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A Mechanic's Life - Tales From Under the Hood

2905 messages,  Last post on May 23, 2013 at 11:19 AM

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     This topic is primarily for professional mechanics, current or retired, or ardent amateurs who would like to share the suprises, victories, tricks and challenges of working on the modern automobile. All Forums members are invited, of course, to ask technicians about their work, or comment on your own experiences dealing with mechanics.
 
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Messages Page 102 of 291

#1005 of 2905 Re: This is some of what we study today [andre1969] by thecardoc3

Jan 29, 2013 (12:00 am)

Replying to: andre1969 (Jan 28, 2013 6:23 pm)
A hacksaw, a straight piece of pipe, and a roll of "Tiger Paw (tm)" tape
 
That's a lot of work and it could be all for naught. We pull an upstream O2 sensor and install a pressure gage when possible, or pull a spark plug and install the pressure transducer and do a snap throttle and read the exhaust backpressure that way.

#1006 of 2905 My radio show February 9th, Pittsburgh Auto Show by thecardoc3

Jan 29, 2013 (1:33 am)

In a departure from what I usually talk about with my weekly radio show I'll be having a guest come in who is one of the directors for Pittsburgh's yearly auto show. Traditionally when involved in any of the local auto shows the last thing that they want to talk about is what it takes to (or is going to take to) service and repair the next generation of cars. Meanwhile, that's all I'm ever really focused on so I need some input on exactly what topics should be brought up. The hour long show that I do typically can have six phone calls, and they will take care of themselves, that can leave some twenty minutes for host conversation.
 
If you were in my place, what are the questions that you would like to ask? Keep in mind that at this moment I'm not sure the guest will be aligned with any one manufacturer. That's something I need to check on this week, I'm inclined to expect that he is not going to be manufacturer specific. If there are some topics here in Edmunds that might make for good subject matter, how about a link?
 
I will say one of the fun things about the auto show is how my listeners react to the ticket giveaways we did last weekend. Seems lots of people are excited about going to the auto show this year.

#1007 of 2905 Re: My radio show February 9th, Pittsburgh Auto Show [thecardoc3] by steve_ HOST

Jan 29, 2013 (7:19 am)

Replying to: thecardoc3 (Jan 29, 2013 1:33 am)
When I went to the Detroit show a couple of years ago, I noticed that several manufacturers had "tech" displays of (mostly) engines and transmissions. Cut-aways or an assortment of shiny parts in a display case.
 
My feeling was that these displays didn't get a lot of traffic and that besides looking the cars, people wanted to fool around with the video games and such. The "get your photo taken with a Fiat" exhibit was popular.
 
Guess I'd be interested to learn if the demographics are getting any younger, and what displays really draw the people in.
 
You may want to cross-post this over in 2013 Auto Show Season.

#1008 of 2905 Re: This is some of what we study today [thecardoc3] by andre1969

Jan 29, 2013 (7:22 am)

Replying to: thecardoc3 (Jan 29, 2013 12:00 am)
That's a lot of work and it could be all for naught.
 
Oh, I just meant that as a joke. Plus, nowadays the emissions controls are so integral that if you pull something off, you probably make it run worse!
 
Just out of curiosity, when did they start putting O2 sensors in cars? Would something as old as my '79 5th Ave, or '85 Silverado have one? Or did they go in as soon as they started using catalytic converters? I know my old '88 LeBaron had one, because when it failed (or rather, a wire running to it got burned), it triggered something and made the engine start over-revving, and even at idle, I think it was pulling about 2000 rpm.

#1009 of 2905 Re: This is some of what we study today [andre1969] by texases

Jan 29, 2013 (7:50 am)

Replying to: andre1969 (Jan 29, 2013 7:22 am)
Wasn't Volvo's 'Lambda' sensor (1977) one of the first O2 sensor setups?

