When needing to fix your car, many DIY solutions may be available to you. Popular Mechanics shows Mike Allen offering auto fixes that are just a little off beat.
First solution to help a fuse box
Allen tells of one driver who found himself stranded on a mountainside after his 4×4 all of a sudden died. A passerby with some automotive knowledge looked under the hood and paid specific attention to the fuse box. The passerby explains that swapping a fuse could work considering fuses in automotive boxes generally are alike. The car is connected to functions it does by all of these fuses. One look in a vehicle owner’s manual shows which relay corresponds to which function. In addition, this color-coded chart is often reprinted on a decal affixed to the fuse box. The traveler’s problem is that his fuel pump is dead. The assistant swapped the fuse from a less significant function (rear window defogger, possibly) into the fuel pump slot.
Odd solution 2- Cooking some eggs and diet soda on a radiator
Have a radiator hole? Allen suggests that eggs cracked into a radiator will solve the problem. Do not use anything but the radiator for this. You are able to temporarily fix the hole with the egg white sinking in. If the radiator hole made the levels of fluid go down, check out your drink and see if it can help you. Adding just a little bit of diet soda without the sugar that would normally clog water pumps is a valid solution. Beer and iced tea will also work in a pinch. Just don’t make a habit of topping off with Fresca.
Offbeat auto fix No. 3- Taking your oil pan back to nature
Your automobile gets hurt when on bad roads. If the oil pan is hit with a rock, an oil leak could be caused. But if you’re in rough country, you are able to find the solution out there. Allen recommends using a twig to plug the hole. Hammer it to the oil puncture after carving it into the shape you need. You will have to cut off the end of the stick so that it doesn’t catch on anything and make the problem worse. Water could be added to top off the crankcase if the hole drained too much. Allen explains, “The oil-pump pickup is not on the exact bottom – the remaining oil will float on top of the water”. Be cautious with this technique – it is only for emergencies. Your car will be much better off with actual motor oil.
Fourth odd fix- Cleaning up a hole within the gas tank
This is a variation on the last problem, but this time Allen discusses a hole in the gas tank. Use that Bowie knife from the previous example and carve a chunk off a bar of soap. Hammer the hole-sized chunk in and get to town as easily as possible. If you need fuel to get out of there, it is not advisable to siphon gas like they used to in old “Dukes of Hazard” episodes. If you can’t get your hands on fuel, get ready to either push it or leave it behind and hike to the closest garage.
Discover more information
Popular Mechanics
popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/repair/4331569
Fixing the oil pan and clearing away the foliage
youtube.com/watch?v=F1eb_5lR97Q
