About This Quiz
With over one billion cars on roads around the world, it's safe to say that the modern motor car is one of the preferred forms of transport for those who can afford it. But those cars don't just run by themselves. That's why manufacturers recommend these vehicles to be serviced every certain number of miles. That keeps them in tip-top condition. And if you don't service them? Well, at some point, your vehicle will break down and need to be fixed.
No matter what route you decide to take, it's inevitable your vehicle will have to go to an auto shop at some point. With the average car containing over 30,000 unique parts, mechanics will need a range of tools when working on it. These include standard tools such as wrenches, screwdrivers, spanners, sockets and hammers. Yes, even a hammer can come in useful to a mechanic. But multiple specialist tools are needed as well. Most of these are used when working deep within the engine, for instance with pistons and cylinders. Would you be able to name auto shop tools that would be used by mechanics working on a car's engine? Do you think you could get close to 100% on this tricky quiz? Good luck!Â
No self-respecting workshop is going to attempt any engine work without several wrenches. Available in many sizes, these are the easiest way to tighten or loosen nuts. An adjustable wrench where you can set the size is known as a monkey spanner.
Sometimes called a valve lash wrench, this is used when adjusting the valves on an engine. This tool may also come with a built-in torque wrench.
Although you think you might never need pliers when working on an engine, you will be surprised at the amount of times you wish you had one in your toolbox.
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This tool is particularly useful when working on the valves of an engine. It helps to determine the right height for both the spring and the valve in their chambers. A micrometer is needed for exact measurements. As measurements will differ between cylinders, use the shortest measurement taken.
This tool is used specifically to measure the inside diameter or pipes, cylinders or other round objects. Bore gauges are calibrated to 0.001 inches or 0.0001 inches.
Is there an auto doctor in the house? These stethoscopes include a long point probe, perfect for placing at points throughout the engine to listen for problematic sounds.
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Side calipers are used to measure the inside measurements of an object. For example, you could measure the exact distance of the two sides of a piston casing.
The oil pump primer is a crucial tool to ensure that a rebuilt engine is properly primed before starting it for the first time. If the engine is not primed properly, a dry start can cause untold damage.
Many oil filters are turned into place by hand and then tightened using an oil filter wrench. These also help remove older filters that might have become stuck in place due to the heat of the engine over time.
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Similar to an Allen Key, a Torx driver will fit a specially shaped head on a range of bolts. They are easily identified by their six-point star shape.
Allen keys come in an array of sizes and are made to fit small hexagonal shaped head. Allen keys are sometimes called hex keys.
Ohm meters are a necessity, especially for any auto electrical work that you might need to carry out. Ohm meters essentially measure electrical resistance.
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This is used for working on the crankshaft particularly and allows for the rotation of the crankshaft with the damper removed. It works with a normal ratchet.
When rebuilding an engine, having the correct length pushrods is critical. A pushrod length checking tool helps ensure that this happens. Best of all, they are relatively inexpensive.
No, not something you need for Halloween but a simple flat board with wheels. Lie on this, and you can scoot anywhere you need to while checking under a vehicle. This is particularly useful if you do not have a vehicle lift.
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These special tools are necessary if you would like to create or repair screw threads. This might be necessary when overhauling an engine.
Struggling with a flat battery? A jumper pack will get it started first time and the charger will ensure that you get a charge back into it so you won't need to jump it again.
Engine parts, particularly on old engine rebuilds need to be cleaned. The best way to do this is by simply soaking them and then cleaning them in a part washing container.
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A good screwdriver set is never out of place in a workshop and a necessity when working on an engine of any kind. Make sure you have a range of different kinds from regular, to Philips to Robertson to name a few.
All modern cars have computers that run pretty much everything in the vehicle. When something goes wrong with this computer, having one of these gadgets can not only help identify the problem easier but can also fix it in many cases.
A torque wrench is similar to a regular wrench except in the fact that it applies a precise torque to the fastener or bolt you are tightening. This prevents over tightening. The torque wrench was invented in 1918 by Conrad Bahr.
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Sometimes studs can be damaged, making it impossible to remove the bolt or perhaps the bolt has broken off, and the stud needs to be removed to insert a new one. Luckily, in times like this, a stud removal tool is just what you need to get the job done.
Also known as an air gun, this uses compressed air to spin and is the quickest way to attach or remove nuts.
Zip ties are a great way to keep pipes, wires and leads together. For example, keep the high tension leads between the sparkplugs and distributor cap neat and tidy by using zip ties to bind them together.
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While working on an engine, the crankshaft will need to be turned and adjusted many times. This socket does the job for you without any fear of damaging the crankshaft itself. This is all done when the harmonic balancer, or damper, is removed.
A socket extension allows you to reach in difficult areas within engine to loosen bolts or nuts. This is an invaluable tool.
A good set of cleaning brushes can be used throughout your workshop on a number of different things, including keeping an engine spick and span.
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Engines are heavy. When removed from a vehicle, they need somewhere to stand without the chance of falling and getting damaged. An engine stand will do the job perfectly.
Feeler gauges are to measure gap widths, most notably in spark plugs. For example, too large a gap width means the spark plug will not fire properly.
Bolts within an engine are crucial. You don't want them coming loose now, do you? This tool helps to stretch a bolt to the tolerance level as instructed by the manufacturer. This torquing process means that the bolt won't come loose during engine operation.
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No self-respecting workshop will be without a pulley, hoist and lift. Engines are heavy, and these three tools make it possible to not only remove them but replace them back into the chassis with minimal fuss.
Calipers are used to measure the distance between two opposing sides of a particular object. They have any number of uses when working on a car engine, for instance, when measuring the cylinders.
A flashlight is crucial while working on the innards of a car, especially the engine. And to keep your hands free, use a flashlight that straps to your head. Or employ an apprentice!
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A hammer? To work on an engine? Yes, you never know when it might come in necessary. For example, a jammed starter motor might just need a gentle tap from a hammer to become unstuck.