I had a customer come in and ask me about an injector problem he has been having for the past 70,000 miles.
I had a customer come in and ask me about an injector problem he has been having for the past 70,000 miles. He has a 1997 3/4 ton Suburban 4×4 with a 454 v8, his original injectors, fuel pump, pressure regulator, and fuel filter were changed at 136,000 miles. Now at 13,000-mile intervals he is having his injectors changed, all eight, because they are leaking. They are factory Chevrolet parts each time. What could possible be causing this and would you happen to know the difference between a Borg Warner injector and the factory part?
I am an ASE Certified Parts Specialist (P1). I want to expand my abilities to include P2, P3 and possibly even the P4 in the future. I have a decent knowledge of Medium and Heavy Duty vehicles now, but I would like to gain more before I take the tests.
There are resources and study guides offered by ASE to help you. Here are two links I would suggest. In the first, you can download the appropriate study guides. In the second link, you can request paper copies of each study guide. Good luck! –Mark Phillips Editor, Counterman magazine To download the ASE study guides
Where can I find the value of a 1959 Cadillac Deville, unrestored value and fully restored value?
Here are three sources that might help: http://www.nadaguides.com/ http://www.hemmings.com/priceguide/check_prices.html http://www.kbb.com When finding the value of older vehicles, beauty is in the eye of the beholder or key holder in this case. Most price guides for late-model vehicles is based on "dealer only" auction prices or retail prices paid by consumers (DMV title information). Since very
How does ethanol gas affect some older-model vehicle fuel systems?
The fuel system on any car or light truck that has been manufactured since the 1980s should be compatable with gasoline/ethanol mixtures of up to 10 percent ethanol. However, ONLY vehicles that are built to be FLEX FUEL vehicles can handle higher blends of ethanol alcohol (E85). Alcohol is a strong solvent and may cause
Mercon SP Fluid in Ford 5r110w Trans
Q: Can you tell me any details on Mercon SP fluid used in Ford 5r110w trans and what brands offer an equal? A: Mercon SP is a specially formulated, friction-modified transmissions fluid. Ford does not recommend using any other type of transmission fluid in transmissions that require Mercon SP, which would include so-called “universal” ATFs.
Can Dexron VI be used in place of Dexron III in older Nissan applications?
Dexron VI was introduced in 2006 for GM Hydra-Matic 6L80 6-speed rear-wheel-drive transmissions, and has since become the replacement upgrade for older transmissions that previously required Dexron III or II. So yes, it can be used in a Nissan that specified Dexron III. –Larry Carley, Technical Editor, Counterman magazine
I had a customer buy diesel 911 and put 3 ounces of it in his ’93 Blazer with a 4.3 gas engine. Will this product cause harm to his vehicle?
Diesel 999 is used to remove water from diesel fuel, or to de-ice a frozen fuel line. It also contains lubricants for the injectors and pump. It’s similar to HEET, so I doubt it would cause any problems in a gasoline engine. - –Larry Carley, Technical Editor, Counterman magazine
What’s needed to turn a Chevy 350 into a 383 stroker motor?
Many engine component suppliers provide stroker kits with everything you need. Most use a 400 cid crank which has a 3.75 stroke instead of a 3.48. The main bores need to be overbored to fit the bigger crank journals. I suggest getting some car books if you do it yourself or talk to a qualified
How do you feel about counterpeople who only look up a part in the computer and if it’s not there, they tell the customer they don’t have it? (i.e. instead of checking the paper catalog)
I feel probably the same way you do. Depending on that counterperson’s experience in the industry, it may be a matter of training. If they weren’t brought up through the ranks to check all available sources, it’s hard to fault them. However, it could also be lack of enthusiasm on the counterperson’s part. Either reason
At what year mark do you start viewing someone as a veteran in the parts profession? I’m 24 and have been counterpro for eight years and still sometimes struggle to get the respect of “Old School” parts people even though I am proficient at what I do.
There’s really no quick way to get respect. It takes time. It’s partly a matter of putting in your time and of perception on the part of others. If you’re perceived as the go-to guy for answers, before long, the age factor doesn’t matter anymore. –Mark Phillips Editor, Counterman magazine
What is the best way to explain to customers why they should buy top-quality parts instead of their low-budget, cheaper counterparts?
I’d start off with asking them how many times they’re willing to drive to an auto parts store to get yet another cheap part that will fail. It’s all about the adage, "You get what you pay for." If the job is done right the first time, it’s often less expensive than going back time
Do you think members of the public view counter people any differently than they would view fast food or grocery store employees? How so and why?
My hope is that they would view counter professionals very differently. If you as counter professionals become a trusted source of information for them, it would certainly cast you in a good light. However, if you’ve ever asked a grocery store employee where an item is and they simply point in a direction without showing