Cold Air Induction Systems
Cold Air Induction Kit
This week I wanted to talk a little about cold air induction systems. Last week I talked about standard air filter maintenance and a few people ask me about my thoughts on high performance air intakes. I also wanted to provide a little history about how far scooping up air for the engine has come.
Back in the old days before all of the emission system controls the air induction system was quite simple it basically consisted of an air cleaner housing mounted on top of the carburetor with a simple filter inside of the metal housing.
Although it was simplified its function was the same as it is today and that is to provide a generous quantity of air that has been filtered free of grit and dirt. The air intake system on a modern fuel injected engine is much more complicated.
On modern vehicles more attention is paid to trying to pull cool air from outside the engine compartment into the air filter assembly. Where as in the old days the air filters sat on top of the engine it is more common today to find the air filter placed below the top of the engine to allow for more efficient aerodynamic body designs.
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Automotive Air Filter Maintenance
2009 Cadillac SRX
This next article about automotive air filter maintenance is just an opinion from a mechanic. Sometimes since mechanics are educated in the ways of the automobile they may find themselves becoming more vigilant when it comes to their own maintenance of their beloved personal automobile or cars that belong to family members.
My latest vehicle a 2009 Cadillac SRX recommends in the service manual that the air filter be replaced every 25,000 miles. In my opinion this would just be a guideline because the operating conditions may require that the air filter be replaced more or less. When I bought the vehicle used it had 22,000 miles on it. I pulled the air filter for inspection and it was 90% blocked.
Standard Brake Job Tips
Floating disc brake caliper
I wanted to provide some standard brake job tips that can apply to both do it yourself driveway mechanics and auto repair consumers that plan on dropping their vehicle off for brake service. Learning a little about the process can help you get the most out of your brake jobs.
In some auto repair publications they have done tests that show that when only the pads are replaced without reconditioning or replacing the caliper hardware that the new pads can wear out faster than original equipment brake pads installed from the factory.
It is often rusting and corrosion that causes this premature wear. When the calipers do not float as per design intent then the brakes can drag slightly causing this increased wear. I have more details about the different kinds of disc brakes and how they work plus an auto repair video at the very end of this article.
This is my primary brake job tips recommendation! When you are performing your own brake service or you’re having a shop do it for you, replace or fully recondition the hardware that allows for the free movement of the calipers. Think about where this hardware is located. Down by the tire and close to the road where it is exposed to water, salt, potholes and road debris.
Changing ASE Testing Format
ASE Test Results
After taking the last round of ASE tests included with my results was a short letter that things would be changing for test takers. I guess everything in life changes but I was a little surprised by ASE’s decision to go with the computer-based testing format and doing away with the written tests that have been offered for the last 25 years or so.
The official snippet in the letter that relates to this is to follow. “And if you haven’t heard, ASE is changing from paper and pencil testing to a computer-based format.
The written test will be offered for the final two times in May and November of 2011. Beginning in January 2012, only computer-based testing will be offered, but it will be available eight months of the year at a secure proctored test Center”.
First I would like to go on record as saying that I have taken the ASE computer-based tests. The system works well and has many advantages over the old style of paper and pencil testing. Read more
Car Brake Problems
When car brake problems develop most often the driver will immediately investigate the issues. This is usually one condition a driver will not put off looking into. When you put your foot on the brake pedal and apply pressure you expect your vehicle to stop with authority. If this doesn’t happen a pleasant drive can turn into a safety nightmare.
ABS warning light
Some drivers are known for putting off car repairs like regular maintenance. Things like oil changes, coolant flushes and tune-ups can seem unimportant when the car is running good.
Often drivers even put off diagnosing warning light problems such as abs lights, airbag light and check engine lights but few will ignore car brake problems. Let me use my sister as an example (sorry Sis).
I got into her car the other day and the check engine light was on. I asked her how long the light had been shinning in her face. She told me that it’s been about 10 days and she was meaning to talk to me about it. When this same young lady had a brake system problem she called me immediately so that I could diagnose it.
Some common car brake problems Read more
About Car Batteries
Information about car batteries
Car Battery
I have written a lot of articles about car batteries and charging systems. One question has come up frequently that seems to have fallen through the cracks of the articles that I have already written about the battery and charging system on modern-day cars.
This frequently asked question about the vehicle’s car battery is after the engine is running is the battery doing anything besides charging back up. The short answer to this question is no. The battery is used primarily for starting the engine.
In fact during cranking it is the battery that supplies all of the vehicles electrical power. However once the engine is running it is the alternator that is responsible for producing enough electrical energy to meet the demands of all of the vehicles loads. This would include things like operating the wipers illuminating the headlights and even charging your cell phone.
Torque Converter Clutch Problems
Problem torque converter clutches
Torque Converter Clutch
I have written about torque converter clutch problems in other posts but this one will be a little different. Most often when I have a problem with the converter clutch lock up causing an engine stalling condition I find a problem with the tcc solenoid.
But this is not always the cause of the problem. In fact the last time I faced a converter clutch lock up problem I went for the solenoid right away and it did not fix the issue which was an engine stall only when put into reverse gear. On this particular repair I ran into a clogged transmission cooler.
Although this was the first time I have ever seen this component cause a stalling condition, after checking into the situation it made a lot of sense. The drivers complaint was different this time around then the usual complaint associated with torque converter clutch problems.
The driver stated that the stalling condition was most often when he put the vehicle into reverse. Especially when the engine was cold, like in the morning while backing out of his driveway. In most cases when you have a torque converter solenoid issue the engine will stall as you slow down for a stoplight in a forward gear.
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About Disc Brakes
Learn About Disc Brakes
Replacement Brake Pads
Learning about disc brakes would be good information for any driver to be knowledgeable about. You do not have to be a do-it-yourself mechanic to learn more about the subject. This is valuable information because if you own a car you will probably need a brake job sooner or later.
When you take your vehicle into a repair shop they may throw some up sales your way. It is nice to be able to discuss specific problems with your auto repair shop in and knowledgeable way. Even if your car has a highly technical antilock brake system when it comes to the basic maintenance of replacing brake pads this operation is very similar to the way it was back in the 70s.
Maybe the only difference is back then they where disc brakes in the front and drum brakes on the rear. Although some drum brakes are still around today it is most common to see a four wheel disc braking system. This even true for light duty and heavy duty pick up trucks and vans.
Car disc brakes offer major advantages over the drum brake system. The nice thing about disc brakes is they are resistant to pedal fade due to fluid overheating. Read more
Windshield Wiper Problems
Wiper Linkage
It is the season for windshield wiper problems. Overall the system was designed to be extremely reliable. With that said it is not invincible. Common driver complaints can include poor wiping where the windshield is not swept completely clean as the wipers pass up and back.
Another big complaint would be extremely noisy wiper operation (addressed below). Other complaints related to the wiper linkage or arms may include situations where they are out of adjustment and could be slapping the windshield moldings.
I have seen situations were the blades are touching each other as they sweep back and forth. Although not as common would be other complaints such as intermittent operation and slower than normal sweeping action. We will discuss all of these windshield wiper problems below. I have made available some of the parts that are often required to solve these issues including new wiper blades.
