Smaller Engines Make Inroads in U.S., According to J.D. Power
Small, fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engines were the power plant of choice for 55.8 percent of the new vehicles sold or leased at retail in the U.S. market during the first half of 2013, according to research data provided by the Power Information Network (PIN) from J.D. Power. That’s up 1.7 percentage points from the sales mix
VW 16V Cylinder Head Ticking Noise at 2,000 RPM
This bulletin refers to all MY Volkswagen 16-valve engines. As of 11/88, starting with VIN 067 722 a manufacturing tolerancechange has been made to the camshaft sprockets. If a customer complainsbecause of persistent noise, replace both camshafts. Intake camshaft: 027 109 021 AJ Exhaust camshaft: 027 109 022 F Some or all of this information
AAA Goes Public With Concerns About E15
From AAIA Capital Report The recent survey undertaken by AAA has pointed to the strong likelihood of consumer confusion, vehicle damage and voided warranties as a result of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) approval of the E15 blend of ethanol. AAA further called on regulators and the industry to stop the sale of E15
Common Rail Injection History: Less Conspiracy, More Efficiency
It seems as though when customers are at the shop, the question always arises as to what common-rail really means. Then after I explain the technology to them, the reply that I get is, “Why did they have to change everything and start using computers?” If you find yourself in a similar boat and have
Ford Wins International Engine Of The Year Award In Dominant Style
The results of the 2012 International Engine of the Year Awards have been announced at Engine Expo in Stuttgart, Germany. The global jury, consisting of some of the world’s most respected and popular motoring journalists, voted Ford’s excellent 999cc three-cylinder turbo engine, which is put to good effect in the Ford Focus, as the overall
MAHLE Clevite Releases New Victor Reinz European Gasket Catalog with Expanded Import Coverage
The new European-specific catalog contains over 1,000 light vehicle gasket part numbers that fit over 76,000 applications. The catalog also includes specially designed gaskets for Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volkswagen and BMW, featuring the Victor Reinz patented "Wave-Stopper" technology. “Our new gasket catalog contains the largest selection of import MLS gaskets in the industry,” said Duane Bethke,
Fiat’s 875 cc Two-Cylinder Named International Engine of the Year
The results of the 2011 International Engine of the Year Awards have been announced at Engine Expo in Stuttgart, Germany. The global jury, consisting of some of the world’s most respected and popular motoring journalists, voted Fiat’s innovative 875 cc two-cylinder TwinAir the greatest automotive engine available today. The tiny turbocharged engine impressed judges with
The Evolution of Diesel Piston Designs
Traditionally, diesel engines are known for their long life, fuel economy and efficiency in getting large loads from place to place. Diesel engines are equal to gasoline engines in horsepower per cubic inch, and they have double the torque of gasoline engines and can achieve up to 40 percent better fuel economy, making them ideal
Engine Builder Shop Solutions: January 2010
Dealing With Bad Employees One of the fastest ways to lose control of your business is to let a bad employee take control of your shop and ruin the overall moral. Pay attention to your people and understand that when things change in their lives it can affect the attitude they have at work. If
Ward
Wards Autohas announced its 10 best engines of 2010, and the underlying theme this year was fuel economy. Focusing on fuel efficiency, Ward’spicked engines that allowed customers to downsize without sacrificing engine power. Following the less-is-more theory, six of the ten enginesselected were turbocharged or supercharged, and two were hybrids. Alsoincluded was a four-cylinder engine
Turbocharging’s Not Just A Lot of Hot Air
With the uncertainty of fuel prices and the concern that gasoline couldagain top $4 a gallon across the nation, Americans have been shiftingtheir vehicle-buying behaviors toward more fuel-efficient vehicles. While gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles have been getting much of theattention as the next step in fuel-sipping vehicles, turbocharging —which is used by roughly half of new
Grassroots Road Racing: Will They Line Up For Your Engine Expertise?
Are there any opportunities in grassroots road racing? The answer depends on what is being raced. For the most part, track day cars and spec classes are going to offer only a few opportunities for engine builders, but there is a bright side in that you may get to do work for these racers after
Sprint & Midget Racing Engine Market
While the World of Outlaws, the All-Stars and USAC are the most well-known of the sprint car racing organizations in this country, and USAC is probably the best known of the midget racing organizations, there have been many new groups surfacing in the past several years. According to Allan Brown, publisher of The National Sprint
Federal-Mogul Expands Fel-Pro Gaskets Line
Federal-Mogul’sFel-Pro gaskets product line has been expanded to increase the brand’scoverage of late-model domestic and foreign-nameplate vehicles. TheFel-Pro brand’s focus on providing 100 percent sealing coverage forpopular late-model and older applications helps engine rebuilders andrepair shops capture and service larger shares of the automotive andlight-truck sealing markets. The expanded Fel-Pro product line – which now
Diesel Performance: Just Blowing Smoke or a Real Profit Opportunity?
Traditionally, diesel engines are known for their long life, fuel economy, and efficiency in getting large loads from place to place. Diesel engines equal gasoline engines in horsepower per cubic inch, they have double the torque of gasoline engines, and they can achieve up to 40 percent better fuel economy, making them ideal for use
Balance of Power (and Profit)
One of the keys to a smooth running, long lasting engine is proper balance of the reciprocating and rotating parts. When a crankshaft is out of balance, the uneven distribution of weight can generate centripetal forces that shake the engine with increasing intensity as engine rpm goes up. Centripetal force (which many people mistakenly call
Special Timing Chain and Belt Tools
Before you replace a timing belt, chain or gear set on some engines, you will have to look up the timing reference marks. Some engines have multiple timing marks that can cause confusion if you don’t know which ones to use or how to line them up. Many engines also require special tools when changing
VW Planning Engine, Transmission Plant In North America
Volkswagen hopes to change its fortunes in the US as it announced plans to build a brand new plant in South Carolina, which is scheduled to begin operation in about three years. And to supply its factory, VW is going to build both an engine and a transmission plant somewhere in North America. Neither Canada
Diesel Pistons
The diesel engine market has been rapidly changing in recent years. Higher fuel prices and changes in emission regulations have brought about a whole new generation of clean diesel engines in both the light and heavy-duty truck markets. According to the Diesel Technology Forum (www.dieselforum.org), particulate emissions from new on-highway diesel engines have been reduced
JASPER Offers VW 1.8L DOHC As First European Reman Engine
Jasper Engines & Transmissions has issued its first European engine,the Volkswagen 1.8L DOHC five-valve engine which fits the 1997- 2006 Volkswagen Beetle, Golf, GTI, Jetta and Passat, and 1997-2006 Audi A4 and TT. “We have found that oil sludge and caking is a common problem with these engines,” says Justin Zipp, JASPER’s Import Quality Control