click here. In Search Of
SILVER BULLETSCATEGORY: ToolsWrap it Up This idea is not original with me but I find it useful. Do you need to wrap wiring with electrical tape in tight areas that a spool of tape will not go around? Use a 1/4-inch drive socket (5/16 size approximately) to wrap the tape on (transfer it from spool to socket), and you will have a much more compact dispenser.James Kuhns, Technician
Strite's Garage, Chambersburg, PA
TO VOTE, ENTER 216 ON VOTING FORMTap Into This Idea When performing custom design work, tapping a hole to an exact depth is simplified by installing two nuts on a bottoming tap. The first is used to set tap depth and the second (upper) nut serves as a jam nut to lock the first nut in place.
Here's how: Create the initial threads with a starting tap. After double-checking the distance to the lower face of the first nut, finish the operation with the bottoming tap. Simply turn the tap until the lower nut just touches the work surface. Easy and exact.
Barry D. London, OwnerOmega Performance, Syosset, NY
TO VOTE, ENTER 217 ON VOTING FORMgripping performance
Get a grip on frozen battery bolts with a Vise Grip #7WR modified by grinding the jaw. Grind both outside edges flush with tool. Then grind a 45-degree angle on both inside edges so it looks like side-cutting pliers.
Leave a 1/8-inch wide grip area to the one side. This allows the tool to grip behind the rib on a side terminal bolt. This modified tool can also serve a positive (+) or negative (-) access tool. Lock it on so it does not touch the vehicle's metal and then attach your test wires.
Michael L. Martin, ASE Master MechanicMartin's Garage, Maugansville, MD
TO VOTE, ENTER 218 ON VOTING FORMHandle With Care When using an adaptor or extension with your torque wrench, the torque indicated on the wrench will differ from the torque applied, possibly ruining your day. Always use the torque extension/adaptor formula found in the instruction booklet to compensate for increased beam length.
For greatest accuracy, use the center-to-center length of the extension from the tool manufacturers' specs, and avoid using with a flex-head torque wrench. Lube and calibrate your wrenches at least once a year. Handle them like a newborn baby. It's easier and there's no diaper change.
Barry D. London, OwnerOmega Performance, Syosset, NY
TO VOTE, ENTER 219 ON VOTING FORMCool Tool Take a pair of Vise Grips and weld a nut to the adjuster for the tension. Take a large axle nut socket (like a 34mm), stick a bolt through it and screw the bolt into the welded-on nut. Now you have a small slide hammer. It works great for removing leaking oil pump drives on GM 3.1 motors. Damon J. Block, Auto Tech/Transmission Rebuilder
Bilbrey Auto and Transmission, Louisville, KY
TO VOTE, ENTER 220 ON VOTING FORMWho Would Have Thought It? The inner tie rod ends on some GM front-wheel-drive vehicles are the same size and thread as the wheel bearing bolts on some of the Dodge four-wheel-drive trucks. They make a great bearing remover/driver when cut to the right length. They also help to align the bearing/shield with the flange for reassembly.Robert Cronce, Tech
North Branch Oil and Gas, North Branch, MI
TO VOTE, ENTER 221 ON VOTING FORM
Hammer Time Empower your Vise Grip pull by attaching a slide hammer. Remove the tension adjusting screw. Make a puller rod to the same diameter and thread pitch on one end. Point the tip like the screw removed. Fasten a nut on the other end for the slide hammer to hit.
Some slide hammer kits include a special screw/adapter to do the same thing. I have used the tool described to remove dipstick tubes, etc. For example, a plastic dipstick broke off in 2001 Nissan Sentra with 1.8L engine. The customer thought the oil pan would need to come off to get it out - a big money job. I inserted a bolt in the tube hole and then gripped it and tube. A few strokes later the tube and oil stick were free.
Michael L. Martin, ASE Master MechanicMartin's Garage, Maugansville, MD
TO VOTE, ENTER 222 ON VOTING FORMFlying Solo Here's one for you techs who work alone (or wish to work alone). I use an old seat belt buzzer or one from Radio shack (#273 060), to detect switched voltage. You can now "hear" current flow instead of straining to see if the test lamp is aglow.
