Tech Talk – Engine Innovations to Reach Government Fuel Standards
In recent years, the primary driving force behind engine innovation has been the never-ending quest for better fuel economy with little or no sacrifice in performance. Government regulations and rising fuel prices are forcing automakers to develop new technologies and powertrains that squeeze more power out of every drop of fuel while producing less pollution and greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide) emissions.
A 360
Over the years, GM has saved a bundle on manufacturing the 3.1L engine by using the production line tooling it originally developed for the 2.8L V6. By simply changing the bore diameter, the displacement of the same engine block could now be increased for more power and torque.
Diagnosing Murphy’s Law Under the Hood of a Ford F-150
Most of us working in the automotive service trades are very familiar with Murphy’s Law and how it affects our shop’s cost of doing business. Murphy’s Law says, “Everything that can go wrong usually will go wrong.” Gary Goms investigates a mysterious engine noise in a 1989 Ford F-150 pickup equipped with the venerable 5.0L or 302 cubic-inch V8 engine.
Getting Stoked to Service the 6.0L Power Stroke
If there were one engine that plagues the mid-size diesel world, you would have to say that it is the 6.0L Power Stroke. The 6.0L came into existence because the EPA demanded tighter emissions laws for diesel engines. Even though the 7.3L was branded as the reliable workhorse for Ford, it would never be able to pass the tighter emissions laws that were going to come into effect for 2004.
Tech Tip: Mazda Ticking Noise from Left Bank Cylinder Head
Some vehicles equipped with a 3.0L engine may exhibit a ticking noise from the left bank cylinder head while the engine is running at normal operating temperature.
Tech Tip: Cavitation – A Cooling System’s Worst Nightmare
One of the main concerns created by cavitation is the erosion of the metal on the outside surface of cylinder liners.
Tech Tip: Dodge/Jeep Engine Misfire at Idle
This bulletin applies to vehicles equipped with a 3.7L engine in which the customer may experience occasional engine misfire at idle. The malfunction indicator lamp may illuminate for single or multiple cylinder misfire.
Tech Feature: Troubleshooting Internal Errors – Solving Piston and Ring Breakdowns
Rings that do not seal well during all four phases of the four-cycle combustion process can reduce an engine’s power potential by 20, 30, 40 or more horsepower, depending on the engine’s displacement, compression ratio and speed. Rings that leak during the intake stroke will reduce air velocity and volumetric efficiency.
Tech Tip: Ford Camshaft Tick Noise
Some of the affected vehicles built Jan. 17, 2006 and later equipped with the 3.0L 4V Duratec engine with exhaust camshaft-driven water pumps may exhibit a ticking noise from the left bank cylinder head with the engine at normal operating temperature.
Finishing Valve Seats on Today’s Multi-Valve Cylinder Heads
The techniques we have used over the years have worked great on older, large-valved engines. However, some of today’s newer engines with the tiny valves require new techniques and new equipment. For years we have been able to “bully” our way through, but now we must learn to hold back and provide a more gentle touch.
Tech Feature: Straight Up Look at the Vortec 3500 Straight-Five Engine
The five-cylinder was seen as a way to achieve better fuel economy and performance than the six, but with more power and torque than the four.
Cylinder Head Sealing – Gasket Surface Machining Is The Most Critical Area of Cylinder Head Repair
Early this year, I had a chat with a technical representative for a major aftermarket gasket manufacturer who shed some light on some of the problems facing the cylinder head gasket market. According to this representative, the relatively short production life of modern engines also shortens the time that an aftermarket gasket company needs to