Tool Tip: White Smoke Blowing from Tailpipe
A classic sign of a head gasket problem is when the vehicle is blowing white smoke from the tailpipe. This indicates that water/coolant is entering the combustion chamber and is then burnt off as steam through the exhaust. The white “smoke” is water vapor as the steam condenses when it hits the colder atmosphere. With
Tool Tip: General Practices When Using Refrigerant Leak Detection Dye or an Electronic Leak Detector
Leak Detection Dye 1. Operate the vehicle for a minimum of 20 minutes with the compressor running to circulate the leak detection dye throughout the air conditioning system. For passive or intermittent leaks, it may take longer than 20 minutes for the dye to find the leak and be visible during the inspection. 2. Use
Tech Tip: Coil-On-Plug Misfire Diagnostic Tips for Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Engines
The misfiring cylinder must be identified through Self-Test misfire codes or through WDS Power Balance. Rule out base engine problems; rule out fuel problems; and then look at ignition problems (be sure to rule out coil primary circuit issues).
Volkswagen Tech Tip: Check Engine Light Is On With Fault Code P0420
If you encounter a check engine light on with a fault code P0420 stored in the fault memory, this may be the result of a defective catalytic converter.
Tech Tip: Honda Suffers From Hard Start/Long Crank Time
If a an owner of a 2003-’04 Honda Accord complains their vehicle is experiencing excessive cranking or hard starting, there are two possible causes – contamination in the fuel pressure regulator or exhaust gas backflow into the intake manifold at engine shutdown.
Tech Tip: Cold Temps Set DTC On Some GM Vehicles
Some GM customers may find that their vehicle’s malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminates after starting the vehicle when using the engine coolant heater in very cold ambient temperatures.
Tech Tip: Mazda Leak From Rear Heater Pipe
During winter driving, especially in the 23 “Salt Belt” states, water containing salt may accumulate in the black plastic pipe cover and/or the brackets of the wheel housing. This may cause corrosion and perforation of the rear heater pipe, resulting in coolant seepage from the rear heater pipe.
Tech Tip: Reduced Engine Power Message Displayed on GM Vehicles
Some Escalade, TrailBlazer, Silverado, Tahoe, Yukon, Sierra, HUMMER and other GM SUV/truck owners may comment on an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL), with a
Reduced Engine Power message displayed.
Tech Tip: BMW Electric Power Steering Is Not Working Properly
The customer may complain that the electric power steering is not working properly. This may be caused by defective electric motor power steering (emps), blown fuse or damaged wiring harness.
Tech Tip: Infiniti EVAP Leak DTC Diagnosis – DTCs: P0440/P0442/P0455/P0456/P1440/P1456
Applied Vehicles: 1998 and later Infiniti vehicles with an EVAP service port. DTCs: P0440, P0442, P0455, P0456, P1440 and P1456 If one or more of the DTCs listed above related to EVAP system leaks is found stored in Self Diagnosis, use the Repair Flow Chart shown in Fig. 1. Use the EVAP system diagram (Fig.
Tool Tip: Maximizing Tools: Diagnosing ABS/ESC Hydraulic Control Units
Brake & Front End Editor Andrew Markel finds the root cause of a brake pull using Innovative Products of America’s Brake System Analyzer.
Tech Tip: Volkswagen Has MIL On, DTCs P1355, P1358, P1361 or P1364 Stored in ECM Fault Memory
This tip is associated with 2002-’04 2.0L Golf, Jetta, New Beetle and New Beetle Convertible vehicles.