Applications include fuel pumps, windshield washer motors, horns, etc.
How about a battery drain? Remove the positive battery cable (Ignition key off). Now hook up the buzzer in series with the positive cable and the battery positive terminal. The buzzer will sound loudly if there is an excessive drain. Crawl under the dash, shut the door and start removing fuses until the buzzer goes out.
Basset's Service Center, Rochester, NY
TO VOTE, ENTER 223 ON VOTING FORMGauging Your Work When an O-ring is missing from an assembly, use a blade-type feeler gauge to determine the thickness of the O-ring needed and a dial caliper to find the outer diameter (OD) and inner diameter (ID).
Insert the correct-sized feeler gauge into the empty groove. The blade should be a loose fit. Combine several feeler gauges to fit larger grooves. The external knife edge of the caliper yields the O-ring ID. Use the internal flat edge to measure the ID of the other part that the O-ring seals against, telling you the OD of the O-ring. These measurements will get you in the ballpark until the proper O-ring can be ordered.
Barry D. London, OwnerOmega Performance, Syosset, NY
TO VOTE, ENTER 224 ON VOTING FORMSlide On By Stuck caliper sliders cause a lot of brake problems. Most of the time, the wrong lubricant, inadequate lube or even no lube at all, is to blame. A small handheld grease gun from Snap-On (YA 4190) and needle nozzle (YA 750) make lubing chores much easier and better. I fill the gun with CRC Sta-lube # SL 3303 synthetic brake caliper grease in the 12-ounce bulk container.
Now you can slip the needle nozzle in between the caliper boot and slider to pack it full of grease. Your hands stay cleaner, too. The caliper should move back and forth using hand pressure only.
Ernie Orgar, Jr., ASE Master MechanicBasset's Service Center, Rochester, NY
TO VOTE, ENTER 225 ON VOTING FORMMark the Spot Mark the corners of the drive square of sockets and extensions on the sides of the tools. It helps in tight spots when you have to get the socket on before you can get the ratchet on.Sam Bozeman, ASE Master, L1, Tech
Bay County Fleet Maintenance, Lynn Haven, FL
TO VOTE, ENTER 226 ON VOTING FORMCATEGORY: Fuel and EmissionsThe First Step When we do an emissions test on any OBDII vehicle, the first thing we do is hook up a scanner to the diagnostic link connector. If it doesn't power up, we check the fuse for the cigarette/accessory plug. The ECM gets battery power off the same circuit and with all the accessories that consumers use in their cars today, the fuse is often blown. This also needs to be checked for a driveability issue, as with this fuse blown, the MIL often will not light when a code is stored.Todd Smith
Beltran Bros. Auto Outlet, Merced, CA
TO VOTE, ENTER 227 ON VOTING FORMProcess of Elimination On a late-model Honda Civic (1996) with an inoperative speedometer/odometer along with codes for the Vehicle Speed Sensor and both Oxygen Sensor heater circuits, check the under-the-dash fuse labeled Alternator SP Sensor. A short in one of the oxygen sensors may be the cause. Eliminate the sensors one at a time, and see if the fuse blows or the code resets. If there is a problem, the MIL will illuminate in a short period of time.Bob Minnick, Auto Tech
Christian Bros. Automotive, Frisco, TX
TO VOTE, ENTER 228 ON VOTING FORMDrilling Down You can clean out blockages in the metal tubing between the PCV valve and the intake manifold by using a variable speed drill, an old speedometer cable and carb cleaner. First, disconnect the tubing from the valve and manifold. Unravel the cable to a length of three inches. Attach the other end to the drill and spray carburetor cleaner into the tubing.
Carefully insert the cable and slowly "drill through" the debris. Withdraw the cable and blowout with air. Reconnect the tubing, and you're done.
Barry D. London, OwnerOmega Performance, Syosset, NY
TO VOTE, ENTER 229 ON VOTING FORMSeeing Clearly Have you ever checked the fuel pressure regulator as the first suspected fault of a fuel system problem and found it good, but then, in the end found that it was indeed the problem?
