Jalopnik
  • Latest
  • News
  • Reviews
    • First Drive
  • Brands
    • Audi
    • BMW
    • Chevrolet
    • Ford
    • Honda
    • Hyundai
    • Porsche
    • Subaru
    • Tesla
    • Toyota
    • Volkswagen
  • Car Types
    • SUVs and Crossovers
    • Sedans
    • Sports Cars
    • Convertibles
    • Coupes
    • Trucks
    • Hatchbacks, Minivans and Vans
    • EVs and Hybrids
  • Buying
    • Advice
    • Found For Sale
  • Culture
    • Car Design
    • Concept Cars
    • Crashes and Safety
    • Crime
    • Jalopnik Explains
    • Jalopnik Investigates
    • Nice Price or No Dice
    • Nostalgia You Can Taste
    • The Morning Shift
    • Year In Review
    • Entertainment
    • Wrenching
    • Unpaved
  • Tech
  • Beyond Cars
    • Motorcycles
    • Spacelopnik
    • Transportation
  • Racing
  • Events
    • CES
    • SEMA
    • Detroit Auto Show
    • Frankfurt Auto Show
    • Geneva Auto Show
    • LA Auto Show
    • New York Auto Show
    • Tokyo Auto Show
    • Rebelle Rally
  • QOTD
  • Features
  • Newsletter
  • About
  • Editorial Policies
  • Reviews Policy
  • Archive
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
© 2026 Static Media. All Rights Reserved
Jalopnik
Jalopnik
Wrenching
LatestNews Reviews Brands Car Types Buying Culture Tech Beyond Cars Racing QOTD Features
  • Newsletter

Wrenching

  • Man mowing his lawn
    8

    These 5 Lawnmower Checks Will Ensure Your Little Engine Can Cut It This Summer

    It's that time of year again, and your grass needs cutting, but how should you make sure your gas-powered lawnmower is ready and raring to go?

    By B. L. Johnson 12 hours ago Read More
  • A set of connecting engine rods on white background.
    4

    The Difference Between H-Beam And I-Beam Connecting Rods

    Have you ever wondered why engine builders argue over connecting rod shapes? Here's a closer look at the trade-offs between H-beam and I-beam designs.

    By Peter Nelson 23 hours ago Read More
  • A rear-end image of a 1993 Nissan 240SX.
    5

    These 11 Cars Would Be Awesome Junkyard Finds For Your Next Project

    If you're willing to dive into some junkyard cars even if they aren't working well, a few models could end up being top-tier picks for a personal project.

    By Max Larsen 1 day ago Read More
  • Detroit-based DIY shop
    13

    Detroit Enthusiasts Are Reviving An Old Service Station To Give DIYers A Place To Wrench

    A guy in Detroit bought an abandoned 1920s-era service station to turn it into a rent-by-the-hour shop space for Detroiters to come and get their hands dirty.

    By Brad Brownell 1 day ago Read More
  • Close up of mechanic tightening a bolt on a car engine
    3

    What's The Difference Between Anti-Seize Lubricant And Threadlocking Adhesives?

    Different bolts require different treatment, and it's easy to get confused, but getting your adhesive and lubricant mixed up could be a costly mistake.

    By Charles Krome 1 day ago Read More
  • An early version of the 996 generation Porsche 911 in silver with amber turn signals, on the road in Europe.
    5

    Before You Buy A Used 996 Porsche 911, Check If This Has Been Fixed First

    The 996 Porsche 911 is a cheap car with some unique styling, but if you aren't checking for a certain issue, it could just be a matter of time before it breaks.

    By Eugene Buono 2 days ago Read More
  • A yellow 2014 Lamborghini Huracan Coupe sports car driving on a road
    6

    Think V10 Engines Are Unreliable? These Models Say Otherwise

    Some V10 engines have extremely complex designs to handle their issues with balance. Despite that complexity, a few V10s are known for their reliability.

    By Michael Sullivan 2 days ago Read More
  • A close-up of the engine bay in an orange, heavily tuned performance car.
    29

    Four Sub-$1,000 Methods For Boosting Most Engines' Horsepower, Ranked By Easiness

    It doesn't require a fortune to add some horsepower to your car. In fact, here are some of the most effective engine mods that cost less than $1,000.

    By Marko Mikulic 3 days ago Read More
  • Rob Dahm Rotary Miata
    15

    Weight Is The Enemy In Rob Dahm's Single-Rotor Turbocharged Miata

    Can a single rotor Miata exist without shaking itself apart? Can a single rotor Miata be even more fun to drive than its piston-driven siblings?

    By Brad Brownell 5 days ago Read More
  • The 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel engine with one cylinder head removed
    1

    Why Choosing Aluminum Or Cast-Iron Duramax Heads Isn't As Simple As Lightweight Vs. Rugged

    GM's famously durable 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V-8 comes from the factory with aluminum cylinder heads, but for some owners, cast-iron is the better option.

    By Charles Krome 5 days ago Read More
  • A 3D printed gasket in front of an engine
    13

    Can You 3D Print Gaskets That Actually Work?

    Different gaskets face different conditions, and some are better suited for 3D-printed replacement than others.

    By Amber DaSilva 7 days ago Read More
  • Refueling of airplane at airport. Ground service before flight.
    15

    How Diesel Fuel And Jet Fuel Are Surprisingly Similar

    While there are several types of jet fuel, Jet A1 is the most common used fuel in commercial aviation around the world.

