|
| |||||
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Northwest Herald Dr. Gizmo Column For June 1, 2012
Hello friends,
Appearing tomorrow in this week's column drips persist after oil leak repairs. Also, appearing in this week's column a gas cap has more to offer than meets the eye. There also are questions regarding a squeaky steering wheel, a newly purchased car fails a state emissions test, smoke finds a leak and one motorist has an excuse to speed when the speedometer quits.
Appearing tomorrow in this week's column drips persist after oil leak repairs. Also, appearing in this week's column a gas cap has more to offer than meets the eye. There also are questions regarding a squeaky steering wheel, a newly purchased car fails a state emissions test, smoke finds a leak and one motorist has an excuse to speed when the speedometer quits.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Is Your 2007 GM Truck Humming?
You just turned off your truck. The ignition is off and the keys are in your hand. All of a sudden you hear a humming or buzzing sound from the rear. As you scratch your head in bewilderment there might be an answer to the puzzling sound.
General Motors has learned that some 2007 GM trucks equipped with a 5.3-liter or 6.2-liter engine might develop a humming or buzzing sound from the rear. They discovered the cause of the noise is a faulty relay that intermittently completes the circuit to the fuel pump. Not only does it cause a humming sound but it might cause a dead battery.
To fix the trouble engineers developed an updated relay. Installation of the updated part should cure the trouble.
General Motors has learned that some 2007 GM trucks equipped with a 5.3-liter or 6.2-liter engine might develop a humming or buzzing sound from the rear. They discovered the cause of the noise is a faulty relay that intermittently completes the circuit to the fuel pump. Not only does it cause a humming sound but it might cause a dead battery.
To fix the trouble engineers developed an updated relay. Installation of the updated part should cure the trouble.
Mustang Dash Rattle
For those of you plagued with a rattle in the dash of your 2001-2004 Mustang there may be help. Ford engineers have found that some dash vents develop a rattle. If your car is afflicted, the repair is to replace rattling vents with an updated part.
The process to replace a vent is not major surgery. Carefully pry out the vent with a screw driver or pry tool specifically designed to remove automotive trim and pop in the new vent.
Contact your local Ford parts department to obtain as many vents as needed to cure the condition.
The process to replace a vent is not major surgery. Carefully pry out the vent with a screw driver or pry tool specifically designed to remove automotive trim and pop in the new vent.
Contact your local Ford parts department to obtain as many vents as needed to cure the condition.
Recalls
Guess what? Due to the holiday weekend no recalls were available today. I guess at least for today all vehicles are free of any defects that compromise our safety that could result in a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall.
Of course there is always the possibility a loose nut behind the steering wheel may make a poor decision that could result in an accident. Please set aside cell phones and other distractions so we all make it to our destinations, family and friends safe.
Drive safe!
Take care!
Of course there is always the possibility a loose nut behind the steering wheel may make a poor decision that could result in an accident. Please set aside cell phones and other distractions so we all make it to our destinations, family and friends safe.
Drive safe!
Take care!
Friday, May 25, 2012
Illinois Noise Pollution Law - Re: Motor Vehicles
This is to asist the persons who have inquired about noise limits for motor vehicles. Apparently, there is a young man who blasts through a neighborhood at 0540 hours give or take a few minutes.
The young man with the car that makes all the racket should take note and observe common courtesy to abide by the law.
Citizens have taken action. Test equipment finds your muffler exceeds the limits within Illinois standards. Your car can be heard for miles.
Your neighbors would greatly appreciate your cooperation by reducing the noise to within the standards set by this law.
Thank you.
