Up in Vapor
Gasp! It’s the “Gas Cap Code”! Oh no, you just pulled a code P0422, evaporative purge small leak detected… Here goes the needle in the haystack syndrome. So what do you do? Recommend a new gas cap and ship it? Well you could do that, but would that be in your or your customer’s best
Tech Tip: Water Entering Fuse Box on Mercedes-Benz
The fuse box (F1) and SAM (N10-1) on 1998 E320 (202/208/210) vehicles are not waterproof, only water-resistant. A strong spray of water can cause moisture to enter these modules and possibly cause corrosion and/or poor contact.
Danica Patrick Kicks Off Hometown Racing Promotion with PEAK Antifreeze
Danica Patrick, 2005 IndyCar Rookie of the Year, returned to her hometown recently to announce the details of the new PEAK Antifreeze 300 for the 300 Sweepstakes at a press conference held July 25 at Chicago’s ESPN Zone.
AC Update: Finding and Fixing Leaks
Finding refrigerant leaks is a major aspect of A/C service. It makes no sense to recharge a leaky system with refrigerant if it will soon leak back out. Ultraviolet dyes can make even the smallest leaks clearly visible. But not all OEMs approve of their use. The domestic OEMs (Ford, GM and Chrysler) all use
BMW Tech Tip: Noise When Turning the Steering Wheel
Some owners of E38s, E39s and E53s may complain of a squealing, groaning or grinding noise when turning the steering wheel.
Nissan Tech Tip: Worn A/T Differential Pinion Shaft
Debris from a worn differential pinion mate shaft can cause the following: slipping on acceleration; hesitation and/or stalling when cold; and abnormal noise coming from the transmission while driving. A countermeasure transmission differential case, with improved lubrication to the differential pinion mate shaft, has been developed to resolve these types of transmission incidents.
AC Update: Running A/C Diagnostic Tests Before Dash Surgery
I must have worked on Mercedes-Benz automobiles for 15 years before I ever replaced an evaporator. Through the 1970s, we pulled many an evaporator out of 107 and 116 chassis models to repair a poorly designed interior drainage system. The early models had little flappers on two interior tubes that carried the condensation to a
BMW Tech Tip: Hard Shifts/Leak at Torque Converter Seal
BMW owners may complain of difficult shifting. An inspection performed by a trained technician may also uncover noise coming from the transmission oil pump or a transmission fluid leak from the radial seal on torque converter. Refer to the following tech tip for helpful service pointers.
Management: Shop Appearance – A Few Cost-Effective Updates Will Make a Big Difference to Your Technicians and Customers
First impressions are everything, especially when it comes to new customers. The appearance of your shop is not only important to your customers, but it’s where your techs spend most of their time. If you want to make those two groups of people happy, read on.
Dodge to Ignite Mid-Size SUV Market: Introduces All-New 2007 Dodge Nitro
The Dodge brand – which is no stranger to creating innovative automotive products and features – is spicing up the mid-size SUV segment with the 2007 Dodge Nitro, a new sport-utility vehicle whose bold and aggressive styling matches its dynamic performance.