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
Hybrid Service: Nissan Altima
The hybrid version of the Nissan Altima was introduced in 2007, but only as a limited production model (about 40,000 cars a year). Unlike the Prius, the Altima is not a purpose-built hybrid car, but a hybridized version of a regular production vehicle (similar to what Honda did with its hybrid version of the Civic).
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
Avoid Common A/C Mistakes to Prevent Customer Comebacks
As vehicle owners in many parts of the country begin using their air conditioning systems for the first time this year, some will be surprised to find their A/C system is not functioning properly or isn’t blowing out cold air like the summer past. Here is a recap of common A/C system problems.Additional Parts ReplacementWhen
Performance Exhaust Upgrades Demand Attention to Detail
Depending upon the market to which a tire dealer might be catering, the term "performance exhaust" can have different meanings. The first market actively seeks out the throaty rumble and chrome-plated look as part of the"vehicle personalization" scene. The second installs an exhaust system that produces the most horsepower for a performance application. Sometimes the
The Role of Oxygen Sensors and When They Need Service
Is there a mileage or time requirement for oxygen sensor replacement? Simple answer: No. Oxygen sensors were first used for fuel trim and emissions in the late 1970s and into the mid-1990s. A single sensor was installed into the exhaust stream to modify fuel delivery and maintain catalytic converter efficiency.The ideal point is 0.45 V
Proper Tools Required for Successful Leak Detection
Leaks of one kind or another can always be a challenge to find if the leak isn’t obvious. Having the right tools to help you find leaks can save time, effort and reduce the risk of comebacks. Here are some common types of leaks and what kind of equipment you can use to find them.
Necessary Fluid Maintanance Services vs. Wallet Flushing
Good service shop managers stay on top of their annual workflow by placing jobs like timing belt and brake replacements into categories that can be tracked on a historic basis. If a tire dealer has faithfully tracked the kinds of work flowing through his service bays during the past 10 years, it might become apparent
Servicing Electrical Problems: Invisible Targets
By Matt Dixon and Ben Komnick, assistant professors, Southern Illinois University Carbondale Automotive Technology A good electrical course covers topics including AC and DC voltage, resistance, current, frequency and capacitance along with opportunity for application. In the process of boiling coolant in the overflow bottle, it was observed that the electric cooling fan did not
Power Assist: Servicing Saturn VUE Hybrids
General Motors’ first foray into hybrid technology came in 2007 with the introduction of a hybrid version of the Saturn VUE.The hybrid version of the VUE was initially referred to as the “Green Line” model because of its improved fuel economy: 25 mpg city and 32 mpg highway versus 22/27 for the regular version of