TITLE 35: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
SUBTITLE H: NOISE
CHAPTER I: POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD
PART 902
SOUND EMISSION STANDARDS AND LIMITATIONS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
SUBPART A: EQUIPMENT STANDARDS APPLICABLE TO ALL MOTOR VEHICLES
Section
902.101
|
Exhaust System
|
902.102
|
SUBPART B: OPERATIONAL STANDARDS
Section
902.120
|
Standards Applicable to all Passenger Cars and to Other Motor Vehicles with GVW of 8,000 Pounds or Less
|
902.121
|
Standards Applicable to Motor Vehicles with GVW in Excess of 8,000 Pounds
|
902.122
|
Standards Applicable to Motorcyles and Motor Driven Cycles
|
902.123
|
Exception for and Standards Applicable to Motor Carriers Engaged in Interstate Commerce with Respect to Operations Regulated Pursuant to the Federal Noise Control Act of 1972
|
902.124
|
Horns and Other Warning Devices
|
902.125
|
Tire Noise
|
SUBPART C: EXCEPTIONS AND COMPLIANCE DATES FOR PART 902
Section
902.140
|
Exceptions
|
902.141
|
Compliance Dates
|
APPENDIX A
|
OLD RULE NUMBERS REFERENCED
|
AUTHORITY: Implementing Section 25 and authorized by Section 27 of the Environmental Protection Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1981, ch. 111 1/2, pars. 1025 and 1027).
SOURCE: Originally filed as Part 3 of Chapter 8: Noise Pollution, effective May 31, 1977; codified at 7 Ill. Reg. 13579.
SUBPART A: EQUIPMENT STANDARDS APPLICABLE TO ALL MOTOR VEHICLES
Section 902.101 Exhaust System
No person shall operate or cause or allow the operation of a motor vehicle on a public right of way unless it is at all times equipped with an adequate muffler or other sound dissipative device which is:
a) In constant operation and properly maintained to prevent any excessive or unusual noise;
b) Free from defects which affect sound reduction; and
c) Not modified in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise of such muffler or other sound dissipative device above that emitted by the muffler originally installed on the vehicle so as to produce excessive or unusual noise.
Section 902.102 Tires
No person shall operate or cause or allow the operation of a motor vehicle with one or more tires having a tread pattern which is composed primarily of cavities in the tread (excluding sipes and local chunking) which are not vented by grooves to the tire shoulder or circumferentially to each other around the tire.
SUBPART B: OPERATIONAL STANDARDS
Section 902.120 Standards Applicable to all Passenger Cars and to Other Motor Vehicles with GVW of 8,000 Pounds or Less
a) This rule shall apply to all passenger cars regardless of weight and to other motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 8,000 pounds or less, except motorcycles and motor driven cycles.
b) No person shall operate or cause or allow the operation of a motor vehicle subject to this rule at any time under any conditions of highway grade, load, acceleration or deceleration in such a manner as to exceed the following limits:
1) On highways with speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less, 74 dB(A), or 76 dB(A) when operating on a grade exceeding 3%, measured with fast meter response at 50 feet from the centerline of lane of travel, or an equivalent sound level limit measured in accordance with procedures established under 35 Ill. Adm. Code 900.103;
2) On highways with speed limits of more than 35 miles per hour, 82 dB(A), or 85 dB(A) if the vehicle is equipped with two or more snow or mud/snow tires, measured with fast meter response at 50 feet from the centerline of lane of travel, or an equivalent sound level limit measured in accordance with procedures established under 35 Ill. Adm. Code 900.103.
Section 902.121 Standards Applicable to Motor Vehicles with GVW in Excess of 8,000 Pounds
a) This rule shall apply to motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight in excess of 8,000 pounds, except passenger cars.
b) No person shall operate or cause or allow the operation of a motor vehicle subject to this rule at any time under any conditions of highway grade, load, acceleration or deceleration in such a manner as to exceed the following limits:
1) On highways with speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less, 86 dB(A), measured with fast meter response at 50 feet from the centerline of lane of travel, or an equivalent sound level limit measured in accordance with procedures established under 35 Ill. Adm. Code 900.103;
2) On highways with speed limits of more than 35 miles per hour, 90 dB(A), measured with fast meter response at 50 feet from the centerline of lane of travel, or an equivalent sound level limit measured in accordance with procedures established under 35 Ill. Adm. Code 900.103.
c) No person shall operate or cause or allow the operation of a motor vehicle subject to this rule, powered by an engine with engine speed governor, which generates a sound level in excess of 88 dB(A) measured with fast meter response at 50 feet from the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle or an equivalent sound level limit measured in accordance with procedures established under 35 Ill. Adm. Code 900.103, when that engine is accelerated from idle with wide open throttle to governed speed with the vehicle stationary, transmission in neutral, and clutch engaged.
