As the second most abundant element on earth, silicon is best known for its wide use in microchips, hence the name ‘Silicon Valley’. The semi-conductive properties of silicon are what make it so popular in the tech industry, but the versatility of this element (when combined with other elements to form silicone – with an […]

If your vehicle is showing signs of a rough idle, loss of power, or even a “Check Engine” light warning, there’s a good chance that your Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor is dirty. These days, most fuel-injected engines are equipped with a MAF sensor; this device measures the amount (and density) of air entering the […]

Last month, we chatted about ‘dry’ wax-based lubes as opposed to ‘wet’ oil-based ones. Although that blog related to bicycle chains (where a dry lube is preferred in South Africa), it does raise the subject of ‘graphite’ – another great dry lubricant.   Because Q20 is formulated as a multi-purpose oil, in some cases, it’s better […]

WET OR DRY CHAIN LUBE? Mountain bikers will often disagree on a lot of technical issues, but nothing divides opinions quite like chain lube. Remove subjectivity from the argument and chain lubes can be divided into two categories: wet and dry. Their applications are equally simple and self-explanatory: Dry lubes are for dry riding conditions […]

If you bought your turbo diesel second-hand, or if the engine’s clocked up more than 150 000 km, you may be concerned about how much longer the turbo will last. That said, here are 5 reasons why diesel turbochargers commonly fail…   1) Carbon Over time, carbon may build up on the turbocharger’s waste gate, […]

You’re a can-do kinda guy. A problem solver. The sort of person that people turn to when something’s broken, or not working. But you’re more than just a handy man or DIY enthusiast, you’re a… Leatherman owner! If the above title applies to you, then you’ve no doubt wondered what lube is best for your […]

QUESTION: I read your blog post a few weeks back, about cleaning a Weber kettle cooker, and I’m wondering if you can help. I’ve got a really old cast iron griddle pan that I once used for camping, but the plate has stood (unused) behind my garden shed for a few years now. Needless to […]

QUESTION: I’m gearing up for my end-of-year holiday and plan on relaxing around the pool while my Weber does all the hard (cooking) work. Unfortunately though, my Weber is looking a little worse for wear, and I’m wondering if I should get a new one for Christmas. The problem is, it looks like the inside of the […]

QUESTION The other day I was working on an old lawnmower that I’d picked up at a secondhand shop. Things were going well until I encountered a rusted bolt that refused to budge. Do you guys have any suggestions on how to help loosen the culprit? Because they typically live outdoors, old pool pumps (and […]