Check your antifreeze regularly

Posted on February 20, 2012 by News Team

It is very important that you check your antifreeze a couple of times a year. As well as preventing the water in your engine from freezing, it also helps to cool the engine and prevent it from overheating. You need to remember that when water freezes and then thaws it expands and if this happens within your engine, you could be in serious trouble. This is why you must have the correct level of antifreeze in your engine. Always check your vehicle owners’ handbook for guidance. As a general rule, 50/50 is sufficient. However, if you live in a region where the temperature regularly drops below -10C then you will need to increase the antifreeze to water ratio to a maximum of 80/20. Remember that antifreeze is corrosive and paradoxically can damage your engine.

If your cooling system is not working properly then the engine can overheat and sustain substantial damage. The most common damage is to the head gasket and this can cost a substantial amount of money to repair. In the worst cases the whole engine becomes irreparably damaged and needs to be completely replaced. So it pays to do regular maintenance on your vehicle so that the cooling system is in top working order. This can be done easily on your car’s annual service and your mechanic will be able to see and repair any minor issues that arise. Antifreeze should be pink or blue in colour and if your antifreeze is looking discoloured it needs to be changed immediately.

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Oil tankers must be well maintained

Posted on February 15, 2012 by News Team

The shipping industry never halts, it is in constant motion. Oil tankers have been specially designed to safely transport raw crude oil or refined petrochemicals. They come in different sizes which can range from the relatively small coastal tankers weighing just a few thousand metric tons to the massive super tankers weighing in at over half a million DWT. Super tankers will transport more than 2 billion metric tons of oil around the globe every year.

As crude oil is one of the most important sources of energy, these tankers play a huge role in the commerce of the oil industry. With so much oil being transported across the world’s oceans, the threat of disaster is always there. We have all seen the ghastly pictures and film of ruined coastlines and oil coated wildlife, so it is imperative that the risk of spills is kept at a minimum. Oil tankers, whatever their size must be properly serviced and looked after. A regular maintenance schedule must be adhered to and the ship must have any repairs done before putting to sea. It is important that this is done by experts and not just a patch up job done by anyone.

Due to the hazardous nature of the cargo, strict safety measures must be followed and there must be no smoking or naked flames at any time when on board. The crew must be properly trained and receive regular refresher courses to ensure good working practise is maintained. The ship, the cargo and the crew are all valuable so it is in the best interest of the operator to ensure safety.

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Keep your chainsaw in good working order

Posted on February 13, 2012 by News Team

Chainsaws are very useful tools and can save you a lot of time and money around your home. Your chainsaw does require proper maintenance though and it is important that this is done regularly and correctly. If you implement a regular maintenance routine, it will become second nature and you will also be very familiar with your chainsaw and will be able spot any potential problems before they become a disaster.

Routine maintenance should include checking the chain for sharpness and also for any weak or damaged spots, check the oil levels, the fuel levels or the power cable and cleaning out filters. You should always read your owners’ manual for guidance before you begin but as you become familiar with your chain saw you won’t need to refer to this so much. Keep your blades sharp, you can purchase a proper tool for doing this and it should be done regularly, particularly if you use the saw for any big or lengthy jobs. There are handheld manual tools and also electric tools for sharpening the teeth and it is up to which you prefer, but make sure the gauge is the same as the teeth. Make sure the chain is at the correct tension, this could be very dangerous if it is incorrect so should be checked every time before you use the saw. Always use the correct lubricating oil for your chainsaw, your owner’s manual will tell you what you need to buy and this should be used as much as is required. Lubrication is vital to the safe and correct running of your chainsaw so do not neglect this basic task ever.

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Why motor oil is so important to your engine

Posted on February 10, 2012 by News Team

Motor oil is essential for the smooth running of your engine. It lubricates the moving parts of the engine which reduces friction and keeps the metallic moving parts from seizing up. There is a layer of oil between the metal parts preventing direct contact and therefore damage.

