Preventive Cooling System Service: Keeping P0128 Codes Away
Of the engine’s two vital fluid systems, lubrication and cooling, the cooling system might need more routine maintenance. If we don’t inspect and service the cooling system as required, the system might fail well before the next extended interval oil change is due. With that said, let’s explore a few ways to inspect cooling systems on extended maintenance interval vehicles.
VIDEO: Overheating In The Summer Heat
Andrew Markel shows how you can diagnose the overheating vehicles that will be coming to your shop in the hot weather. Sponsored by Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper.
Ultimate Underhood: Heated Air Intake
The heated air intake was used on many 1970s vehicles to reduce startup emissions on carbureted engines. The systems typically used a thermostat that would open a vacuum switch. The vacuum would act on a diaphragm of a vacuum pot that would pull shut a door to divert the intake air.
Dodge/Jeep TSB: No A/C Over 50 MPH, Engine Runs Hot
This bulletin involves inspecting the primary thermostat housing for a resin material (debris) blocking the cylinder head coolant port. Models: 2010 Journey, Avenger, Compass, Patriot and Caliber.
VIDEO: Three Steps To Diagnose A Poor Heater Performance Complaint
A poor heater performance complaint from a car or truck owner can be caused by low coolant, a blocked heater core or an open thermostat. Andrew Markel discusses the diagnostic strategies for solving a cold driver complaint. Sponsored by Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper.
5 Tricks To Solving Belt Noise
Engineering a belt system is one of the most difficult jobs for OEMs. There are contact, frictional, centrifugal and peripheral forces that must be taken into account. If they get it right, the belt will be quiet, efficient and last 100,000 miles. If they get it wrong, the belt will be noisy or rob the engine of power. For technicians, the job is even tougher. Variables that the engineer did not factor in can put the belt and your diagnostic skills to the test. But there are four techniques you can use to solve belt noise problems.
Engineered Accessory Drive Serpentine Belt Replacement
You might not be able to see it, but an accessory drive belt is always both speeding up and slowing down. When a piston accelerates downward after the ignition of the fuel and air, the crankshaft speeds up and then slows down as it reaches the bottom of the stroke. These changes in speed are minimal, but big enough to cause problems.
Electronically Controlled Thermostats: A New Take On Wax And Brass
An electronic thermostat can preemptively control the temperature the same way the fuel injection system can control the stoichiometric ratio in the combustion chamber by changing the pulse width of the fuel injector. By being able to control the temperature of the coolant, the engine management system can optimize engine performance so leaner combustion events can take place and cold start periods are minimized.
K-Seal Launches K-Seal Academy
K-Seal International has announced K-Seal academy, an online training program on engine cooling and repair. The program is free of charge, and can be completed in under 10 minutes, claims K-Seal. The program goes over the basics of the technology, showing how an engine is cooled, different types of leak repair technology, common issues in the cooling system, and how to use the Academy’s information to add value to your shop’s customer service.
Electric Water Pump Replacement
We recently had a 2007 BMW Z4 with the N52 engine in the shop. When diagnosing a faulty electric water pump, the first thing that needs to be done is to verify if there are any water pump-related diagnostic codes. There’s a very good chance there will be some. I then like to perform a visual inspection, but don’t look for the water pump from the top of the engine. You’ll want to drop the lower panels, and you will see the pump on the lower right side of the engine.
Volkswagen: Identifying And Mixing Factory Fill Engine Coolants
Coolants G11, G12, G12+ and G12++ have been replaced by an improved version. G13 coolant is introduced on all engines.
Underhood Update On R-1234yf Refrigerant
If you haven’t had a lot of experience dealing with R-1234yf in your shop yet, get ready. You’re going to steadily be seeing a lot more of this refrigerant in the coming years. Underhood Service talked with ASE Executive Director of Special Projects Dave Cappert about R-1234yf updates and best practices techs need to know to be able to service these vehicles before one catches you off guard.
