Tech Stuff
Emergency Ignored?
It should be standard practice to perform an overall inspection of every customer’s vehicle when it enters the shop, regardless of what specific repair prompted the visit. Inspections such as checking fluid levels, tire wear, belt condition, a visual inspection for leaks, loose or badly worn steering and suspension parts, a brake pad and rotor check, etc., should be included, as a pre-emptive strike to alert the customer to any issues that require immediate or not-too-distant attention.
Chrysler EVAP Performance Codes
Of all the OBD II Diagnostic Trouble Codes, the EVAP codes can cause you the most trouble. A faulty evaporative emission control system almost never affects engine performance or gas mileage, so aside from maybe a whiff of fuel odor, the only symptom is the malfunction indicator light (MIL).
Super Duty EGRT
Some 2008-2010 Ford F-Super Duty vehicles equipped with the 6.4L engine and built on or before 11-1-2009 may exhibit a DTC P040D related to the exhaust gas recirculation temperature (EGRT) sensor located in the right-hand turbocharger inlet pipe.
Servicing Suspension Struts Requires Attention to Detail
When a customer comes in and says the car is not riding “right” or there’s a clunking sound from underneath, it’s important to do a thorough investigation before jumping to any conclusions. When the vehicle has a strut suspension, you need to understand how all the components work together and which ones are most prone to wear. Here are strut service tips that should be used whenever working on vehicles.
Leak Detection: Smoke, Dye and Electronic Methods
The average age of cars and light trucks on the road is now 11 ½ years, according to research from the latest Auto Care Association Factbook. Think about that for a moment. It means that you are dealing with higher mileage vehicles and the issues that result for long-term wear and tear.
E&M Motors Goes the Extra Mile
E&M Motors is located in Stuart, Fla., about 40 minutes north of Palm Beach. The area is rich with history from Spanish galleon shipwrecks to hurricanes and even a story about pirate Pedro Gilbert, who tried to board a U.S. Merchant ship in the 1830s, only to be caught and executed.
Coil-on-Plug Ignition: The Art of COP Misfire Diagnosis
When an engine with coil-on-plug (COP) ignition starts to misfire, there are two challenges: finding out which cylinder is misfiring and finding out why. Even if you find a bad coil, simply replacing it is not the whole repair, because like so many other parts of a vehicle, COP ignition coils don’t really die, they’re murdered. We’ll discuss how and why later; first let’s focus on finding the misfire.
Where’s the Respect for ‘Parts Changers’?
The knowledge and skill of technicians who diagnose and service today’s vehicles is critical to the success of any shop. Whether the required component replacement or system assembly is performed by the same specialized technician who performed the diagnosis or by a general service tech, the proper installation of a part is far from simple. So when someone makes a comment such as “he’s just a parts changer,” it makes my blood boil.
Tool Review: Lisle Brake Caliper Piston Compressor
As we all know, replacing pads on any brake caliper involves compressing the piston(s) to make room for the new pads. As pads wear, friction material thickness is reduced. As the pads get thinner, the piston(s) continue to move further out of their bores.
Use These Tips to Obtain Superior Gasket Sealing: Avoiding Leaks Requires Precision Work
Engine leaks are both annoying and potentially lead to engine damage and failure. In this brief article, we’ll discuss ways to obtain proper sealing of oil, coolant and engine vacuum, while also providing an overview of various gaskets and sealing materials.
