ASE Undercar X1 Specialist Certification: Not What You Would Expect
Are you one of the 7,570 technicians who are ASE-Certified Undercar Specialists? If not, you should be. I recently took the X1 Exhaust Test to qualify as an Undercar Specialist. To gain this certification you must be concurrently certified for Suspension & Steering (A4) and Brakes (A5) from the Automobile & Light Truck Test Series, and Exhaust Systems (X1) from the Specialty Test Series.
Fuel Feature: Eliminating Poor Throttle Response
The pump gasoline sold at gas stations around the country has changed quite a bit over the last several decades. The first major change was the removal of lead from the gasoline. The next major change was to reformulate the gasoline to reduce both the evaporative and exhaust emissions from vehicles. Then, the federal government mandated the use of oxygenation of gasoline in many parts of the country. The latest method to oxygenate the fuel is with ethanol made from corn. These recent changes in gasoline formulation may or may not be a good idea in theory, but since this modern gasoline contains less energy than it did in the past it may actually cause a loss in power, fuel efficiency and driveability unless the engine is properly tuned for these new blends of gasoline.
Diagnostic Solutions: Direct Fuel Injection Systems
For veteran technicians, it’s no wonder that the internal combustion engine (ICE) has been pronounced “dead” on more than one occasion. After having gone through the gas turbine craze during the early 1960s and the rotary engine fad of the 1970s, it comes as no surprise that we’re witnessing still another resurrection of the reciprocating internal combustion engine in the form of gasoline direct fuel injection.
PaceSetter Performance Products Offers Direct-Fit Catalytic Converter For Nissan Altima
PaceSetter Performance Products, designers and manufacturers of quality-made, affordably-priced exhaust systems and components, now offers a Direct-Fit Catalytic Converter for the 1995-’97 Nissan Altima with a 2.4L engine.
A/C Compressors Take A Pounding
The A/C compressor is a pump that compresses and circulates refrigerant within the A/C system. Some have pistons inside while others have rotating vanes on an eccentric or a pair of metal scrolls or spirals around an eccentric. Many late-model vehicles have “variable displacement” compressors that change the piston stroke to increase or decrease the volume of refrigerant flowing through the system. Some of these run continuously instead of cycling on and off like conventional A/C compressors.
NGK Spark Plugs Recognized By Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance For Outstanding Shipping Performance
NGK Spark Plugs (U.S.A.) Inc. received the Outstanding Shipping Performance award from Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance at the annual Alliance Shareholders’ winter meeting, Dec. 7-12, 2013, in Aventura, Fla.
Snap-on Offers Innovative EVAP Smart Smoke Machine
The patented UltraTraceUV non-contaminating dye solution accurately pinpoints the leaks that smoke alone cannot. The EELD100A features a combination LED and UV light with specialized glasses, as well as a variable flow control that manually reduces the flow to help pinpoint the exact location of a leak.
Delphi Product & Service Solutions Offers Eight New Fuel Modules, Pumps And Kits
Delphi Product & Service Solutions announces the addition of eight new fuel modules, pumps and kits to its fuel management portfolio covering more than 2.6 million popular vehicles built from 2000 to 2012, including Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Infiniti, AMG and Audi applications. Inventory is available now.
Tenneco’s Exclusive Loyalty Program Designed To Serve Undercar Service Market And Help Drive Ride Control, Emissions Control Sales
The Expert Plus service dealer loyalty program from Tenneco – created to help automotive service businesses increase their share of the undercar service market – includes a complete marketing and promotional package for 2014.
PaceSetter Performance Products Offers Direct-Fit Catalytic Converter For 1998-2005 Passat, 1997-2006 Audi A4, A4 Quattro, A4 Cabriolet, 1.8L Turbo Engine
PaceSetter Direct-Fit Catalytic Converters utilize mandrel-bent stainless steel tubing for maximum efficiency and CNC-machined thick steel flanges for a factory-like fit and good seal. This “undercar” catalytic converter (#324078), a direct replacement for the original equipment unit, has heat shields for the catalytic converter and provisions for the O2 sensor.
Top 5 Tools: Arthur Irwin, Two Guys Garage
Alignment equipment, scanners and a die grinder top Arthur’s list of favorite shop tools.
Maximizing Tools: Unconventional Diagnostic Methods, Part III
By thinking “outside the box” and using our tools to their fullest potential, we can diagnose more of the perplexing problems without spending an undue amount of time on them. In this article, our writers conclude this popular three-part series of Unconventional Diagnostic Methods, with more time-saving techniques.