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Ask the mechanic: Why does my Toyota Brevis lose power?
My car with CC 2940 and 200,000kms loses power when I hit a pothole, apply breaks or drive on a rough road. I have to disengage the gear lever again from drive to parking and back to drive but even then, it moves at a slow pace until after about 20 feet. What could be the problem and how can it be fixed? Patrice
Hello Patrice, your Toyota Brevis seems to intermittently reduce power and performance when you need it most. I can imagine the discomfort and inconvenience. Given the high mileage you have covered (200,000kms) I would check the service condition of your fuel, ignition and air intake systems. The rule of thumb is that engine power relies on efficient burning of fuel. This is primarily influenced by sufficient fuel, spark and air supply.
The fuel system filter, which is attached to the fuel pump in the fuel tank. should be replaced every 100,000kms. You need to get a new, genuine one from a recognised Toyota parts dealer. After replacing the fuel filter, the fuel pressure should be tested to confirm that it falls within the recommended values.
Also, the condition of your spark plugs needs to be inspected. The air intake system starts with the air filter, the intake hose which should be inspected for wear and tear.
Leaking intake air reduces engine power or causes stalling.
The throttle unit should be checked to confirm that it is clean and unrestricted. Round off the inspection with a computer diagnosis to look out for faults in engine management components such as the air flow sensor. That should restore performance.
What causes car headlights to get a yellow haze and how can it be fixed?
Hello Paul, what causes car headlights to get a yellow haze which reduces visibility? How can this problem be fixed permanently? Bill
Hello Bill, the plastic used to make headlights degrades and becomes cloudy or foggy. Modern headlights are made of polycarbonate or acrylic plastic which is sometimes referred to as ‘plexi glass’. This material is strong enough to withstand severe road conditions and cheaper to replace when you have to.
Headlight lenses are made with a UV (Ultra Violet) protective clear coat. Overtime, this thin film is destroyed and the plastic headlights oxidise when exposed to the sun turning yellow and hazy.
This problem can be fixed with the use of headlight restoration kits and polish. There are all sorts of quick fix remedies suggested such as use of abrasive materials such as toothpaste, t-cut and sand paper. Whereas these clean off the haze, in the short term they will not restore the UV protective layer and if used wrongly will leave permanent scratch marks on your head lights.
To resolve this problem with long-term results you need to use a professional headlight restoration kit together with the headlight restoration polish.
This polish will not only restore the clarity of your headlights but also provide a UV sealant to protect them from sun rays which cause damage in the first place. This will ensure that the problem does not reoccur in the short term.
My car will not start
Hello Paul, my old Suzuki Escudo has started acting up. For two days now it fails to start. It started with delayed starts and now it does not start at all. What could be the cause? Jeremiah
Hello Jeremiah, you might have a dead battery or loose battery terminals. First rule that out. When your car delays to start or fails to start, it most likely is an electrical fault. The kind of noise you hear when you turn the key can help you tell what is causing the non-start condition. Total silence will point towards the battery or its terminals.
When you hear a slight clicking sound, it might be the battery or starter motor with loose or corroded terminals. In case the car engine cranks (turns over) but does not start, then you must investigate the ignition system (spark plugs, high tension cables) or the fuel system (fuel pump and fuel filter). Paying attention to the unique sounds can help you identify the cause of the non-start condition on your Suzuki car. A professional mechanic should be able to follow through test steps which will help to identify the cause of failure to start.
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