Section 902.122 Standards Applicable to Motorcycles and Motor Driven Cycles
a) This rule shall apply to all motorcycles and motor driven cycles.
b) No person shall operate or cause or allow the operation of a motor vehicle subject to this rule at any time or under any conditions of highway grade, load, acceleration or deceleration in such a manner as to exceed the following limits:
1) On highways with speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less, 80 dB(A), or 82 dB(A) when operating on a grade exceeding 3%, measured with fast meter response at 50 feet from the centerline of lane of travel, or an equivalent sound level limit measured in accordance with procedures established under 35 Ill. Adm. Code 900.103;
2) On highways with speed limits of more than 35 miles per hour, 86 dB(A), measured with fast meter response at 50 feet from the centerline of lane of travel, or an equivalent sound level limit measured in accordance with procedures established under 35 Ill. Adm. Code 900.103.
Section 902.123 Exception for and Standards Applicable to Motor Carriers Engaged in Interstate Commerce with Respect to Operations Regulated Pursuant to the Federal Noise Control Act of 1972
a) Applicability
1) After the effective date of the federal standards contained in 40 CFR Part 202, this rule shall apply to motor carriers engaged in interstate commerce with respect to noise emissions regulated by such federal standards. Motor carrier operations determined pursuant to 35 Ill. Adm. Code 900.104 to be governed by this rule shall be excepted from Section 902.101, 902.102 and 902.121.
2) This rule shall apply to motor carriers with respect only to the operation of those motor vehicles of such carriers which have a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating in excess of 10,000 pounds, and only when such motor vehicles are operated under the conditions specified below.
3) Except as provided in subparagraph (4) of this paragraph (a), this rule shall apply to the total sound produced by such motor vehicles when operating under the specified conditions, including the sound produced by auxiliary equipment mounted on such motor vehicles.
4) This rule shall not apply to auxiliary equipment which is normally operated only when the transporting vehicle is stationary or is moving at a speed of 5 miles per hour or less. Examples of such equipment include, but are not limited to, cranes, asphalt spreaders, ditch diggers, liquid or slurry pumps, air compressors, welders, and refuse compactors.
b) Equipment Standards
1) Visual exhaust system inspection
No motor carrier subject to this rule shall operate any motor vehicle of a type with respect to which this rule is applicable unless the exhaust system of such vehicle is:
A) Equipped with a muffler or other noise dissipative device;
B) Free from defects which affect sound reduction; and
C) Not equipped with any cutout, bypass or similar device.
2) Visual tire inspection
No motor carrier subject to this rule shall operate any motor vehicle of a type with respect to which this rule is applicable on a tire or tires having a tread pattern which as originally manufactured, or as newly retreaded, is composed primarily of cavities in the tread (excluding sipes and local chunking) which are not vented by grooves to the tire shoulder or circumferentially to each other around the tire. This subparagraph (2) shall not apply to any motor vehicle which is demonstrated by the motor carrier which operates it to be in compliance with the noise emission standard specified in paragraph (c) of this rule for operation on highways with speed limits of more than 35 miles per hour, if the demonstration is conducted at the highway speed limit in effect at the inspection location or, if speed is unlimited, the demonstration is conducted at a speed of 65 miles per hour.
c) Standards for Highway Operation
No motor carrier subject to this rule shall operate any motor vehicle of a type with respect to which this rule is applicable and which at any time or under any condition of highway grade, load, acceleration or deceleration generates a sound level in excess of 86 dB(A) measured on an open site with fast meter response at 50 feet from the centerline of lane of travel on highways with speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less; or 90 dB(A) measured on an open site with fast meter response at 50 feet from the centerline of lane of travel on highways with speed limits of more than 35 miles per hour.
