Volkswagen High Strength Steel Training
Traditional collision repair techniques are not effective at restoring today’s automobiles to pre-collision performance.
Every Expert Was Once a Beginner…
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
-Thomas A. Edison
Tracing Parasitic Drains (Why did that Battery Have to Die?)
More often than not, tracing parasitic drains can require a substantial amount of detective work. That’s the tough part. Once you’ve identified the source of a key-off current draw, the repair is usually simple.
VW Turbo Stratified Injection, Part 2: The Fuel System
This second installment of our series discusses high-tech diagnostic testing with various tooling within the high-pressure fuel system.
Mit Kompressor
In 1998, the SLK got a supercharger that provided the “right now” feeling normally associated with larger engines. These and other later models should be showing up in your shop by now, so you’d better know how they work.
Keeping Volkswagen Keyless Entry on Track
Volkswagen’s keyless entry system, KESSY, is cool stuff, but still needs a little TLC now and then.
Volkswagen 7-Speed Double-Clutch Transmission
Volkswagen’s seven-speed automatic transmission is a technological wonder.
The Return of the Mercedes-Benz Hybrid
A major hybrid automobile and truck innovator just after the turn of the 20th Century, Mercedes-Benz has engineered advanced versions of the concept that are not only highly economical, but also have a big “Wow” factor.
Roller Rocker Systems, 2: Translating the Camshaft
The valve end of the roller rocker is moving in an arc and the valve is moving in a straight line, which means that the roller is going to move across the top of the valve to some small degree no matter what you do.
Water-Based Paint: Different Can Be Good
Understanding key performance differences between solvent and water-based coatings will afford you a more durable finish, more consistent color results, and more efficient production.
Nissan Safety Shield Technologies Intelligent Protection
New systems and service procedures required to restore the sophisticated safety technology to factory performance if an accident does occur.
Nissan Charging System Diagnosis
When a customer comes to your shop with a possible charging system problem, the inspection should involve more than just checking the voltage across the battery terminals with the engine running.
Unlocking the Mysteries of Nissan Keyless Entry Systems
We’ll explore the different implementations of keyless entry, as well as their dependent systems, take a look at the most common malfunction scenarios, and discuss logical diagnostics.
Understanding Camshaft Control Systems, Part 2: Servicing Timing Chains & Sprockets
Common issues timing chains can have, so we can better diagnose and repair vehicles correctly the first time.
Nissan TechNews Fall 2015
In this issue we will explore a variety of topics including: common issues timing chains can have, charging system diagnosis, keyless entry and their dependent systems, and safety shield technologies.
Piston Rings, Part 2: Lord of the Circular Cylinder Seals
The second installment talks about how they’re all part of a system that includes various clearances, gas porting, & piston rockover, shape, & stabilization.
Positive Crankcase Ventilation: More Important Than You Think
If the PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation isn’t working correctly, it can cause problems that range from poor idle quality and serious oil leaks to sludging and internal engine damage from oil contamination. Every piston engine no matter how well designed and assembled has a certain amount of blow-by past the rings, and if it can’t get out of the crankcase pressure will build up and water vapor, excess gasoline, and combustion contaminants will collect in and dilute the motor oil.
Choosing the Right Antifreeze/Coolant: What’s a Technician to Do?
Antifreeze seems to come in all colors of the rainbow these days.
Rat Rods Rising
When I first saw the phrase “rat rod” on craigslist.com some years ago, I knew intuitively what it meant, and it made me smile.
TLC Keeps Bimmer Diesels on Top
Since they were introduced in 1983, BMW diesels have shown themselves to be very durable and dependable. That is, if they receive proper maintenance. No? Then you’ll need to do some diagnosis before you fix anything.
Performance Technician September/October 2015
The intricacies of our first pollution control device, the lowly PCV valve and how critical it can be to making your hot rod happy, and we go back into part two of our installments on rocker systems and piston rings with a little more information and detail for you.