Innovations In Automotive Specialty Tools
There is a theory called the Butterfly Effect. This theory in part states that an action or condition in one place, however insignificant, can greatly change the outcome or conditions in another place. This theory, however fantastic, does remind me of the fact that the tool business is very much like this.
Brake Job: 2000-2007 Ford Focus
The 2000-2007 Ford Focus is based on the Ford global C1 platform, shared with the European Ford Focus and Volvo S40. Nothing is really groundbreaking about the brake system. However, not paying attention to the details can end in a post brake job comeback.
Tech Tip: Importance of Valve Seat Concentricity in Engine Building
When it comes to gas engine remanufacturing, the subject of valve seat concentricity is a very serious one. Concentricity, as we are discussing here, is the relation between the centers of the valve guides and the centers of the valve seat surfaces.
Tech Talk: Career Building — Developing Engine Building Experiences in School
Though many high school automotive programs have been cut or reduced in recent years due to funding, community colleges and technical schools are seeing steady enrollment in their automotive programs.
Timing Belt Replacement on Jeep’s 2.4L PowerTech Engine
In its short life, the engine was available in the 2002-’06 Jeep Liberty (first generation), as well as the 2004-’06 Jeep Wrangler, but was discontinued when Jeep introduced the Compass and Patriot small crossovers.
The Ins and Outs of Variable Valve Timing (VVT) Systems and Their Role in Vehicle Emissions
By the early 1990s, almost all import automotive manufacturers had a successful variable valve timing (VVT) system in production. These systems offered higher performance from smaller displacement engines at higher rpm. Do you know that VVT is playing a direct role in vehicle emissions and the way gases are burned in the combustion chamber?
Book Report: Tips for Ford Power Stroke Service and Rebuilds
The book covers the vast majority of Power Stroke diesel engines on the road, and gives you the full story on their design.
Diagnosing Murphy’s Law Under the Hood of a Ford F-150
Most of us working in the automotive service trades are very familiar with Murphy’s Law and how it affects our shop’s cost of doing business. Murphy’s Law says, “Everything that can go wrong usually will go wrong.” Gary Goms investigates a mysterious engine noise in a 1989 Ford F-150 pickup equipped with the venerable 5.0L or 302 cubic-inch V8 engine.
Gonzo’s Toolbox: Solving Repair Issues from the Inside-Out
A few weeks ago, Bo stopped by my shop for a visit and I mentioned a problem I was having with one of the vehicles in the bays. I already had it diagnosed and was waiting for an approval from the customer for the repairs. Bo thought it would be a pretty cool idea to test it on his scope, which he just so happened to have with him. I thought, sure, why not, two heads are better than one. Sounds like a perfect time to get a second opinion on the problem.
Tech Tip: Cavitation – A Cooling System’s Worst Nightmare
One of the main concerns created by cavitation is the erosion of the metal on the outside surface of cylinder liners.