Diagnostic Dilemma: 1999 Dodge Dakota Intermittent Stall Complaints
Diagnosing intermittent stalling complaints is a challenging experience for any diagnostic technician because any number of electrical and mechanical failures can cause an engine to intermittently stall. Most of us immediately narrow this laundry list of potential failures down to the most common few, which include components like the crankshaft position sensor and electric fuel pump.
Air Filter Fuel Trim Diagnostics
The modern engine measures two things extremely well, the amount of air going into the combustion chamber with the mass airflow sensor (MAF), and the byproducts that are generated by the combustion event with the oxygen sensor. These measurements allow the engine’s computer to put the right amount of fuel and spark into the cylinder to give the most efficient and cleanest combustion event.
How Does The EGR And Secondary Air Injection Work With The Catalytic Converter?
The perfect internal combustion vehicle would be able to put the exact amount of fuel and air into the combustion chamber. If the perfect combustion event happened, you would get nothing more than water and carbon dioxide. There would not be any unburned fuel or oxygen. What would be needed to make this happen? Direct injection into the combustion chamber is a good start. You would also need the perfect combustion chamber free from hot spots – areas of unwanted turbulence or carbon build up. In the mean time, we have exhaust gas recirculation systems (EGR), secondary air injection and catalytic converters to reduce emissions
Diagnostic Solutions: Direct Fuel Injection Systems
For veteran technicians, it’s no wonder that the internal combustion engine (ICE) has been pronounced “dead” on more than one occasion. After having gone through the gas turbine craze during the early 1960s and the rotary engine fad of the 1970s, it comes as no surprise that we’re witnessing still another resurrection of the reciprocating internal combustion engine in the form of gasoline direct fuel injection.
Tech Tip: Lexus Fuel Injector ‘Ticking’ Noise
Some customers with 2004-’05 model year RX 330 vehicles may complain of a “ticking” noise from the engine compartment when the engine is idling. Updated fuel main tube and fuel tube clamps are now available.
GB Remanufacturing Releases 2014 Fuel Injection Catalog
GB Remanufacturing Inc. has announced the release of its latest catalog: Fuel Injection 2014. The new catalog includes both gasoline and diesel fuel injectors, diesel electronics, components and injector seal kits.
Engine Series: Cummins Diesel Powers Dodge For Nearly 25 Years
When you hear the name Cummins, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Most of the time, if you have any knowledge of trucks, a Dodge truck is the first thing that comes to mind. The Cummins diesel engine has always had a great reputation for reliable diesel power. Though the Cummins diesel engine can be found in many applications, it seems to obtain most of its credit from drivers of over the road trucks.
Tech Tip: Coil-On-Plug Misfire Diagnostic Tips For Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Engines
The misfiring cylinder must be identified through Self-Test misfire codes or through WDS Power Balance. Rule out base engine problems; rule out fuel problems; and then look at
ignition problems (be sure to rule out coil primary circuit issues).
Tech Talk: Biomass or Bio Mess?
Addressing the issues associated with ‘Home Brewed’ Bio-Diesel
2014 Corvette LT1: The Engine Under the Hood
The art and science behind its combustion system makes the Corvette LT1 one of the most advanced V8 engines in the world.
Ford Tech Tip: Cackling Powerstroke Injector
Some Ford diesel vehicles with the 7.3L engine may experience a misfire or “cackle.” The injectors in the 7.3L diesel run off of the high-pressure engine oil pump.The #8 injector is the farthest away from the oil pump, causing a filling problem, which may result in a misfire. Ford replaced the #8 injector in some vehicles as needed with a different injector to solve the problem.
Tech Feature: Diagnosing Diesel Injector Problems
Injectors can fail in ways other than becoming just worn out or tired. Diesel guru Bob McDonald discusses common and not so common injector fails.