Is It Worth Fixing? Flat Screen TV’s

Short Answer…..YES! Flat Screen TV’s such as LED, LCD, Plasma, and Projection can have a grocery list worth of possible issues, some having a very easy solution. The average cost of replacing a flat screen is about $450, depending on your TV of course. Repairs on a flat screen range from $15 - $200. The one exception is a broken screen. Most manufactures do not even make replacement screens and the ones who do charge a small fortune for them. But, sometimes you can find used or refurbished ones at a reasonable price.  Below is the most common problems and what you can expect to pay to get them fixed.

TV Turns Off Randomly or Won’t Power On – $100 Range The most common cause of this issue is blown capacitors. Most replacement capacitors cost around $5 and the rest is labor. The second biggest issue is a weak/blown fuse. Fuses cost any were from $5 to $20 and the labor bill should be a little less

TV Acting erratically or Accessories (PS3, Blue-Ray Players, Etc.) will not work - $200 The most common cause of this is chip/main board issues. In almost all cases it is better to replace the board rather than fix it. Most boards are $100 or less the rest is labor.

Vertical Bars On Screen - $100-$200 range This issue is caused by a failure in a small circuit board that helps control the screen. The replacement cost of the board can vary from $20-$100.

Broken Screen - $?? Most screens cannot be replaced, but in some cases you can get refurbished screens at a reasonable price. It is defiantly worth trying

Blow Outs & Hard Resets - $15 Sometimes issues can be fixed by blowing out all the dust build up with compressed air. The dust causes the TV to overheat and the TV will shut down as a safety. Also with complexity of TVs today they can get kind of…confused and lock up or shut down as a safety. Sometimes a hard reset can clear up the confusion and bring it back to a clean slate.


Full Throttle Repair LLC has free diagnosis, so it is always worth having it looked at.

Microwave won’t turn on

So you go to heat up left overs and your microwave dead. No lights, no display, and no power. Well there is good news! Unless you have had a massive power surge ( such as lightning hitting your house) it should be an easy and inexpensive fix! Almost every single microwave on the market has a ceramic fuse that tends to fail with age, and when the fuse blows the microwave will no longer receive power. More good news is ceramic fuses are relatively inexpensive and switching them out takes little time and effort. The bad news is microwaves are fitted with an extremely powerful capacitor that has lethal potential and in many cases the cover plates have temper-proof fasteners. So it might be in your best interest to take the microwave to a professional repair center (Such as Full Throttle Repair LLC). Luckily In almost all cases your microwave can be repaired for less than $30.

Frozen Bolts Driving You Nuts? How to remove rusted and sezied fasteners

Nothing can ruin a project faster than a seized bolt. Luckily we are here to help!  If you do run across a frozen bolt or nut don’t try to force it. If you try to force the fastener it will end up broken or striped, leading to more frustration and problems. Here are a few easy steps that should remove 90% of rusted, frozen, stuck and corroded bolts, nuts, and fasteners in about 7 steps. 

Clean – Clean as much debris and rust off the bolt as possible with a wire brush and PB Blaster. The less debris there is the farther the penetrating oil can penetrate. Your tool will also grip a clean fastener better, giving you more torque and decrease the chance of striping.

Soak – Give a generous squirt of PB Blaster and let it soak for about 15 minutes. Let the penetrating oil work its magic on the corrosive bond.

Tap – Strike the bolt head with a heavy hammer, you don’t have to beat it to dust, just a few swift blows. The vibration from the strikes helps loosen the corrosion.

Soak – Give the bolt another generous shot of PB Blaster and let soak for another 15 minutes. Oil will penetrate deeper into the threads than the first time and start breaking down more corrosion.

Heat – Heat the bolt with a torch until it’s near glowing. Make sure to keep electrical wires, plastic components, fuel tanks or anything else that could be ruined/explosive with heat as far away from the torch as possible. If you do have some rather sensitive components near the frozen bolt a heat gun may be a better option. A heat gun will not be as effective as a torch, but some heat is better than no heat. The heat makes the metal expand and loosens the corrosive bond. Heat also helps breakdown bolt dressings such as lock-tite.

Freeze – While the fastener is still hot, spray it with a bolt freezer or cold water. This makes the bolt contract quickly and breaks the corrosive bond.

Tap and Turn – Place your removal tool on the fastener and attempt to loosen it. While you are applying torque tap the bolt or tool with a hammer at the same time. You may need a helper for this. This applies two different forces to the Fastener, torque and vibration and it should break free.