Motor oil contains many additives including detergents which help keep your engine clean. One of the purposes of the detergent is to suspend the contaminants in the oil until the oil is changed. This is the main reason you should change your oil regularly. Although, it is now accepted that an oil change twice per year is sufficient. You have 3 choices when choosing motor oil, mineral, synthetic or semi-synthetic. It is commonly thought that synthetic oil will last longer and requires changing less frequently but this is not the case. Your engine will still produce contaminants at much the same rate; however, the synthetic oil is better at suspending said contaminants. So it is prudent to change your engine’s oil at regular intervals regardless of which type of motor oil you use.

By not changing your motor oil at regular intervals, the contaminants will settle into a thick sludge and this can damage your engine and reduce performance and efficiency. The oil filter will help reduce particulates but it can only do so much on its own. This is why you should change the oil filter at the same time as changing the oil.

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How to check your vehicle’s brake fluid

Posted on February 8, 2012 by News Team

If you like to do a bit of car maintenance, one thing to check is the brake fluid. Look at your car owner’s manual to find the brake master cylinder. It is usually situated under the bonnet on the driver’s side of the vehicle near the back of the engine. If you have difficulty locating the cylinder, see the owner’s manual. The brake master cylinder is usually quite a small plastic reservoir which has a rubber cap on top and several small pipes coming out of it. Most of the plastic reservoirs are white and semi-transparent with markers for the minimum and maximum levels of fluid, so that you can see how much fluid there is without having to open the lid.

If the fluid level is near or below the minimum line, you will need to top it up. If you are doing this yourself, make sure you are using the correct brake fluid for your vehicle. Again, check the owner’s handbook to make absolutely sure of what you need and then top it up to the maximum level. Do not go above the maximum.

Remember that brake fluid is extremely toxic so it is advisable to wear rubber or latex gloves. Keep away from skin, mouth and eyes. Always wash your hands thoroughly after contact, even if you have been wearing protective gloves. Do not spill on the ground and always dispose of with care, it is worth checking with your local council for advice and never just pour it down a drain. Try to avoid contact with your vehicle’s paintwork.

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Tensions escalate over Iranian sanctions

Posted on February 7, 2012 by News Team

With the threat of further sanctions against Iran, the economic consequences would be enormous. Oil is Iran’s biggest source of income and its biggest customers are China, India, Japan, South Korea and the European Union. Iran also owns a substantial fleet of super tankers to transport their oil all over the globe. If Iranian oil becomes blacklisted, it will be very difficult to obtain Iranian oil plus, the super tankers would not be able to access international port facilities. The United States of America is leading the call for further sanctions on Iranian oil and many countries would rather do what they are told than suffer the consequences of going against the grain. The EU has already said it will implement sanctions much to the anger of Iran who is threatening to reduce supply of oil to Europe.

There is a threat from Iran to shut the Strait of Hormuz if it is forbidden to export oil which would have a huge impact on the other Gulf countries trying to export their own oil. The Strait at its narrowest point is only about 30 miles wide, so is a strategic point which Iran would use to its full advantage. Iran is the second largest producer of oil in OPEC, Saudi Arabia being in prime position. Whilst Saudi Arabia would perhaps be not too badly affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the other Gulf countries of Kuwait, Iraq, UAE and Qatar would be. The result of such tensions is the price of crude rises, affecting us all so it is in everyone’s interests for the powers that be to find a good diplomatic resolution.

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A few tips for basic chainsaw maintenance

Posted on January 30, 2012 by News Team

Some chainsaws are definitely better than others but most high end chain saws are built about the same so it all comes down to personal preference. No matter what chainsaw you end up purchasing after so many hours of use the chainsaw will require some maintenance. With proper maintenance you chainsaw will last for many years. The good news is you don’t have to extensive mechanical skills to service or repair your chainsaw. There are some wonderful videos online that will show you exactly what to do step by step. If you are feeling insecure about your ability to make repairs or do chainsaw maintenance yourself then you could always send out the chainsaw to your local chainsaw shop for repairs but it won’t be free. Chances are you won’t be using our chain saw for hours on end per day. After 10-12 hours of work you should do some basic preventative maintenance.

Check your air filter – You don’t want your air filter to become clogged this will make your machine work harder and could cause your chainsaw to overheat. A clean air filter is a must! If you are working in an especially dusty dirty environment, you may want to check the air filter more often. Its a good idea to check your air filter after every use.

