Why Aftermarket Belts are Lasting Longer
There was a time when rubber belts were maintenance items that had to be replaced every five or six years, depending on their condition.The original equipment belts on today’s late-model vehicles are mostly made of EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer), a synthetic rubber that is far more durable, heat-resistant and wear-resistant than Neoprene. This means
Measuring Valve Spring Retainer Height
To achieve the proper valve spring height while using the minimum amount of valve spring shims can be challenging when working with applications that use other than stock components.There has never been an industry standard to compare the relationship of retainer heights with each other, although some manufacturers have previously listed its retainer heights by
Servicing Chrysler’s Versatile 3.3L and 3.8L Engines
ad RapThese engines have a mixed reputation for being high-mileage, dependable powerplants as well as noisy motors that can fail at a relatively low mileage. Some 3.3/3.8L V6s have racked up well over 200,000-plus miles on the odometer with no major problems (except some oil burning), while others have called it quits at 70,000 to
Correcting BMW Blower Motor Issues
Owners of 2000-’03 BMW 525I 2.5 may complain that the blower motor does not work, stays running all the time or does not have proper speed control. The climate control blower motor is controlled by a final stage unit, which receives variable voltage from the climate control head. To fix, disconnect the final stage unit,
A/C Flush Service Guidelines for GM Hybrids
As more hybrid vehicles start filtering out of their warranty coverage and into automotive repair facilities like yours, you and your staff will need to focus on the many procedures manufacturers provide to properly handle and repair them. Aside from the complex electrical systems on these vehicles, each one may have a unique mechanical system.For
A/C Compressor Bracket Replacement on Kia Sedona
Some 2002-’05 Sedona (GQ) vehicles may exhibit a humming noise and vibration when the A/C is turned on. To address this condition, replace the A/C compressor bracket with P/N 1K52Y 15810FFF. See Figure 1. Repair Procedure:1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. 2. Loosen the three mounting bolts (10 mm) to remove the air intake hose.
Lessons Learned Regarding ‘Old School’ Ignition Diagnosis
on. If the primary ignition is saturating the coil, the B- coil voltage will generally alternate from battery voltage to roughly nine volts voltage as the engine is cranked. To my surprise, this quick test yielded a maximum of 0.2 volts at the B- terminal as the engine cranked. Because the Mustang’s ignition harness contains
Diagnosing Engine Misfires
hatare causing a lean fuel condition. Here them. Last, worn valve seats andguides can create an intermittent misfire condition by causing anintermittent loss of compression. Other unusual issues that have been reported to me are heavy lapsplices in serpentine belts and vapor bubbles forming in single-linefuel systems that eventually cause random fuel injector misfires. Last,but
Forming Tight Connections on Intake Manifold Gaskets
Back in the days when most engines had cast iron blocks, heads and manifolds, the intake manifold could be easily sealed with simple and relatively inexpensive die cut fiber-faced metal gaskets (solid or perforated core). Sealer was usually required to ensure a leak-free installation.But, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, fuel systems and manifolds
Conducting Non-Intrusive Cooling System Inspections
All too often, we wonder where to begin when we get a cooling system overheating complaint in our service bay. Next, check the color and opacity of the coolant. If, for example, the color of the OE coolant is red and the reservoir is filled with green coolant, the coolant might not meet OE specifications.
Uncovering the Causes of Head Gasket Failure
The first symptoms of a head gasket that is failing are usually a slow loss of coolant with no visible leaks, engine overheating and/or a Check Engine light with cylinder misfire codes. The Onboard Diagnostic II (OBD II) system should detect any misfires that occur due to a loss of compression or spark plugs fouled
Priming the Preventive Maintenance – Water Pump Replacement
ss cavitation or turbulence. It’s important to never underestimate the degree that pump impeller and housing design contributes to water pump efficiency. To illustrate, cavitation occurs when a “bubble” begins to form at the back of the pump impeller as the impeller circulates through the coolant. Cavitation not only undermines overall pumping efficiency, but can