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Archive Tag: technician

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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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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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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TROUBLESHOOTING DRIVELINE NOISES: Identifying Factory Solutions

TROUBLESHOOTING DRIVELINE NOISES: Identifying Factory Solutions

May 5, 2023

GM TRANSFER CASE NOISES Customer complaints involving howling, whining, shudder or grinding noises during parking lot maneuvers in Auto Mode or highway speeds in 4HI or Auto may occur on four wheel drive GM trucks and SUV vehicles. Vehicles affected range from 2014–2023 year models. Specific applications can be identified in GM Service Bulletin 19-NA-136. […]

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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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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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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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Injector Pump Failure: Fuel System Flooded with Metal Particles

Injector Pump Failure: Fuel System Flooded with Metal Particles

February 24, 2022

The shop had performed a service on the customer’s 2015 Silverado equipped with a 6.6L Duramax Turbo Diesel, which included a fuel filter replacement. Weeks later the customer contacts the shop owner requesting re- imbursement in the amount of $14,000 to cover the repair cost of the fuel injection system due to an alleged defective […]

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Practicing Shop Safety: A Technician’s Life May Depend on It

Practicing Shop Safety: A Technician’s Life May Depend on It

November 24, 2020

Having been involved in the automotive field for the past 54 years, I have experienced firsthand how minor negligence can lead to a catastrophic event. Many technicians fall into a pattern that results in the technician taking some steps that could result in personal injury or damage to the customer’s vehicle. It is human nature […]

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Brake Solutions: Service Tips for the Brake Technician

Brake Solutions: Service Tips for the Brake Technician

August 15, 2019

The owner of the 2013 Ford F150 encountered a brake performance issue, which involved a pulling condition during brake application. The vehicle was a recent purchase with little maintenance history from the previous owner, other than an invoice in the glove compartment that reflected a recent disc pad replacement…

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