Leverage – If all else fails you can either repeat the above process or get out the breaker bar and use brute force and leverage with out snapping the fastener.

Nuts – In some cases it maybe necessary or just easier to break a nut off. For around $20 you can buy a nut breaking tool that shatters the nut off.

Already Stripped? – Well we do have a few tricks up our sleeves…..

Phillips, Flathead, Hex, Etc – Take a sharp chisel or flat head screw driver, place it in the middle of the head and tap it with a hammer. You should be able to make a new slot and remove it with a Flathead driver.

Bolt & Nuts – Grind down the sides flat to a smaller size, or just make two sides flat and use locking pliers.

If you have any tricks or bits of wisdom please share, we would love to hear your comments.

Full Throttle Repairs LLC

Does your Lawnmower have the Shakes?

If your lawnmower is shaking or vibrating excessively it should be addressed immediately! Not only is it extremely dangerous but you can also further damage your mower. Good news is that in most cases it is an easy and inexpensive fix. The most common cause of excessive vibration is a loose or unbalanced blade. Remove and inspect your blades and replace if necessary. An easy way to check if the blade is properly balanced is to hang the blade from a horizontal nail in the wall, but we recommend spending $5 on a blade balancer from your local hardware store. Another cause of vibration is loose engine mounting bolts; most of these are accessible on the underside of the deck. While your checking the mounting bolt check for any other loose bolts and components. Worst case scenario is a bent crankshaft. If the shaft is indeed bent it may not be cost effective to fix.  If you have any other questions feel free to contact us www.fullthrottlerepairs.com  

Keeping Old School Videogame Consoles Working Great

With a little help your old school video game consoles such as Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Sega, and so on can play games without any tapping, blowing and yelling at least 99% of time.  The 2 main causes of this issue are dirty/corroded game cartridges or dirty/stressed pin connectors (it is what makes contact with the cartridge inside the console). In most cases to resolve the problem all you have to do is a little cleaning.

First check your pin connectors. Simply shine a bright light into the slot where the game goes. All the connectors should be shiny and inline. If the pins are extremely corroded or if the pins are damaged then it may need adjusted or replaced. In any case spray a small amount of electrical contact cleaner and blow it out with compressed air. Next check to make sure the pins have good pressure. When you put a game in it should fit snug. If the game falls out when console is tipped or it just feels a little loose then your pins are fatigued and need to be adjusted or replaced. After your pin connectors are spotless and all checks out proceed to your game cartridges.

Game cartridges are usually the culprit to the problem. Games take a lot of abuse, collect grime, and corrode easily. Shine a light on the bottom of the cartridge and check the connections, they should be spotless and very shiny. Even the smallest amount of grime or corrosion can cause interference.  They easiest way is to spray a small amount of circuit board cleaner and buff lightly with a cotton swabs. Repeat this process until the swabs come out clean and contacts look flawless. The best way is to disassemble the cartridge and buff the contacts with 500+ grit sandpaper, then follow up with circuit board cleaner and cotton swabs. Unfortunately games are usually put together with temper proof fasteners.

If all goes well your games will play on the first try 99% of the time. Do not blow into your cartridges! This temporarily works because the moisture from your breath improves the connection. But the moisture also causes corrosion in the cartridge and the pin connectors inside the console. If you need any help at all you can always contact us at Full Throttle Repairs  www.fullthrottlerepairs.com .

Buying Used Equipment 101: How to Buy Used Gas Equipment

Buying used equipment can be a gamble. Some machines look awful at first glance, but clean up nicely and run great. Others look brand new but are destroyed internally. So here are few easy things to check and questions to ask the seller.

Questions to ask

Does it run? Depending on the situation it may be an easy fix

Have you ever had any issues with it? If so what were they?

Has it ever been serviced? Don’t get your hopes up here. Very few people have service logs for their machine.

How old is it? This information is crucial with how often it’s used, something could be 20 years old and garage kept but used twice. Don’t let a high number scare you off. If anything it will just make the machine less expensive

How often did you use it? 1 Season, once a week, most residential equipment has low hours

Things to check

Smell/Check condition of the gas – If the gas looks and smells a little off then there is a high probability of carb related issues. As gas ages it starts to break down causing internal ports to clog and corrode.

