Import Car Magazine 2014 03

Fuel System Repair
March 2014
MAGAZINE
PCM Diagnostics
Engine Noise At Cold Start
Reader Service: go to www.ICRapidResponse.com
BMW Fuel System Essentials
26
16
38
CONTENTS
16
26
Publication
Volume 36, No. 3
38
Diagnostic Solutions:
BMW Fuel System
Tech Feature: Rotors
PCM Diagnostics
Repair Essentials
Preventing Pulsation Comebacks
Import Specialist Contributor

Gary Goms explains some techniques he uses to pin down an intermittent or schizophrenic
PCM malfunction, which typify the
types of problems were beginning to see on OBD II vehicles.
The BMW N54 fuel pump recall

brought to light the importance of
the integrity of the fuel system,
says Brake & Front End Editor
Andrew Markel, who discusses
how to prevent fuel pump damage
and costly comebacks that could
hurt your reputation.
Its often been said that you should

never machine new rotors, but what
if the runout exceeds the manufacturers specs when the new rotor is
installed on the vehicle? Thats why
its critical to measure thickness and
runout in a brake rotor and wheel
flange beforehand.
ImportCar Staff 330.670.1234

Publisher
Jim Merle, ext. 280
jmerle@babcox.com
Managing Editor
Chris Crowell, ext. 268
ccrowell@babcox.com
Graphic Designer
Kelly Gifford, ext. 249
kgifford@babcox.com
Circulation Manager
Pat Robinson, ext. 276
probinson@babcox.com
Editor
Mary DellaValle, ext. 221
mdellavalle@babcox.com
Technical Editor
Larry Carley
lcarley256@aol.com
Ad Services (Materials)
Cindy Ott, ext. 209
cott@babcox.com
Subscription Services
Maryellen Smith, ext. 288
msmith@babcox.com
March 2014 | Import-Car.com
DEPARTMENTS
Columns
6 Editors Notebook
8 News Update
14 Gonzos Toolbox
21 Special Supplement:
Contributing Writers
Bob Dowie, Village Auto Works, Chester, NY
Gary Goms, formerly of Midland Engine
Electronics & Diagnostics, Buena Vista, CO
Bob Howlett, The Swedish Solution,
Orange Village, OH
Scott Gonzo Weaver, Superior Auto Electric,
Tulsa, OK
Maintenance Matters
34 Guest Editorial: Rich White,

Car Care Council
21
42 Tech Update:
Editorial Advisory Board

Bob Dowie, Village Auto Works, Chester, NY
Chris Klinger, Precision Incorporated,
Tucson, AZ
Air Ride Systems
Steve Louden, Louden Motorcar Services,

Dallas, TX
45 Import Tech Tips

49 Essentials (New Products)
51 RAPID RESPONSE
52 Classifieds
34
56 NASCAR Performance
42
Frank Scandura, Franks European Service,

Las Vegas and Henderson, NV
Joe Stephens, Stephens Automotive,
Palatine, IL
John Volz, Volz Bros., Grass Valley, CA
Babcox Media, Inc.

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IN THIS ISSUE:
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IMPORTCAR (ISSN 1069-4714)

(March 2014, Volume 36, Number 3): Published monthly by Babcox Media, Inc., 3550 Embassy Parkway, Akron, OH 44333 U.S.A. Phone (330) 670-1234,
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[ EditorsNotebook
By Mary DellaValle|EDITOR
Engagement &
Ownership
Boosts Pride And Performance
Mary DellaValle, mdellavalle@babcox.com
he degree to which your

employees can impact
your bottom line hinges
on their level of engagement
and sense of ownership in the
shops success.
When engagement is high,
performance follows, as does
key business-building factors
like service excellence and
outstanding customer service.
But, for many shop owners,
tracking employee performance
often falls by the wayside until
a major problem arises*, says
Greg Sands, shop owner and
CEO of direct mail provider
Mudlick Mail (www.mudlickmail.com) in Acworth, GA.
Yet, when it comes to achieving goals outside of work, we
often rely on metrics to determine if were reaching our objectives. If you want to run a
marathon, you track your time,
he explains. If you want to lose
weight, you measure your body
fat. The same concept holds true
when it comes to evaluating employees. You must set goals for

each position in your shop and
then establish a tracking mechanism to measure performance.
In Sands experience, he says
that one of the main contributors to lagging performance is
that employees dont know
how to do their job, and thats
where training proves to be
essential.
So, to help boost engagement
and performance among your

team, ensure that they are properly trained, let them know
they are appreciated, and that
their daily contributions at the
shop are recognized as being a
vital part of its success.
That way, youll help foster a
greater sense of pride in their
work, a commitment to repair
excellence and a customer service experience thats second to
none. IC
ImportCar is pleased to announce the recent addition of

Chris Crowell as Managing Editor, where he will play an integral
role in the brands print, digital, web and social media properties and initiatives. Chris has a background in B-2-B publishing,
having working as Editorial Director on magazines representing
the title insurance and settlement services industries.
Concurrently, the staff of ImportCar would like to thank
Jennifer Clements, former ImportCar Managing Editor, for more
than six years of dedicated service to the magazine. A key
contributor to ImportCars editorial product, Jennifer also
facilitated the production process each month. Jennifer remains
editor of TechShop magazine, and also now serves as Managing
Editor of Babcox Medias newest publication, Northeast Ohio
Parent magazine.
*To learn more about Greg Sands perspective on this topic, go to our sister publication Shop Owner magazines website,
www.shopownermag.com, and search for his Improving Employee Performance article.
[ NewsUpdate
Federal-Mogul Mobile App
Selected for North American
Customer Value Leadership Award
Federal-Moguls popular, free SmartChoice Mobile app for automotive service providers has been selected for the Frost & Sullivan North
American Customer Value Leadership Award. The Frost & Sullivan award
is presented annually to a company that has demonstrated excellence in
implementing strategies that proactively create value for its customers.
Representatives of the Federal-Mogul Vehicle Components segment
received the award earlier this year during the Frost & Sullivan Excellence in Best Practices Awards Gala in New Orleans.
The free Federal-Mogul SmartChoice Mobile app can be downloaded
through the Apple App Store and Google Play as well as the companys
www.SmartChoiceApp.com website.
2014 AVI Sanibel Training

Conference Hits The Mark
Automotive Video Innovations (AVI)
19th Annual Sanibel Training Conference, held Feb. 6-9 at the Sanibel
Harbour Marriott Resort, has become the annual gathering place for
shop owners, techs, trainers and industry leaders who are serious
about training, and who also enjoy
the camaraderie of industry friends.
The AVI Conference should be
in the Guinness Book of World
Records, said Ron Bilyeu, a longtime educator, repair shop owner
and performance-tuning guru.
There is no other conference that
attracts so many industry masters
in one place.
Attendees know first-hand that
the AVI Conference is a unique
experience. There youll find
cutting-edge training presented by
expert trainers, who also take the
time to answer attendees questions, and technicians who ask
peers about impossible diagnostic
issues theyve encountered, in
search of new answers.
Whether youre walking out of

