Diagnosing Throttle-By-Wire Problems
The main reason for the switch to Throttle-By-Wire (TBW) or Drive-by-Wire is that it allows the ECM to work in harmony with other engine control systems such as cruise control, traction control, torque management and stability control.
Conventional vs. Synthetic Oils: What’s In The Bottle?
According to the American Petroleum Institute (API), base oils can be broken down into five main groups based on the refining method and lubricant’s properties, such as viscosity and the proportion of saturates and sulfur content. Before all the additives are dropped in, engine oils begin as one or more of these five API groups.
Don’t Fear The Turbo
The turbocharger gets a bad rap. So many technicians can name reasons why they have failed in the past, yet they can’t recall when or why a turbocharger has failed recently. With more and more vehicles employing a turbocharger to achieve power and fuel efficiency from a downsized engine, the importance of maintenance is more critical than ever.
Secondary Air Injection Tips
Secondary air injection can be supplied actively from an electric air pump or passively from pulse pressure in the exhaust system. In a passive/pulse system, air is drawn in when a valve opens from vacuum created through exhaust flow. In an active system, air is blown from an electric pump, which allows for better control.
Locking Down The Engine For Timing Belt Replacement
The relationship between the cam and crank is a critical one. You might say they are heavily dependent on each other for their survival because any slip-up and their union ends in catastrophe. Locking down engines for timing service is a necessity anytime you remove the crank or cam pulley or have to replace the belt itself.
A/C Compressor Replacement: Doing A Visual Inspection & Checking For Leaks And Debris Eases Diagnostics
One thing on your customers’ minds during the summer driving months is air conditioning – as in, will it work when they need it. Driving around in the hot summer heat can take a toll on the A/C system, so, chances are, you’ll be doing a lot of HVAC repairs from now until the end of September.
A Decade Of Dynamic Engine Design – Roush Yates Engines Celebrates 10 Years
In December, Roush Yates Engines (RYE) celebrated its 10th Anniversary and will reset the compass into a new area of the business, but it’s all according to plan. Engine builders who used to see RYE at local races as competitors, will now be able to work directly with them and their vast resources when building their own engines.
Tuning In To The EFI Market
There are many variables that need to be calculated and calibrated when it comes to electronic fuel injection (EFI), but simple fuel flow is just the beginning. EFI goes far beyond a replacement for a carburetor, and the electronic part of the equation is where these systems seem so complicated. Many EFI systems give you the ability to control a wide range of parameters of the vehicle, so it’s more involved than simply controlling fuel flow.
BFGoodrich Launches G-Force Rival Tire In New Orleans
In January, BFGoodrich invited the media and what they call “key influencers” to the newly built NOLA Motorsports Park in New Orleans to test and evaluate the company’s new DOT extreme performance street/race tire, the g-Force Rival. With a background in motorsports, I could not wait to get behind the wheel to try these “race” tires.
Tech Feature: Sports Compacts – Performing in a ‘Maturing’ Market
What started out in the 1990s as an affordable way for kids to bang around with cars that were often handed down from their parents or siblings, later grew into a fledgling market all its own.
Engine Tech Feature: Choosing the Right Fasteners for the Job
Some of the most stressed-out parts of a high-dollar
Tech Feature: Engine Part Coatings
Almost any part can be coated, but just because you can doesn’t mean you should. There are various types of coatings and choosing the right process for the right parts is one of the biggest keys to making more power and increasing component life.