d) Standard for Operation under Stationary Test
No motor carrier subject to this rule shall operate any motor vehicle of a type with respect to which this rule is applicable, and which is equipped with an engine speed governor, which generates a sound level in excess of 88 dB(A) measured on an open site with fast meter response at 50 feet from the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle, when its engine is accelerated from idle with wide open throttle to governed speed with the vehicle stationary, transmission in neutral, and clutch engaged.
e) Additional Definitions Applicable Only to this Rule
1) Common carrier by motor vehicle: any person who holds himself out to the general public to engage in the transportation by motor vehicle in interstate or foreign commerce of passengers or property or any class or classes thereof for compensation, whether over regular or irregular routes.
2) Contract carrier by motor vehicle: any person who engages in transportation by motor vehicle of passengers or property in interstate or foreign commerce for compensation (other than transportation referred to in subparagraph (1) of this paragraph) under continuing contracts with one person or a limited number of persons either
A) for the furnishing of transportation services through the assignment of motor vehicles for a continuing period of time to the exclusive use of each person served or
B) for the furnishing of transportation services designed to meet the distinct need of each individual customer.
3) Gross combination weight rating: the value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a combination vehicle.
4) Gross vehicle weight rating: the value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a single vehicle.
5) Interstate commerce: the commerce between any place in a State and any place in another State or between places in the same State through another State, whether such commerce moves wholly by motor vehicle or partly by motor vehicle and partly by rail, express, water or air. This definition of "interstate commerce" for purposes of this rule is the same as the definition of "interstate commerce" in Section 203(a) of the Interstate Commerce Act (49 U.S.C. Section 303(a)).
6) Motor carrier: a common carrier by motor vehicle, a contract carrier by motor vehicle, or a private carrier of property by motor vehicle, as those terms are defined by paragraphs (14), (15), and (17) of Section 203(a) of the Interstate Commerce Act (49 U.S.C. 303(a)). The term "motor carrier" includes those entities which own and operate the subject motor vehicles, but not the drivers thereof, unless said drivers are independent truckers who both own and drive their own vehicles.
7) Open site: an area that is essentially free of large sound-reflecting objects, such as barriers, walls, board fences, signboards, parked vehicles, bridges or buildings.
8) Private carrier of property by motor vehicle: any person not included in terms "common carrier by motor vehicle" or "contract carrier by motor vehicle", who transports in interstate or foreign commerce by motor vehicle property of which such person is the owner, lessee, or bailee, when such transportation is for sale, lease, rent or bailment, or in furtherance of any commercial enterprise.
Section 902.124 Horns and Other Warning Devices
a) No person shall sound a horn when upon a highway, except when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation. No person shall sound any horn on any motor vehicle for an unreasonable period of time or in a manner so as to circumvent enforcement of the operational standards contained in this Subpart B.
b) No person shall sound any siren, whistle or bell of any motor vehicle except as provided in Ill. Rev. Stat. 1981, ch. 95 1/2, par. 12-601(b).
Section 902.125 Tire Noise
No person shall operate a motor vehicle in such a manner as to cause or allow to be emitted squealing, screeching or other such noise from the tires in contact with the ground because of rapid acceleration or excessive speed around corners or other such reason, except that noise resulting from emergency operation to avoid imminent danger shall be exempt from this provision.
SUBPART C: EXCEPTIONS AND COMPLIANCE DATES FOR PART 902
Section 902.140 Exceptions
a) The standards and limitations of Part 902 shall not apply to:
1) any vehicle moved by human or animal powers;
2) any vehicle moved by electrical power;
3) any vehicle used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks;
4) any farm tractor;
5) any antique vehicle, if licensed under Section 3-804 of the Illinois Vehicle Code Ill. Rev. Stat. 1981, ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-804;
6) any snowmobile;
7) any special mobile equipment;
8) any vehicle while being used lawfully for racing competition or time racing events; and
9) any lawn care maintenance equipment.
b) Sections 902.102 and 902.123(b)(2) shall not apply to any person who can show that a tread pattern as described in those rules was the result of wear and that the tire was not originally manufactured or newly retreaded with such a tread pattern.
c) The operational standards contained in Sections 902.120 through 902.123 inclusive shall not apply to warning devices, such as horns and sirens; or to emergency equipment and vehicles such as fire engines, ambulances, police vans, and rescue vans, when respond to emergency calls; to snow plows when in operation; or to tactical military vehicles.
