Featured Archives - Page 9 of 15 - UnderhoodService
Ignition System: MIL On, Ignition Coil DTCs Set

Some 2006 Zephyr; 2006-2008 Fusion and Milan; 2007-2008 MKZ, Edge and MKX; and 2008 Taurus, Taurus X and Sable vehicles built on or before March 1, 2008 and equipped with a 3.0L or 3.5L engine may exhibit a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on.

Stretch Belts: Inspection And Installation

When inspecting a stretch belt, always measure the depths of the grooves with an inspection tool since the differences between a worn belt and a good belt can’t be seen or felt. The new materials used to make a stretch belt might crack or separate like older belts before the grooves are worn.

Returnless EFI Systems

If you’ve tried to find the fuel pressure regulator on many late-model engines by looking in the engine compartment, you won’t find it there because the regulator has been relocated to the fuel tank. Engines with “returnless” electronic fuel injection (EFI) systems have the regulator inside the fuel tank.

Send Us Your Winter Beater Story. It Could Be In Our Magazine!

A winter beater is not a junker, bomber or jalopy. It is the calling card of a real master technician. A winter beater is as much about frugality as it is a demonstration of your mechanical skills, and starting it on a -10 degree day has the same satisfaction as running a 13-second quarter-mile. The

State-Of-Charge And Charging Systems Diagnostics On Late-Model GM Vehicles

On 2007 and up GM vehicles, using conventional battery and charging systems tests can prove inconclusive. This is because of GM’s Electrical Power Management (EPM) system designed to monitor and control the charging systems and send diagnostic messages to alert the driver of possible problems. The EPM system primarily utilizes existing on-board computer capabilities to maximize the effectiveness of the charging systems, manage the load, improve battery state-of-charge and life, and minimize the system’s impact on fuel economy.

Fuel Tank Installation: Avoiding The Second Drop

Nothing is worse than a comeback after a fuel tank has been dropped. Discovering that the fuel tank needs to be dropped again to address a problem can kill shop productivity and profitability. Below are tips that can help you avoid comebacks and dropping the fuel tank for a second time.

Coolant Transfusion: Proper Selection Prevents System Degradation

Coolant is mostly a mixture of ethylene glycol and water, with a small percentage being solvents, additives and inhibitors – but it’s the mixing and matching of those last pieces that really determine what coolant should be used and when. There are three main coolant buckets, defined by their different additive philosophies.

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Timing Chain Replacement Diagnosis And Repair

Often maintenance neglect, head gasket replacement or related valvetrain issues will require the timing chain to be serviced. If you are replacing the timing chain, you need to look at all the related components. Keep reading for timing chain replacement best practices.

Head Gasket Repair And Diagnostics

Head gasket repair sits atop the Mount Rushmore of challenging repair jobs a technician may be faced with. Dealing with head gasket issues isn’t for the inexperienced tech. Although these jobs can bring a nice profit, the work can be complex and time-consuming. Here are some things every tech should know before tackling a head gasket repair job.

Porosity Issues And Engine Gaskets

Porosity refers to any void or hole found in a casting. These voids can be caused by gases and contaminates present during the casting process and typically occur near the outer parts or at the top of a casting. Honda, GM, Chrysler and other OEMs have all had issues with the porosity of some castings.

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Water Pump Cavitation: What Cavitation In Pumps Means

The tiny “bubbles” of cavitation kill water pumps. While you will never actually see the tiny bubbles of cavitation in pumps, you can see the damage of water pump cavitation that looks like metal eaten by termites. That is because these are not really bubbles you see when it comes to the cavitation in pumps – they are voids.

Think Before You Grab The Scanner

Scott “Gonzo” Weaver tells the story of what can happen when you forget the basics as a technician.