#1010 of 2905 Re: My radio show February 9th, Pittsburgh Auto Show [thecardoc3] by busiris

Jan 29, 2013 (10:56 am)

Replying to: thecardoc3 (Jan 29, 2013 1:33 am)
In a departure from what I usually talk about with my weekly radio show I'll be having a guest come in who is one of the directors for Pittsburgh's yearly auto show. Traditionally when involved in any of the local auto shows the last thing that they want to talk about is what it takes to (or is going to take to) service and repair the next generation of cars. Meanwhile, that's all I'm ever really focused on so I need some input on exactly what topics should be brought up. The hour long show that I do typically can have six phone calls, and they will take care of themselves, that can leave some twenty minutes for host conversation.
 
Here's my suggestion for a topic...
 
While its related to the area you say your guests typically wish to avoid, how about asking where they see the repair techs coming from in the future (ie., what kind of educational backgrounds, training programs, etc.)? What places offer such an education? How do they feel the issue should be addressed? Are the manufacturers going to take over the training, or will they co-op with tech schools/universities to train new mechanics?
 
Looks to me lie you could spend hours on the subject.

#1011 of 2905 Re: My radio show February 9th, Pittsburgh Auto Show [busiris] by xwesx

Jan 29, 2013 (1:25 pm)

Replying to: busiris (Jan 29, 2013 10:56 am)
I'm curious about what nanny technologies are likely to become more widespread in the next gen of cars, and how that might/will impact diagnostics and repair.
 
For example, you have several makes with parallel parking programs that park the car for the driver. Subaru has its "eyesight" system that is supposed to warn the driver of lane departure, maintain following distances, etc. Traction control systems are getting more and more invasive and trying to compensate for the driver, etc.
 
Of course all of this stuff is going to mean drivers in the future are even less competent at driving a vehicle than they are now, so keeping it functioning (or perhaps disabling it safely for those who still want to drive their own car) is going to be a big concern.

#1012 of 2905 Re: My radio show February 9th, Pittsburgh Auto Show [thecardoc3] by busiris

Jan 29, 2013 (1:30 pm)

Replying to: thecardoc3 (Jan 29, 2013 1:33 am)
BTW, is your show available over the Internet?
 
Living in SC, I don't have much success picking up radio programs originating on-air in PA.
 
I'd love to give your show a good "listening to"... I'm sure it is interesting!

#1013 of 2905 Re: This is some of what we study today [andre1969] by thecardoc3

Jan 29, 2013 (4:33 pm)

Replying to: andre1969 (Jan 29, 2013 7:22 am)
Oh, I just meant that as a joke.
I figured that
 
Just out of curiosity, when did they start putting O2 sensors in cars?
 
That's something that I haven't really thought about for a while. For the most part they got phased in over about a six year period. I will actually have to look it up to find out who was "first".
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxygen_sensor
 
Well it looks like it was Saab and Volvo in '76. I remember the first one I saw was associated with the Ford Variable Venturi 7200 carburetor. GM had O2 sensors on a couple models in 79, and then in 80 1/2 they came out with the C4 system (computer controlled catalytic convertor).
 
It was almost six years later that some of the last aisan cars finally had feedback controls, and it wasn't until 95 that they had scan tool communication. GM had that in 80 1/2.
 
Now back to the wiki article. I scanned over it fast, it needs a re-write in number of places. The article states;
 
The sensor does not actually measure oxygen concentration, but rather the difference between the amount of oxygen in the exhaust gas and the amount of oxygen in air.
 
That is incorrect.
 
Rich mixture causes an oxygen demand. This demand causes a voltage to build up, due to transportation of oxygen ions through the sensor layer. Lean mixture causes low voltage, since there is an oxygen excess.
 
That part is correct.

#1014 of 2905 Re: My radio show February 9th, Pittsburgh Auto Show [busiris] by thecardoc3

Jan 29, 2013 (4:42 pm)

Replying to: busiris (Jan 29, 2013 1:30 pm)
BTW, is your show available over the Internet
 
No, but the subject has been discussed. It might be time to bring it up again.
 
I'd love to give your show a good "listening to"... I'm sure it is interesting
 
Wouldn't know, I've never heard it.. Seriously though the feedback is kinda funny, there are days where we don't get any calls and I just run through my list of topics that I pick in advance and they get really good feedback from people who just sit and listen to the show. Frankly I prefer when we get calls, then I can just be myself and talk to someone about cars.

Messages Page 102 of 291

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