2006 Tech Tips Mailbag - Page 2
General TipsBlow the Dust Off Your Fractional SocketsIn several cases you can substitute SAE (fractional-sized) wrenches or sockets, which are slightly smaller in diameter, to remove rounded or worn metric nuts or bolts. This may help you to avoid further hardware damage and extreme measures. For example, substitute 5/16-inch socket for 8mm, 1/2-inch for 13m, or 5/8-inch for a 16mm socket or wrench.Barry D. London, Owner/Technician
Omega Performance, Syosset, NY
TO VOTE, ENTER 200 ON VOTING FORMOil Filter Woes Have you ever had a hard time removing oil filters from an engine? We have found that 90 percent of the time it is a result of the O-ring or gasket not being lubricated. Take an empty quart of oil, cut the side out of it and lay a rag in the bottom. Coat the rag with your favorite flavor of oil and leave it on your workstation. When it is time to change oil, no need to dip your finger in the old oil. Just place the oil filter gasket side down on the rag, spin slightly and – presto! – a perfectly oiled oil filter gasket. Now if we could only get everyone to read this, our jobs would be a lot easier.Dave Greener, Owner
Greener’s Auto and Truck Center, Holland, MI
TO VOTE, ENTER 201 ON VOTING FORMCleaning Threads
When you have to assemble just about anything with bolts, you often have to deal with threads that need to be cleaned up, especially when having to assemble something that has a critical torque specification. Sometimes, however, the normal tap that you find in a tap and die set isn’t long enough to reach where you need to go, or, in one situation, I had already assembled the piece and then remembered that I needed to clean the threads.
Murray Motive, Oldsmar, FL
TO VOTE, ENTER 202 ON VOTING FORMDo the Boot Slide Before you attempt to install the inlet air boot to the Throttle Body, MAF or air cleaner, try putting a thin layer of petroleum jelly on both surfaces. This will make it much easier to install, prevent corrosion and make removal easier. Don’t forget to align and tighten the clamps.Ernie Orgar, Jr., ASE Master Auto Tech
Basset’s Service Center, Rochester, NY
TO VOTE, ENTER 203 ON VOTING FORMA Second Chance
If a self-tapping screw strips out and you wish to keep the same size screw, install a close-fitting washer under the head. Raising the screw head slightly may give you additional purchase and allow it to be reused at full torque.Barry D. London, Owner/Technician
Omega Performance, Syosset, NYTO VOTE, ENTER 204 ON VOTING FORMBlock That Latch When doing an oil change, I remove the filler cap to check the oil level. It helps the oil drain a little faster, and checking the oil level prior to draining the oil protects me from someone else’s mistake or neglect. It also gives me a chance to see the condition of the oil. I also place the filler cap on the hood latch. When I try to close the hood, the cap will stop it. I have caught myself this way a couple times, but more importantly, a couple others in our shop started doing this after damaging engines.Jason Burr, Mechanic
4 Seasons VW, Missoula, MTTO VOTE, ENTER 205 ON VOTING FORM
Omega Performance, Syosset, NY
TO VOTE, ENTER 200 ON VOTING FORMOil Filter Woes Have you ever had a hard time removing oil filters from an engine? We have found that 90 percent of the time it is a result of the O-ring or gasket not being lubricated. Take an empty quart of oil, cut the side out of it and lay a rag in the bottom. Coat the rag with your favorite flavor of oil and leave it on your workstation. When it is time to change oil, no need to dip your finger in the old oil. Just place the oil filter gasket side down on the rag, spin slightly and – presto! – a perfectly oiled oil filter gasket. Now if we could only get everyone to read this, our jobs would be a lot easier.Dave Greener, Owner
Greener’s Auto and Truck Center, Holland, MI
TO VOTE, ENTER 201 ON VOTING FORMCleaning Threads
When you have to assemble just about anything with bolts, you often have to deal with threads that need to be cleaned up, especially when having to assemble something that has a critical torque specification. Sometimes, however, the normal tap that you find in a tap and die set isn’t long enough to reach where you need to go, or, in one situation, I had already assembled the piece and then remembered that I needed to clean the threads.
Well, the solution that I found is to find the correct thread pitch in a much longer stainless steel bolt. Your local hardware store should have a good assortment. First, you grind a slight taper at the end of the bolt. Then, very carefully, and using a rotary-style exhaust cutter or a die grinder with a cutting wheel, you cut reliefs in the threads of the bolt running the length of the threads. Three or four reliefs are enough.
When you are done, it should look similar to a thread chaser, but longer and definitely stronger. Once you make one, it becomes a tool you keep for “just in case.”Gary Sharits, Office ManagerMurray Motive, Oldsmar, FL
TO VOTE, ENTER 202 ON VOTING FORMDo the Boot Slide Before you attempt to install the inlet air boot to the Throttle Body, MAF or air cleaner, try putting a thin layer of petroleum jelly on both surfaces. This will make it much easier to install, prevent corrosion and make removal easier. Don’t forget to align and tighten the clamps.Ernie Orgar, Jr., ASE Master Auto Tech
Basset’s Service Center, Rochester, NY
TO VOTE, ENTER 203 ON VOTING FORMA Second Chance
If a self-tapping screw strips out and you wish to keep the same size screw, install a close-fitting washer under the head. Raising the screw head slightly may give you additional purchase and allow it to be reused at full torque.Barry D. London, Owner/Technician
Omega Performance, Syosset, NYTO VOTE, ENTER 204 ON VOTING FORMBlock That Latch When doing an oil change, I remove the filler cap to check the oil level. It helps the oil drain a little faster, and checking the oil level prior to draining the oil protects me from someone else’s mistake or neglect. It also gives me a chance to see the condition of the oil. I also place the filler cap on the hood latch. When I try to close the hood, the cap will stop it. I have caught myself this way a couple times, but more importantly, a couple others in our shop started doing this after damaging engines.Jason Burr, Mechanic
4 Seasons VW, Missoula, MTTO VOTE, ENTER 205 ON VOTING FORM
TransmissionBleeding Clutch On Ford RangerWhen replacing a master cylinder on a Ford Ranger, an easier way to bleed the clutch is to remove the line with the master cylinder and install a line on the new master. Then bench bleed the master cylinder and install it and the line as one assembly. Very easy to do, and it only takes one person.Gary Bryan, Technician, A&D Automotive Transmissions, Nashville, TNTO VOTE, ENTER 206 ON VOTING FORMGo
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