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Archive Tag: car care

Lube Service Challenges: The Oil Filter Is Often Mistakenly Blamed

Lube Service Challenges: The Oil Filter Is Often Mistakenly Blamed

September 10, 2024

The vehicle received a full service including an oil and filter change. The system was leak checked and the engine had good oil pressure. Two days later, the customer calls reporting a loss of oil pressure symptom. Mechanic A says…a defective oil filter is the cause of the loss of oil pressure. Mechanic B says…a stuck […]

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TROUBLESHOOTING OIL LEAKS: The Filter Often Gets the Blame

TROUBLESHOOTING OIL LEAKS: The Filter Often Gets the Blame

July 18, 2024

Nothing is more frustrating for the vehicle owner than a puddle of oil on their carport floor or the stench of oil on a hot engine or exhaust system following a lube service. It is equally frustrating for the lube shop as they must correct the problem, losing billable labor time. We have seen customers […]

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Diagnosing Engine Performance Complaints: Misfire Codes Can Be a Diagnostic Challenge

Diagnosing Engine Performance Complaints: Misfire Codes Can Be a Diagnostic Challenge

June 24, 2024

When diagnosing engine performance complaints such as misfire symptoms, be advised that several systems and components can contribute to those symptoms. When considering single or multiple misfire codes, some checks may seem farfetched but trust me if not all are considered the symptoms can elude the most experienced technician, resulting in a misdiagnosis. When this […]

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Lean Fuel Trim Codes: They Can Challenge the Experienced Technician

Lean Fuel Trim Codes: They Can Challenge the Experienced Technician

April 10, 2024

The 2013 Ford F150 equipped with a 3.5L EcoBoost engine was running perfectly. With the exception of a drop in fuel economy, there was no indication of a problem until the Check Engine light in the dash illuminated. A system scan revealed P2098 code stored in memory, which represents Post Catalyst Fuel Trim System Too […]

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Diagnostic Challenges That Can Elude an Experienced Technician

Diagnostic Challenges That Can Elude an Experienced Technician

January 9, 2024

Vehicles today incorporate a maze of electronic components that must be considered when troubleshooting a performance related symptom. A vast arsenal of test equipment is necessary to communicate with the electronic systems and components. Systems are so connected that it is difficult for the technician to distinguish between a mechanical, electrical, fuel or emission related […]

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Oil Consumption: It May Be a Normal Characteristic

Oil Consumption: It May Be a Normal Characteristic

September 12, 2023

When dealing with oil consumption complaints, how much should be considered as too excessive? Is the engine consuming an excessive amount of oil or should the amount consumed be considered a normal characteristic? This is especially a concern with the extended service intervals, which may result in the vehicle being driven twice the mileage when […]

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TURBOCHARGED ENGINES: Are You Recommending the Required Services?

TURBOCHARGED ENGINES: Are You Recommending the Required Services?

July 20, 2023

Turbocharged engines are becoming commonplace as the vehicle manufacturers are utilizing smaller displacement engines fitted with turbochargers. Turbochargers and direct fuel injection can make a smaller displacement engine behave like a larger displacement engine, while accomplishing better fuel economy. With this technology comes some challenges, especially in the area of required maintenance. Failure to provide […]

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DIAGNOSING PERFORMANCE COMPLAINTS: The Process Can Be a Challenging Event

DIAGNOSING PERFORMANCE COMPLAINTS: The Process Can Be a Challenging Event

February 16, 2023

Troubleshooting today’s technology can be challenging for even the most experienced technician. Making an accurate diagnosis, rather than throwing a lot of expensive parts and labor at the symptom can be a challenge. How would your shop handle the following customer complaints? a) Crank but no-start b) Hard starts c) Long crank time d) Misfire […]

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Servicing Diesels Lack of Maintenance Promotes Costly Repairs

Servicing Diesels Lack of Maintenance Promotes Costly Repairs

December 30, 2022

Failure to provide timely maintenance on a turbo-charged diesel engine can result in some expensive repairs, especially if it involves replacing a turbocharger or engine. The inexperienced may not realize how important some of the basic services are when servicing these applications. The turbo-diesel engines require a greater volume of air compared to a normal […]

