Diagnostic Solutions: Drive Belts
Drive belts are an often-overlooked component during routine maintenance service intervals Drive belts last so long on late-model imports that it’s very easy to forget about inspecting them during a scheduled maintenance interval. In the early days of import cars, drive belts didn’t last as long because many were made from a leather belt joined
Aftermarket News
esented by MAC Engineering on Sept. 29, 2004. The Future Vision Award recognizes East Penn for its commitment to continuous improvements in battery manufacturing technology and its partnership in exploring new processes and methods. MAC has been supplying East Penn for more than 25 years with battery manufacturing equipment including pasting, plate preparatory and stacking
Oil Pumps & the Engine’s Lubrication System
p can restore gear-to-gear clearances but not gear-to-housing clearances. The end plate that covers the pump often develops a heavy wear pattern that is most noticeable on the outlet gear side. Regrinding the face of the plate smooth can restore end play tolerances between the plate and gears but it can’t compensate for wear inside
Getting the Most Out of Your Lifts
Lifts play an important role in the day-to-day operations of any automotive service facility. Some may even argue that a lift is a shop’s most valuable employee. After all, lifts never call in sick or go on vacation. However, one of the worst things a shop owner can do is fall into the trap of
Missed Services
Uncovering missed service can bring an instant profit, while at the same time resulting in customer gratification. Unfortunately, some services are often overlooked in our daily routine. It’s easy to gain tunnel vision in this business, only fixing what the car came in for, while ignoring the rest of the vehicle. Whether it’s because of
World Perspectives
Federal -Mogul Aftermarket group awarded “2004 Vendor of the Year”.
Ball Joints & Bushings: Worn Components Take Their Toll on Advanced Suspension Technologies
Too often, shop owners and technicians alike assume that suspension systems haven’t changed much in the past 20 years. In reality, nothing could be farther from the truth because today’s import vehicle may incorporate a number of technologies that can be affected by worn steering and suspension components. To illustrate, we’re beginning to see electronic
The Ins and Outs of Diagnosing Battery, Charging and Starter Problems
You answer the phone and the voice on the other end says, “My car won’t start.” When temperatures drop, the no-start calls start pouring in. Cold weather increases the strain on the battery, starting and charging system and tends to bring out any weaknesses in these components. Cold weather thickens the oil and makes the
When it’s Time for a Rebuilt Engine Installation
I noticed the Toyota 4WD truck as soon as I turned into the parking lot on Monday morning. I knew the owner because we’d been servicing his vehicles for a number of years, and I was always impressed by how clean and straight the truck was for its age. It was parked kind of crooked,
Searching for the Diagnostic Path
Most recently, I’ve found myself dealing with an increasing number of random, multiple-code complaints that involve computer operating strategies and networking communications issues in which the multiple trouble codes or DTCs tend to be symptomatic, rather than indicative, of a component failure. A basic illustration of what I’m talking about is a simple DTC 44,