Tech Feature: Boosting Profits Through Turbocharger Services
A turbo’s basic purpose is to boost power, so when an otherwise healthy engine suddenly becomes anemic, it often (but not always) means turbo trouble.
Carley’s Corner: Cars, Kids & College
Sending a kid off to college hundreds of miles from home with a car can be scary. Finding a repair shop for them helps you put yourself in your customers’ shoes.
Tool Feature: Tooling Up for TPMS
A Tire Pressure Monitoring System is a great safety innovation and has likely saved some lives, but TPMS also complicates tire replacement and rotation, and special tools are often required to reset the system.
Tech Feature: Troubleshooting BMW’s Condition Based Service System
BMW’s “Condition Based Service” (CBS) system monitors various maintenance items on the vehicle, and alerts the motorist when service is needed. But even this maintenance alert system can require maintenance itself.
Carley’s Corner: Confessions of a Tool Junkie
Larry Carley loves tools. And like most automotive buffs, he’s acquired many over the years.
Customize a Tool Storage System That Meets Your Needs
Most technicians own thousands of dollars worth of tools and equipment, and require a cabinet or chest with lots of storage capacity to hold the tools of their trade.
Tech Feature: Curbing Catalytic Converter Thefts
Catalytic converters have been disappearing at an alarming rate. The theft of these emission control devices is being perpetrated by sleazeballs looking for easy money. A thief can hock a pilfered converter for $25 to as much as $100 depending on the value of the precious metals inside it.
Tech Tip: How Can You Tell if a Head Gasket is Leaking or Has Failed?
The first symptoms of a head gasket that is failing are usually a slow loss of coolant with no visible leaks, engine overheating and/or a Check Engine light with cylinder misfire codes.
Tech Tip: Diagnosing a Noisy Wheel Bearing
The classic symptom of a bad wheel bearing is typically a cyclic chirping, squealing or growling noise that changes in proportion to vehicle speed. The sound may disappear at some speeds or only occur at certain speeds. The noise may get worse when turning, or it may disappear momentarily. So it’s difficult to make a diagnosis based on noise alone.
Tech Tip: Diagnosing a Squealing Serpentine Belt
Belt noise is typically a symptom of one of two things: belt glazing and/or slipping. If the belt has more than 50,000 miles on it, chances are it needs to be replaced.
Tech Tip: Checking Fuel Pressure
Fuel pressure can be checked by attaching a gauge to the Schrader valve fitting on the fuel injector rail, or by teeing the gauge into the fuel supply line if the fuel system lacks a test fitting.
Tech Feature: Tips for Servicing Performance Carburetors
Carburetors have been around forever, and are still the dominant fuel mixer for most circle track, drag racing and street performance muscle cars.