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The article offers practical guidance for automotive service professionals. Topics discussed include the recommended practice of installing new tires on the rear axle for better traction, tips for accurately ordering replacement mirrors given various options, and troubleshooting advice for common issues such as oil consumption, low oil pressure warnings, and exhaust gas leaks in vehicle cabins.

The article presents a diagnostic challenge involving a misfire in a Chevy truck with a 6.6L Duramax diesel engine. The diagnostic approach involves monitoring injector balance rates and analyzing injector performance with a lab scope and amp probe. The data reveals that cylinder 7 is contributing the least to crankshaft acceleration and misfiring. The challenge seeks recommendations on how to proceed with the diagnosis based on the provided data.

The article reports that an automobi le is a compilation of many systems t hat work together to make a single get-up-and-go and stop-when-you-need-to vehicle. It's almost biological. In the same way the nervous system depends on the cardiovascular system, and the cardiovascular system is useless without the respiratory system, the drivetrain depends on the engine.

The article offers information about how to diagnose the problem vehicles, along with explores the issues they are experiencing, having a solid diagnostic plan of attack will allow for not only a proper diagnosis but also an increase in efficiency. It discusses about checking mechanical conditions using the Ford's relative compression test.

The article offers information about the challenges associated with the vehicle problems. It mentions about the special valvetrain alignment tools required to replace the chains on the vehicle. It discusses the scan tool is used to retrieve trouble codes and P0320 (Ignition Engine Speed Input Circuit Malfunction).

The article presents the discussion on installing the rebuilt engine in Suzuki. Topics include pressure transducer giving great visual representation of happening in the chamber as the valves opening and closing; and engine needed to be removed and sending back to the engine rebuilder for an internal inspection.

The article reports that Subaru's market share has been growing and more Subaru vehicles may be coming. Topics include considered that vehicle presented itself with an illuminated MIL and a rough-running concern that any of us could feel was a single-cylinder misfire and if were to look at scan data, would see some differences if were used to other makes of vehicles.

The article discusses information on tools to implement and the results of a specific test that provides that "nail in the coffin", a diagnosis. Topics include importance to understanding what systems the vehicle is configured to determine what preliminary testing can be carried out easily; connection between ignition scope and the distributor coil input cable using a capacitive lead; and need to determine several things due to understanding of physics involving low cylinder compression.

The article offers step-by-step instruction on correcting ignition timing on automobile modern engines.

The article offers step-by-step instruction on diagnosing automobile emission by performing relative compression test.

The article offers step-by-step instruction for diagnosing the combustion along with the "good" and the "bad" related to modern ignition coil technology, Coil-On-Plug (C.O.P.).

A personal narrative is presented which explores the author's experience of helping a fellow diagnostician who was presented in the auto repair shop with a 1999 Ford F350 with a V10 engine that has a timing fault on one bank of the engine.

The article discusses the fundamental engine mechanical tests performed with cranking intake vacuum and cranking relative compression. It mentions that modern engines can suffer from incorrect ignition timing, incorrect valve timing and cylinder sealing issues that cause compression loss. It suggests to have a pressure transducer and scope with compression test hoses for various spark plugs used in many engines that are found in the marketplace.

The article offers a preview of multiple products, including "Coolee", a three-in-one portable air conditioner, from Cool Boss, and an aluminum pipe system for compressed air in shops or garages, from DanAmAir.

The article reports that I want my shops to get 50 percent maintenance compared to repair without the repair going down. Do the math on that one day. Say you are generating $20,000 per week, and you are only spending 10 percent on maintenance. This is the average that most shops start at once technicians figure out how to track it.

The article presents questions and answers related to automobile wiring diagrams including ignition switch, path that provides power and ground to each cooling fan in high-speed mode, and path that provides power to each cooling fan in low-speed mode,.

The article presents the important pointers that should be remembered by technicians at automotive repair shops in the U.S. when installing spark plugs on a customer's car. It states the need to use spark plug wire puller to remove secondary lead from spark plug. It notes the use of compressed air to clean the base of the plug. It mentions the importance of inspecting the removed plug for signs of damage.

