Diagnostic Solutions, Servicing Filters: Top-Notch Design Is Key When Selecting New Filters
Veteran auto mechanics well remember the days of oil-bath air filters, cartridge-type oil filters, and sediment-bowl fuel filters. While these early-design filters would work well under a narrow range of circumstances, most were woefully inefficient and inadequate in the long term. All were subject to careless installation and dirt contamination during servicing. As disposable “paper”
Diagnostic Solutions: Throttle Position Sensors
Although conventional throttle position sensors attached to the throttle shaft are considered basic technology on modern engine management systems, the conventional throttle sensor plays an important role in its relationship with other sensors. The voltage inputs of most throttle position (TP) sensors may, for example, be coordinated with the barometric pressure (BARO), manifold absolute pressure
Diagnostic Solutions: Reading Spark Plugs Is As Much An Art As It Is A Science
Barring mechanical contact between the spark plug and piston, just about any randomly selected spark plug will ignite the gasoline and air compressed into an engine’s combustion chamber. Very few spark plugs, however, will continue to perform well under a wide range of engine temperatures, loads and speeds, not to mention lasting well beyond today’s
Diagnostic Solutions: Wheel Bearing Diagnosis
PROPER PROCEDURES AND CORRECT TOOLS PREVENT COMEBACKS Although wheel bearings are often the most neglected part of the vehicle, they nevertheless have a critical job to do, and in most cases, do it very well. Not only are wheel bearings designed to support the weight of the vehicle and allow it to travel over a
Diagnostic Solutions: Upgrades That Deliver Performance and Pizzazz
When To Sell Batteries
Diagnostic Solutions: Upgrades That Deliver Performance and Pizzazz
Checking the Basics Saves Time When Chasing Check Engine Codes
Diagnostic Solutions: Profitable Radiator Service…Targeted Troubleshooting Procedures Are a Must
Unlike their soldered-brass predecessors, today’s aluminum-core, plastic-tank radiators are not only environmentally friendly, they are lightweight, easy to service, less costly to produce, and very efficient at keeping modern, high-output engines operating at optimum temperature. Because of their affordability and because they can be inspected while removed for a timing belt replacement or other front-mounted
Diagnostic Solutions: Master Cylinder Diagnosis
Although the mechanics of modern master cylinders seem deceptively simple, today’s dual-piston or tandem master cylinders still require the utmost in care and attention to maintain safe, reliable operation. The tandem master cylinder contains two piston assemblies; one for each axle set or diagonally located pair of brakes. Each piston assembly has two lip seals
Diagnostic Solutions: Identifying Ignition Switch Failure Symptoms
Although the basic ignition switch has remained unchanged for many years, the way it supplies electrical current to modern on-board electronics has made it a key factor when diagnosing intermittent failures in various electronic operating systems. Going back into automotive history, the ignition switch’s sole purpose on early imports was to energize the primary ignition
Diagnostic Solutions: Air Flow Sensors…Understanding Their Function & Potential Problems
Most of us remember the “good old days” when an engine’s air/fuel (a/f) ratio was controlled by a mechanically operated carburetor. Due to the inherent design limitations of mechanical systems, however, carburetors don’t respond efficiently to changes in barometric pressure, temperature and humidity. In the quest for improved fuel economy and reduced exhaust emissions, import