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.
Cam Alignment During Timing Belt Installation
The most common cause found with immediate illumination of the MIL associated to cam sensor codes has been misalignment between the rear cam gear and timing belt. Illumination of the MIL will occur with the cam being one tooth advanced or retarded.
GM LS V8 VVT System: Oil Flow And Pressure
The CMP actuator system controls the amount of intake and exhaust valve overlap. The engine control module (ECM) can only command the CMP actuator to advance the valve timing from the park position or retard the valve timing back to the park position.
Subaru Gasket Failure
Subarus, like many other nameplates, have common problems, one of which I’ll discuss in this article. Head gasket failure has been something Subaru has struggled with to some extent since the 1980s. There are many thoughts as to why head gasket failure on Subaru has continued.
VIDEO: Choosing The Right Spark Plug Replacement
Andrew Markel shows the importance of choosing a spark plug replacement with the OE-recommended or better material. Sponsored by Robert Bosch.
Recognizing And Preventing Engine Sludge
Engine repairs are one of the most expensive costs associated with car ownership. If the engine, transmission or body is shot, those repairs can easily overwhelm your customers’ budgets. Engine sludge is a key contributor to engine failure; here’s how to recognize and prevent the problem before it becomes an issue.
Diagnostic Experience And Logic: Writing The Textbook
There’s a lot of theory that is not immediately applicable for working on modern vehicles. What textbooks forget is that no one can see what happens inside the combustion chamber of a modern engine.
Schaeffler Launches Repair Solution With Pulley Decoupler From The INA Brand
The INA repair solution will initially be offered for BMW vehicles with 1.5-liter and 3-cylinder gasoline engines and also should be available for certain vehicles from Opel and Volvo by the end of the year.
VIDEO: Understanding Modern Engine Intake, Water Pump And Thermostat Gaskets
Andrew Markel discusses new gasket designs and how they are used on modern engines. Sponsored by MAHLE.
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.
VIDEO: Electronic Thermostats
Andrew Markel goes over how the electronic thermostat works, including how it regulates temperature on startup and under load. Sponsored by MAHLE.
Ultimate Underhood Retro: Ignition Points
The ignition contact points that conduct the battery voltage are typically made of tungsten, and can be slowly eroded by the spark. The contact pad that rides on the shaft of the distributor can wear and change the dwell. The spring can lose tension over time and even break. Most point systems could not go past 4,000 RPM without the timing becoming unstable due to the arm bouncing on the distributor shaft.
