Mechanic Connection: Sourcing Engine Parts
Because of the time and expense involved, many factors go into sourcing engine parts. It’s a typical scenario: a late ’90s front-wheel drive van suffers a blown cylinder head gasket and the owner drives the vehicle until the engine quits. Upon initial inspection, the engine will crank, start and run, but produces a one-half crankshaft-speed
Import Insights: Paper Catalogs vs. The Computer
Although computer-based cataloging has become the norm in sourcing parts, there are still great benefits to using good ol’ paper.
A Shop’s Perspective: Dealing with Store & WD Sales Reps
Attention sales reps: To maintain a healthy business relationship with customers, it’s best to know your clients, fulfill their needs and, most importantly, value their time.
Tech Forum: Alternators
QUESTION: Why do alternators have such a high return rate? ANSWER: Alternators have such a high return rate because they are often misdiagnosed as the cause of a charging problem or low battery. The alternator is the heart of the charging system. It generates the amps needed to keep the battery fully charged and to
Tech Forum: Ceramic Brake Pads
QUESTION: What’s so hot about ceramic brake pads? ANSWER: In a nutshell, ceramic pads are quieter than semi-metallic pads. Ceramic pads are also less harsh on rotors than their semi-metallic cousins, tend to wear better, and unlike many European formula non-asbestos organic (NAO) pads, don’t produce a lot of ugly black brake dust that sticks
Tech Forum: Engine Management
QUESTION: Why does the “Check Engine” Light Come On? ANSWER: That’s a question that many people ask. Most people think the Check Engine Light comes on if an engine has any kind of problem whatsoever. But guess what? They’re wrong! The Check Engine Light only comes on if a fault is emissions-related. The fault does
Tech Forum: Air & Cabin Air Filters
QUESTION: Which vehicles have cabin air filters? ANSWER: Cabin filters have been used on some on Audis and other European makes since the mid-1980s, and on a growing list of domestic makes since the mid-1990s. Today, close to 80 percent of all new vehicles have one of these filters — or a place where one
Tech Forum: Fuel Injection
QUESTION: What happens when fuel injectors get dirty? ANSWER: What will happen is that the engine may experience a variety of driveability and performance problems such as hesitation or stumble when accelerating, loss of power, rough idle, reduced fuel economy and increased emissions. With electronic fuel injection systems, the air/fuel ratio is controlled by the
Tech Forum: Refrigerant
QUESTION: Who can legally buy refrigerant? ANSWER: Under federal law, it is illegal to sell R-12 refrigerant to anyone who has not passed an EPA-required certification course on refrigerant recovery and recycling procedures. This applies to professional technicians as well as DIYers. Some states and municipalities also have their own “can ban” laws that prohibit
Tech Forum: Wipers
QUESTION: How often should wiper blades be replaced? ANSWER: A standard recommendation is to replace wiper blades yearly (front and rear), or more often as needed depending on driving conditions and weather. The life of the wiper blades depends on the materials from which they are made, how much exposure they get from the sun
Tech Forum
Your customers — technician or otherwise — often look to you for the answers to their technical and product questions. In this ever-changing automotive technology and product landscape, counter and sales professionals throughout distribution need to have the answers. That’s your job.Throughout the year, Counterman editors receive some of these questions from readers or service
The Kindness of Strangers
Whether you work on the import or the domestic side of our business, it all comes down to your integrity. The truth, it turns out, is always the best choice.