    By Ryan Erik King 7 days ago Read More
  • As with all rules, this one is meant to be broken, as well, but you've got to be very careful. Diesel Hub says starting fluid can be used on some diesel engines, but only when the manufacturer explicitly states that it's safe to use. Usually, that's only on engines that are 20-plus-years-old, do not use glow plugs to help with start-up and have relatively low compression ratios.  Think of old diesel cars and trucks — old farm equipment too — the sort of stuff that might as well be running on vegetable oil. Those are the types of vehicles that could probably be alright if you used starter fluid on them, but anything newer than that, and you're heading for destination city. That's not where you want to be, is it? I didn't think so. I'm sure I'll get some comments from people talking about how they use starting fluid on their modern diesel motors when it's really cold out, but they're either reckless or lying on the internet, which is something nobody should ever do.
    10

    Here's What Can Happen When You Use Starting Fluid In A Diesel Engine

    Use starter fluid on anything with a glow plug and you're looking at detonation city.

    By Andy Kalmowitz 8 days ago Read More
  • A steel rim with a significant dent on the inner side
    1

    Driving With A Bent Rim Is A Bad Idea: Here's How To Decide When To Repair Vs Replace

    Bent rims can cause plenty of trouble on the road, and driving on one isn't a smart move. But will you need to replace it entirely or just get it fixed?

    By Alvin Reyes 8 days ago Read More
  • oncoming cars on highway in twilight time
    35

    Why The NHTSA Outlaws Replaceable-Bulb LED Headlights, But Can't Stop You From Installing Them

    Enforcement of laws around modified vehicles is a state issue, not a federal one, and states often have bigger fish to fry than some headlights.

    By Amber DaSilva 8 days ago Read More
  • A car with a missing or stolen catalytic converter
    12

    Driving Without A Catalytic Converter Is Possible, But Is It Worth The Risk?

    Catalytic converters are a vital part of your car, but just how vital are they? Can you spend a few miles without having one present at all?

    By Benjamin Gracias 9 days ago Read More
  • A close-up of a corroded exhaust valve filled with carbon deposits.
    13

    What Engine Parts Are Most Susceptible To Carbon Buildup?

    Carbon buildup can create some big issues while you're driving. A few engine parts are more susceptible to it than others, so check them regularly.

    By Marko Mikulic 11 days ago Read More
  • A close up view of the outer tie rods visible in a car's suspension
    10

    Do Inner And Outer Tie Rods Need To Be Replaced At The Same Time?

    If you've ever had to replace tie rods, you've probably heard about doing it in pairs. But is that really necessary if there's only an issue with one of them?

    By Alvin Reyes 11 days ago Read More
  • Building the perfect Golf
    11

    Speeed Is Building Anti-Hype Cars For YouTube

    It's not a Lamborghini, it's not a big-power turbo car, and it's not some wild big-dollar thing. What it is, though, is finished.

    By Brad Brownell 12 days ago Read More
  • Selection of nuts and bolts
    9

    Why The Strongest Bolt Grade Isn't Always The Best For A Safe Car Repair

    The stronger the bolt, the safer the car, right? Not necessarily, as some bolts are deliberately engineered as weak points that break under specific loads.

    By Charles Krome 12 days ago Read More
  • A black gear shift lever and knob in a 6-speed manual transmission car.
    7

    How A Short-Throw Shifter Actually Works

    Short-throw shifters reduce lever travel for faster gear changes, but there's more to the story. Here's how geometry and fulcrums actually change your drive.

    By Eugene Buono 13 days ago Read More
  • A black Ford V8 hot rod at a car garage
    17

    The Difference Between Street Rods, Hot Rods, And Rat Rods Explained

    You've probably heard of hot rods, street rods, and rat rods before, but there are quite a few distinct differences to them beyond their names.

    By Benjamin Gracias 14 days ago Read More
  • Billets of aluminum stacked in a factory
    9

    What Are The Differences Between Billet And Forged Car Parts?

    Billet and forged parts might share the same material DNA, but the way they're made determines their performance under pressure. Here's what you need to know.

    By Charles Krome 14 days ago Read More
  • An inline-six engine featuring an upgraded turbocharger, custom intake and turbo blanket.
    2

    Is There Any Standardization For Stage 1, 2, Or 3 Engine Tuning?

    You've probably heard about the three "stages" of tuning, but what do they mean? And is there any standard definition for each of the three?

    By Peter Nelson 15 days ago Read More
  • Ben, Ben, and Mark working on a Subaru
    3

    I Want To Be Like The Gears And Gasoline Guys When I Grow Up

    Don't worry, these guys aren't just building trailer queens that get trotted out for a fast lap or two.

    By Brad Brownell 19 days ago Read More
  • A contact point ignition system from a classic two-stroke vehicle
    12

    For Fans Of Antiquated Ways To Power Spark Plugs, Here's How To Set Ignition Points

    Back when cars relied on distributors, spark plugs needed ignition points. You'll have to know how to set them correctly if you have a classic.

    By Chloe Clougher 20 days ago Read More
  • Saturn emblem
    7

    Saturn Once Made An SC Turbo, But Not For You

    Saturn never made a factory-turbo SC, but when they let their engineers have a go, it got a big dose of forced induction and nearly double the power.

    By Brad Brownell 20 days ago Read More
About Archive Privacy Policy
© 2026 Static Media® Jalopnik.com All Rights Reserved
More From Static Media
EngadgetTVLineBGRSciencingSlashGear
Jalopnik