Directions: Highlights to GM’s Historic Anniversary
General Motors, which celebrates its 100-year anniversary this month, has provided the country and the automotive industry a rich and diverse history. Many achievements and some growing pains have occurred during this industry giant’s life. Here are just a few of these many industry-changing accomplishments. The staff at Underhood Service wishes General Motors another 100
Tech Tip: Choosing the Right Coolant
What makes choosing the right coolant so confusing today is that the automakers themselves can’t agree on what type of coolant chemistry is best for their vehicles. Some vehicle manufacturers prefer one type of corrosion inhibitors in their coolants, while other vehicle manufacturers may insist on a different type ….
Engine Tuning & Chassis Upgrades
When car manufacturers come out with a new engine design, some car enthusiasts eye the new technology from a perspective of how to squeeze more performance out of it. The smaller displacement engines that are turbocharged or supercharged tend to be the most likely chosen because of their power-to-weight ratio. When Saab introduced a turbocharged
Tech Tip: Tool Needed to Replace Timing Chain-Driven Water Pump
Replacing this water pump requires a special tool to secure the water pump sprocket. Failure to do so could result in misalignment of the engine’s balance shafts or significant engine damage. Remove the water pump access plate from the timing cover and install J 43651 Water Pump Sprocket Holding Tool, or equivalent. Secure tool to the sprocket and front cover and remove the sprocket bolts. Remove the water ….
DENSO Sales California Releases New 2008 Oxygen Sensor Catalog
DENSO Sales California has announced the availability of its new 2008 Oxygen Sensor catalog (#O2-cat-0608), which includes 344 new oxygen sensor part numbers, adding 8,095 new applications to cover an additional 57 million vehicles in operation. The catalog covers domestic and import automotive, light truck and van applications ….
Tech Tip: Locating the Source of an Engine Leak
Nothing upsets pernickety homeowners more than driveway stains caused by oil leaking from the vehicles of visiting friends and family. However, many of the vehicles that suffer oil leaks can be cured. It just takes a bit of detective work to locate the leak source and some labor time to make the repair. In essence, those technicians who take on leaking engine work aren’t only providing environmental repairs to the vehicle, they’re repairing relationships among family members and ….
Tech Feature: Correcting Coolant Confusion
Have you ever seen the inside of an aluminum water pump that was not adequately protected by the corrosion inhibitors in the coolant? Or a radiator or heater core that failed from the inside out because of internal corrosion? These kinds of parts failures are all too common. Yet they can be easily prevented by using the "right" coolant and changing the coolant before trouble starts to heat up.
Monotube Shocks
From the outside, most shock absorbers and struts look pretty much alike: a round steel tube that telescopes up and down with bushings or fittings on both ends. But inside there can be significant design differences that affect not only the ride control characteristics and performance of the damper, but also its cost. Last month,
Correcting Coolant Confusion
Have you ever seen the inside of an aluminum water pump that was not adequately protected by the corrosion inhibitors in the coolant? Or a radiator or heater core that failed from the inside out because of internal corrosion? These kinds of parts failures are all too common. Yet they can be easily prevented by
Tech Tip: Wiring Harness Connection Inspection
When servicing a vehicle for any type of customer concern – such as miscellaneous DTCs, intermittent driveability concerns, hard start, no start, incorrect gauges, inoperative air conditioning systems, service engine soon lamps illuminated, 4WD lamp illuminated, instrument panel gauges inoperative or cruise inoperative – the following steps are imperative.