Wally Mouradians intense Powerstroke Diagnostics course, or laughing hysterically as Becky Witt flings
cream-filled pastries across the
room in her Service Writer Survival
class, youll know youve experienced something different.
The technical forum is complemented by informal gatherings
where industry acquaintances share
stories and best practices during
mealtime, and newcomers can jump
right in. And, despite how much the
Sanibel Conference has grown in
recent years, that welcoming family
atmosphere is always evident.
The 2015 conference will be held
Jan. 22-25, 2015, at the Sanibel
Harbour Marriott Resort.
For more information on AVI
training and events/sponsorship
opportunities, go to: www.diagnosticnews.com or www.aviconference.com. AVI is the technician
training division of Babcox Media,
founded in 1994.
[ NewsUpdate
Mitchell 1 Winter Escape
Sweepstakes Winners Enjoy
VIP Prize Package
As the winner of the Mitchell 1 Winter Escape to San Diego
sweepstakes, Jeff Knapp, co-owner of his familys business,
Knapps Service Center in Newburgh, IN, along with his wife
Laurel and son Colton, flew to San Diego on Feb. 6 to enjoy a
long weekend in San Diego, including a VIP tour of the Mitchell
1 headquarters in Poway, CA.
As the sweepstakes winner, Knapp won round-trip airfare for
two people to San Diego and three nights in a double occupancy
room at a four-star San Diego hotel, a rental car and $500 spending money. He was selected randomly from a pool of customers
who used or upgraded to ProDemand during the contest period.
Knapps Service Center was founded in 1971 and continues
today as a successful family-run business.
We offered the Winter Escape to San Diego sweepstakes as
a way of showing our appreciation to our loyal customers,
said Dave Ellingen, president of Mitchell 1. While Jeff may be
only one of our many thousands of subscribers, his family-run
shop reflects our core customers small businesses that rely
on our products and services to help them fix more cars and
trucks more efficiently.
More Federated Free Fuel

Fridays Ahead
The popular Federated Free Fuel Fridays contest is
back. Every Friday through March 28, Federated will give
away two free $50 gas cards on each of its Federated Auto
Parts and Federated Car Care Facebook pages.
Its been a cold, rough winter, so why not stay inside
and visit Federated on Facebook? You could become a
free fuel winner, said Phil Moore, senior vice president
for Federated Auto Parts.
Fans of Federated can enter for a chance to win and will
receive extra entries when sharing the contest with their
Facebook friends.
Go to www.ICRapidResponse.com
10
[ NewsUpdate
Record-Setting Fundraising
Year for University of the
Aftermarket Foundation
Donations to the University of the Aftermarket Foundation increased more than
three-fold last year, according to John
Washbish, MAAP, secretary of the University of the Aftermarket Foundation and
chairman of its contributions committee.
The foundations board of trustees
made it a goal to significantly step up the
fundraising efforts on behalf of the foundation. Based on the results, we have more
than exceeded expectations, Washbish
said. We want to thank the many donors for their generous support
of the foundation and its scholarships and educational programs.
The following organizations contributed $100,000 or more to the
University of the Aftermarket Foundation in 2013: Aftermarket Auto
Parts Alliance, Automotive Distribution Network, Babcox Media,
Brenton Productions, Dorman Products, Federated Auto Parts,
National Pronto Association, and OReilly Auto Parts/OReilly and
Wooten Families. Donating $50,000 or more in 2013 were the Clay
Buzzard Family, Dayco Products, Federal-Mogul and Tenneco.
ACDelco Doubles Parts, Labor

Coverage For All Professional Service
Center Program Participants
ACDelco Professional Service Center (PSC) program participants can
now offer 24 months/24,000 miles (whichever comes first) of parts
and labor coverage to consumers on qualified maintenance and
repairs double the previous coverage.
Our customers trust us to help them maintain a competitive edge
in the independent aftermarket, said Chris Brandt, ACDelco
national marketing manager. A solid warranty that protects them
and their customers is a statement that we stand behind our parts
and the work performed by our PSC program participants.
The enhanced coverage applies to all levels of PSC participation.
Some parts are exempt from the program, such as batteries with
established free-replacement periods and other products that may
already offer longer warranties. Those warranties are still valid.
12
NewsUpdate]
Tennecos Loyalty
Program Designed
To Serve Undercar
Service Market
Standard Motor Products

Debuts Intermotor Parts
Car Giveaway
Standard Motor Products (SMP) announced the
Intermotor Parts Car Giveaway, available to professional service technicians, counterpersons,
motorists and all import car enthusiasts, is running
now through April 15. The program will award one
grand prize winner a 2014 Subaru Impreza WRX,
as well as first and second place prizes.
Intermotor is recognized as the import leader
in coverage and quality, with a commitment to
delivering exact match fit, form and function,
said Phil Hutchens, vice president of engine management marketing, SMP. To drive Intermotor
awareness and to reward our many Intermotor
supporters, were excited to give one lucky
grand prize winner the opportunity to drive
away in the Intermotor Parts Car, a 2014 Subaru
Impreza WRX.
In addition to the grand prize, five first prize
winners will receive a GoPro HERO3+ camera,
and 10 second prize winners will receive a
Garmin nvi LM with lifetime map updates.
Intermotor Parts Car Giveaway participants
may enter by entry card or online at
www.IntermotorPartsCar.com.
The 2014 Expert Plus service dealer

loyalty program from Tenneco created
to help automotive service businesses increase their share of the undercar service
market includes a complete marketing
and promotional package.
This years Expert Plus Program
certainly makes it easier to become a
leader in ride and emission control
sales, said Sheryl Bomia, North American aftermarket programs manager for
Tenneco. The
2014 package includes
a full year of
consumer-driven
promotions, sales incentives, training programs and an array of attractive merchandising products that are only available to
members.
The 2014 Expert Plus package, which
prominently includes a new Monroe
counter stool highlighting the Monroe OESpectrum product line, has an increased
emphasis on training, incentives and
consumer promotions.
The Expert Plus marketing package features an Expert Plus Preferred Customer
rebate book that allows service professionals
to extend promotional offers for Tenneco
products beyond the standard promotional
periods and is available for premium ride
and emission control products.
Each Expert Plus kit contains merchandising elements to drive sales and
promote the Monroe and Walker brands,
including a Walker catalytic converter
product booklet, Monroe OESpectrum
molded floor mat, an educational Walker
emissions control wall chart, branded
appointment calendar and other key
point-of-sale materials.
The enrollment fee for the annual
program is $99. IC
Import-Car.com
13
[ GonzosToolbox
By Scott Gonzo Weaver, owner Superior Auto Electric, Tulsa, OK
Dont Judge A Job