Many of you may know what I am talking about. When the fuel pressure regulator is intermittent, it can fool the best of us. I have found an increasing number of vehicles that would leak fuel from the vacuum port of the regulator only under certain situations such as a lower vacuum level and even lower ambient temperature. As engine load changes and the vacuum to the fuel pressure regulator changes, the diaphragm could leak fuel into the vacuum hose. Also, when the engine is shut off there may be a point as the vacuum is bleeding off that the diaphragm will leak fuel and then stop.
Here is an easy neat tip that might put your diagnosis of the fuel pressure regulator at ease. Remove the vacuum hose from the fuel pressure regulator and replace it with a piece of clear aquarium pump hose. With the clear tubing, you will have a "window" into the fuel pressure regulator vacuum circuit. Don't forget when you're done to reinstall the OE vacuum hose or replace it with a new section of hose designed for automotive use.
Bruce Bonebrake, Owner/TechnicanBonebrake Auto Electric, Brighton, IL
TO VOTE, ENTER 230 ON VOTING FORM
Hanna's Automotive,
Massillon, OH
TO VOTE, ENTER 231 ON VOTING FORMSave A Trip The vacuum hose elbow to the PCV valve on many GM 3.1 engines cracks or deteriorates with time. To save time and a trip to the dealer, replace it with a spark plug wire 90-degree elbow - works great.Gerald A. Montgomery, President
Entire Auto Care Inc., Florence, KY
TO VOTE, ENTER 232 ON VOTING FORMBreaking Loose When attempting to free a corroded aluminum wheel /rim and tire from the hub, loosen the lug nuts and reinstall the wheel nuts or bolts finger tight, leaving them slightly loose.
Then lower the vehicle onto the garage floor, apply the brakes and start the engine. Gently rock the vehicle back and forth by shifting to reverse and forward gears. Let up on the brakes, giving slight acceleration and hit the brakes while rocking back and forth.
This seems to break the wheels/rims from the hub. With stripped or rounded off lug nuts, weld an extension lug nut onto the stripped one. Then remove both the rounded-off lug nut and welded extension together.
John Schroeder, OwnerJRS, Grafton, WI
TO VOTE, ENTER 233 ON VOTING FORMOpening The Passageway To fix a 1997-and-later Ford F150/Expedition with 4.6L engine that comes into the shop with a P0401 (Insufficient EGR flow) trouble code, install a manual vacuum pump on the EGR valve and apply vacuum. If the engine does not stall, the EGR ports in the throttle body are clogged with carbon. It can be accessed for cleaning by removing the throttle body and EGR valve so you can get to both sides of the passage.
The passage is horseshoe-shaped and should be cleaned very thoroughly to avoid a quick build up of any carbon.
David Taylor, OwnerTaylor Automotive, Sanford, NC
TO VOTE, ENTER 234 ON VOTING FORMStop Hesitating On a 2.2 Honda Accord that experiences a mid-range hesitation under load (1,500 to 2,000 rpm), it could be due to restricted EGR passages. The clogged passages usually cause a miss on the open port cylinders (usually cylinder four and/or three) by allowing excessive exhaust gases into these open ports.
The symptom can also be seen in high NOX and HC readings. The six EGR passage plugs can be removed and the passages cleaned out.
Remove the EGR valve as well to ensure clean passages. New plugs are available from Honda (PN 36455-PT3-A01).
Christian Bros. Automotive, Frisco, TX
TO VOTE, ENTER 235 ON VOTING FORMRapid Fire To remove a rusted-on fuel filter from the fuel line, use the l/2-inch impact gun and a long extension to position a crowfoot flare on the fuel filter fitting. The trick is to get the flare nut crowfoot wrench securely in place on the fuel filter fitting. Then squeeze and release the impact gun trigger as quickly as possible. All you want from the gun is a brief "Brapp...Brapp" snapping the fitting loose. Be careful - some tools have a specific purpose. Use caution during this procedure. Common sense is a must.John Schroeder, Owner
JRS, Grafton, WI
TO VOTE, ENTER 236 ON VOTING FORMcontinued, next page
