Old World Industries Sells Chemical Business
Old World Industries, makers of Peak brand vehicle fluids, is selling off its chemical production business to Indorama Ventures of Bangkok, Thailand. The deal includes Old World Industries’ ethylene oxide/ethylene glycol manufacturing facility in Clear Lake, Texas. As part of the deal, Old World has signed a long-term glycol supply contract with Indorama for its
Lube Bay Strategies for Vehicle Inspections
The traditionally recommended 3,000-mile oil change interval is now rapidly becoming part of automotive history, meaning shops may have a reduced number of repairs sold during a routine lube bay visit. Here’s how to check for added profits during a standard oil change.
Pickup Tools: No Longer Out of Sight or Out of Reach
Have you ever dropped a nut or a bolt into an open intake manifold? Or dropped a fastener and watched it disappear into a crevice in the engine compartment? Or tried to find a wiring connector, plug or fastener by feel on the backside of an instrument cluster up under the dash? These are all
Uncover Potential Profit Sources With Belt and Hose Inspections
Although belts and hoses are still classified as expendable parts, their durability has improved to the point that many dealers and technicians are now neglecting to perform routine belt and hose inspections. From a historical perspective, belts and hoses have moved from a recommended replacement interval to an inspection interval. This means that, unless otherwise
Oxygen Sensors are Key to Performance and Fuel Economy
The oxygen (O2) sensor is part of the fuel management system. It monitors unburned oxygen in the exhaust. The powertrain control module (PCM) uses this information to determine if the fuel mixture is rich (too much fuel) or lean (not enough fuel). To provide the best performance, fuel economy and emissions, the PCM has to
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
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
Troubleshooting Wideband O2 Sensors
With fuel prices rising, the need for accurate air/fuel mixture monitoring is more important than ever. The engine computer needs to know what the fuel mixture is with a high degree of precision so it can optimize fuel economy as well as emissions. If the information received by the powertrain control module (PCM) from its
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.