Selling The Complete Serpentine Belt Job
Technicians and customers have pretty much accepted that the accessory serpentine drive belt should be replaced between 90,000 to 100,000 miles. It is a “slam dunk” sale to just replace the belt, but does that replacement belt have the same chance to survive the same mileage? Chances are in the next 90,000 to 100,000 miles the replacement belt will have to deal with problems the original belt did not – a worn tensioner, idler pulley bearing failure or component alignment issue.
Under the Hood: ‘Perfect Timing’ — Timing Belt Service for Toyota’s VVT-1 Engine
The focus of this article will be the timing belt replacement on a 2001 GS 300 with the in-line six-cylinder 2JZ-GE engine with VVT-i (Toyota’s variable valve timing).
Under the Hood: Gearing Up for Timing Chain and Belt Work
Timing belts and chains carry a heavy load. They have to turn the cam with enough force to overcome the resistance of all the valve springs. However, the main cause of belt wear is heat. As a belt wraps around and turns the sprockets, friction creates heat (this is in addition to the heat from the engine itself). Over time, this causes the rubber to lose flexibility, harden and crack.
Web Exclusive: Gearing Up for Timing Belt and Chain Work
The best time for a timing belt or chain to be replaced is before it fails. Technical Editor Larry Carley discusses items to consider when timing belt or chain work arrives in your shop or school in this Web Exclusive article.
Under the Hood: Short on Time – Compact Engine Timing Belt Service
As a rule, General Motors uses timing chains rather than timing belts on most of its engines. Timing chains are long-lived and reliable, and do not have a recommended replacement interval. But, not so with timing belts. One GM engine that does use a rubber timing belt is the 1.6L E-TECH II engine in the 2004 and up Chevrolet Aveo. We take a look at timing belt procedures for this and similar compact engines.
Brake Booster Replacement
Hydro-boost vehicles are not hard to work on, but they do require service information and a working knowledge of the system.
HYDROBOOST BRAKES: 10 SERVICING TIPS
Hydroboost brake systems are self-bleeding if there is no other problem in the system.
Power Steering Fluid Replacement
Sometimes the word “flush” has different meanings. For power steering, fluid exchange is a better description.
Video: Timing Service May Involve More Than The Chain
When a timing chain needs to be replaced it is recommended to replace related components as well. This video is sponsored by INA.
Diagnosing V8 Engine Oil Leaks
You already know that there are plenty of BMWs with V8 engines on the road today, but you might be surprised that they can have issues with oil leaks. Inevitably, some of these will find their way to your shop in need of service, so here are some common items to be aware of when they arrive at your shop for repairs.
