Better Breathing: EGR Improvements
So Why Do We Have EGR? By Glen Beanard, technical contributor The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system was created in the early 1970s for the same No. 1 ranking motivation that drives every other engine management system design — to reduce emissions. The EGR valve targets one specific pollutant, oxides of nitrogen (NOx). Under normal
A Brief History
In 1931, people thought Edward S. Babcox was insane for launching a magazine in the middle of the great depression. But, 75 years and almost 900 issues later, BRAKE & FRONT END is still going strong. For the past few months, I have been reading back issues of BRAKE & FRONT END non-stop. In musty
Tech Tip: How Engine Oil Becomes Engine Sludge
Fresh engine oil is a clear, free-flowing liquid blend of base stock and additives that contains no fuel, water, coolant, dirt or other contaminants. In engines that have failed prematurely, the oil has very often been transformed into a high viscosity deposit of brown or black goo, commonly referred to as "sludge."
VW OBD II Revisited: Good Vehicle Service History Helps Determine Causes of Repeat Failures
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 VAG 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
Publisher’s Perspective: 85% of Vehicles Need You Right Now
If you’ve been in this business for a while, I’m sure you’re aware of National Car Care Month and have probably participated in a vehicle check-up event (where you do free vehicle inspections in a parking lot or fire station). With roughly 150,000 independent shops across the country, how many vehicle check lane events do
Perspective: 85% of Vehicles Need You Right Now
If you’ve been in this business for a while, I’m sure you’re aware of National Car Care Month and have probably participated in a vehicle check-up event (where you do free vehicle inspections in a parking lot or fire station). With roughly 150,000 independent shops across the country, how many vehicle check lane events do
Universal Underwriters Warns Technicians to Use the Right Tool for the Job
Bad things can and do happen when you don’t use the right tool for the job. Misuse of small hand tools can cause minor injuries or property damage. Using certain types of equipment improperly can have far worse consequences including death, serious injuries and catastrophic property losses.
Weather Report
Today’s forecast is hot — damn hot with sprinkled patches of grease, burns, scrapes and fussy service managers. Does this sound like your shop in the summer? The alternative calls for waaaay cold with reports of numb fingers and aching feet and toes from standing on ice-cold concrete for eight hours at a time. The
Tech Tip: Diagnosing Subaru Cooler Weather and Driveability Complaints
As the winter season approaches, cooler weather becomes apparent in many parts of the country. With this cooler weather comes the common cool-weather-related driveability complaints.
Tech Tip: Water Pumps – Why They Fail and When to Replace Them
If you’ve wondered how much work a water pump must do, remember that only about 30 percent of the heat energy produced by combustion results in mechanical energy. That estimate, of course, is a mathematical comparison between the heat value of the gasoline going into the engine, and the heat value of the mechanical energy coming out of the engine. The remainder of combustion heat must then be dissipated into the atmosphere through the exhaust, lubrication and cooling systems.