Transmission Update: Speed Sensor Diagnostics
Weird and unusual problems are my bread and butter diagnostics. By the time these odd problems get to me the owner of the vehicle has more than likely reached their threshold of poor diagnostics skills and bad results. Their opinion of every technician out there comes down to the same inevitable answer: “We’re all the same.” I doubt that very seriously. It’s almost laughable when you start quizzing them on where they had their car prior to bringing it in.
Tech Spec: Nailing Down the Misunderstood Buick Nailhead
Like the Small Block Chevy, the Rocket 88 Olds, the Ford Flathead and the Chrysler Hemi, the Buick Nailhead engine is one of those that has the immortal smell of history all over it. Yet, unlike its more familiar brothers, cousins and even competitors, the Nailhead has an aura of mystery about it as well.
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.
Tech Tip: Stuck Oil Pressure Relief Valve on 2001-’02 Chrysler 3.3L and 3.8L Engines
There have been reported incidents of stuck oil pressure relief valve assemblies in the chain case cover. With a stuck oil pressure relief valve, the oil pressure is not regulated as it is supposed to be, resulting in possible low oil pressure and engine damage due to oil starvation.
Universal Lubricants Asks Drivers During National Car Care Month to Go Green
During National Car Care Month and with Earth Day right around the corner, Universal Lubricants recommends that drivers make the switch to an environmentally friendly motor oil – ECO ULTRA.
Tech Tip: What is Acceptable Oil Consumption in Diesel Engines?
There’s no simple answer to that question. Many factors can contribute to oil consumption, and correctly diagnosing if there is a problem and what’s causing it can save you a lot of money and down time. All engines will consume some amount of oil, and as an engine ages and wears we generally accept increases in consumption, but in low mileage or low hour engines oil consumption can be frustrating.
Tech Tip: Additive Packages Play Key Role in Keeping an Engine Clean
As anyone who has even a small amount of experience working on engines knows, regular oil changes are one of the most important things that can be done to extend the life of an engine.
Tech Tip: Performance Diesel Engine Service Notes
Diesels are setting all kinds of records from land speed to elapsed time. So if you’re not already dabbling in diesel performance, you may be soon. Diesel engines are a different type of animal when compared to gasoline engines. While both use the same four-stroke cycle of combustion, diesels use the heat of compression rather than a spark to ignite the air/fuel mixture.
Tech Tip: Porsche Engine Screeches During Warm-Up
A screeching noise can be heard from the engine at around 2,000 rpm during the engine warm-up phase. In many cases, the noise is an indication that the engine or oil pump has been changed. The noise is caused by the control piston in the oil pump.
Pick the Perfect Oil with New Online Tool from Red Line
Choosing the right oils and lubricants for cars and trucks just got easier. After several years of building a vehicle database, Red Line Synthetic Oil Corp. recently debuted its new online application guide at the 2010 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
Tech Tip: Porsche 911 Turbo Lack of Oil Pressure on Start Up
Your customer may experience an instance where the oil pressure light comes on and there is a lack of oil pressure when the engine is first started.
Tech Feature: Hemisphere Exploration – Journey to the Center of the 5.7L Hemi
The 5.7L HEMI Magnum V8, which made its debut in 2003 in Dodge Ram 2500/3500 series trucks, was quite an improvement over the older 5.9L V8 it replaced. The engine was 56 lbs. lighter, produced 41% more horsepower and 12% more torque than the previous motor. Better yet, it also delivered 8-10% better fuel economy.