By Its Cover
Pride Of Vehicle Ownership Runs Deep,
Aesthetics Aside
t was a picture-perfect day at the auto repair shop:

the bays were full, the phone kept ringing, the
front door bell never seemed to stop, and everyone was humming a tune. Parts were ordered and
came in correctly the first time. There were no
snapped off bolts, no rusted parts, and no fuss about
how long things were taking or how much it cost.
Somehow, I had the feeling there was going to
be a loose nut thrown into the activities of the day.
Two new jobs showed up at the same time. A
nice, clean 2007 Ford F-350 4WD diesel with an
ABS light on, and a really dilapidated 1997 Kia
with charging system problems and no light on.
The F-350 owner was practically enthusiastic
about having his truck checked out. From there, it
was textbook diagnostics run a few tests,
check the codes, hook up the scanner and watch
the speed sensor PIDs. Piece of cake.
The same explanation of the diagnostic charges
was given to the owner of the Kia. That didnt go
over as well at all. Seems the Kia had been
around the block, and around again. The owner
had it checked out at various shops, which all
ended up ticking him off and showed no positive
answers about his cars problems.
The paint was faded, the clear coat was peeling,
and the windshield was full of splinter cracks.
The dull hood had greasy handprints all over the
front edge where people were grabbing it. And
the interior of the car was a pit; the smell was
oppressive. But I said Id look at it even if I
had to wear a gas mask to do it.
14
The Kia had two problems: A faulty alternator and

a strange problem with the instrument cluster.
The charge light wouldnt come on. Since this car
has an alternator that is controlled by the PCM,
the charge light is there only to indicate the condition of the charging system to the driver. It can
charge just fine without a working charge light.
I made the call to the Kia owner and went
through all the steps needed to bring his little car
back to life, including the part about needing to pull
out the instrument cluster to see why the charge
light wasnt working. To my utter amazement, he
said, Do it. Do it all. Youre the first person to make
any sense out of whats wrong, and I think youre
the man for the job. I was still in shock as I hung
up the phone.
So, the owner of a grease-covered car I wouldnt
put a nickel into is having me do the whole thing;
how about the enthusiastic owner of that exceptionally clean diesel? He ended up going on a rampage
about how Im a crook and how rotten all car repair
people are (I spared the details because of this magazines import content). Go figure.
I guess it just goes to show, You cant judge a
book by its cover, or an owner by his car. IC
[ DiagnosticSolutions
PCM DIAGNOSTICS
By Gary Goms, Import Specialist Contributor
PCM/ECM Diagnostics
Pinning Down Intermittent Malfunctions
on OBD II Vehicles.
lthough post-1996 OBD II powertrain

control modules (PCMs) are generally very
reliable, were beginning to see more failures because the average age of our national
vehicle fleet has now increased to about 11.5 years.
Technically speaking, the PCM should store a DTC
indicating some type of internal malfunction. But,
in the real world, if your scan tool indicates no
communication and asks if the ignition switch has
been turned on, you obviously have a communications problem. Your first step is to verify that you
have entered the correct VIN and, if your scan tool
Photo 1: The throttle sensor is a

handy point at which to check for
the presence of reference voltage.
16
requires a vehicle personality key to communicate with the PCM, verify that the key is correct for
the application. Next, test the battery for a poor
state of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH)
before beginning any PCM diagnosis. If defective,
the battery should be replaced or substituted before
continuing with the diagnosis.
In other cases of no communication, the scan
tool should have automatically identified the VIN
but, for whatever reason, it did not. With that in
mind, I usually begin a no-communications diagnosis by testing the throttle position sensor or
other easily accessible sensors for
the presence of the 5-volt reference signal that should be originating from the PCM.
If the 5-volt reference is present, its likely that the PCM is at
least partially operational. If not,
its possible that a shorted sensor
is pulling the 5-volt reference to
ground, in which case the best
procedure is to disconnect various sensors until the reference
voltage comes back on line. See
Photo 1 on page 16.
Ive also had some PCMs fail
to communicate with the scan
tool because theyve been ruined
by excessive charging voltage,
water intrusion or other cata-
PCM DIAGNOSTICS
strophic occurrences. If this is the

case, consult a PCM connector
diagram to determine the configuration of the connector pins.
Most PCM connectors contain
a battery voltage (B+) pin, a keyon voltage pin and two redundant battery ground (B-) pins.
The B+ pin, which is fused,
maintains the PCMs keep-alive
and diagnostic memories when
the ignition is turned off. The
key-on pin supplies voltage to
the PCM and indicates when the
ignition is turned on. In some applications, key-on voltage is supplied by a PCM relay.
If voltage isnt available at the
B+ pin, use a voltmeter to test
both legs of the PCM or engine

control module (ECM) fuse for
battery voltage. If testing doesnt
indicate nearly full battery voltage, consult a wiring schematic
for areas that might affect the
PCMs voltage supply. If key-on
voltage is say, two volts less than
battery voltage at the key-on pin,
suspect a bad ignition switch.
At least 9.5 volts should be
available at the B+ and key-on
pins during cranking to ensure
that the PCM is operating correctly. With the key on, test the
redundant PCM grounds for a
voltage drop of more than 500
millivolts (mV) between the pin
and battery ground.
DLC TESTING
The data link connector (DLC) is
numbered from left to right beginning at the upper left corner. Use a
DVOM to check pin No. 16 on the
DLC for battery voltage (B+). If B+
is present, test pin Nos. 4 and 5
with a 1.5-volt ohmmeter to ensure
that theyre connected to chassis
ground. I would not recommend
using a 12-volt continuity tester for
checking the DLC ground circuits
because the remaining 13 pins are
low-voltage communications bus
circuits. See Photo 2 on page 20.
A better method for testing DLC
pin activity is to use one of the
several DLC breakout boxes
(BOBs) now selling in the $200$300 range on the general market.
While Im only going to touch on
the application-specific topic of
bus communications, the DLC
BOB will allow the technician to
18
PCM DIAGNOSTICS
instantly evaluate B+ at pin No. 16 and the integrity

of ground pin Nos. 4 and 5.
In addition, the technician can use a labscope or
multimeter to monitor circuit activity on each
communications bus pin. Remember that the
remaining pins require a DLC connector diagram
to complete an accurate bus communications diagnosis. See Photo 3 on page 22.
POLLING THE MODULES

Here again, were touching on communications bus
diagnostics, but if the scan tool is communicating,
its time to poll all modules for both communications and DTCs. In some cases, a no communication message for a particular module might
indicate that the module is not present or not included in the scanner software. Remember that practically all late-model vehicles contain, at the minimum,
an engine/powertrain, anti-lock brake, theft deterrent/vehicle security, safety restraint (air bag) and
body control module. Higher-end vehicles have
many more computers and modules, but here again,
adequate training, database and OE-level scan tool
capability are required to evaluate these more complex systems.
BIDIRECTIONAL CONTROLS
In some cases, one portion of a PCM might become
Photo 2: This DLC breakout box connects between the scan tool
and DLC. The LEDs indicate the correct functioning of pins 4, 5 and
16 while the remaining pins allow the technician to monitor the
vehicles communications bus system.
PCM DIAGNOSTICS
non-operational
due to a problem
with the PCMs
processing capability. Consequently, all such
controls and tests
Photo 3: Pin No. 16 at the DLC should
should be activat- always indicate battery voltage.
ed to ensure that
the PCM is responding to bidirectional commands.
Bidirectional controls are also valuable for testing
the individual accessory drivers contained within
the PCM, such as the ignition coil and fuel injector
drivers. The PCM, for example, might control
starter engagement via a PCM-operated starter
relay. If the starter relay doesn't click when commanded, the PCMs starter relay driver might not
be pulling the relay control circuit to ground.
INTERMITTENT FAILURES
In most cases, there is no definitive method for
diagnosing an intermittently faulty or schizophrenic PCM. In my experience, most PCMs operate at about 110-120 F temperature at 70 F ambient
air temperature. When testing a suspected intermittent PCM failure, I use a small hair dryer set on low
heat to duplicate normal PCM operating
temperatures.
But Ive also had PCMs reside in unusually hot
areas, such as the engine firewall or over the heater
blower housing, so its possible that actual operating temperatures might approach 150 F. As the
PCM is warming up, tap the PCM case with a
screwdriver handle to simulate mild road and
powertrain vibration. In many cases, this test will
disclose temperature and vibration-sensitive circuit
failures within the PCM itself.
A final issue is moisture or fretting corrosion on
the PCM pins. Because pin corrosion is virtually
invisible, I often use a small artists brush to apply
a conductivity enhancer like Stabilant 22 to the
PCM pins. In some cases, this is a permanent repair
for a troublesome intermittent PCM malfunction.
RATIONALIZATION
Once in a great while, a PCM
simply wont display a correct
value for a particular parameter
identification (PID). To illustrate, I
had a PCM disable an alternator

