Advances in Piston Ring Technology
Piston rings have one of the toughest jobs inside an engine. They’re slammed up and down between the ring lands thousands of times a minute, they’re subjected to searing temperatures and extreme pressures, and they’re constantly scraping back and forth against the cylinder walls. In spite of all of this, the rings are expected to
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
Olds Engines: Gone But Not Forgotten
By Larry Carley Times change and vehicle makes and nameplates come and go. The last official Oldsmobile rolled off the assembly line on April 29, 2004, when General Motors pulled the plug to stop the hemorrhage of red ink in their ailing Oldsmobile car division. Though the brand is now history, there are still millions
Talking Shop: Training Challenges Every Shop Faces
Your technicians are acquiring training. But are they getting the right type of training? This month, a repair shop owner and renowned columnist offers his opinion on the subject. Although shop owners are routinely encouraged by industry leaders to provide from 40 to more than 100 hours per year training for each technician, some shop
Diagnostic Dilemmas: Fuel System Foul Ups
Are the fuel pump returns from your shop going up? Understanding the root cause of technician errors is the first step to successfully managing fuel system parts purchases and returns. Over the years, vehicle fuel systems have become more complex as OEs look to improve fuel burning and engine efficiency. And during that time, industry
Brake FLuid Testing: Are You Testing Your Customers’ Brake Fluid?
When was the last time you tested a customer’s brake fluid? Never? Many shops don’t bother to test brake fluid for several reasons. Some don’t think fluid tests are necessary. Others don’t test the fluid because they don’t have anything to test it with. And others say why bother if they’re going to bleed the
Steering Stabilizers: Suspension Geometry
Big rims or tires can look good and give a vehicle a unique look. But what is invisible becomes real ugly is the alignment and suspension angles that become altered. Also, that extra weight in stylist alloy rims or thick off-road tires can create a gyroscopic problem. Lifting Why do people lift trucks? The primary
Better Breathing: EGR Improvements
So Why Do We Have EGR? By Glen Beanard, technical contributor The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system was created in the early 1970s for the same No. 1 ranking motivation that drives every other engine management system design — to reduce emissions. The EGR valve targets one specific pollutant, oxides of nitrogen (NOx). Under normal
Standard Plus Club Assists 10,000 Technicians in Diagnosing Vehicle Issues in 2005
Standard Motor Products announces it assisted more than 10,000 technicians in diagnosing vehicle issues in 2005 through its Standard Plus Club (SPC) program. By combining a live technician hotline, professional technician seminars and a new online technical information website that is available 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week, technicians received answers to tough diagnostic issues.
H3R Performance Offers Aftermarket UL Listed, Premium Fire Extinguishers
In a market flooded with fire extinguishers that do not meet basic safety standards, H3R Performance provides the automotive aftermarket with a UL Listed product that is legal to sell in all 50 states. H3R’s premium fire extinguisher lines, MaxOut and HalGuard, give consumers protection in case of a vehicle fire.