Honda Performance Upgrades
Service & Diagnostics Call it what you want — the compact performance market, sport compact market, import scene or the tuner market — but there’s no denying the import car performance segment has grown by leaps and bounds over the past decade. According to SEMA’s 2006 Compact Performance Market Report, retail sales for this niche
Diagnostic Solutions: Cylinder Head Service, Restoring the Engine to Precise OE Tolerances
Although cylinder head repairs have been a staple of the import repair shop for many years, modern technology has changed the way we should sell and perform cylinder head services. In years past, for example, a cylinder head repair need last only 30,000 or 40,000 miles until the vehicle was retired from service. Today, however,
The Circle of (Engine) Life: The Important Role Water Pumps Play in Engine Preservation…Restoring the Engine to Precise OE Tolerances
Amazingly, up to one-third of the heat energy produced inside an engine’s combustion chambers ends up as waste heat that goes into the block. This heat must be eliminated, otherwise the engine will overheat and self-destruct. The water pump keeps coolant circulating between the engine and radiator to get rid of the heat. The pump
Diagnostic Dilemmas: Temperature Tantrums
Solving temperature-related, no-code intermittent failures can be a frustrating experience for the diagnostic technician because the exact level of heat or cold needed to trigger the failure is often hard to duplicate. It’s also important to keep in mind that all electronic vehicle components are exposed to temperature extremes and thus are vulnerable to temperature-related
Who’s at Fault?…Top 10 Domestic Diagnostic Codes & Fixes
A Check Engine Light that’s illuminated is always a sign that something is wrong. But what? You usually can’t tell until you plug in a code reader or scan tool and read out the code(s) that have turned on the light. At least then you have a starting point for further diagnosis. Some people think
Foreign Affairs: VW P Codes — … Putting Out The MIL
After 10-plus years of dealing with OBD II, it should be apparent that we are on a learning curve that probably has no end. Almost daily we have a Volkswagen model come into the shop with a check engine light on, or a “state OBD II failure” form. Although we have the latest scanner software
Carley’s Corner: No Time for Training? Read This
I may not fix cars for a living anymore, but I do make my living writing about auto repair. For me, training is absolutely essential to keep my knowledge up-to-date. So I can’t imagine how anybody who spends the better part of his or her day hunched over a fender can get by without it.
Technicians’ Top 5 Favorite Tools & Equipment
Jeff Hume, John Partipilo, Terry Kirschbaum and Jesse Hernandez CMJ Automotive Addison, IL We went through an extensive study of the tools we use most often and the ones we just like a lot. Our list is in no particular order. Snap-on MODIS Scanner — Helps us diagnose vehicles faster and more efficiently. Huth Pipe
Nissan Tech Tip: Rattle Noise at Cold Engine Start
A customer with a Nissan vehicle may complain of a rattle/clatter noise for 2-3 seconds upon cold start of the engine. If the valve lifters make a rattle/clatter noise for 2-3 seconds when the engine is started cold, replace the valve lifters.
Penray SUPER-X Brand Catalog Now Available in Spanish
The Penray SUPER-X Brand Catalog is now available in Spanish. The catalog is divided into categories to highlight the products that are available in the SUPER-X line. The categories include Fuel & Oil, Tire, Maintenance, Functional, Industrial, Service, Cleaner, Cold Weather and Accessories.