Arizona Repair Shop Opens New Seven-Bay Facility
Gasoline Alley recently opened its brand new facility in Green Valley, AZ. The new shop, which is next to its previous location, features seven service bays as well as a sophisticated exhaust system, evaporative coolers to keep the shop cool during the summer and a waste oil heating system for the winter.
Tech Feature: Updating the Late-Model Hemi
When we started this project, we were anxious to find out how much power a Hemi stroker could produce. The block of choice was a 5.7L, based primarily on the fact that it is hard to find a 6.1L in a salvage yard.
Crankshaft and Camshaft Position Sensor Diagnosis
Nothing is more frustrating than diagnosing an intermittent cranking, no-start complaint with no diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) and no apparent failure pattern. Much of the time, the cranking, no-start complaint lies with a failing crankshaft or camshaft position sensor. Many of these failures can be heat-related and might require several warm-up cycles to duplicate.
Stant Introduces New Products at AAPEX 2010
Stant is a leading developer and manufacturer of automotive fuel systems, fuel caps, radiator caps and thermostats and leverages its OEM experience to provide quality products for the aftermarket.
Tech Feature: Sizing Up the Valve Guide
The valve guide is designed to support the valve during operation as well as transfer heat for cooling. OK, we all know that part, but when the guides become worn they will increase oil consumption and lose their ability to transfer heat and that’s when we need to replace and resize the valve guide.
Tech Tip: Kia Throttle Body Cleaning
Some Kia drivers may complain of an engine that is hard to start, or that won’t start at all. DTCs P2110, P2118 or P2119 (throttle valve stuck closed) may be present on Theta 2.0L/2.4L engine-equipped vehicles. The condition may occur from carbon deposits and/or fuel additives accumulated in the throttle body.
ALIGNMENT & SUSPENSION SPECS: 2002-2010 Jeep Liberty
The Liberty (2002-2007 KJ+2008-2010 KK) was the replacement for the Cherokee (XJ). The major changes from the Cherokee to the Liberty were an independent front suspension and trailing arm rear suspension. Compared to the Cherokee, the Liberty is actually easier to align.
Tech Tip: Fix for a Creaky Cadillac CTS Suspension
Some Cadillac 2003-2006 CTS owners may comment on a squeak or creak-type noise coming from the front of the vehicle. This noise typically occurs while braking or during slow turns, such as parking lot maneuvers. The cause of this noise may be due to a worn rear bushing on the front lower control arm rubbing against its outer rate washer. Installing a front lower control arm rear bushing spacer, as described in this Tech Tip, may correct the situation.
Thieves Targeting Repair Shops in Search of Inspection Stickers
Thieves looking for inspection stickers recently broke into three auto repair shops in the Hooksett, NH, area. Two of the shops had alarm systems, but the burglars cut the wires before entering the businesses. One shop owner told a local reporter that he had “$24,000 in damage done for $50 worth of inspection stickers.”
Brochure Alerts Motorists to Importance of Diagnostics in Vehicle Operation and Performance
Bosch has released an informative brochure intended to help the motorist understand automotive diagnostics and vehicle flash reprogramming, how they work and why they are very important when servicing most vehicles. The brochure, “Vehicle Diagnosis” (#F00E380793), explains that “Today’s vehicles are like computers on wheels,” and increased complexity of today’s vehicles means that more and more vehicle systems will be managed by on-board computers called Electronic Control Modules (ECUs).