Tech Talk – Engine Innovations to Reach Government Fuel Standards
In recent years, the primary driving force behind engine innovation has been the never-ending quest for better fuel economy with little or no sacrifice in performance. Government regulations and rising fuel prices are forcing automakers to develop new technologies and powertrains that squeeze more power out of every drop of fuel while producing less pollution and greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide) emissions.
A New Look at Cooling System Technology
While changes in modern cooling system technology might not be apparent in day-to-day servicing, the fact is that auto manufacturers are continuing to increase fuel economy and power output by changing how the cooling system operates.
Ohio Technical College Opens The Edelbrock Performance Academy
Ohio Technical College (OTC) and Edelbrock LLC last week celebrated the grand opening of The Edelbrock Performance Academy in Cleveland, OH. This new program is designed to give students a solid foundation in the building and tuning of high-performance products.
Suspension Tech: Monotube Shocks and Struts
When the monotube design was invented back in the 1950s, it was a revolutionary breakthrough in shock absorber technology. The floating piston and high pressure gas charge solved the foaming problem that had plagued conventional hydraulic shocks for a long time.
Tech Feature: Troubleshooting Internal Errors – Solving Piston and Ring Breakdowns
Rings that do not seal well during all four phases of the four-cycle combustion process can reduce an engine’s power potential by 20, 30, 40 or more horsepower, depending on the engine’s displacement, compression ratio and speed. Rings that leak during the intake stroke will reduce air velocity and volumetric efficiency.
Tech Feature: Subaru Service Essentials
My stint at being a service advisor for a number of dealer service departments over the years gave me a lot of experience in “bundling” services into a package. Having a service plan or “menu” built value for the customer. It also provided the service department with reliable income. Though there are good and bad points to service menus, the basic idea is a good one, and works well for any kind of automotive service or repair facility.
Tech Feature: Transmission Fluid and Filter Service
To prevent any service from being over sold or under sold, it is important to not only know that a particular service should be performed, but also why it should be performed. That knowledge can also help you spot when to recommend that service, and when not to. When speaking about transmission fluid, the short version of the explanation is that it gets dirty and wears out.
Tech Update: Working on Wipers
It’s right after a major snowstorm, and there’s ice and snow on everyone’s windshield. You’re at the shop waiting for the phone to ring. The phone leaps off the receiver and it’s Captain Chaos; he’s managed to find a second use for his wiper blades. Apparently, Captain Chaos was in too much of a hurry to clean the ice off the wiper blades before turning them on. In his frantic attempt to go to work, the wiper blades have become completely useless. He can hear the wiper motor running, but the blades refuse to move.
Tech Spec: Tackling Old Timers – Salvaging Pre-War Era Engines
It’s often surprising to some people that parts for these cars are still available. For other engine specialists, it’s sometimes more surprising when they aren’t.
Tech Feature: Inspecting Shocks and Struts
Shocks and struts are simple devices. Their function is to dampen the movement of the springs, suspension and vehicle pitch. This means that as the spring is compressed, the movement is not sudden and when the energy or movement is released, it is not overpowering.