field circuit because the voltage
PID falsely indicated 17.5 volts,
which is a threshold over-charging condition. Most recently, I
found another PCM that dis-
24
PCM DIAGNOSTICS
played 14.2 volts on the

instrument cluster and on the
scan tool display, which is well
within a normal charging voltage
range. But, despite the indicated
voltage, the PCM wasnt grounding the alternator field circuit,
which was causing the battery to
discharge rather than charge.
As for trouble codes indicating
voltage errors and similar PID
anomalies, remember that a
diagnostic strategy might not be
programmed into the PCMs
digital logic for that purpose.
In some cases, the PCM verifies data inputs through a
process called rationalization, in
which the PCM compares the
data of one sensor with that of
other sensors. For example, the
PCM might be comparing values
from the engine coolant temperature (ECT) with that of the intake
air temperature (IAT) sensor,
both of which should indicate
nearly the same temperatures
after an overnight cold-soak.
In other cases, we might be
looking at a software problem
with the scan tool itself. But the
greater point is to use a voltmeter,
labscope or non-contact pyrometer to verify voltages, signals and
temperatures. Never take it for
granted that the PID value displayed on the instrument cluster
or scan tool is a correct value. IC
Gary Goms is a former educator and shop
owner who remains active in the aftermarket service industry. Gary is an ASEcertified Master Automobile Technician
(CMAT) and has earned the L1 advanced
engine performance certification. He also
belongs to the Automotive Service Association (ASA) and the Society of Automotive
Engineers (SAE).
[ BMWFeature
FUEL SYSTEM
By Andrew Markel, editor, Brake & Front End Magazine
Why A Clean Fuel Tank Is Important

During Any Fuel Pump Replacement
he BMW N54 fuel pump recall a few years
ago brought to light the importance of the
integrity of the fuel system and how it can
contribute to the overall reliability of a
vehicle. While BMW never officially
stated what was causing the
high-pressure fuel pumps to
fail, some put the blame on
low-quality fuel that might
have been contaminated
or had higher-than-normal levels of ethanol.
These fuel quality
issues apply to all BMW
vehicles with either port
or direct injection. The underlying message here is that
if the cleanliness and overall integrity of the fuel tank is ignored,
it will damage any fuel pump. This is
26
why addressing the fuel tank is essential during

any pump replacement to prevent costly comebacks that can also hurt your reputation.
If a vehicle gets 20 miles to the gallon,
then more than 5,000 gallons of gas
(from many stations) will go
through the tank in 100,000
miles. And, during this
time, sediment, rust and
debris from the pump can
find its way into the tank.
Removing all contaminants is critical. If possible, have the tank
steam-cleaned at a radiator shop that performs
these services. They can
recondition a tank and check
for leaks that you may not be able
to spot. Your goal in cleaning the tank
FUEL SYSTEM
is to restore the environment inside the tank to its

original state, before it moved off the assembly line.
If you think the new sock or strainer on the fuel
pump will catch all of the bad stuff, youre wrong.
The typical sock or strainer is designed to catch contaminants that are between 50-100 microns in diameter. For comparisons sake, the size of a human hair
is 40 microns. A typical inline fuel filter can catch
particles as small as 10 microns. The sock also has a
limited capacity due to its small surface area.
Always install a new filter. Sounds simple, but
its often forgotten. The old filter can restrict flow
and cause the new pump to work harder. This
makes for a hotter-running pump
that fails sooner.
Bad
BMWFeature]
grounds and connections can also kill a new pump.

Check the connector for any signs of thermal damage that may indicate there was a voltage drop or a
circuit with high resistance. Do not assume the old
pump caused the thermal damage. Bad grounds
and circuits will stay with the
vehicle and damage the new
pump.
Filter the fuel before
you put it back in the
tank. If a fuel
pump
Fuel Tank Cleaning Procedures

1. Once the
tank has been removed,
drain all fuel from the tank. Use
only an approved container or a fuel
caddy to filter and store the fuel.
2. Clean accumulated road debris
or rust from the top of the fuel
tank, especially around the module
or hanger assembly to avoid contaminating the fuel tank.
3. Remove the lock ring.
4. Remove the module or hanger
assembly.
5. Clean and flush the tank with
water before installing the new
module or hanger assembly.
6. Swirl the fuel tank around in a

circular motion to collect any debris remaining in the fuel tank.
7. Slowly and carefully poor the
fuel out of the tank into the approved container or fuel caddy.
8. Turn the fuel tank over, then tap
the bottom to remove any debris.
9. If a tank can be cleaned, its important to use high-pressure soap
and water to remove the dirt. Latemodel fuel tanks are difficult to
clean because of their internal
baffling. The tank should then be
thoroughly dried by circulating air
through the tank or by simply placing it in the summer sun. In many
cases, a fuel tank replacement is
the most cost-effective and safest

alternative.
10. If possible, take a lint-free
shop towel and wipe the inside of
the fuel tank until it is clean.
11. Dry out the fuel tank completely with compressed air.
12. Inspect the fuel tank carefully.
If the tank is rusted inside or
shows signs of physical damage, it
must be repaired or replaced.
13. After the tank has been dried
with compressed air, let it sit for
30 minutes.
Courtesy of the Fuel Pump

Manufacturers Council.
Import-Car.com
27
[ BMWFeature
FUEL SYSTEM
BMW Fuel Pump Tech Tips

Here are some recent technical service bulletins related to BMW fuel pumps.
#1. N20 Engine: Ticking Noise
went through a full meltdown,

chances are pieces from the old
pump are still in the removed
fuel. Many fuel caddies have
built-in filters.
Check the EVAP system before
returning the car to the customer.
It takes at least one drive cycle
for most vehicles to set an EVAP
code. A leak due to disturbing
the lines may not set a code during the initial test drive. The
code may come on after the vehicle has been sitting for awhile or
after a certain temperature has
been reached.
Check the system with a scan
tool and/or smoke machine
before delivering the car to the
customer. Some scan tools and
vehicles can perform a self-leak
check. Fuel filler necks are especially susceptible to leaks if the
tank has been dropped.
In the Rust Belt states, corrosion on the top of the tanks and
on the fuel lines can become a
big headache during fuel pump
replacement. This comes from
brines that are used on roads to
prevent icing. Brines stick to
vehicles even the tops of fuel
30
From High-Pressure Fuel Pump

Situation: The customer complains of a high-frequency ticking noise from the engine
compartment. The noise can be
heard inside and outside the
vehicle.
Cause: Mechanical vibrations
inside the high-pressure fuel
pump.
Correction: Install a highpressure fuel pump cover (P/N
13 51 7 629 129). The plastic
acoustic cover will snap onto
the high-pressure fuel pump.
Do not remove the fuel lines
or the high-pressure fuel pump
to install the acoustic cover.
#2. N14, N18 Engine: HighPressure Pump Repair

