Oil Pumps & the Engine’s Lubrication System
p can restore gear-to-gear clearances but not gear-to-housing clearances. The end plate that covers the pump often develops a heavy wear pattern that is most noticeable on the outlet gear side. Regrinding the face of the plate smooth can restore end play tolerances between the plate and gears but it can’t compensate for wear inside
The Origins to a Breakdown
It’s interesting to see the look on a technician’s face as a vehicle gets towed into a shop on the back of a truck. That’s the opening scene for a no-start problem. You can usually tell when a technician thinks it’s good, and you can definitely tell when he thinks it’s bad. Not many techs
Selling Service for Low-Maintenance Ignition Systems
ition system maintenance as long as it feels like it’s “running good.” In reality, spark plugs eventually develop high electrical resistance because the electrodes wear away. When this happens, the secondary ignition voltage will increase until the ignition coil, ignition cable, spark plug boot or spark plug develops a high-voltage leak. When a high-voltage leak
Flash! Reprogramming Vehicle Computers
Typically, when someone brings up the subject of “flashing” you get two reactions. The technologically informed service professionals think about added revenue and service, while rowdier folks think about doing something that could land them in front of a judge. I think we can all agree that the first group is far better off, and
Engine Lubrication: Motor Oil, Pumps and Filters
The best way to get to the bottom of this subject is to go right to the heart of the engine’s lubrication system and start with the oil pump. The oil pump’s job is to suck oil in from the crankcase and push it through the filter and oil galleries to the crankshaft and camshaft
OHC Engine Repairs and Service on Chrysler’s 3.5L V6
Chrysler’s 24-valve 3.5L single overhead cam V6 engine was introduced back in 1993 in their LH platform cars (Chrysler Concorde, Dodge Intrepid and Eagle Vision). Since then it has been used in a variety of Chrysler models. The 3.5L engine is an even-firing power plant with aluminum cylinder heads, a single camshaft in each cylinder
Ending a Volvo Head Gasket Leak
Volvo engines have always been noted for their durability and long-term, trouble-free operation. But just like any internal combustion engine, they could develop head gasket problems that stem from owner neglect or the engine design. This article will detail the diagnostic process and procedures for replacing the head gasket in the most common Volvo engine
How Sensors Provide ‘Good Input’ for Diagnostics
One of the systems that Subaru has perfected through improved reliability over the years has been its distributorless ignition system (DIS) for all of its models. Because of the horizontally opposed design of its engines, the ignition system can be centrally mounted and made simple. In this article, we will touch on some common diagnostic
GM Timing Belt & Chain Service
Some overhead cam engines in General Motors vehicles use timing belts to drive the cam (the 2.0L for example), some use chains (2.3L Quad Four, Cadillac’s Northstar dual overhead cam 4.6L V8, the Aurora Northstar 4.0L V8 and Chevy’s Vortec 4200 inline six), and some use a combination of both (Chevrolet’s 3.4L V6). The rest
Diagnostic Dilemmas: Playing the Diagnostic Shell Game
More often than not, deciphering diagnostic trouble codes is like playing a high-tech version of the old circus sideshow “shell” game. In the trouble code shell game, we are led to believe that the pea (diagnostic solution) is hidden under one of the shells (DTCs) stored in the diagnostic memory. Unfortunately for the diagnostic technician,