Larry Carley, Author at TechShop Magazine - Page 4 of 31
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Clean Diesel Surge Offers Diagnostic and Repair Opportunities for the Aftermarket

There’s a bright future for the latest generation of clean diesel cars and trucks, thanks to common rail high-pressure, direct-injection systems with sophisticated electronic controls that have transformed today’s diesels into clean-running, quiet and powerful power plants. As these vehicles come out of warranty, it will create new diagnostic and repair opportunities for the aftermarket.

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 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.

Wheel Bearings

Wheel bearings can be of either ball or tapered roller type. The ball bearings used for front wheel bearing applications are an angular type. An angular-type ball bearing will accept greater thrust loads than a Conrad-type bearing, which will accept a 100 percent load in the radial or thrust position and any combination of a 100 percent load. A tapered roller bearing will accept both a radial and a thrust load. All wheel bearings come in sets.

Tech Feature: Care and Feeding of Differentials

The lubricants that are used in manual transmissions, transaxles, differentials and transfer cases include a variety of different oils. Many transmissions, transaxles and transfer cases use gear oil with viscosities ranging from 75W-90 up to 85W-140. Others use ATF (Dexron II/III, Mercon V, etc.) or even motor oil (10W-30 or 10W-40). Most differentials, by comparison, use hypoid gear oils that also contain extra amounts of “extreme pressure” (EP) additives.

Flexing Rocker Arm Muscle

How a Time Tested Technology Has Provided Proven Performance

Tech Feature: Active Motor and Trans Mounts

Motor mounts serve an important function: They support the weight of the engine and transaxle (or transmission), and also isolate engine vibration from the rest of the chassis. With so much emphasis on controlling noise, vibration and harshness in late model luxury vehicles, it was inevitable that sooner or later motor mounts would go electronic.

Tech Feature: Diagnosing Push Button Keyless Start Systems

Push button keyless start systems began appearing on several import cars about six years ago, and are now being offered on more and more new vehicles, both import and domestic. Motorists say they like the push button keyless start systems because they are convenient to use. There’s no ignition key or switch to fumble with, and you don’t have to do anything other than have the smart fob in your pocket or purse when you get in the car.

BRAKE JOB: 2005-Current Ford Mustang

Many of these cars are now reaching the point where it’s time for their first brake job. The original equipment front disc brake pads are typically lasting about 45,000 miles with normal driving. But many people who buy Mustangs don’t drive “normally.” Consequently, they may be wearing down the front pads in as little as 25,000 miles.

Tech Feature: Why Aftermarket Belts are Lasting Longer

Serpentine belts made of EPDM may last up to 100,000 miles or more before they have to be replaced. But that doesn’t mean they will last forever. A serpentine belt that’s aging or slipping may develop a hard glazed surface that makes the belt noisy. Aerosol belt treatments may quiet the noise for a while, but sooner or later you’ll have to replace your customer’s belt.

Tech Tip: Timing Chain Service on Ford 3.0L Duratec Engines

If you have to remove or replace a cylinder head for any reason, or replace the timing chain on a 3.0L Duratec, it can be a bit of a challenge because Ford doesn’t provide a Top Dead Center (TDC) timing reference mark on the crankshaft. You will have to use a dial indicator to find the TDC position of the number one cylinder on Ford’s 3.0L Duratec to make sure the crank and camshafts are all properly aligned.

Tech Feature: Family Ties – Servicing Chrysler’s Versatile 3.3L and 3.8L Engines

First introduced as a family back in 1990, these engines have been upgraded and improved to provide good torque for the necessary applications, reasonable fuel economy and a reputation for durability and appropriate performance.