Section 902.141 Compliance Dates
a) Except as otherwise provided in this rule, any person subject to the standards and limitations of this Part shall comply with such standards and limitations on and after November 30, 1977.
b) Every owner or operator of a motor vehicle subject to Section 902.102 shall comply with such rule on and after May 31, 1978.
c) Every owner or operator of a motor vehicle subject to Section 902.120(b)(2) or 902.121(b)(2) shall comply with such rule on and after May 31, 1978.
d) Every motor carrier subject to Section 902.123 shall comply with such rule on and after May 31, 1977.
Section 902.APPENDIX A Old Rule Numbers Referenced
The following table is provided to aid in referencing old Board rule numbers to section numbers pursuant to codification.
Old Part 3 of Chapter 8
|
35 Ill. Adm. Code Part 902
|
Rule 301
|
Section 902.101
|
Rule 302
|
Section 902.102
|
Rule 310
|
Section 902.120
|
Rule 311
|
Section 902.121
|
Rule 312
|
Section 902.122
|
Rule 313
|
Section 902.123
|
Rule 314
|
Section 902.124
|
Rule 315
|
Section 902.125
|
Rule 320
|
Section 902.140
|
Rule 321
|
Section 902.141
|
Happy Memorial Day!
Please have a safe and happy weekend. Don't forget to remember all of those who have served to protect our country and the freedoms we all enjoy!
Recalls Of The Day
Here's the latest recalls courtesy of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Just In Case You Missed It, Northwest Herald Dr. Gizmo column dated May 18, 2012
05/18/2012
"Dr. Gizmo"
By Phil Arendt
Climate Control Leaves Motorist Roasting Or
Frigid
Question 1
I have a 2005 Ford F250 Super Duty 6.0-liter turbo diesel crew cab
with 106,000 miles with a climate control system like most Ford cars. My
problem is that my climate control unit will go completely dead once in a
while. It's never at a good time. It works fine for months. Then one day when I go to the store it works fine.
When I return to the truck the climate control is dead. At other
times I can be driving along and it goes off. There is no heat, fan, air
conditioning, nothing. Sometimes when it
is dead while I’m driving it will suddenly start working.
I have tried to get to my dealership while it wasn't functioning
since the truck had 30,000 miles on the odometer. I would make an appointment
and by the time I arrive there the climate control is working. They want
to see it when it is not working.
I drive the truck more on weekends. Service is not available then. By
Monday it is usually working after I spend a lousy weekend either freezing or
frying. At 30,000 miles I had my Ford dealership check the climate
control module. I was assured it is fine.
Any ideas? S.F., email
Answer 1
I understand your frustration.
The best time for a technician to examine the system is when it is not
working. Consider driving the vehicle
more during the week. When the system
quits, drive directly to your dealership.
When you arrive, do not shut off the vehicle, don’t touch the HVAC
controls just go to the service area and show a service manager the
trouble. He may be able to immediately
assign a technician to your vehicle to determine the cause of the trouble.
Additionally, since you do not use the vehicle much during the
week consider leaving the vehicle at your shop.
Give authorization so a technician can drive the vehicle to and from
work so he can experience the trouble with test equipment is hand.
More than likely, the trouble is caused by a faulty relay. It’s also possible a loose or corroded ground
or power supply wire is causing the trouble.
Since there are several pages of wiring diagrams for the system a
technician will need to check several connections for faults.
If you can’t take the vehicle to your dealer when the system fails
a technician can perform jiggle tests of wiring to find a fault. Literally he jiggles wires until he hits the
one with a fault. Once this is done
repair can be as simple as tightening a bolt.