Instructions
The current version of the repair instruction Removing and
installing or replacing highpressure pump has a procedure
error. This current version of the
repair instruction states to replace the high-pressure supply
hose on the N14 engine and to
not replace the high-pressure
supply hose on the N18 engine.
The N18 portion of the repair instruction is incorrect.
As an interim solution, follow
the procedure outlined below:
Continental High-Pressure
Pump: All vehicles equipped

with the N14 engine (all production); all N18 vehicles produced up to March 2012 are
equipped with a Continental
High-Pressure Pump (see 1 in
Fig. 1).
When the N18 engine is fitted
with a Continental High-PresFig 1
sure Pump, the high-pressure

supply hose (see 2 in Fig. 1)
must be replaced when making
repairs.
Bosch High-Pressure Pump:
All vehicles equipped with the
N18 engine and produced from
March 2012 and later.
When the engine is fitted with
a Bosch High-Pressure Pump
(see 1 in Fig. 2), the high-pressure supply hose (see 2 in Fig.
2) must not be replaced when
making repairs.
Fig 2
[ BMWFeature
FUEL SYSTEM
tanks long after the snow

storms have passed and even
into summer. Then, every time it
rains, the brines are reactivated
and start to corrode the tank.
Be sure to check the straps and
the tank mounting hardware. In
2010, one automaker recalled 1.2
million trucks due to corrosion of
the straps that held up the gas
tank.
Note: Its a good practice to
inspect the fuel lines for corrosion
before starting the job. Nothing is
worse than having to call the
customer because a line collapsed
due to corrosion during removal
or installation. IC
32
Andrew Markel is the editor of Brake &

Front End and Servicio Automotriz magazines. He has been with Babcox Media for
more than 12 years. He is a technician and
former service writer and holds several
automotive certifications from ASE and
aftermarket manufacturers. He can be
reached at amarkel@babcox.com.
[ GuestEditorial
NATIONAL CAR CARE MONTH

By Rich White, Executive Director, Car Care Council
Brutal Winter Can Mean

Profitable Spring
During National Car Care Month
m tired of hearing about winter, talking about

winter and experiencing winter, and I bet you
are, too. However, what has been the worst
winter in a generation may, in fact, be a blessing
in disguise for independent repair shops across
the country.
The harsh elements will leave
many vehicles in need of service
and National Car Care Month in
April is the ideal time to capture
your share of these service and repair opportunities. Its also a chance to improve relationships
with customers and attract new ones, leading to
more long-term business.
Having a proper plan in place to capitalize on
National Car Care Month is the first step. The Car
Care Council website features a toolbox of information, promotional materials and suggestions to
help you get started (www.carcare.org/industrytool-box). Since there is no one-size-fits-all
template for participating in National Car Care
Month, the toolbox also offers a variety of ideas
on how to incorporate National Car Care Month
34
activities into your plans, whether you choose to

host an event or participate on a smaller scale.
Hosting a free community car care event during
National Car Care Month is an inexpensive and
highly successful way to enhance customer relationships, capture more business
from current customers and
generate new business.
For a larger community event,
you could partner with other businesses in your area, as well as a local radio station.
For a smaller event, you could offer free vehicle inspections right at your business location. The possibilities are endless. Whatever you decide to do,
this is a tremendous opportunity to increase the
goodwill and trust among your customer base.
If you decide to conduct an event, the Car Care
Council has a point-of-sale kit available for use
during National Car Care Month and throughout
the year (www.carcare.org/pos-starter-kit). The
kit includes consumer education brochures,
posters, bay banners, mirror hangers, vehicle inspection forms, an English/Spanish countermat
[ GuestEditorial
NATIONAL CAR CARE MONTH
and the very popular Car Care Guide.

In addition, the free digital version of the
Car Care Guide is available as a reference for
you and your customers. It can be found at
www.carcare.org/car-care-resource/car-careguide/.
Free resources for your customers dont end with
the Car Care Guide. The council has a free personalized service schedule and email reminder service to
help consumers remember to be car care aware.
By sharing the link, www.carcare.org/car-care-service-schedules/custom-service-schedule/, your
customers can become more proactive in maintaining their vehicle and following a service schedule
with your help.
Does your shop have a social media presence? If
so, why not like and follow the Car Care Council
on Facebook (facebook.com/CarCareCouncil) and
Twitter (twitter.com/CarCareCouncil). The council
frequently posts helpful tips, videos and information,

such as its new Maintenance Mondays posts, that
can easily be shared with your own fans and followers.
Participating in National Car Care Month is time
well spent and gives you a chance to build awareness of your business, increase car counts and educate consumers on how much of their vehicles
maintenance is going unchecked. Dont sit out this
National Car Care Month. Start planning today for
what could be the start of a real game changer for
your business. For more information on National
Car Care Month and the Be Car Care Aware
campaign, visit www.carcare.org. IC
36
[ TechFeature
ROTOR RUNOUT AND DTV

By Andrew Markel, Editor,
Brake & Front End Magazine
Stop Pulsation
Comebacks
Before They Start
ets say a vehicle had 0.003

of lateral runout when
measured at the outside
face of the rotor. If this vehicle is
riding on 205/55R16 tires, in just
one mile, the high-spot with
0.003 of runout goes past the
caliper approximately 836 times.
Over the course of 6,000 miles,
that spot on the rotor will go past
the pads more than five million
times. Every time this spot passes
the pads, a little bit of the rotors
material is removed.
Thats why its critical to
measure thickness and runout in
a brake rotor and wheel flange,
even if new rotors are going to
be installed.
Before getting started and
removing the rotor, mark its
original position with a paint or
grease marker.
1. Inspect the rotors surface
for defects, corrosion or cracks.
2. Find the discard measurements on the rotor. On some
aftermarket rotors, they will be
laser-etched into the sides of
the plates. If a discard measurement cant be found, look it
up along with the specification
for thickness variation or
parallelism.
38
3. Using a micrometer, measure the thickness of the rotor in

at least six spots that are opposite from each other.
4. Record the results. Variations in thickness should be
between 0.001 and 0.003.
MEASURING RUNOUT
1. Mount the dial indicator to a
rigidly secure portion of the suspension, like the knuckle. Do not
mount the arm to the tie rod
ends or the control arms. Position the indicator tip perpendicular to the rotors surface and
0.5 from the edge of the rotor.
2. Tighten down the rotor with
the correct conical washers to the
[ TechFeature
ROTOR RUNOUT AND DTV
recommended lugnut spec.

