SteveS

Soooooo..... If the truck sits on the lot too long the valves will stick? I am having trouble understanding how proper storage procedures effect bent pushrods; it sounds like another way for Corporate to spank the dealership.

OK, this is about as far OT as Detroits, so I don't feel guilty. We had a customer that was having hard start issues with his Duramax, so he used starting fluid. Apparantly, a lot. It started, ran away, made a lot of noise, and died. When it got to our shop it had no compression and very loose valves. Sorry, nobody died; but I think he got weak in the knees when he got the quote.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY JIM!!Good luck with the revenge!

I haven't had any positive indications of the company stepping up for the real deal. It just isn't in my budget or I would equip myself to the highest level possible. My world is a bit behind most of you in that most of the Fords I see are still 7.3s. Our business is probably about 45% Powerstroke, 40% Dodge/Cummins and the rest 6.5 and 6.6 GM, Diesel Motorhomes (mostly Cummins), a few gas motorhomes and a few medium duty trucks. I appreciate your feedback and continue to use it to try to get good things to happen.

I'm at an indy shop and wanted something to suppliment the company's assortment of OEM scan tools for the same reason you have (tool I need is in use ofter enough to be a hassle). I ended up with the Auto Enginuity that I run on my own laptop. I'm sure that Bruce can comment in better depth about its abilities but I have a couple observations. It is slow to get going; especially if I just want to look for codes or watch a couple PIDs it seems to take forever to boot and set up. Second, I've had a couple times that my computer had sat long enough unplugged in hibernate that the battery died half way through my road test. It has some nice features, and for the price, it is really versitile; but most of the time (when I have a choice) I'll go to the Star tester (even for 6.0L). At the time that I bought it I was considering a Nemisys; after using the AE I am still considering it. I am not sure how well the Nemisys does on 6.0 / CAN but it would take some of the worry out of using my laptop in the shop.

Can you make a recommendation? Our shop has some study guides that are a few years old. If I can get the shop to but new ones or if I buy them myself (maybe a co-worker co-op?) I'd rather get something that is current and worthwhile. TIA Steve

It seems unbelievable that the Snap-On (well, OK, Blue Point) version of that clamp tool is less expensive than the Mayhew from other sources. Is it made by Mayhew?

Wow Jim, that is pretty cool! I am curious if it can take snapshots? I didn't see it on the website, looks like it is only real-time. Still, it looks like a handy tool. Steve

I had a junior tech that replaced intake manifold gaskets on a 5.9 Cummins and was surprised to find that on restart it had a misfire and one loose valve noise. He asked me to have a listen and I suggested that he check the valve clearance. Both valves on one cylinder were loose from the rag that he stuffed in the intake port while cleaning the intake gasket with a whizzy-wheel. He also found the turbine stuffed with shredded cloth; it's a short trip from the cylinder head to the turbo on a Cummins. I was surprised that the valves were not bent, it had good compression after the rag bits were removed.

Occasionally our supplier runs out just when we need more and sends the flammable type. I asked our Parts Manager to please only use it for an emergancy supply, we have a tech or 2 that use it instead of the pressure washer. A couple cans worth of engine cleaning, all the fumes sitting on the floor and somebody starts welding.... Or an engine runs away.

I also use a Fluke transducer (PV 350, IIRC) for most of my testing. I understood that Fluke had discontinued them but my MAC dealer was able to get me one within the last 6 months. It also removes the risk of pressurized liquids inside the cab. I think that some of the scope manfacturers also have transducers. The Fluke was $300 plus the couplers (I use the quick couplers that come in fuel injection test kits).

Good luck with the new job! I know that feeling when you are not on the same program as the managment; it makes it hard to go to work every day, doesn't it? Are you going to have to change your user name? /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif

Well, my wife decided that she could stay at home and create some income with animals. The end result is that my "spare time" and our money that is not dedicated to "normal" expenses goes to the animal enterprise. Six Labrador Retrievers. Our stud dog had a Canadian championship, just got his US title. He is currently "working" in Quebec. One of the females just had a litter of 6. They are treated like pets, so they are outside most of the day and come in to be with us in the evening (yes, 6 dogs in the house). Seven goats, 2 bucks and 5 does. Three of the does recently had 7 kids, so we just doubled the herd. One mom had a blockage in her udder for a while, so the babies needed bottle feeding (they will make great pets for somebody wanting weed-n-feed on their property). The goats have 2 guardian dogs; our property borders 130,000 acres of timberland, plenty of predators. And yes, that does bring the total to 8 dogs. 25-50 chickens, depending on their maturity. I don't count them anymore once they are in the freezer. My neighbor had some rabbits that got loose and bred with the local wild ones. Now we have a resource for dog food, just needs harvesting and processing occasionally. I sometimes count 20 rabbits feeding within line of sight. Her list of projects gets more attention than my own list and it is still growing! I do enjoy it, although it can be like a second job.

