Porsche Engine Diagnostics: Misfire Codes, Fuel Trim Faults, Secondary Air Injection
Porsche has been building engines for decades that will literally fit in a suitcase, but are still able to put out horsepower that rivals many larger engines. Find out how to keep the Porsche Boxster engine running smoothly.
Tech Tip: Faulty Catalytic Converter Can Lead to Lack of Power, Hesitation or Surge
Owners of 2000-’03 Buick Park Avenue 3.8L vehicles may complain of a lack of power, hesitation, surge and/or possible DTC P0420. This can be the result of the catalytic converter degrading and it will need to be replaced. DTC P0420 means the rear oxygen (O2) sensor has too much activity. This means it must be working and therefore the catalytic converter is bad and needs to be replaced. Be sure to perform ….
AMSOIL Unveils 148 New Intakes at SEMA
AMSOIL INC. and Injen Technology have introduced 148 new Injen/AMSOIL Intake Systems for gasoline powered autos and light trucks. The new intakes represent three kinds of intake systems: The SP Series features a ….
Tech Tip: Park Avenue Lacks Power
Owners of 2000-2003 Buick Park Avenues may complain of a lack of power, hesitation, surge and/or possible DTC P0420. These symptoms may occur because the catalytic converter has degraded and will need to be replaced. DTC P0420 means the rear oxygen (O2) sensor has too much activity. This means it must be working and therefore the catalytic converter is bad and needs to be replaced ….
Tech Tip: Future Refrigerant Options Help Environment, Pose Unique Problems
There has been a lot of discussion lately about the future of automotive refrigerants and their impact on the environment. Ozone depletion is no longer the main concern; now it’s global warming. Last year was the warmest year on record. Average temperatures all across the globe are on the rise, as are ocean temperatures. Arctic and Antarctic areas that are normally covered with ice during winter months are becoming ice-free. The frequency and intensity of ….
Tech Tip: Servicing GM’s 3800 V6 Engines
The Buick 231 cu. in. 3.8L V6 engine has had a production run lasting more than 30 years. Like the small block Chevy V8, this engine has undergone many changes over the years to keep it abreast of changing consumer expectations and emissions regulations. The first Buick 3.8L was offered in the 1975 model year Skyhawk, Apollo, Century and Regal. The engine was based on an earlier 198 cu. in. V6 that Buick introduced back in ….
Tech Tip: Larry Carley Covers the Top 10 Domestic Diagnostic Codes and Fixes
Some people think a code is all you need to fix a fault and turn off the Check Engine Light (or Malfunction Indicator Lamp or MIL). A diagnostic trouble code (DTC) certainly helps, but it only tells you that some kind of fault has occurred, and maybe the circuit or component associated with the fault. But no code by itself can tell you which part to replace, because in many instances any one of several causes may have set the code ….
Servicing GM’s 3800 V6 Engines
The Buick 231 cu. in. 3.8L V6 engine has had a production run lasting more than 30 years. Like the small block Chevy V8, this engine has undergone many changes over the years to keep it abreast of changing consumer expectations and emissions regulations. The first Buick 3.8L was offered in the 1975 model year
Tech Tip: Understanding How a Fuel System Works is the First Step in Diagnosing a Problem
Electronic fuel injection systems come in several versions. Throttle Body Injection (TBI) was used in the 1980s on many vehicles as an intermediate step from electronic carburetion to multiport fuel injection. TBI uses one or two fuel injectors mounted in a throttle body to fuel the engine.
Mischievous Cats
By definition, a catalytic converter should last the lifetime of the vehicle. It can last this long because a catalyst is something that, just by being present, causes a reaction to other materials without itself being a participant in the reaction. However, real life has proven that the life span of a catalytic converter varies