3. Set the dial to zero and turn
the rotor.
4. Mark the high and low spots
of the runout. For most cars, the
specification will be 0.002 or less.
5. Remove the rotor. Inspect the
mounting surface inside the hat.
Remove any corrosion or debris.
WHEEL FLANGE RUNOUT

1. Rotate the hub bearing
assembly by hand. Any roughness, play or noise from the bearing is an indication of damage.
Verify that the condition is normal or requires replacement.
2. The dial indicator base
should be placed or clamped
rigidly on a secure portion of the
suspension. Position the indicator tip as perpendicular to the
wheel flange as possible.
3. Set the dial indicator to zero.
Next, turn the flange at least
twice and observe the high and
low spots of runout.
4. Mark the high and low spots
of runout on the flange.
5. If the flange has more than
0.002, or the readings are inconsistent, further corrective actions
might need to be taken.
MATCHING THE HUB TO

THE ROTOR
By measuring and marking the
high and low spots of runout in
the hub and rotor, its possible to
match the high spot of runout in
the hub with the low spot of
runout in the rotor. This technique can be used to minimize
40
the amount of material removed

with an on-the-car brake lathe.
Flange runout can be corrected
with tapered shims that are
available to correct a runout of
0.003 (0.075 mm) to 0.009
(0.230 mm). A runout of more
than 0.005(0.125 mm) at the
bearing flange cannot be corrected by the use of a shim.
The combination of the rotor
and bearing flange could prevent
the rotor from being turned.
Check the bearing flange runout
after checking friction surface
runout, and then check flange
runout by changing the rotor position 180 on the bearing. If the
high spot changes 180, the rotor
could be OK or ready to turn
after the bearing is shimmed.
Components should be
marked as you perform an inspection of the assembly. Check
the bearing endplay. Mark the
relation of the rotor to the bearing flange. Then, mark the rotor
high and low runout spots on the
rotor friction surface, as follows:
the low spot marked as zero and
the high spot as 0.XX. Mark the
high and low runout spots on the
bearing flange with the same

method as the rotor friction
surface.
If the endplay exceeds the
manufacturers specifications,
replace the bearing and recheck
runout.
Compare the bearing flange
to rotor runout position.
If the shim cannot correct the
runout, the bearing should be
replaced.
Check the rotors thickness.
The minimum dimension should
be stamped or cast into the rotor.
There has to be enough thickness
to cover the runout without going
below the minimum thickness.
RUNOUT MINIMIZATION
Today, you can purchase an onthe-car brake lathe that, after it
has been attached to the vehicle,
will automatically compensate for
runout quick and easy.
In some cases with excessive
runout, a new rotor should be
machined to match the vehicle,
which helps to match the rotors
to the hub flange.
The main advantage of an onthe-car lathe is that it is able to
cut a rotor in its operating plane.
This means that the rotor is
machined to match the hub.
It has often been said that you
should never machine new rotors,
but what if the runout exceeds the
manufacturers specifications
when the new rotor is installed on
the vehicle? This situation makes it
permissible to machine a new rotor
with an on-the-car brake lathe. IC
[ TechUpdate
AIR RIDE SYSTEMS

By Andrew Market, Editor, Brake & Front End Magazine
Air Ride Replacement

Options:
Give You The Ability To Repair Or

Convert A Variety Of Makes And Models
ll air ride systems can fail and require

service, and there are several repair paths
you can go down to offer the best option
for your customers needs and budget.
The start of any repair path is diagnostics. With
modern air ride systems, failures can occur in
multiple areas including the control modules,
solenoids and even the vehicle network. A failure
may appear to be a leaking air bag,
but it could also be a control module that cant communicate, a
stuck solenoid or a worn
out compressor. In
some cases, the control module will require reprogramming
to resolve a problem.
Some of these fixes
can be very expensive. But
before any air ride system is scrapped for passive

coil spring units, consider the resale value of the
vehicle. A functioning air ride system can add
thousands to the price of some vehicles. On other
vehicles, the price has depreciated to the point
where a functioning system makes little difference.
Always advise the customer that not repairing
the air ride system removes some functionality
from the vehicle like adjustable ride control and
load leveling.
With more and more air-ride-equipped vehicles
accumulating miles, you can expect to see a
steady stream of these vehicles in your bays. You
also have more options than ever before when it
comes to replacement parts and conversion kits.
Below is a forecast of current and future air ride
vehicles and replacement options.
BMW
The 5 Series received a rear air leveling suspension
in 1999 as an option. The X5 was the first to get air
ride in 2000. In 2002, the 7 Series received an
adjustable air suspension. New models like the X6
have air ride as standard. Replacement parts and
conversion kits are available.
JAGUAR
The 2004-10 Jaguar XJ8 and XJR have air ride
units at all four corners. Replacement units from
the dealer can be very expensive. Coil conversion
kits are available, as well as replacement sensors,
compressors and complete air ride units.
42
[ TechUpdate
AIR RIDE SYSTEMS
With more and

more air-ride-equipped
vehicles accumulating miles, you can
expect to see a steady stream of these
vehicles in your bays.
LAND ROVER
MERCEDES-BENZ
Air ride suspensions were standard on all Discovery and Range

Rover models since the mid1990s. These models have common pattern failures that can
leave the suspension flat or in
safe mode. There are many
replacement and service options
available for these vehicles from
specialists. Coil conversion kits
are available as a solution for a
cost-conscience customer, but
before considering this option,
consider the resale value of the
vehicle, as mentioned earlier.
Mercedes-Benz has offered several air ride and hydraulic systems

since the early 1990s, including
Airmatic and ABC. Some of these
systems can also have Active
Dampening Control (ADC).
When ordering replacement parts
for these vehicles, make sure you
know which system it has and
whether the vehicle is all-wheel
drive. The greatest opportunity
for shops is the S-Class for
replacement air ride components
and coil conversion kits.
TOYOTA
LEXUS
From the start, Lexus offered air
ride at all four corners as an option with the 1990 LS400. Since
then, air ride has become optional
or standard equipment on most
models including the RX and GX
SUVs. Aftermarket repair and
conversion options are available.
The 2003-11 Toyota 4Runner with

the X-REAS system is not an air
ride system, but its a system that
can fail. The X-REAS system links
all four shock absorbers to a center control absorber. The aftermarket does offer service parts as well
as passive conversion kits. IC
44
ImportTechTips]
HONDA
ACCORD MAKES THUMPING
NOISE AT COLD START
Applies To: 1998-2002 Accord

L4 all models with A/T and
cruise control
Symptom:
A thump as the ignition
switch is released from the start
position or as the engine starts.
This noise sounds similar to a
rubber mallet striking the
frame and occurs only on a
cold start (the vehicle has been
sitting for some time, usually
overnight).
Probable Cause:
The vacuum-actuated engine
mount does not work properly
because of insufficient intake
manifold vacuum at start-up.
Corrective Action:
To increase vacuum, reroute
the vacuum hose for the engine
mount control solenoid valve to
the cruise control vacuum tank.
Diagnosis:
Ask your customer if the
noise happens only on a cold
start, after the vehicle has been
sitting for some time, usually
overnight.
If the noise happens only
on a cold start, go to Repair
Procedure A - 1998-2000 Accord
below or Repair Procedure B 2001-02 Accord on page 46.
If the noise happens at every
start, disregard this bulletin,
and look for other possible
causes (exhaust hangers, rear
engine mount, etc.).
Repair Procedure A: 19982000 Accord

1. Look at the three vacuum
ports on the top of the intake
manifold. See Fig. 1. Is vacuum
port C capped?
If port C is not capped,
replace the fuel pressure regulator and hose (see S/B 00-018,
MIL Comes On With DTCs
P0171 and/or P0172, filed
under Fuel and Emissions).
Then go to step 2.
If port C is capped, go to
step 2.
2. Disconnect the three vacuum hoses from the Y-fitting. See
Fig. 2. Save the Y-fitting.
3. Remove the hose from
vacuum port A and discard it.
4. Remove and discard the
long vacuum hose going to the
fuel pressure regulator. Save
the double hose clip.
5. Unclip the cruise control
vacuum hose from the intake
air duct. Measure 4-1/2 in.
from the check valve on the
cruise control vacuum tank,
then remove a 1/2-in. section
of the hose beyond this point
with a utility knife. See Fig. 3.
6. Connect the ends of the vacuum hose you just cut to the
opposite ends of the Y-fitting you
removed in step 2. See Fig. 4.
7. Connect the engine mount
control solenoid valve vacuum
hose to the open port on the Y-fitting. Push the hose into the clip
on the side of the intake air duct.
8. Cut a 34-in. length of 3.5 mm
ID vacuum hose, then connect
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Import-Car.com
45
[ ImportTechTips
Fig. 6
Fig. 5
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
one end to vacuum port A and

the other end to the fuel pressure
regulator. Push the new hose into
the clips at the locations shown
in Fig. 5.
46
Repair Procedure B: 2001-02

