Larry Carley
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Diagnosing and Fixing Compressor Failures

The compressor is the heart of the refrigeration circuit. It pumps and pressurizes the refrigerant to move it through the A/C system. Compressors work hard and run hot, up to several hundred degrees and several hundred pounds per square inch of internal pressure, yet they rely on only a few ounces of lubricant to keep

Muscling in on Restoration & Performance Work: Part 1

As automotive technology continues to become more complex with each new model year, you may be longing for the “good ol’ days” when engines had carburetors and distributors but no sensors, fuel injectors or computers. Most driveability problems were fairly simple to diagnose and only required a trained ear and a few basic tools. Alas,

Hot Heads for Cool Cars

The numbers are not huge yet, but there is a growing demand for high-performance cylinder head work and other engine modifications on a variety of sport compact cars. The most popular nameplates are imports such as Honda, Acura and Mitsubishi, but coming on fast are Nissan, Toyota, Mazda, Subaru and Volkswagen – plus domestic models

The Future of Cool

Ed Sunkin, Editor, also contributed to this report Nobody knows exactly how refrigeration systems will change in the future, but it appears likely that R-134a’s days are numbered. The Europeans are seriously considering phasing it out starting in 2009. If that happens, the North American OEMs may follow suit. Though R-134a poses no danger to

Heater Service: A Year-Round Opportunity

Nothing is more annoying than a heater that blows cold air – except maybe one that leaks. So if you’re dealing with a heater problem, be it a leaker or one that doesn’t seem to put out much warmth, keep reading because this article can help you solve your heater blues. Before we get into

Servicing Brake Hydraulic Components

Anyone who works on brakes should be familiar with basic hydraulics and the various components that make up the hydraulic portion of the brake system. So if you’re not as familiar with this subject as you should be, keep reading and we’ll refresh your memory. We’ll start at the heart of the system, which is

Oil Change Intervals

Contaminants Can Be Engine Killers Contaminants tend to accumulate in all engines as the miles add up. Short-trip, stop-and-go city driving, as well as excessive idling, accelerate the rate at which these contaminants form. Changing the oil and filter regularly and using gasoline that contains an adequate amount of detergent to keep the fuel system,

Spark Plug Technology

Spark plugs have been around almost as long as the internal combustion engine. In 1902, spark plugs were first used with a high voltage magneto to provide reliable ignition. For the next 70 years, spark plugs were a high maintenance item thanks to tetraethyl lead, which was used as an octane-boosting additive in gasoline. Unfortunately,

A/C Update

Once a year the Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) hosts a trade show for A/C shop owners and technicians. This year’s event was held in Orlando, FL, January 22-24, and provided a wealth of service information to those who attended the technical sessions. For those who could not be there, we pass along some of

Aftermarket Update

Trade Press Gets First-Hand Look During Tour of Bosch’s State-of-the-Art South Carolina O2 Sensor Plant Oxygen sensors are one of the key sensors in every engine’s fuel management feedback control system. Consequently, O2 sensors play a vital role in maintaining low emissions, good fuel economy and peak performance. Developed by the Robert Bosch Corporation, O2

Transmissions & Clutches

The Ins and Outs of Manual Gear Box Repair

Understanding Today’s Multi-Coil Ignition Systems

Distributorless Ignition Systems (DIS) have been around for more than two decades, but in recent years the trend has been to multi-coil systems such as Coil On Plug (COP) or Coil Per Cylinder (CPC) ignition systems, and Coil Near Plug (CNP) ignition systems. COP systems have become the hot setup for a number of packaging,