Brake Tech: What is a Complete Brake Job?
Most motorists know brake linings don’t last forever. Brake pads and shoes use friction to stop a vehicle, so every time the brakes are applied the linings experience wear. After so many stops, the linings wear out. The rate at which the linings wear out depends on the frequency of use, how hard the brakes
Tech Feature: Diesel Service… VW Glow Plugs
Diesels are up to 30% more efficient than gasoline engines because they use high compression to ignite the fuel rather than spark plugs. High-pressure fuel injectors spray fuel directly into the combustion chambers when the pistons near top dead center. The heat of compression, combined with residual heat in the piston and cylinder head from
Tech Tip: Inspect Intake Manifold After Severe Internal Engine Damage
When replacing an engine due to internal damage, extreme care should be taken when transferring the intake manifold to the new Goodwrench service engine long block. Internal damage may result in the potential discharge of internal engine component debris in the intake manifold via bent, broken or missing intake valves.
Audi: General Maintenance… Vital Checks on Key Vehicle Systems
article, I’ll focus on common repairs we see on at least a weekly basis. The series of cars covered in this article will be the A4 and A6 line from 1998 to 2004. These cars are all very similar in design and equipment, and most repairs are consistent between models. Be aware that many Audi
Tech Feature: Reasons for Piston Replacement
Though pistons can often be salvaged when rebuilding or remanufacturing an engine, sometimes they have to be replaced. The original pistons may have worn or damaged ring grooves, wrist pins or skirts, or they may have cracks. New pistons may also be necessary if the cylinders have too much taper wear and the block has to be bored to oversize. Or, maybe you just don’t want to reuse the original pistons if you’re building a performance engine or a high load engine like a diesel light-duty pickup truck.
Volvo: Sometimes You Learn the Hard Way: Fixing Volvo Oil Leaks Right the First Time
The customer’s Volvo has an oil leak. You think you do everything right. You add dye and see the rear main oil seal leaking. The repair goes smoothly, the customer is happy…for about two weeks. Then the rear main oil seal is leaking again, and he wants to know why. This is not an isolated
Internal Injuries: Reasons for Piston Replacement
Though pistons can often be salvaged when rebuilding or remanufacturing an engine, sometimes they have to be replaced. The original pistons may have worn or damaged ring grooves, wrist pins or skirts, or they may have cracks. New pistons may also be necessary if the cylinders have too much taper wear and the block has
Maintenance Essentials…, OBD II & Chassis Checks
All cars need maintenance. The fact is mechanical devices wear and fail in normal use, and deteriorate over time, so being able to diagnose a future failure has become a part of the automotive repair and service industry. Customers always ask how long it will be before a component will fail, and are usually not
Tech Tip: Intake Manifold Inspection/Replacement after Severe Internal Engine Damage
When replacing an engine due to internal damage, extreme care should be taken when transferring the intake manifold to the new Goodwrench service engine long block. Internal damage may result in the potential discharge of internal engine component debris in the intake manifold via bent, broken or missing intake valves.
Tech Feature: Laser Ignition Technology
Since the earliest days of the internal combustion engine, spark plugs have provided the ignition source for the air/fuel mixture. Over the years, spark plugs have gotten smaller, and the use of exotic metals in their electrodes has extended plug life to 100,000 miles or more. But spark plugs still have a conductive center electrode