Author Archives: Justin Smith

About Justin Smith

As the man at the helm of BreakerLink, it is no surprise that its Director, Justin Smith, has always had a keen interest in cars, bikes and most things wheeled. Having spent over two decades in the car parts industry, Justin combines his passion that since 2002, has successfully united those looking for new and used car parts with the breaker that supplies them. Follow Justin on LinkedIn.

Should you replace or clean your fuel injectors? Here’s how to know

Fuel injector

Rough idling, engine misfires, performance issues, or check engine light flashing? You could have a clogged or failing fuel injector. A dirty fuel injector can affect your car’s performance, but it doesn’t always need to be replaced. Sometimes a good cleaning can solve any issues, at least temporarily.

We’ll take you through the warning signs of a dirty fuel injector, help you to work out whether you need to clean or replace yours, and give you an idea of how much it costs to replace a fuel injector.

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What are the most common problems with the Kia Sportage?

Kia Sportage

Known for its sleek design at an affordable price point, the Kia Sportage boasts a range of features, including all-wheel drive, advanced safety features and a panoramic sunroof. A crossover SUV, it is Kia’s vehicle for the great outdoors. The name, a combination of ‘Sport’ and ‘Age,’ is designed to encourage adventure and play, appealing to outdoor enthusiasts of all ages.

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Is your flywheel failing? Here are 7 signs you’ve got a problem

Car flywheel

Your motor’s flywheel ensures that power from your motor is transferred smoothly, particularly during engine starting, idling and gear changes.

Bolted to the crankshaft at the rear of the engine, the flywheel stores intermittent rotational energy to boost power as needed. It also absorbs excess power, neutralises vibrations from the crankshaft and balances any fluctuations in your engine speed. The flywheel is what keeps your engine running when you take your foot off the accelerator, for example. 

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Nine signs and symptoms of a bad brake caliper and how to fix it

Disc brake

Brake calipers are an essential component of your vehicle’s braking system, alongside brake pads and brake discs. When you push down on your brake pedal, a master cylinder in the engine compartment pressurises the brake fluid within it to activate a piston. This piston pushes against the brake caliper, which acts as a clamp that squeezes the brake pads against the rotating brake discs. 

This pressure produces friction which slows the wheels’ rotations in order for them to slow down or stop altogether. 

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Nine signs and symptoms of a failing front or rear differential

Differential

The differential transfers power to your vehicle’s wheel from the engine, allowing them to operate individually from each other. While this may sound odd, your car’s wheels rotate at different speeds when you turn or corner, with the outer wheel rotating faster to cover the longer distance around the bend, so they need to rotate independently of each other. It’s a vital component that most of us don’t tend to worry about until it starts to fail. 

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Is your driveshaft failing? Here are the signs and symptoms of a bad driveshaft

Close up of driveshaft

A driveshaft delivers the power, or torque, to the wheels of your vehicle. If you have a four-wheel drive, it also transmits power from the transmission to the rear axle.  In fact, it’s one of the most important components that ensures your car moves. Unfortunately, if your driveshaft is failing or broken, it won’t be able to handle all that torque, which over time, can cause damage.

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Is There A Problem with My Oxygen Sensor?

oxygen sensor in the exhaust

Oxygen sensors are a crucial part of your vehicle’s engine. Each one checks and monitors the flow of air through the system, measuring the amount of oxygen coming into the engine and then leaving the engine by the exhaust. This data then goes on to regulate important fuel monitoring and delivery systems, MPG and timing functions and emissions release.

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What are the most common problems with a Volkswagen Transporter T5 Van?

Volkswagen Transporter T5

If you own a VW T5, you’ll know they’re a reliable camper van with plenty of appeal. Unfortunately, some common problems can arise with VW T5 Transporters. Understanding what they are and how to solve them could avoid a costly fix further down the road. Fortunately, plenty of new or used VW Transporter parts are available, so you or a mechanic can fix almost any problem. Here’s what to look out for.

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Don’t Believe the Hype: The Eight Electrical Vehicle Myths that Just Can’t Stand Up to Scrutiny

plugging in an EV to charge

Any kind of social change is always treated with a degree of resistance. However, with the changes to the weather and the loss of the polar ice caps since the 1980s, we need to start challenging the effects that fossil fuel emissions from vehicles are having on the planet. Electrical vehicles (EVs) offer humanity a chance to segue into a more environmentally sustainable mode of transport.

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