Tech Tip: Common Mistakes to Avoid when Resurfacing Cylinder Heads and Blocks
Cylinder heads and blocks may need to be resurfaced to restore flatness or to improve the surface finish, or milled to change the deck height for a variety of reasons. The deck surface on the head or block may need to be resurfaced if the surface isn’t smooth or flat. A head may need to be resurfaced after welds or other repairs have been made, or milled to increase the compression ratio.
Streamlight Now Offers Enhanced Stylus LED Flashlight
Streamlight Inc. recently introduced the Streamlight Stylus Pro LED, a brighter and more powerful version of its popular Stylus penlight, designed to give professionals in a wide range of industries increased features and visibility.
GM ‘W Platform’
Preventive Maintenance and Undercar Service
Mitch’s World: A Total Eclipse of the Son
Not all that long ago, an entire generation learned about high performance and hot rods from Jan & Dean and The Beach Boys. Their lyrics romanticized surfing, cars and the California lifestyle. I knew kids who quoted those lyrics as they described either the car they were driving, or the one they desperately wanted to
Tech Tip: Servicing Bravada Electronic Controlled Air Suspensions
I borrowed a friend’s 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada to pick up some supplies from the local home improvement store. After loading it with weekend-warrior bounty, I started the vehicle and noticed that the rear end was sitting low. The Electronic Controlled Air Suspension (ECAS) compressor was running, but the back end would not return to normal ride height.
Tech Tip: Brake Shudder or Vibration on Dodge Durangos
Some owners of 2004-2005 Dodge Durango vehicles may complain of brake shudder or vibration. The following technical service bulletin involves installing brake pads, resurfacing the rotors and checking rotor runout.
Tech Tip: Chrysler Engine Mount Noise
I know the majority of you auto techs are extremely proficient at finding and repairing sources of strange and unusual noises. Although chasing these audible emissions can be time consuming and without a doubt aggravating, the customer’s concerns are usually valid and can often be of monumental importance to them.
Tech Tip: Uncovering Hidden Culprits Speeds A/C Diagnostic Process
Many of our customers consider air conditioning to be a necessary, rather than an optional, vehicle amenity. For this reason, it has to work on demand. Why shouldn’t your shop garner these A/C service and repair opportunities? To aid your efforts, this article is going to look at some of the most common A/C problems we encounter on the Honda vehicle lineup.
Nissan Tech Tip: Pleasant Surprise – Plugging Head Leak
Any technician who has worked extensively with Asian-made vehicles has more than a casual acquaintance with head gasket replacements. It comes as no surprise that when you put an aluminum head on a cast iron block, the different expansion rates of the two metals will eventually weaken the head gasket.
Diagnostic Dilemmas
It’s Mechanical, Stupid! Just about every student of politics remembers President Bill Clinton’s famous campaign slogan, “It’s the economy, stupid!” Allow me to paraphrase by saying, “It’s mechanical, stupid!” Yes, that’s right, mechanical failures can cause diagnostic trouble codes and, all too often, we tread the Primrose Path because we become lost in a maze