair you need, ask about their experience with that sort of repair too.  If a mechanic or the shop owner fails to sound confident in their abilities to fix your trouble or if they give a run-around type of answer, hang up and cross them off the list.   

3. Verify the mechanic or auto shop credentials!

Ask about the mechanic or the shop’s credentials.  A mechanic that has been certified and truly is qualified will not have a problem producing documentation of their credentials. Not every auto repair you get will need a Certified Master Mechanic, but when you are facing major repairs you definitely want the repair performed by an adequately qualified technician. 

4. Drop in for a visit.

Stop by and have a look around.  How do things look? Does the facility appear to be properly maintained and somewhat orderly?  No auto facility is going to be spotlessly clean, but you shouldn’t find it in a completely chaotic state either.  A quick look should give you enough to go on…if anything doesn’t look quite right, I’d suggest you move on.

5. The tools of the trade

What kind of equipment do they have? What about the tools they are they using? Did things look to be well maintained?  Does this auto repair shop utilize computer diagnostics?  If there do not appear to be updates and upgrades to meet current vehicles’ needs, you might decide to continue the search for the right auto repair shop for you.

6. What kind of guarantees do you get?

Every good mechanic will proudly stand behind the work they have performed.  Any reputable auto repair shop also offers a warranty of some sort on work performed at their shop.  Some of the auto parts that are being replaced may come with a manufacturer warranty. In addition to that, the auto repair shop itself should offer some type of guarantee on the installation or labor performed on your automobile.

7. If time allows, get estimates.

If you are able to, try to get multiple estimates on any repair job. Auto dealerships almost always charge much more than independent mechanics and stand alone auto repair shops.  To ensure you are not getting overcharged you should ask a variety of mechanics and repair shops for their price.  This also provides a chance to determine the customer service level of the shop and see the demeanor with which your questions and concerns are addressed. 

And the winner is…

Independent auto repair shops and mechanics commonly offer more customized service, handling every client as a priority.  Don’t just go with the best price or most convenient locale. Choose the mechanic or shop that you feel confidence in, one that gave you the feeling that they care about serving you and properly caring for your auto’s repair or other maintenance or auto service needs.  Customer satisfaction should always come first!