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.
Tool Rules: Breathing New Life into Pneumatic Tools
Air tools save technicians time, but require their own maintenance to ensure they’ll provide support. People who have made a professional career out of using air tools, such as Rich Evans of Huntington Beach Bodyworks, will tell you that there are two enemies of pneumatic equipment — Dirty Air and Moisture.
Hybrid Case Study
There are a lot of differences between the increasingly popular hybrid electric vehicle and a traditional gas vehicle. That is why AVI has provided these 17 case studies to help you up your voltage by getting to know the technical issues that you will encounter when servicing these vehicles. This program is loaded with inside information and time saving tips to help you repair these vehicles more efficiently and effectively.
Undercover Take II: Becoming Unbalanced
Tricks and Tips to Help You Handle Common Ride Complaints
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.
Report Card: Dynamic Duo — Contest Finalists Serve as ‘Senior’ Advisors
Zachary Bryant and Corey Zamenski set an extraordinary precedent at the Ford/AAA Auto Skills finals in June – it was the first time two juniors participated on a team at the national level.
Undercover: The 10 Commandments of Shocks and Struts
Many things affect vehicles in motion, including its speed, road conditions, wind and weight distribution. Therefore, the vehicle suspension system — shocks, struts and springs — must be in good condition to handle these variables. Here are 10 tips to help you better service these components.
Collision: Spraying Waterborne Paints
I’ve been a painter for about 20 years and have been spraying waterborne paint for the last three years. And I’ll tell you what a successful transition from solventborne paint to waterborne is all about: attitude
Cooling System Cures: Performing Water Pump Check-Ups
The water pump, used to keep coolant circulating between the engine and radiator to get rid of the heat, is such an important component that should be checked along with the cooling system on regular intervals.
Report Card: Healthy Attitudes Are Contagious
A new report shows that vehicle “health” shares the front seat with personal health. Results of the nationwide survey from Shell Oil Company shows that 73% of respondents go out of their way to make sure their cars are in tip-top condition through maintenance, while 68% go out of their way to keep physically fit through regular exercise.