I crewed on a Formula Atlantic car for 2 seasons and from what I observed from the owner/driver and his owner/driver buddies: when they do very well (we had the regional championship both years) it is becuase of their superior driving and strategy skills. When they do poorly it is because of something that the crew screwed up. Nice to be appreciated, isn't it?

My laptop has Vista and it appears that I need to backdate to XP for the AE and IDS (and maybe the Pico, too?). If only I didn't have a wife that is convinced that raising our own food is "saving us money" I wouldn't be so broke and could have most of the tools I want. I haven't used the scope on the Modis, there is another 4 channel in the shop that is a more convenient size and was merely expensive rather than outrageous. I can see the advantage of a larger screen, though.

I'd agree with Bruce and Eric. We have a Modis that my boss thought would be the coolest thing because of the built-in troubleshooting. In actual use the tool seems to be mostly used as a scan tool and the features that make it cost so much aren't utilized. It has been of limited value on the 6.0L and troublesome on CAN Dodges, which is mostly what we need it for. For older trucks we have OEM scan tools. The scanner module has been replaced twice; under warranty but still there is the down-time. I've yet to have Snap-On Tech Support return a call when they said they would. The last time we had a problem as my patience was wearing thin they promised to send a new module over-night on a Wednesday, I still didn't have it by end of day Monday. First thing Tue I called, got a voice mail and reported that they may want to track the package. Got the new module the next day and when I checked the tracking number it had not been sent out until the day I called to report it missing; poor support. I won't say that it is a bad tool but for what it costs it has been a dissappointment.

Pretty cool, Keith! I can see that it will become a great resource; an extention of my Favorites folder. You even have Banks listed, no censorship! Will you have a repair facility catagory?

Congratulations, Bruce. It must be very rewarding to have your efforts recognized!

I try to treat customers the same as I'd want my wife or mother treated if they took their vehicle in: fairly and honestly. Sometimes it is the SA that overstates the tech notes even when a reasonable tech notices something that should be monitered. I had a Service Director that would remind us that "You can shear a sheep for life but you can only skin it once". I'm not sure if it had any effect on the merchandisers (techs and SAs), but it was reasuring to know that the boss wanted to encourage fair and reasonable sales tactics. I am fortunate to now work for a company that fosters open, honest relationships with our customers. We can tell a customer that something will probably need reapir in 6 months to a year and fully expect them to return for the job. There is no need to oversell anything and we usually have as much work as we can handle. Matches my style perfectly.

Once again, as long as the opportunity is used correctly (there has been discussion about unscrupulous techs hammering the customers). Years back my then girlfriend had a VW Golf that was recalled for the heater core that might leak. SA called to say that the tech "noticed" that the CV boots were cracked (while replacing the heater core) and should be replaced (big surprise, a gravy job!). It had a taste of merchandising to me. She declined, we got the car back and I looked again in case I'd missed them at the last oil change and they had another 20k left in them, easy (I think I changed them 2 years later). She was annoyed at the dealership and maybe that style was tolerated there, but it was probably just that tech. I guess my point is that recommending CP work when the vehicle is in for "free" repairs can go either way.

Well, we removed the injectors and found all the bottom O-rings wasted on all the driver side injectors. 3 appeared to have combustion leakage getting past the washers, although none were as dramatic as Kieth's picture. Another tech got the job and reported that none of the hold-downs were loose. Turns out that all the right side injectors were replaced previously. Since hind sight is 20-20 I wish now that I'd just pulled them out rather than spending as much time as I did trying to prove that was the problem by testing. It would have been interesting to have an IDS and see if the relative compression test showed the leakage. Thanks a lot, guys, I really appreciate the help! Steve

Great, glad it can work! Thanks, Bruce, for test fitting it for us. I was browsing in our brass fitting inventory and didn't find a 5/16 barb to 1/8 pipe but we have plenty of 1/4 barb to 1/8 pipe; I'm sure that a 1/4" hose will stretch over that pipe. I have more, and get more all the time. My offer still stands. If you don't want to publish your mailing address on the web just send me a PM, or I can send it to "You, c/o Your Shop, Inc" if you would rather. Steve

Sweet!

OOPS! It went out Friday, I haven't got it back yet. We'll find out tomorrow or Wed if they can find you. Sorry about that.