Tech Tip: Water Pump Plastic Impeller Failure
Plastic impellers erode because of steam in coolant. Head gasket leaks and cracked heads allow aeration of the coolant, which develops pockets of super-heated air that destroys the impeller.
Tech Feature: Boosting Performance – Nitrous, Superchargers and Turbochargers
Today’s new cars offer so much performance directly from the factory that there’s no reason anyone could need any more, right?
Honing the Noise Out of Brakes, and Extending Wear-Life
Manufacturers, rebuilders and service shops find a unique honing tool that gives brake cylinders and rotors a smooth, “non-directional” finish that eliminates braking noise and extends service life.
When Parts Collide: Volkswagen and Audi Engine Repairs
In the early 1970s, VW/Audi designed a small, efficient and reliable engine that was easy to work on and made use of the then fairly new technology of a rubber timing belt without the possibility of damage if it failed. This two-valve-per-cylinder engine produced excellent power and economy, and really set the standard that many other manufacturers couldn’t match.
Hot Roddin’ Ray Evernham
Inspired by the 1950s and ’60s Hot Rod era, the former NASCAR crew chief and team owner turned local racetrack owner and ESPN broadcaster is living it up these days as proprietor of a 42,000-sq.-ft. nostalgic slice of American pie.
Internal Engine Repairs: Uncovering the Culprits That Cause Head Gaskets To Fail
The first symptoms of a failing head gasket are usually a slow loss of coolant with no visible leaks, engine overheating and/or a check engine light with cylinder misfire codes. Uncover the culprits and prevent comebacks by following repair procedures to the letter.
Tech Feature: The Subaru Boxer Engine: A Balance of Power
According to their engineers, these high-powered engines are ideal for all-wheel-drive applications used in Subaru vehicles because they are inherently compact – short and low.
Journeying into the Restoration Market
We’ve all heard the stories and urban legends about old classic cars being found in someone’s garage or estate. Typically, the story goes, the owner just passed away and his widow had no idea what was in the barn. Sounds too good to be true, but it happens. One such story that recently grabbed headlines earlier this year was that of an old doctor who died at the tender age of 92, leaving behind his beloved but forgotten 1937 Bugatti Type 57S hidden in his garage since he parked it there in the early 1960s.
Tech Feature: Rebuilding the Chrysler Hemi
Chrysler made the Hemi engine famous. They didn’t invent the hemispherical chamber, but they were the first to build an engine with a hemi chamber for an American car back in 1951. They originally called it the “Double Rocker Shaft V8,” but it soon became “the Hemi.”
Tech Tip: Honda Engine Service Essentials
While engine-related complaints aren’t common on Honda’s line of vehicles, problems may still arise from time to time. Import Specialist Contributor Bob Dowie walks you through head gasket repair, from diagnosis to estimating the job to gasket replacement, and also discusses the intricacies of timing belt replacement ….