The article offers the author's insights about spark plug installation. Details about spark plugs, including its function and selection process, are discussed. Also provided are insights from several executives of automotive technology companies such as Tim Stumpff of Robert Bosch LLC, Michael Kollenberg of Federal-Mogul Motorparts, and Jason Norwood of NGK Spark Plugs (USA) Inc.

The author presents several jobs that deal with stuck on stupid (SOS) in the shop manuals for automobiles. These include replacing the engine in a 2005 Kia Sportage without reading the manual, the problem of the running of the 2007 Chevy Cobalt automobile as it was replaced the spark plugs and ancient 1997 Mazda 626 V6 which it replaced the weak ignition coil.

The article examines the importance of determining the engines' ability to intake fresh air to avoid rise in pressure in the exhaust system. Topics discussed include drivability conditions raised due to air restrictions such as lack of power and misfiring cylinders, lack of ideal piston position synchronization because of incorrect valve timing and use of transducers to remove spark plugs by technicians. INSET: EXHAUST BACK PRESSURE -- QUICK EXPLANATION.

The article offers step-by-step instructions for using in-cylinder pressure testing in addressing drivability-related problems.

The article offers brief information on several products for automobile repair shops including the SAE 30 grade Purpose-Built motor oil from Champion Oil, compact seals from ContiTech Vibration Control, and spark plug starter from Lisle Corp.

The article evaluates several products for automobiles including the Piranha Smart Lamps from Peterson Manufacturing, mobile carts from Shure Manufacturing Corp. and the 20 Double Platinum Power spark plug from Federal-Mogul Corp.

The article features tools and equipment for motor vehicles, including the Platinum motor oil from Pennzoil, Xtreme Sport Indium Enhance Spark Plug from Autolite and HalGuard Clean Agent fire extinguishers from H3R Performance.

The article evaluates several automotive service tools, including the NightGuide headlamp bulb from Philips Automotive Lighting North America, the Z-series oil-free rotary screw air compressors from Atlas Copco and the Universal Spark Plug Boot Puller from Schley Products.

Evaluates several tools and supplies for automobiles. Champion Iridium Spark Plugs from Federal-Mogul Corp.; MonoMax and Gas-a-Just Shock Absorbers from KYB America LLC; Coated Copper Gaskets from Corteco.

Features several products used in the automotive industry. Stinger high-lift transmission jack from OTC; Valve Springs from COMP Cams; Oversized tubing expander from Diesel and Gas Performance; Spark plug from E3.

Discusses various forms of ignition spark and fuel control systems in automobiles. Traditional distributor ignition; Distributorless ignition systems; Coil-on-plug; Ion-sensing systems. INSETS: SERVICE THOUGHT;A FEW IGNITION FACTS.

Features several tools, parts and resources in the automobile industry. Premium Spark Plug Wire from Robert Bosch Corp.; FRAM Comfortaire Passenger Compartment air filters from Honeywell Consumer Products Group; Injection Tech line of remanufactured electronic fuel injectors from Crown Remanufacturing Inc. INSETS: TOOLBOX: TRAINING RESOURCES;TOOLBOX: PROMO PROGRAMS;BENDIX BRAKES: 'TIS THE SEASON;TOOLBOX: READER'S REFERENCE

Discusses how coil-on-plug (COP) ignition makes it easy to measure ions in the spark plug gap, opening up new possibilities in engine control. Facts about an ion; Ion current sensing; Piezo-electric knock sensors; Misfire detection; Direct engine control functions.

The article discusses that the Vehicle engine manufacturers are constantly striving to create models that improve efficiency, capacity, horsepower and overall performance, meaning that the manufacturers of the spark plugs that outfit them. It mentions that the Autolite® satisfies this need with its Iridium Ultra® and Iridium XP lines of spark plugs, which combine to provide coverage for up to 94 percent of domestic and import vehicles in operation (VIO) in the U.S.

The article explores the elements of an ignition scope pattern to understand activity in a combustion chamber. There are factors at play when a spark plug is installed into the engine as a valid test of the ignition system. Factors including fuel mixture and resistance in the plug wire affect cylinder pressure. Suggested ways to view ignition patterns are to look for anomalies while watching a running ignition pattern, and distinguishing between mixture and pressure issues.