Accord
1. Disconnect the engine
mount control solenoid valve
vacuum hose from vacuum
port A. See Fig. 6. Unclip the
hose from the double hose clip
and from the side of the intake
air duct. Remove and discard
the double hose clip.
2. Measure 3 in. from the
open end of the hose, and
remove that section of hose
with a utility knife. See Fig. 7.
3. Unclip the cruise control
vacuum hose from the top of the
intake air duct. Measure 4-1/2
in. from the check valve on the
cruise control vacuum tank, then
Fig. 7
remove a 1/2-in. section of the

hose beyond this point with a
utility knife. See Fig. 8.
4. Connect the ends of the
vacuum hose you just cut to
the opposite ends of the new
Y-fitting. See Fig. 9.
5. Connect the engine
mount control solenoid valve
vacuum hose to the open port
on the Y-fitting. Push the hose
into the clip on the side of the
intake air duct.
6. Push the cruise control
vacuum hose into the clip on
the top of the intake air duct.
7. Push the new cap onto
vacuum port A.
Courtesy of ALLDATA.
FLUSHING THE
STEERING SYSTEM
Fine particles can enter a
hydraulic system because of
mechanical stress on the steering
components. As a consequence,
its recommended to flush the
entire hydraulic system when replacing the power steering pump.
A few vehicle manufacturers
have installed a drain bolt in the
area of the steering gear. The
disadvantage is that it is not
possible to drain all the hydraulic
fluid here. A residual quantity
[ ImportTechTips
always remains in the system.
Repair Procedure:
1. Raise the vehicles front
wheels off the ground. Raising
the wheels will allow for lower
resistance (in steps 9 and 12)
when turning the wheels back
and forth while flushing the
system. It will also prevent the
hydraulic fluid from foaming.
2. Remove the power steering
reservoir cap.
3. Remove the return line on
the reservoir, making sure to
collect all the fluid being drained
out. Be sure to properly dispose
of the old fluid.
4. Disconnect the feed line
from the reservoir and remove
the reservoir from the vehicle.
5. With the reservoir removed,
clean the inside with a suitable
cleaner. Brake cleaner is recommended. If the vehicle is
equipped with an in-line filter, be
sure to clean or replace the filter.
6. Reinstall the reservoir and
attach the fluid feed line, but do
not attach the return line. With a
suitable plug, plug off the location on the reservoir where the
return line should be connected.
7. Fill the reservoir with the
correct fluid, allowing the fluid
level to stabilize. Once the fluid
has stabilized, start the vehicle.
8. With the engine running,
collect the fluid that will be
flowing out of the return line.
9. Keeping the engine running, turn the wheel back and
forth from stop to stop. Do this
approximately 10 to 12 times
until the fluid runs clean.
48
Very important: Always make

sure to keep the reservoir full. Do
not allow the reservoir to run dry
as this will damage the pump
and create air in the system.
10. Once the system is flushed,
turn off the engine. Remove the
plug on the reservoir and reconnect the return line. (Collect the
fluid that will run out of the reservoir when the plug is removed
and dispose of it properly.)
11. Top off the reservoir with
additional, clean fluid and allow
the fluid level to stabilize.
12. Once complete, start the
engine and turn the wheel stop to
stop 20 times to bleed air from the
system. While the system is being
bled, make sure the fluid level
does not go below the fill line.
13. Lower the vehicle, verify
the fluid is at the correct operating level, then reinstall the
power steering reservoir cap.
14. Check for any leaks and test
drive to verify proper operation.
Important! Its essential to
comply with the vehicle manufacturers installation instructions and to use only the
hydraulic fluids approved for
the respective vehicle. The specification is found in the owners
manual for the vehicle.
Important! Hydraulic fluid
may not enter the soil. Disposal
must take place via the supplier
of the materials or a special
refuse collection point. IC
Courtesy of Schaeffler Group
USA Inc.
Essentials]
Brought to you by
<<
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Professional offers
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aftermarket leader
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specialty manufacturers. For more information on Airtex products, call your local Advance delivery location.
Reader Service: Go to
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Solv-Tec reports that sales of its K-Seal

one-step permanent coolant leak repair
are rocketing both in the U.S. and overseas. A recent independent market
survey in the U.K. reported that K-Seal is
now the No. 1 best-selling total coolant
leak repair, recommended by nine out of
10 K-Seal distributors. One concentrated
8-oz. bottle (P/N ST5501) will permanently fix head, head gasket, block, radiator, heater core and water pump leaks
in engines up to 12 cylinders.
Ranger Products, a division of BendPak Inc., is bringing a new tire changer
to market. The R980ATF is equipped
with a powerful variable-speed motor
and gear box that work systematically
at multi-speeds, allowing operators
to match turntable rotational speed with varied tire
and wheel combinations.
Ergonomic controls are
sensibly placed to minimize excessive reaching
or bending, resulting in
more jobs per day. The
R980ATF works
with a wide
variety of wheels,
including virtually
all OEM and performance tire and
wheel configurations.
<<
<<
The PlatinumNAPAFilter offers technology for the latest advancements in

synthetic oil and performance oil filters.
Featuring a host of oil filter innovations, including wire re-enforced fully
synthetic media and an ultradurable Hydrogenerated Nitrile
compound anti-drain back valve
(where applicable), this oil filter provides the ultimate protection in the
NAPA Family of oil filters. Visit
www.napafilters.com for more information.
Reader Service: Go to www.icRAPIDRESPONSE.com
<<
ZF Services, LLC, the

aftermarket business unit of ZF
Friedrichshafen
AG in North
America,
announced the
launch of 49 new
parts added to the
Sachs passenger car
and light truck clutch product line during 2013.
The new part numbers added throughout the year included 24 new complete clutch kits, 11 flywheels and 14
hydraulic SKUs. These clutch kits released during the past
year fit the 2006-13 Audi A3 and VW CC, EOS, GTI, Jetta
and Passat.
Import-Car.com
49
[ Essentials
Brought to you by
<<
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Wagner ThermoQuiet
Ceramic brake pads featuring the brands exclusive 2021-compliant
low-copper friction technology have been introduced for 2014 Mazda 6
passenger cars and several other popular latemodel foreign nameplate
and domestic applications.
Each new ThermoQuiet Ceramic pad features a highly
advanced Wagner OE21 low-copper friction formulation
that is 35 percent quieter and offers 15 percent more
stopping power than previous Wagner formulations.
50
Aftermarket
technicians faced
with installing a
new TPMS Sensor on the Mitsubishi Lancer,
Outlander and
the new Mirage can keep that business
in house with Bartecs Mitsubishi Assisted Relearn. Unlike other methods, the
Bartec Mitsubishi Assisted Relearn
process provides full diagnostic capability in addition to completing the proper
relearn. The Mitsubishi Assisted Relearn
process includes testing the installed
sensors, detecting and recording DTCs
and, finally, verifying that the proper
sensors were relearned.
<<
ACDelco has released

an additional 143 Professional remanufactured
alternator and starter part
numbers covering 19922012 models from Toyota,
Honda, Nissan and other
manufacturers. The expansion consists of 64 additional Professional remanufactured alternators and 79
Professional remanufactured starters. On ACDelco part
numbers with an A suffix, the alternators always
include new regulators and the starters always include
new solenoids. In total, the ACDelco Professional
remanufactured alternator and starter line now features
more than 2,500 SKUs. www.acdelco.com
<<
<<
Innova Electronics
Corp.s award-winning
QUICKLINK device pairs
with a smart device for
immediate access to a
virtual dashboard of information that can help keep
vehicle owners safe, save
time and money, and provide peace of mind. Innova QUICKLINK can be used
to solve check engine problems, check for road trip
readiness, double-check automotive repair shop
estimates, improve fuel economy and more.
S&H Industries announced a new Knee

