engine Archives - Page 2 of 70 - TechShop Magazine
The Cracked Plate Coincidence: Uncovering An Uncommon Flex Plate Issue Twice In One Week

It never ceases to amaze me when I see certain types of problems in rapid succession of one another and then not see them again for months or even years. This column is dedicated to one such occurrence. Within a week of each other, two different vehicles came into my shop with cracked flex plates. While I have seen flex plates crack throughout my career, it is not a common scenario.

WIX Filters Rolling Out 75th Anniversary Die Cast Car

WIX Filters, a member of the Affinia Group family of brands, is rolling out a die cast of one of the most recognizable American cars – the 1939 Ford Deluxe Coupe – as part of its collectible die cast collection. The collectible is captured in 1:18 scale die cast replica, complete with a custom paint scheme and vintage 1939 North Carolina license plate detail to commemorate WIX’s 75th anniversary year.

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.

Snap Test: MAF Sensor Diagnostics

You’d think a service light would be the first indicator of a mass air flow (MAF) sensor problem, but there are times a problem develops with the MAF and no service light comes on. Scott “Gonzo” Weaver explains how poor idle, loss of performance, sluggish performance and even stalling are all associated with a failing MAF sensor.

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.

CRC Industries To Showcase K&W FiberLock On Full Car Wrap At NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Events

CRC Industries, Inc. has announced that it will showcase its cooling system additive, K&W FIBERLOCK Head Gasket & Block Repair, on a full car wrap on the #40 Hillman Racing Chevrolet SS at two upcoming NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events.

Diagnostic Dilemma: 1999 Dodge Dakota Intermittent Stall Complaints

Diagnosing intermittent stalling complaints is a challenging experience for any diagnostic technician because any number of electrical and mechanical failures can cause an engine to intermittently stall. Most of us immediately narrow this laundry list of potential failures down to the most common few, which include components like the crankshaft position sensor and electric fuel pump.

Diagnosing EGR And Secondary Air Systems

The perfect internal combustion vehicle would be able to put the exact amount of fuel and air into the combustion chamber. If the perfect combustion event happened, you would get nothing more than water and carbon dioxide. We are not there yet. In the mean time, we have exhaust gas recirculation systems (EGR), secondary air injection and catalytic converters.

ASE A1 Test Prep: Cylinder Heads and Gaskets

Passing the ASE A1 can be difficult. Do not go into this test with the notion that this is an exam for engine rebuilders. Many of the tasks in the A1 task list are required every day at a general repair shop for top-end engine repairs. Here are some tips.

Diagnosing Engine Hesitation On 2002 Nissan Xterra

The customer states the check engine light is on and the engine hesitates upon acceleration. The technician connected a scan tool and found code P0102 – Mass or Volume Air Flow “A” Circuit Low. He then performed an inspection of the mass airflow (MAF) sensor and related wiring harness, but found no obvious faults.

Routine Maintenance Schedules Help You Capture Unperformed Service Work

The cold snap that hit most of the country in early January was the onset of one of the coldest winters most states have seen in years. And since cold weather can have adverse effects on vehicle systems, you probably experienced an influx of customers whose vehicles were towed in with dead batteries, or ones that were flooded due to ignition systems that could not fire the fuel. Let’s look at some VW and Audi maintenance schedules and see what we may have been missing that could help our customers avoid costly tows and generate some additional revenue for our efforts.

Advanced Tips For Changing Fuel Pressure On EFI Systems

Changing the fuel pressure on an EFI System is an effective method of affecting engine performance and making more power. However, there are many do’s and don’ts, and rules of thumb that can be frustrating to learn the hard way. This article includes many small, but key points, tips and insights all engine tuners should to know and understand before cranking on that adjustable regulator.