Tech Tip: The Science of Brake Fluid
As demanding as a driver is of his brakes, a brake system requires even more from the brake fluid. Stepping on the brake pedal, the brake master cylinder transforms mechanical force into hydraulic pressure. Being non-compressible, brake fluid is responsible for transferring hydraulic pressure through brake lines and hoses down to the brake caliper and wheel cylinder assemblies. In addition to the important role of transferring pressure, brake fluid also includes other vital characteristics that play a key role in ….
Are Your Compressed Air Lines Leaking Profits?
As a shop owner or manager, you know the challenge of maintaining profit while facing ever-increasing costs. What you may not know is you can cut your compressed air costs substantially by updating your air piping system. Generating and maintaining compressed air is typically a shop’s second largest energy expense. A new, efficient air piping
Tech Tip: Variety of Oil Blends Required to Meet Today’s Engine Requirements
Years ago, an import shop could consider its shelves well-stocked if it contained a selection of single-viscosity oils in detergent or non-detergent blends. Today, a shop owner is confronted with stocking a variety of multi-viscosity oils, including 0w-20, 0w-40, 5w-20, 5w-30, 10w-30, 10w-40, 15w-40 and 20w-50, not to mention stocking some of these viscosities in synthetic and non-synthetic bases. Although the number of oil ….
Under Pressure: Piston Service For Light Truck Diesels
The diesel engine market has been rapidly changing in recent years. Higher fuel prices and changes in emission regulations have brought about a whole new generation of clean diesel engines in both the light- and heavy-duty truck markets. According to the Diesel Technology Forum (www.dieselforum.org), particulate emissions from new on-highway diesel engines have been reduced
Tech Tip: Uncovering the Cause of a Burned Piston
My engine burned a piston. What does that mean and why did it happen? Answer: It means the piston failed due to excessive heat in the combustion chamber. A burned piston will typically have a melted appearance, or a hole burned completely through the top of the piston. Aluminum can only withstand so much heat, and when it gets too hot, it melts. The underlying cause is usually detonation and/or ….
Ingersoll Rand Introduces Vehicle Services Catalog
Ingersoll Rand has released a comprehensive vehicle services catalog, covering nearly every garage application with a variety of tools, including Ingersoll Rand Impactools and ratchets, IQv Series cordless tools, sockets, cutting tools, grinders, finishing tools, drills, screwdrivers and air hammers. The catalog also features ….
Servicing Wheel Ends
The trucking industry has a confusing term it uses called “wheel ends.” The term covers (brakes, hub caps, tires, seals, lubricant, bearings and spindle nuts. A 16 wheeler truck can mean more than 10 wheel ends units that can go bad. While the scale of these vehicles is rather large, the basics are the same
Engine Tuning & Chassis Upgrades
When car manufacturers come out with a new engine design, some car enthusiasts eye the new technology from a perspective of how to squeeze more performance out of it. The smaller displacement engines that are turbocharged or supercharged tend to be the most likely chosen because of their power-to-weight ratio. When Saab introduced a turbocharged
Diagnostic Solutions: Engine Oil Changes
No Longer A ‘Generic’ Service; Variety of Blends Required To Meet Today’s Engine Requirements Years ago, an import shop could consider its shelves well-stocked if it contained a selection of single-viscosity oils in detergent or non-detergent blends. Today, a shop owner is confronted with stocking a variety of multi-viscosity oils, including 0w-20, 0w-40, 5w-20, 5w-30,
Right On the Mark: Lining Up Timing Belt Service for First-Generation Kias
This month, we’re going to take a look at timing belt replacement on the increasingly popular Kia line of vehicles. Kia has made strong inroads into the market by offering high-quality vehicles at an affordable price. As underhood car techs, we’re prepared to handle any of these cars: You have the required skills and, with