In the Dark Over Interior Lights
Question 2
The interior lights in my 2002 Cadillac Eldorado do not turn on
when I open the doors. I can turn them
on with the headlight switch. I checked
the fuses, but all of them are fine.
Also, I took the car to a local shop where a mechanic did some tests but
he is not sure what causes the trouble.
Can you provide some suggestions?
R.O., email
Answer 2
Keep a flashlight on the dash.
That should cure the trouble. All
kidding aside, since the lights work from the headlamp switch and all fuses are
good, we know a short circuit is not the cause of the problem.
The system is controlled by a body control module, a light sensor
and switches. More than likely there is
a fault in either the light sensor or body control module. A technician should test these units. In doing so he should be able to determine
which part is not functioning as designed.
If my hunch is correct the light sensor is the culprit.
Air Conditioner Quits When Braking
Question 3
Recently, I purchased a 2005 Mazda 6 with stick shift and a 2.3
engine. It has 66,000 miles. The car is in really good shape. I bought it from a private party. He gave me copies of all the service records. He changed the oil every 2,500 miles and
apparently followed other services in the owner’s manual.
The trouble is that sometimes when I brake the air conditioner seems
to turns off because warm air blows from the vents instead of cold air. Once I release the brakes, and accelerate,
cold air returns.
I took the car to the shop that serviced the car on a regular
basis. A mechanic tested the air
conditioner and heater, but he did not find any problems. He suggested that I wait until the problem becomes
worse before I return for this problem.
With summer weather coming soon I would like to have this problem
repaired. Do you think the trouble will
get worse? Do you know what causes the
air conditioner to shut off? J.L., email
Answer 3
Perhaps you should release an anchor and not use the brakes. I’m just kidding. I would not want you to have an accident.
Perhaps your technician could consider that the trouble might be
caused by a loose connection. It’s also
possible a worn engine mount causes the engine to shift under certain braking
conditions. This could place stress on a
wiring harness and open a circuit.
Maybe the insulation on a wire has worn away. When the engine moves while braking, the
circuit might open.
Additionally, a search of factory technical service bulletins found
you are not alone. Apparently, other
Mazda 6 owners have cars with similar symptoms.
To cure the trouble Mazda engineers developed a fix that includes
reprogramming the powertrain control module.
Ask your shop manager if they have a factory tool to reprogram the
module. If so, that’s great! If not, it is time to take your car to a
dealer shop to have the problem diagnosed.
The repair might be contained in technical service bulletin number
01-005/08 which covers the symptoms and procedures to reprogram the powertrain
control module.
Windshield Wipers Out Of Service
Question 4
The intermittent function of the windshield wipers in my 1998
Jaguar XJR does not work. The wipers
work fine at all speeds except intermittent but when I shut them off by turning
the switch they will not shut off until I turn off the car. Obviously when I shut off the car the wipers
might stop in the middle of the windshield and not at the bottom as they should. I try to shut off the car so the wipers are
at the bottom of the windshield but this is difficult.
I have taken the car to two different repair shops. A technician at both shops has checked the
wiring, some relays and the switch. Both
technicians feel that the wiper motor has a problem and needs replacement but
they are not sure. Also, they are having
difficulty finding a new motor.
The car is in great condition.
It has 87,000 miles. I’ve owned
it since it was new and have done maintenance according to the factory
schedule. It runs great except for this
problem. Do you think that replacing the
motor will cure the trouble? Do you know
of a technician who can repair a wiper motor?
B.W., email
Answer 4
It is likely the trouble is caused by a fault within the
motor. Replacing it is the likely
cure.
As for finding a shop technician who can repair a motor, way back
in the old days technicians were trained to repair electric motors such as the
starter, wiper and even the alternator but today technicians do not do this
type of work. If you are lucky you may
find a technician near retirement age who can do the work but most seniors have
moved on to other aspects of their careers.
If both technicians are reasonably certain replacing the motor
will cure the problem it is time to replace the part. The trouble is that it is highly unlikely
that a brand spanking new motor is available.
More than likely the technician who is awarded the repair will install a
remanufactured unit.
