Hot Tips From Hot Rod Builders
Sometimes the best opportunities are cleverly hidden in plain view. As one example, when Chris Lafferty of Lafferty Engine Creations was asked why he opted to expand beyond race engines into the hot rod and muscle car arenas, he snorted, “Just look outside.” His North Carolina facility sits squarely in the middle of both NASCAR
Servicing GM’s 3800 V6 Engines
The Buick 231 cu. in. 3.8L V6 engine has had a production run lasting more than 30 years. Like the small block Chevy V8, this engine has undergone many changes over the years to keep it abreast of changing consumer expectations and emissions regulations. The first Buick 3.8L was offered in the 1975 model year
BMW Engine Repairs
Though six-cylinder, inline engines are not as popular today as they were just 25 years ago, their sound and layout still translates well into high performance, durability and smoothness. The six-cylinder M50 series was originally used in 5 series cars in the early 1990s, and is now the basis for the 3 and 5 series
Fuel Injector Service: The Basics and Beyond
and go traffic conditions. Because high underhood heat usually increases electrical and clogging failures in fuel injectors, fuel-injected vehicles driven in metro areas may generally need more maintenance than vehicles driven in rural areas. We can also generally say that many late 1980s and early 1990s fuel injectors fail more often because of poor design,
Tech Tip: Noise, Vibration and Harshness Diagnosis
Since the earliest days of the automotive service business, "squeak and rattle" diagnostics has become a euphemism for low-profit, nuisance repair work. Unfortunately for those of us in the auto repair business, even our best customers have the occasional need for noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) diagnostics. On the plus side, if NVH diagnostics are approached in a methodical manner, profitability and customer satisfaction can be greatly improved.
Tech Tip: Multiple Cylinder Misfire on Cherokee, Grand Cherokee and Wrangler Vehicles
The customer may experience an incident of engine misfire during certain vehicle operating conditions. The misfire may occur when the vehicle is operated between 50-70 mph and under light loading conditions, e.g. slight uphill road grades. This condition may occur at all ambient conditions, but is more noticeable when ambient conditions are less than 0° C (32° F).
Diagnostic Solutions: Noise, Vibration & Harshness Diagnosis
Since the earliest days of the automotive service business, “squeak and rattle” diagnostics has become a euphemism for low-profit, nuisance repair work. Unfortunately for those of us in the auto repair business, even our best customers have the occasional need for noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) diagnostics. On the plus side, if NVH diagnostics are
Tech Tip: Diagnosing a Cylinder that is Misfiring
A flashing Check Engine light and a P0301 to P0312 diagnostic trouble code are sure-fire indicators that one or more cylinders are misfiring. Occasional misfires may pass unnoticed, but a steady misfire is hard to miss. The engine usually feels rough, lacks power and uses more gas than usual. Sometimes a misfire may feel like a vibration. A misfire also will cause a huge increase in hydrocarbon (HC) emissions out the tailpipe, which can cause a vehicle to fail an emissions test.
Tech Tip: Chrysler 2.7 Oil Pressure Loss
The AERA Technical Committee offers the following information regarding sudden loss of oil pressure on 1997-2005 Chrysler 2.7L VIN R, U and V engines. This loss of engine oil pressure has usually occurred shortly after replacement of the engine oil pump.
Tech Feature: Power Your Profits with Performance Mods
The sport compact car market is certainly a good place to be these days. One of the advantages of doing import performance modifications and upgrades is that you don’t have to wait for cars to break to get business. The people who drive these cars spend money on performance modifications regardless of the age, mileage or condition of their vehicles.