Maximizing Tools: Simple Answers to Difficult Questions: Troubleshooting Complex Systems
A good diagnosis and repair relies on the experience, knowledge, flexibility of mind and logical thinking skills of the technician.
Solving Mazda Driveability Complaints
This article will look at Mazda driveability issues as well as some of the more common ailments that will bring a car into your bay with a check engine lamp complaint. The most common failure we see on Mazda models is a torn air intake hose between the airflow sensor and the throttle body. The symptoms that result from this failure are hard to miss, but fool the customer into mistakenly thinking that the transmission is the problem.
10 Signs A Fuel Injector Needs To Be Replaced
In the past 30 years, the fuel injector has moved from the intake manifold to the combustion chamber. During this evolution, injectors have become more precise in dispensing fuel. If this precision is thrown off by restrictions, electrical problems or fuel problems, it can cause driveability issues. These are the top 10 signs fuel injectors need service or replacement.
Diagnosing Variable Valve Timing
Fully variable valve timing can be achieved only by using computer-operated solenoids to precisely control the intake and exhaust valve opening and closing events. Although the various combinations of valve timing events are theoretically infinite on an electronically controlled system, their applications are limited due to issues of cost and, in some cases, reliability.
Secret Diagnostic Trick: Hint? You Are Doing it Right Now
I was fortunate to have been raised in my father’s auto shop. From the early age of 11, I could be found performing various tasks around the shop from cleaning to observing and helping the technicians whenever an opportunity would arise. I now have my own one-man auto repair facility where I am the only person involved with the repair process of the vehicle. This mandates me making the most efficient use of my time. So, over the next several articles, it is my plan to share with you some of my time-saving diagnostic strategies.
Pulling Codes: Advanced Misfire and Fuel Trim Analysis — A P030X Detailed Analysis
Carlton Banks documents the use of fuel trims and oxygen sensor behavior to determine if the misfire activity is ignition, engine mechanical or fuel related.
Mazda Feature: Driveability And Check Engine Light Diagnostics
Import Specialist Bob Dowie takes a look at some of the more common ailments that will bring your Mazda customers into your service bay with a check engine light complaint, as he covers common DTCs, stalling and ignition issues and new technology.
Tech Tip: Kia Constant Variable Valve Timing Oil Control Valve Inspection
This bulletin provides information related to the oil control valve (OCV) used in constant variable valve timing (CVVT) systems. If, at any time, the OCV is suspected as a cause of rough idling, poor acceleration, camshaft timing misalignment-related trouble codes, misfire-related trouble codes, etc., on a Kia vehicle equipped with a CVVT system, be sure to perform the OCV inspection procedure in this bulletin before replacement.
Tech Tip: Audi MIL Is On
If an Audi customer complains that the engine has reduced performance without a significant loss of power or stalling, verify if Campaign 28F2/J1 has been performed (model years 2002-’07 only). Also determine if the vehicle is experiencing rough idle, the MIL is flashing or constantly illuminated, or one or more of the following DTCs are stored: DTC P0300 (Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected); or DTC P0301-P0312 (Cyl. 1-12 Misfire Detected).
Diagnostic Solutions: Variable Camshaft Timing And Back Pressure Issues
When the topic of variable valve timing (VVT) comes up in import repair shops, few realize that the concept of increasing low- and high-speed engine torque by automatically advancing and retarding valve timing isn’t a recent development. For example, I recently discovered an old variable camshaft timing gear that I bought during the 1960s featuring a torsion spring device that retards valve timing in response to the increased rotating torque needed to turn the camshaft at higher engine speeds.