Fluid leaks around the engine block and hoses – Check closely around the main engine block and anywhere two components meet for remains of fluids. Bad gaskets and hoses cause fluid leaks. Most hoses are an easy fix. But some gaskets can be a big job.

Pull start rope slowly - It should have a reasonable amount of resistance. If the pull start seems too easy to pull or you can’t pull it at all then the engine may be blown.

Check the pull rope - most ropes are still factory. So if it has little to no wear on it, then it was probably only used a handful of times. If the rope is frayed and ragged then is was used often

Missing parts, bolts, levers – Keep in mind some specialty bolts are hard to find

Oil levels & Condition – Make sure oil is at proper levels. If the oil is level is extremely low and dirty then the engine may have some extreme internal wear. Dirty oil at the proper level is not great, but it is usually no cause for concern. If the oil appears to be a creamy color or is diluted with gas it probably has internal damage.

If you have any questions feel free to contact us at FullThrottle Repair.

Proper Chain Tension on Chainsaws

Proper chain tension is something to keep in mind before you go tearing through logs and trees. Not only is it safer, but it can improve your saws performance and extend the life of your chain, bar and the saw itself. Make sure you wear gloves for this.

1. Loosen the bar mounting nuts to a little less the finger tight.

2. Locate the chain tensioner. Hold the end of the bar up slightly and adjust slowly

3.Check for proper tension....When you pull up firmly on the chain in the middle top portion of your bar your chain should not rise out of the track at the highest point, but it should be close. The chain should also be able to be pulled freely along the track.

4. Tighten up the nuts and recheck the tension.

 

Few more tips - This procedure is for a cold chain, when a chain heats up it stretches a little bit. If you’re using a new chain, check tension frequently until you break it in (they stretch quite a bit). Make sure your chain is sharp.  We offer same day chain sharpening at a very fair price, Feel free to drop by Full Throttle Repair 

Spring Tune Up 101

So the grass is starting to grow and it is time to dig out the lawn equipment that been collecting dust. Before you try to start up your machines it’s a good idea to give it a tune up. This is the full throttle tune up.

1. Empty out any old fluids (Gas, Oil, Bar oil, Etc.)

2. Remove fluid filters and spray carb cleaner through the filters in the opposite direction of the flow. Blow out with compressed air and let dry. Or just replace them.

3. Remove spark plug and check for wear on the electrode. Lightly brush with a soft copper brush, blow out with compressed air and re-gap to manufacture specifications. Or replace.

4. Check the plug boot for carbon or rust build up, Clean if necessary with a small squirt of PB or WD and compressed air

5. Remove the air filter and clean to the best of your ability with compressed air, if it is to dirty replace it.

6. Blow out your fluid caps lightly with compressed air.

7. Replace all your fluids to the full mark and attempt to start it, If all is well is should start right up. It may be necessary to retune the carburetor once the machine is at optimal running temperature.

Side notes. It may take a little extra oomph for the first start because the machine is completely dry and it takes a minute for all the lines to fill with fluids. Also spray a small amount of lubricant in the cylinder through the spark plug hole to minimize wear from a dry start.

Or you can just drop off to Full Throttle Repair LLC and we can do it for you. http://fullthrottlerepairs.com/

Shop Grand Opening

Full Throttle Repair LLC had its grand opening yesterday! Thank you to everyone for the support. We are located about 1/2 mile north of downtown sylvania, across from the large grain silos.

TV Repair Comic

Funny Toon for Monday

 

 

 

 

Thats why we offer free diagnosis!

http://fullthrottlerepairs.com/

Is Your Gas Expired?? Fuel Shelf Life

This is a widely debated topic. One thing to keep in consideration is there are countless variables that change everything. But this is our rule of thumb for a few gallons of gas in your average red fuel tank, stored in the garage. One to Three Months with reservations. Try not to store gas for more than one month and never use it (in an engine) if it is older than 3 months. Gas breaks down over time and the more it breaks down the worse it is for your engine. Buy gas in small amounts so you can use it all up in one months’ time. Here at Full Throttle Repair we replace any fuel over 30 days old. If some old fuel happens to clog up your machine we can help you out www.Fullthrottlerepairs.com

hilarious comic to start the day!

 

 

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Spring Tune Up Special!!!

Spring tune up special! Only $20 each for any 2 stroke equipment when you bring more than 2 machines. http://fullthrottlerepairs.com/

Does your vacuum smell like its burning rubber?