Lubrication – In order for you chainsaw to run smoothly. If your chainsaw all of the sudden stops working so well consider lubrication.

Sharpening – How do you know if your chainsaw’s chain is getting dull? When cutting a small amount of pressure on the chainsaw should make your chainsaw get a good bite. A sharp chain will dig in and cut. If your chain is dull you will have to do a lot of pushing down on the chainsaw in order for some cutting to happen.

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Consider synthetic motor oil for your vehicle

Posted on January 27, 2012 by News Team

Ordinary motor oil is made from crude oil, also known as petroleum. Synthetic oil is made, or synthesized artificially. The first research to find lubricants that could replace natural oils was done in the late 1930s and the early 1940s, both in Germany and US. There are several types, both totally synthetic oils and semi-synthetic oils that are blends of natural mineral oil and synthetic oil. Synthetic motor oils are, just as the natural motor oils, hydrocarbon composites, so you can always use synthetic oil if you want the best lubricant possible. This also means you can mix them if you want to.

So why would you want to use synthetic motor oil? Its viscosity performance is much better than that of natural oil, leading to less mechanical wear and better overall performance. It provides better lubrication on cold starts, and is more stable than natural oil. This, in addition to less loss of vapor while you drive, contributes to less mechanical wear, which again means that the engine will last longer. It also means that the oil don’t have to be changed as often as natural oil, so there will be less oil waste to the benefit of both the environment and the car owners finances. To further improve the environment and the personal economy, using synthetic motor oil will mean a more efficient use of fuel for some cars and engines. If you are going to do high speed driving or drive for an extended period of time in extreme heat, synthetic oil works much better than natural oil. It will also give better engine performance for heavy loads.

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When the oil runs out…

Posted on January 26, 2012 by News Team

Not long ago, a think tank engaged in a horrific scenario, a world that ran out of oil. Could that happen? Actually, considering the demand it appears even if we do not actually completely run out, we can expect some massive disruptions along the way as the world demand in places like China and India increase.

As this occurs or if the World runs out of oil in let’s just say 60-years, one Online Think Tank conversationalist stated; “Oil’s going to run out in 60 years, after having maintained prices over a 1000 dollars per barrel in the last 30 years before it was used up”. Indeed, and perhaps it will, although I don’t believe we will even need oil in 60-years, if new technologies are allowed to come to market. Nano technologies will help usher in hydrogen fuels for transportation due to the ability to hold the hydrogen in the automobile tanks made of that material. Meanwhile, lighter cars made out of the same will be lots more efficient.

Also increased efficiency in solar cells will help too us utilize that energy source to power up batteries and keep the energy grids humming. Think about ocean wave energy, which is very efficient, 750 times denser than air that turn wind turbines.

Things are happening, it is a matter of getting some of the political debris and bureaucracy out of the way and allowing re-investment as things change for those companies so heavily invested in other current infrastructures, and yes the price will go up, the market will adjust and some industries will become obsolete as new technologies take hold. That is just the way it is.

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Oil pollutions affects an area both environmentally and economically

Posted on January 20, 2012 by News Team

The Gulf Coast oil spill is responsible for leaking millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Beaches and marshes from Louisiana to Florida have been negatively affected by the spill, both environmentally and economically. There is a high probability that many home owners will experience some form of home damage as a result of the oil spill, which can be costly to repair or clean up.

Since the explosion on April 20th, 2010, oil has leaked from the spill site and drifted throughout the Gulf of Mexico and towards shore. Residents along the Gulf Coast have reported spotting oil sheen and tar balls along the beaches. Property owners have found their land blemished by unsightly oil, and some have had property such as boats, docks, and even parts of homes damaged by pollution from the spill.

Pollution along the coast has made it more difficult for some individuals to rent out their property. With the usually idyllic beach landscape marred by oil, many visitors have decided against renting beachfront property. Another possible threat to home owners is the risk of having property drop in value. Even if a home is not directly affected by the oil spill, pollution in the area may cause a home’s property value to drop.

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