Diagnostic Solutions: Fluid Maintenance Issues
Several factors are driving modern fluid maintenance services. First, a modern vehicle’s service life often extends to well over 200,000 miles and good fluid maintenance practices are, in part, responsible for that remarkable achievement. Second, car counts in many shops are declining because late-model vehicles require less scheduled maintenance and less frequent repairs. Consequently, many shops are looking at add-on services, such as fluid maintenance, to boost shop revenues.
Turbocharger Technology Continues to Improve
With the ability to increase fuel economy by up to 20% on gas vehicles and up to 40% on diesel vehicles, manufacturers have resorted to turbochargers to compensate for lowered engine displacement. Additionally, the improvements on turbocharging technology have increased the number of turbocharged vehicles on American roads. Some turbocharger manufacturers have even projected the number of turbocharged vehicles in the U.S. to quadruple in the next five years.
Mercedes-Benz: Managing Misfires, Solving Those Strange, Intermittent Engine Vibrations
Automotive Electronics Diagnostician Sergio Fernandez discusses how to solve those strange, intermittent engine vibrations on a 2003 E320, with 3.2L V6 engine and 120,000 miles. The diagnosis begins with these findings: DTC P0305, misfire on cylinder #5; and DTC P0301, misfire on cylinder #1.
New Reality TV Show Based On Female Car Mechanic
Oakes Entertainment and Pam’s Motor City are proud to announce “Car E.R.,” a new reality series starring Pam Oakes and the employees of Pam’s Motor City in Fort Myers, FL. Sponsored by ACDelco, “Car E.R.” follows Pam, Peter (her long time fiance) and the rest of the gang at Pam’s Motor City as they deal with tricky automotive repairs, esoteric customers, and serious attitudes within the shop. Of course, not everything’s a problem, and there’s a lot of fun and good times, too.
Diagnostic Solutions: Engine Lubrication System Problems
Auto manufacturers are continuing to reduce vehicle maintenance requirements by extending oil change intervals, but many vehicle owners are forgetting to check their engine’s oil level between oil changes, warns Gary Goms, import specialist contributor. As such, extended oil change intervals are changing how we should recommend and perform scheduled vehicle maintenance.
Federal-Mogul Introduces 64 New Fel-Pro Gaskets, Sets and Specialty Sealing Products
Federal-Mogul says its Fel-Pro gaskets line from continues to grow, with 64 new gaskets, sets and related parts recently introduced for a range of domestic and import applications.
Walker Products Releases 2012 Marine Catalog
Walker Products of Garden Grove, CA, announces the official release of their 2012 Marine Products Catalog. The more extensive catalog features more than 60 new parts within the categories of Engine Sensors, Carburetor Kits & Components, Fuel Injection, O2 Sensors, Fuel Pump Repair Kits and more.
Service Solutions: The ‘CKP’ Script
The signal of the position or rotation speed of the crankshaft position sensor (CKP) contains a lot of information about the engine. When the engine is operating, the engine cylinders push on the crankshaft journal. This is why the crankshaft briefly accelerates after top dead center (TDC) on the expansion (or combustion) stroke. If the fuel did not ignite in the cylinder there would no acceleration.
Brake Job on 2000-2006 Hyundai Elantra
The initial inspection revealed the front rotors were below specifications and had uneven pad wear on the right front inboard pad. The rear drums were also out of specification and a leaking wheel cylinder had contaminated the brake shoes. Hyundai recommends replacement of the wheel cylinders if any brake fluid is found in the dust boots. Runout measurements of the rotors and hubs revealed little or zero runout.
Driving Technology: The Quest for Improved Battery Output
The search is on for new materials to boost battery energy storage and output.