Does your vacuum smell like its burning rubber? Well we got good news; it’s an easy and inexpensive fix. Usually a worn belt is the culprit and replacing it will remedy all the smells. Almost all manufactures will a have a section in the owner’s manual on how to replace the belt. But if you are like most folks that manual is long gone. In that case you can download your manual off the manufactures website. Feel free to contact Full Throttle Repair if you need any more help. FullThrottle Repair offers a vacuum belt replacement service at a very affordable price if you would like to avoid the hassle all together.

Tech Support Comic

 

 

Need some repair help? Full Throttle Repair LLC

Great comic to brighten your day

Full Throttle Repair will be posting funny repair related material every Monday so you can start your week with a smile. If you have a funny repair story or cartoon please post it or email us

Hope all your gadgets and gizmo's are working great! If not you know were to find us.

Thanks

 

 

Top 3 Reasons Your Chainsaw Won't Start!

1. No fuel! - This is usually caused by fuel sitting in the carburetor for longs periods of time, causing the ports to clog. Disassemble and clean the carburetor to remedy the issue.

2. No Air! - A dirty air filter is the cause of this issue. Remove the filter and clean with compressed air. Or just replace it

3. No Spark! - The most common cause of this is a faulty spark plug or a dirty ignition system. Replace the spark plug. Then blow out the ignition system with compressed air. Sometime it’s necessary to disassemble and clean the points on the flywheel and magneto with a fine sand paper

This also applies to other gas powered equipment. If you need any assistance or services visit our website http://fullthrottlerepairs.com/ 

 

Stop Stripping...Screws

One of the biggest mistakes we see from people new to repairs is stripped screws. The main reason for this is not having the right size tool for the job, especially when it comes to Phillips/+ style fasteners. Most Phillips drivers will have a PH with a number after it indicating the size, however some have nothing at all. Not only will the right size not strip your fastener, it will be much easier to unscrew. The proper size should have almost not play when you wiggle it in either direction. You can pick up a decent Phillips driver set under $15 at your local hardware. Trust us; this will be the best $15 you ever spent if you do your own repairs. If you have any questions post them or check out our website http://fullthrottlerepairs.com/.

 

2 New Drop Off Locations!

Lucky Day! Full Throttle Repair LLC has opened 2 new drop off locations for broken goods!  Affordable Vacuum & Kirby on Reynolds & Bancroft (2138 N Reynolds Rd, Toledo, OH 43615).  As well as Deano’s Mini Mart & Tobacco on McCord and Hill ( 11 N. McCord, Toledo, OH, 43615.  Deano’s Mini Mart will be accepting cell phones, tablets, smartphones and other small electronics.  Affordable vacuum will be accepting all electronics,  small appliances and small electric motors. If you have any questions about our drop off locations feel free to call or text 419-973-1005 or vist our website http://fullthrottlerepairs.com/

Top 3 Brands Husqvarna owns that may surprise you!

Top 3 Brands Husqvarna owns that you didn’t know about

1. McCulloch- Started in 1943 by Robert Paxton McCulloch, the company was traded to several owners until it eventually went bankrupt in 1999.Husquvarna purchased most of the company and acquired it fully in 2008

2. Poulan Pro- founded as Poulan Saw Co. in 1912 by chainsaw pioneer Claude Poulan, then sold to Beaird and was named Beaird-Poulan. Later Husqvarna scooped it

3. Weed Eater-Started in 1972 with the idea of the line trimmer. Later the company was purchased by Poulan

Husqvarna owns about 10 other brands and makes most of Sears (Craftsman) gas operated machines. Luckily Full Throttle Repair can fix them all! http://fullthrottlerepairs.com/

Electronics + Dust = Failure

 

With the cold weather we tend to stay indoors more and our electronic gadgets get heavy use. Combined with a increase in dust, greater temperature fluctuations your electronics get quite a work out. One factor that leads to the most failures is dust! Electronics use cooling systems of parts that generate large amounts of heat. These are basically a series of metal fins that increase the surface area and help dissipate heat. If dust collects in these fins it can render them useless. Here is a picture of a clogged cooling system.

Take time at least once a month and blow out your electronics with compressed are and it will greatly increase the life and function of your electronics. If you need any help feel free to post or call Full Throttle LLC at 419-973-1005. Thanks

Welcome to the Full Throttle Repair Blog. Were we will be posting interesting articles on repairs, offer technical support and listen to your comments and question. Thanks