Mazda: Performing Regular Undercar Maintenance
Brake and suspension problems will surface in a couple of ways, the most common of which are noise-related. The suspension noise will generally be a knocking sound as the car is driven over bumps, or a noise when the steering wheel is turned. With the brakes, you’ll be hearing noise issues that range from an occasional squeak to a constant grinding noise.
Mazda Timing Belt And Chain Replacement
Since belts are a service item, timing belt service needs to be part of a good maintenance plan. We recommend that the timing belt be replaced, along with the water pump and accessory drive belts, at 90,000-100,000 miles. If the customer has budget concerns, we’ll explain why we recommend the pump replacement and let them take the gamble that it will last another 100,000 miles – with the understanding that if the pump should fail, this labor-intensive job will have to be redone.
Kia Driveability Diagnostics: Chasing Intermittent Gremlins
Our initial inspection had us looking for codes with an enhanced scanner in the hope we’d find a code that may give us a hint on where to start with this one. We found no codes, but we just didn’t take off the scanner and go back to scratching our heads. One of the things I’m always telling my techs is to use the information that the scanner offers when diagnosing a driveability issue. Even if there are no codes present, the data list will give you a good real-time look at what’s happening with the computer-controlled systems.
Honda: Tracking Down Obscure Chassis-Related Noise Complaints
When the high-mileage V6 Honda Accord was written up at dropoff, notes were added for the tech to look for loose sway bar links and bushings based on the customer’s description of a knocking noise over bumps. While the mileage was high, we’ve serviced this car for years and knew the customer took good care of it. After the initial road test, the tech agreed that it sounded like a sway bar-related problem and it was loud enough that it shouldn’t be difficult to pinpoint. Both the tech and customer agreed it was coming from the right-front.
Nissan: Solving Performance & Check Engine Light Issues
Learn how to diagnose various Nissan engine performance issues, including those that involve no crank, no spark; various DTCs like P0507, P0335 and P0755; crank and crank sensor issues; and fuel delivery concerns.
Kia Preventive Maintenance
Import Specialist Bob Dowie takes a look at the Kia line of vehicles, focusing on common problems and maintenance items that will have them finding their way to your bays. Kia continues to offer a reliable, affordable vehicle lineup that provides import specialist techs with plenty of opportunities for maintenance and repair.
Hyundai: An Intermittent Problem That Stumped A Body Shop
We’re going to be looking at an intermittent poor-run, hard-start complaint on a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. This car came to us by way of a body shop with which we work closely. We received a call from the body shop that this car had been delivered back to the client a couple of weeks before. All was going well for a couple of days, when they received a call that the car was hard starting and running poorly. With it back in their shop, as you would expect, it ran and started well with the only sign of a problem being a check engine light with a P0087 code indicating the Fuel Rail/System Pressure was low.
Kia: Uncovering Unperformed Maintenance
While some vehicle problems will motivate the customer to make an appointment, an equal amount of Kia repair opportunities will be discovered as the vehicle is being serviced. If you’re not already doing so, always encourage your customers to keep their vehicle maintenance up to date. And, just as important, let them know your techs are
Hyundai Fuel System, Emissions Diagnostics
Hyundai has done a good job of improving its offerings over the years from both an aesthetic and mechanical viewpoint. Complemented by a strong warranty and good value, the carmaker has been able to increase its market share year over year. If you aren’t seeing these cars in your bay, it’s only a matter of
Honda Electrical System Diagnostics
This month, we’ll be taking a look at the charging and starting system on the Honda line of vehicles. Hondas are always welcome at our shop, as they are good, reliable cars that fix well and for which there is good service information and parts availability. Honda charging systems won’t present many problems for the
Solving Mazda Driveability Complaints
This article will look at Mazda driveability issues as well as some of the more common ailments that will bring a car into your bay with a check engine lamp complaint. The most common failure we see on Mazda models is a torn air intake hose between the airflow sensor and the throttle body. The symptoms that result from this failure are hard to miss, but fool the customer into mistakenly thinking that the transmission is the problem.
Kia Brake & Chassis Repairs
Import Specialist Bob Dowie advises that while the Kia suspension system will provide many problem-free miles, from a safety standpoint, it could be argued that the steering and suspension system on any car is the most critical. That’s why it’s so important that every car that goes on the lift should get a basic safety check.