The article focuses on the reliability of scope ignition compared to scan tools. The author says that scope DIS ignition analysis is used as DIS offers the ability to look at the same spark plug without and under combustion, which could help in detecting where it happened and how many cylinders were affected. He cites that worn spark plugs, lean fuel mixture and the spark behavior inside the combustion chamber are the things to look at to evaluate if coil energy is not wasted in KV demand.

The article features several commercial products including the Platinum Ir Fusion spark plug from Robert Bosch Corp., Multi Oil Wrench from Innovative Products of America and Tuner Series Wire Sets from Prestolite Wire Corp.

The article discusses the removing and installing the plugs for a diagnostic test and changing as a routine maintenance services.

The article offers information on several products for automobile repair shops, including the Diamond Grinding Wheels from IPA Tools, AGM premium batteries from NAPA and spark plugs from Autolite.

The article offers information on several automotive products which include Autolite's Iridium XP Enhanced Alloy Technology Spark Plugs, Arnott Inc.'s rear air struts, and OTC Tools' Evolve scan system.

The article offers information on several automotive products including ACDelco spark plugs from American automotive parts brand ACDelco, Fluid Connection Systems from auto body parts supplier Jiffy-Tite Co. Inc. and Elite Series air compressors from manufacturing company BendPak Inc.

The article previews several products including the Diesel Particulate Filter Protector from Liqui-Moly, the Coil-On-Plug Spark Tester from Lisle Corp., and the Ultra Series RTV Gasket Maker from Permatex.

The article evaluates the Iridium XP Enhanced Alloy Technology Spark Plug from Autolite.

The article offers information on diagnosing the brake pedal problems of automobiles. It states that the hydraulic system should be isolated using approved brake house clamps. It notes the need to remove brake lines from master cylinder to isolate and test the cylinder. It mentions that plastic plugs should not be used on ports to avoid causing considerable damage when planning to start the vehicle to verify operation.

The article evaluates several products for motor vehicles including Mobil 1 motor oil, Rapidfire spark plug from ACDelco and TRICO Force beam blade.

The article discusses the use of timing lights in checking the accurate firing of an ignition system inside a vehicle's combustion chamber. Looking at the top dead center (TDC) peak pressure area of the pressure waveform will reportedly show correct ignition timing, with the event occurring after TDC. It is stated that knowing an engine's low compression is due to its being out of time, by way of the waveform set, saves time on pulling another spark plug, doing a leak down test or pulling the timing cover.

The article focuses on the practice of auto repair shops of buying and parts at the cheapest price to maximize their margins. Topics discussed by the author include the characteristics of the spark plugs installed on the vehicle of a customer who sought that his car has a mechanical problem, the opportunity given by price shopping to counterfeit products when creating an estimate for customer's repairs, and significance of partnering of shops with suppliers.

This section presents an update on the manufacture defects of several automobiles as of July 2008. A safety recall has been launched to replace power steering hoses that can leak fluid onto the catalytic converter and cause fire in the 2004-2008 TL Acura automobile. Porous engine castings are cited as the causes of oil leaks on Honda/Acura V6 engines. A new tool and procedures have been released for removing broken spark plugs on all 2004 and later Ford automobiles with three-valve engine.

The article reveals factory defects in several automobile models. The MIL illumination in Nissan Pathfinder 2005-2007 models was speculated to be caused by a stuck or leaking evaporateive emission control (EVAP) vent system solenoid. On some Mercedes-Benz C230, CL230 with M271 engine vehicles, water has been found in the spark plug recesses in the cylinder head cover. Honda reported that the soft brake pedal or excessive pedal travel in the 2003-2007 Honda Accord and Accord Hybrid models can be caused by a faulty brake modulator control unit.

The article focuses on how to take care of spark plugs including requiring high voltage potential for ignition spark, use of torque wrench on the plugs and stain around the base of the porcelain on the old plug.

The author reflects on customers taking their auto problems to several shops. He argues that customers usually go to various shops since some problems were not fixed or cost estimates were too high. The experience of the author in dealing with a customer that wanted to have everything on his car fixed is offered.