Auxiliary Water Pumps – How One Component Can Upset Your Cooling System Diagnostic Logic
A Mercedes comes into the shop with a complaint of poor heater performance. The driver says during cold mornings that the heater will blow cold while he’s driving to work during rush hour traffic. The car is not overheating and the air is coming from the correct ducts. Your first reaction might be to install a new thermostat and inspect the heater core for a blockage. During a test drive, the system may perform great for you. Is the customer just cold blooded?
Audi Fuel System Diagnostics
When a 2009 Audi A4 was towed in the other day, and Code P0087/16471 “Fuel System Rail Pressure Too Low” was found stored in the ECM, it was way too easy for my tech to say, “I bet it needs a new high-pressure pump.” If I were a betting man, he would have lost. It seems that nine times out of 10, it does need a high-pressure pump, but there are other problems that will set that code.
VW & EPA Fiasco Brings Reflashing Into The Spotlight
It was revealed VW cheated on EPA emissions tests by programming 2009-2015 diesel vehicles to recognize test conditions the EPA uses. This practice has been going on since the 1990s when sensors gained enough resolution to determine the approximate ambient temperature and transmissions started to share vehicle speed with the engine’s computer.
Understanding The Science Of Connecting Rods
They say an engine is only as reliable as its weakest link. The connecting rods that join the pistons with the crank can be a strong link or a weak link depending on the rods that are used. Most late model stock engines use powder metal rods. They are inexpensive to manufacture, require minimal machining to finish and are adequate for stock power levels and normal driving.
Proper Coolant Selection Prevents System Degradation
Coolant is easily analogized to blood, both being liquids that are essential to the functioning of an entire complex system. The analogy extends even Âfurther though because, like blood, coolant has different types, and it’s not a stretch these days to say that swapping an OAT with an HOAT, or vice versa, is on the level of transfusing Type A blood with Type B.
Under the Hood: DTC P0301 – An Advanced Misfire Story
This article will document code P0301 — Misfire Activity on Cylinder No. 1 — a code many of you have run into, but sometimes we have case studies that are worthy of mention. Our subject vehicle is a 2007 Mercury Mountaineer. The vehicle has a P0301 stored in its memory. The lead tech working on
Chevy’s Strokers Stay on Track
Popularity of 348 and 409 W Motors Continues
The Inner Workings of Variable Valve Timing Technology
Variable valve timing (VVT) is a way to advance/retard valve timing, and change duration, overlap and even lift in some applications while the engine is running. VVT is computer-controlled and typically uses oil pressure to change the position of a phaser mechanism on the end of the camshaft to advance or retard cam timing. VVT
Vehicle Parts Storage that Evolves as Business Does
Changing parts and restricted space can hurt storage and service efficiency. A new flexible type of storage system can create denser, more space and labor-efficient parts storage capacity as business, budget, or storage needs change.
Under the Hood: Counting Carbs
Dissecting Old School Performance Fuel Systems