Broken Belt Might Have Trashed Engine
Question 5
I have a 2000 Dodge Neon with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. It has an automatic transmission, power
steering, air conditioning, antilock power brakes and more. The trouble is that the timing belt
broke. I had just entered the highway
and the engine suddenly stopped. I
coasted to the side of the road and attempted to start the engine but it
refused. The car was towed to a shop
near my home.
My repair shop has been in business a long time. They have regularly serviced my car for about
five years. The shop manager called to
tell me that the timing belt broke. He
said that his mechanic is 99 percent sure the valves are bent. He said that he mechanic checked the valves
with a scope. At the very least the cylinder
head will need replacement. He also said
that it is possible that the pistons are damaged but he won’t know for sure
until the cylinder head is removed. He
said that if the pistons are damaged the engine might be shot.
My car has 157,000 miles on it.
I have taken good care of it since it was new with oil and filter
changes every 3,000 miles. The body and
interior are in great shape. Up until
now it has not given me any trouble. Why
did the belt break? Is it due to engine
wear? Do you think the pistons suffered
damage? Is it worth repairing? D.D., email
Answer 5
I can’t place a value on your car.
This is something you need to decide.
As for why the belt broke, it is similar in construction to the drive
belt that turns accessories on the front of the engine. As with the drive belt, the timing belt wears
out. When it is excessively worn it can
jump off gears or break. As with the
drive belt it needs replacement before it breaks. According to the factory recommended
maintenance schedule the belt was due for replacement at 105,000 miles. If this service was not done, it has served
its duty beyond its service life. If the
timing belt was replaced at the specified interval, it is possible a part that
guides and adjusts belt tension failed causing this calamity.
As for damage to the pistons, it is possible they suffered damage
due to collision with the valves when the belt broke. Since your technician used a borescope to
inspect the valves he should be able to examine the pistons with the same
scope. However, it is possible to miss
damage with a scope. A scope has optical
limitations and can’t provide a technician with a full and clear view of an
entire piston. The best visual exam is
with the cylinder head removed from the engine.
This gives a technician a clear view of the pistons.
Ask your shop manager if his technician examined the pistons with
the scope. If he did and did not see any
damage chances are great that there is no damage. If there is no damage replacing the cylinder
head will place your vehicle back in operation.
Stalling Caused By Faulty Module
Question 6
Intermittently, for the last two months my 2010 GMC Sierra with
70,000 miles and a 6.0-liter flex-fuel engine stalls. It’s as though the ignition key was turned
off. The lights and all accessories work
but the engine quits. When it quits I
try to restart but it cranks and won’t start.
Everything looks normal on the dash.
I may have to wait an hour before it will start. When it starts it runs great as though
nothing has happened.
I have taken the vehicle to three shops including a
dealership. Technicians have checked
wiring at several modules. They have
tested modules and the alternator and battery.
They have checked several plugs for loose terminals but they have not been
able to find the trouble. One technician
found a memory failure code in an engine module but he was unable to confirm
that was the cause of the trouble.
I love my truck. I need it
for work. Do you have any
suggestions? R.B., email
Answer 6
With 70,000 miles on your vehicle you spend a lot of time behind
the windshield. This needs to be fixed.
Statistics show that it is rare for an engine control module to
fail. Manufacturers test parts that are
returned to them under warranty. More
often than not when a powertrain control module undergoes testing it is found
that a technician misdiagnosed the trouble and the returned module is
functioning as designed. Technicians are
aware of this and are cautious not to replace a module unless they are
absolutely sure it has a fault. This
scenario may be why the engine control module in your truck was not
replaced.
I’m not sure which code your technician found in the computer but
it might be a read only memory failure code.
If so, it is time to replace the module.
Thanks for all of your great questions. Dr. Gizmo can’t wait to answer more.
Phil Arendt is a columnist, consultant and
A.S.E.-Certified Master Technician.
Readers may send questions to Dr. Gizmo at P.O. Box 548, Cary, IL. 60013
or e-mail address drgizmo@drgizmo.ws. 5/18/2012 ® DR. GIZMO © 1989-2012
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)