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Maintenance Intervals: Lack of Service Can Lead to a Catastrophic Event

Maintenance Intervals: Lack of Service Can Lead to a Catastrophic Event

October 20, 2022

Neglecting maintenance intervals can result in performance issues and internal engine damage due to sludge deposits restricting the flow of lubricant to vital engine components. Evidence of lack of maintenance will normally show up in the oil filter and related housing. The filter media will be impacted with sludge deposits. Where applicable, the filter cap […]

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A Difficult Diagnosis: When Multiple Conditions Create Similar Symptoms

A Difficult Diagnosis: When Multiple Conditions Create Similar Symptoms

July 21, 2022

Customer complaints of rough idle, misfires, crank but no start or long crank time symptoms can be a challenge with today’s technology. Random or multiple misfire codes may be stored in memory. Symptoms that seem like an ignition related issue may actually be fuel related, carbon induced, or in some cases a normal characteristic. Fuel […]

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ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS OR LOW VOLTAGE: Both Can Create Intermittent Electrical Challenges

ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS OR LOW VOLTAGE: Both Can Create Intermittent Electrical Challenges

June 27, 2022

Low voltage conditions or the integrity of an electrical connection can pose some challenging events for the technician attempting to make an accurate diagnosis. In the world of automotive diagnostics, electrical problems have proven to be the most challenging, especially intermittent problems. Intermittent performance problems can be affected by connection-relate conditions and the presence of […]

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FLUID LEVELS AND SERVICE INTERVALS: LOW FLUID LEVEL CAUSES POWER TRANSFER UNIT FAILURE

FLUID LEVELS AND SERVICE INTERVALS: LOW FLUID LEVEL CAUSES POWER TRANSFER UNIT FAILURE

May 20, 2022

LOW FLUID LEVEL CAUSES POWER TRANSFER UNIT FAILURE Are you accurately checking those fluid levels and recommending fluid flushes or exchanges, where applicable? Unfortunately, many service technicians fall into a pattern of just performing lubrication services requested by the customer, which is usually triggered by a service reminder light indicating that it is time for […]

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ELECTRICAL INTERFERENCE: Diagnosing Radio Frequency Interference Symptoms

ELECTRICAL INTERFERENCE: Diagnosing Radio Frequency Interference Symptoms

March 30, 2022

Vehicles today incorporate a complex radio frequency system that controls many features such as Keyless Entry, Keyless Start/Stop, Remote Start and other electrical accessory components. Vehicle owners cherish these creature comforts as they eliminate the frustration of dealing with keys to control the same functions as the frequency-controlled devices. Often, they have a change of […]

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SERVICE SOLUTIONS: Challenges for the Lube Service Technician

SERVICE SOLUTIONS: Challenges for the Lube Service Technician

March 3, 2022

DODGE AND JEEP OIL FILTER IDENTIFICATION Precaution must be taken when selecting the correct oil filter for the 3.0L Turbo Diesel engines used in the following applications to prevent engine damage. The vehicle manufacturer cautions about the design differences in the GEN-2 and GEN-3 oil filter cartridges used in 3.0L diesel engines and the importance […]

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Winter Wiper Do’s and Don’ts…

Winter Wiper Do’s and Don’ts…

January 28, 2021

The true test of wiper durability is during the winter… snow and ice covering the windshield and the wiper blade. Proper wiper care in the winter is helpful but some perceived remedies could actually damage your wiping system, windshield, or the finish of your vehicle. If the car has been left out and the windshield […]

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Mighty: Maintain to Retain!

Mighty: Maintain to Retain!

July 15, 2019

Cars are a tremendous investment. Not only do they provide transportation from one destination to another, but they also symbolize freedom, a means to go wherever the road takes you. When an owner purchases a car, it typically comes with a warranty based on mileage and months. The purpose of the warranty is to protect […]

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