A/C Update: Global Warming…Cooling Customers
There has been a lot of discussion lately about the future of automotive refrigerants and their impact on the environment. Ozone depletion is no longer the main concern. Now it’s global warming. Last year was the warmest year on record. Average temperatures all across the globe are on the rise as are ocean temperatures. Arctic
Caddy Shacked
Taking on GM’s Big-Cube Engines By Doc Frohmader, restoration contributor While some engines are relatively rare in performance and engine machine shops, the big Cadillacs have remained a consistent source of income for these businesses. These engines are Cadillac’s last hurrah at traditional big-cube, flagship GM engines. Surprisingly, they are also a scaled-down version of
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
Nissan Tech Tip: Worn A/T Differential Pinion Shaft
Debris from a worn differential pinion mate shaft can cause the following: slipping on acceleration; hesitation and/or stalling when cold; and abnormal noise coming from the transmission while driving. A countermeasure transmission differential case, with improved lubrication to the differential pinion mate shaft, has been developed to resolve these types of transmission incidents.
Exide Technologies Announces New NASCAR Sponsorship
Exide Technologies has announced a new NASCAR sponsorship for 2006. The company’s new affiliation with Toyota Motor Sports and Bill Davis Racing broadens its already strong presence with America’s fastest growing spectator sport. Exide is already the official battery of NASCAR.
Champion Spark Plugs, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Team Up in Aggressive New Ad Campaign
Dale Earnhardt Jr., arguably the world’s most popular stock car racer, reveals his preferred brand of spark plugs in an extensive new consumer advertising campaign unveiled by Federal-Mogul Corporation’s Champion spark plug brand.
Acura Tech Tip: Radiator or Condenser Fan Operates Continuously
If the radiator fan and/or the condenser fan runs continuously; or, if the fan(s) runs continuously when the engine is off, the battery may be discharged.
Tech Tip: Save Time and Replacement Cost by Installing an OE-Match Timing Belt
Many domestic and import car makers use timing belts instead of timing chains because they are quiet, inexpensive, durable and can be replaced without violating the oil tightness of the engine. Vehicle manufacturers usually indicate regular replacement intervals in order to avoid catastrophic engine failure.
Tech Tip: Profitable Radiator Service
Unlike their soldered-brass predecessors, today’s aluminum-core, plastic-tank radiators are not only environmentally friendly, they are lightweight, easy to service, less costly to produce and very efficient at keeping modern, high-output engines operating at optimum temperature.
Management: The Chinese are Coming
Chinese auto makers, Chery and Geely, will likely have a presence in the U.S., but the question is when? News reports in February indicated that both companies hit snags – Chery due to a lack of money and Geely because of the inability to pass trial runs of U.S. emissions and side-crash tests.