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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Pinpointing the reason for a crank but no-start, extended cranking, rough idle or misfire symptoms can be a challenge that can consume a lot of diagnostic time to resolve the complaint. Often the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) will be illuminated and a PO300 random misfire code may be stored in memory. If you are lucky, […]
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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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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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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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A major part of the diagnostic process is identifying an issue from a normal characteristic. Following are some examples of customer complaints that could be mistaken as a problem when they may be a normal occurrence for the application. DIESEL ENGINES AND NOISE-RELATED SYMPTOMS Customer complaints of ticking, clicking, or cycling noises on 2017–2022 GM […]
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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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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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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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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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Customer complaints of low oil pressure symptoms can be a challenging event for the technician, especially when the symptoms are intermittent. When the customer encounters a low oil pressure gauge reading or illuminated low oil pressure lamp, it results in a panic situation. Naturally, they assume major engine repairs or an engine replacement. It should […]
Read MoreComplaints of damaged air boxes, hold-down clamps and difficulty making an air filter installation have been reported on 2017–2019 Ford trucks equipped with the 6.7L Turbo-Diesel engine.
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Air filters are designed to protect the engine from contaminants such as bugs, dust, dirt and other debris. Engines do not perform well when the filters are subjected to water and snow, as these conditions promote a hydro-lock of the filter media. When the hydro-lock condition occurs, the filter can be pulled from the air […]
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With proper maintenance and timely service intervals, the life of the engine and related components can be extended. Neglecting these service intervals can result in poor engine performance and internal engine damage due to the formation of sludge deposits. These deposits can restrict the flow of lubricant, promoting accelerated wear.
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Identifying noises that should be considered a normal characteristic or a mechanical defect can be a challenge, even for the most experienced technician. Some engines, systems and components come with their own noise characteristics that we would once consider a defect, but now are considered a normal characteristic. Some mechanical failures may not receive immediate […]
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Nothing can be more frustrating than spending countless hours trying to diagnose and resolve a customer’s complaint only to determine late in the diagnosis there was a factory bulletin available that would have quickly resolved the problem. In many cases, the material contained in the TSB, campaign or recall is the only solution, as the […]
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When diagnosing a misfire condition most automatically assume an ignition or fuel related condition as the culprit. This would involve a defective spark plug, ignition wire, ignition coil, fuel injector, etc. While these components are the most likely candidates that would result in a misfire, some other conditions must also be considered with today’s engines […]
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New technology poses new challenges. Many of these challenges require more than the information provided in repair manuals or diagnostic code charts. Much is learned once the vehicle is put into service and into real world vehicle operating conditions. Following are some conditions that can promote difficult to diagnose symptoms.
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Determining if the performance symptom is due to the vapor pressure of the fuel, carbon buildup, or sticking valves due to gum and varnish can be a challenge.
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Vehicle modifications can create some interesting challenges for a technician. The first step in the diagnostic process is a discussion with the vehicle owner, and if possible, have them accompany you on a road test. Always perform the basic diagnostic steps first. Determine if any modifications have been made to the vehicle. With today’s technology […]
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GM’s Active Fuel Management (AFM) system allows a V8 engine to turn off half of its cylinders for fuel economy purposes. In doing so the V8 engines RPO: L76, L77, L83, L86, L94, L99, LC9, LFA, LH6, LMG, LS4, LT1, LT4, LY5 and LV3 are developing a history of camshafts and valve lifters being turned […]
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Today’s automotive engines have different filtration and lubrication requirements compared to engines produced in the past. Bearing clearances and the composition of the metal used in the bearings, plus changes in engine technology require different lubrication and filtration characteristics. Some assume that any viscosity oil will do and filtration efficiency s determined by the physical characteristics/dimensions of […]
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Most vehicle owners think of the battery as a component that starts the engine and serves no other purpose. And most never think about the battery or consider having it tested until the engine fails to start. With today’s vehicles, the battery may start the engine perfectly right up until it fails to start without […]
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Changing the oil filter on a 2017-2018 Chevrolet Colorado or GMC Canyon with a 3.6L engine can be a challenging event, often leading to engine failure. These are not applications to hurriedly perform a lube service on. If extreme caution is not taken the customer may be without transportation for a few days until a […]
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Often we are faced with customer complaints that are seemingly impossible to resolve. We methodically make our best diagnostic efforts and implement the necessary repairs to alleviate the customer’s complaint. Sometimes, our best efforts fail to provide a solution and when this happens, it looks bad on the technician and the parts supplier.
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On one vehicle the customer complaint started with a misfire condition which progressed to an extended crank time to start and eventually a no-start symptom. Performing the basic checks revealed…
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Timely vehicle maintenance makes good business sense, especially when compared to costly engine repairs or an engine replacement. The extended service intervals have created a major concern for the old school generation, and especially technicians that have serviced vehicles for thirty-plus years. Our early driving and maintenance experience encompassed less fuel…
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When examining oil filters that are deformed from excessive pressure, filter gaskets blown or canister lock-seams unrolled, there is a reason for these conditions. While the oil filter is usually blamed for these conditions, the actual cause is over-pressurization due to a malfunction within the oil pump. Read on for pressurization issues involving GM, Kia […]
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A low oil pressure message/light is becoming a common complaint on 2007-2016 GM vehicles equipped with a V8 engine and active fuel management (AFM), which is sometimes referred to as displacement on demand (DOD). These symptoms often occur with no indication of a low oil pressure condition such as engine related noises…
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The primary objective of thorough inspections and system maintenance is to prevent some unnecessary and costly repair expense for the customer. System neglect can result in hundreds of dollars in repair cost that may have been circumvented by performing some basic maintenance…
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Do you know all there is to know concerning a battery replacement? Most assume they do, but later they may realize they should have done some research. Technology changes the way we must perform some services and troubleshoot some systems. Based on the application, battery replacement is becoming a technical procedure that may require a […]
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GM has identified a defect in certain 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon vehicles whereby the front brake calipers on these vehicles can leak brake fluid. The condition is caused by tiny air pockets in the caliper castings that occurred during the casting process. If the casting contains a continuous string of air pockets that penetrate […]
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