Saver work seat with tool tray. Quickly
and easily roll about with your tools
readily available on the convenient tool
tray built into the frame. The work seat
can hold a 300-pound capacity and has
adjustable height and tilt for multiple
positions. Casters evenly distribute the
weight and add balance. Knee pads are
thickly padded for comfort and a
unique kneeling position to reduce
pressure on the lower back.
Its Fast, Easy and Accurate!

Get FREE PRODUCT AND SERVICE INFO from the companies featured in this issue of ImportCar.
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Advertiser
Page
Advance Auto Parts Professional . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Air Suspension Parts by Arnott, Inc. . . . . . . . . . .44
Airtex Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28, 29
ALLDATA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Autel.us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper . . . . . . . . . .Cover 4
Automotive Service Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Automotive Video/AVI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Bars Leaks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18, 32
BendPak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Insert, 46
Bosch Automotive Service Solutions . . . . . . . . . . .7
CARQUEST Auto Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
CRP Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
GAAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
GMB North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
K-Seal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
KYB Americas Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Advertiser
Page
MAHLE Clevite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Mercedes-Benz USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Mitchell 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
NAPA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cover Call Out, 11, 31
NGK Spark Plugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
OReilly Auto Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Parts Master . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Perfect Stop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Raybestos Chassis Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Red Line Synthetic Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Schaeffler Group USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8, 9
Stellar Automotive (Lube Guard) . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Toyota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cover 2, 1
TYC/Genera Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Walker Products, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
WORLDPAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cover 3
WANT DETAILS ON THE

PRODUCTS & SERVICES YOU SEE IN
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Post your job for just $50 a month!

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Contact: Karen Kaim
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Import-Car.com
55
Track Talk
NASCAR Trucks Get ShowroomSavvy Makeover for 2014
Trucks have gotten much
truckier in the NASCAR
Camping World Truck Series
this year.
The 2014 race truck
designs have undergone the
ultimate makeover a new
bodywork that more closely
resembles the production
vehicles they represent.
Each manufacturer has
designed distinctly different
trucks that they can use to
promote their showroom
models through their
involvement with NASCAR
racing, said Robin
Pemberton, NASCAR vice
president of competition and
racing development. Its all

about the working relationships with the OEMs, the
race teams and NASCAR to
create a level playing field.
Toyota Tundras, Chevrolet
Silverados and Ford F-150s
have switched from the
familiar, low-profile nose to
much taller hoods featuring
grille and headlight designs
that are almost straight off
the factory trucks. The new
front ends give the trucks a
more conventional profile
than the slope nose models
they replace.
Above all, the new race
trucks have a unique design
New look, same great racing: The truck body makeover means
showroom-inspired models on track for Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota.
that will make it easier for

fans to recognize their
favorite model.
The truck has a new look
that fans can relate to with
their own truck at home,
said Chad Little, NASCAR
Camping World Truck Series
managing director. The
competitors have been
happy with the new trucks
and we expect to continue to
have some of the best racing
in NASCAR for our fans.
Extensive research and
testing went into the development of the new bodies,
with the goal of continued
close competition while
allowing specific features
from each model.
The introduction of the
new truck bodies follows
successful launches of race
vehicles in NASCARs other
two national series the
Gen-6 car last year in the
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
and the new muscle-style
models in the NASCAR
Nationwide Series in 2010.
Kudos to NASCAR for
allowing us to get back to
the roots of what the trucks

are supposed to look like,
said Pat Dimarco, NASCAR
program manager for Ford
Racing. They have vertical
grilles, and thats what trucks
are.
Former NASCAR Sprint
Cup Series champion Brad
Keselowski, also a team
owner in the NASCAR
Camping World Truck Series,
appreciates the changes.
We need Ford to be able
to have a truck that you can
look at from the grandstands
or watch on TV and say, that
looks like my brand new Ford
F-150, explained Keselowski.
Thats important for the
series and helps us keep the
series healthy for a long time.
The truck series is known for
putting on some of the best
racing. I wouldnt expect that
to change one bit.
Check out the new-look
trucks in person at a racetrack near you this season.
Visit www.nascar.com for the
2014 NASCAR Camping
World Truck Series race
schedule.
Track to street: Redesigned 2014 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

trucks now more closely resemble the look of their street counterparts.
Follow NASCAR Performance on Twitter and Facebook
www.twitter.com/NASCARauto
www.facebook.com/NASCARPerformance

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Fuel System Repair

Engine Noise At Cold Start

Reader Service: go to www.ICRapidResponse.com

BMW Fuel System Essentials

Volume 36, No. 3

BMW Fuel System

Tech Feature: Rotors

Preventing Pulsation Comebacks

Import Specialist Contributor

The BMW N54 fuel pump recall

Its often been said that you should

ImportCar Staff 330.670.1234

March 2014 | Import-Car.com

Reader Service: go to www.ICRapidResponse.com

34 Guest Editorial: Rich White,

Editorial Advisory Board

Air Ride Systems

Steve Louden, Louden Motorcar Services,

45 Import Tech Tips

Frank Scandura, Franks European Service,

Babcox Media, Inc.

AUGMENTED REALITY CONTENT

Become a fan on Facebook

IMPORTCAR (ISSN 1069-4714)

March 2014 | Import-Car.com

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he degree to which your

when it comes to evaluating employees. You must set goals for

and performance among your

ImportCar is pleased to announce the recent addition of

March 2014 | Import-Car.com

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2014 AVI Sanibel Training

March 2014 | Import-Car.com

Whether youre walking out of

More Federated Free Fuel

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ACDelco Doubles Parts, Labor

March 2014 | Import-Car.com

Standard Motor Products

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The 2014 Expert Plus service dealer

By Scott Gonzo Weaver, owner Superior Auto Electric, Tulsa, OK

Dont Judge A Job

t was a picture-perfect day at the auto repair shop:

March 2014 | Import-Car.com

The Kia had two problems: A faulty alternator and

Reader Service: go to www.ICRapidResponse.com

lthough post-1996 OBD II powertrain

Photo 1: The throttle sensor is a

March 2014 | Import-Car.com

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strophic occurrences. If this is the

both legs of the PCM or engine

March 2014 | Import-Car.com

instantly evaluate B+ at pin No. 16 and the integrity

POLLING THE MODULES

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had a PCM disable an alternator

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March 2014 | Import-Car.com