Professional Motor Mechanic

Common causes of turbocharger failure

|Date: October 13, 2014

Common causes of turbocharger failure

In the event of poor vehicle performance, it is common for the turbocharger to take the blame. This, howe ...

In the event of poor vehicle performance, it is common for the turbocharger to take the blame. This, however, is usually not the case, with the possible culprits likely to be one of the following: ...

October 13, 2014
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How to avoiding timing belt issues

|Date: August 21, 2014

How to avoiding timing belt issues

The correct installation of drive system components is of paramount importance, even on a relatively simp ...

The correct installation of drive system components is of paramount importance, even on a relatively simple engine such as Vauxhall’s 1.7-litre diesel unit. However, too many of these units suffer fro ...

August 21, 2014
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10 tips for belt replacement success

|Date: August 05, 2014

10 tips for belt replacement success

The technical team at Contitech offer their advice.... 1. Read the instructions ...

The technical team at Contitech offer their advice.... 1. Read the instructions ...

August 05, 2014
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Turbocharger maintenance: why do they need the correct type of oil?

|Date: July 21, 2014

Turbocharger maintenance: why do they need the correct type of oil?

Oil is a turbocharger’s friend. With a little care, you can make sure it doesn't become its enemy. Once e ...

Oil is a turbocharger’s friend. With a little care, you can make sure it doesn't become its enemy. Once exclusively fitted to trucks and performance cars, turbochargers are now commonplace. 90% of die ...

July 21, 2014
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How to replace a cambelt on a Renault GU9 engine

|Date: July 14, 2014

How to replace a cambelt on a Renault GU9 engine

The Renault GU9 engine is fitted to a wide range of vehicles and used by several vehicle manufacturers to ...

The Renault GU9 engine is fitted to a wide range of vehicles and used by several vehicle manufacturers to power their light commercial vans.Technically speaking, the cam belt replacement procedure on ...

July 14, 2014
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How to replace a timing belt on a Volvo XC90

|Date: June 24, 2014

How to replace a timing belt on a Volvo XC90

The Volvo XC90, launched in 2002, has grown to be quite a popular vehicle, with around 50,000 on UK roads ...

The Volvo XC90, launched in 2002, has grown to be quite a popular vehicle, with around 50,000 on UK roads today. In this month’s ‘Belt Clinic’ the technical experts from INA – a brand of Schaeffler Au ...

June 24, 2014
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Timing belts – what to change at the scheduled replacement interval

|Date: May 19, 2014

Timing belts – what to change at the scheduled replacement interval

End user's view The VW was travelling north on the M1 when the water pump collapsed. Water poured out in ...

End user's view The VW was travelling north on the M1 when the water pump collapsed. Water poured out in spectacular fashion. It had seized, good and solid. Ian Barber, from Nottingham, takes up the s ...

May 19, 2014
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Drive belt maintenance

|Date: April 09, 2014

Drive belt maintenance

CHAIN DRIVES OR HOT OIL DRIVES: WHICH ONE? ...

CHAIN DRIVES OR HOT OIL DRIVES: WHICH ONE? ...

April 09, 2014
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Modern engine efficiency – the challenges for repairers.

|Date: April 07, 2014

Modern engine efficiency – the challenges for repairers.

1. Stop Start - good for the environment, but good for the car? ...

1. Stop Start - good for the environment, but good for the car? ...

April 07, 2014
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Blown head gaskets – how to detect them

|Date: March 24, 2014

Blown head gaskets – how to detect them

A blown cylinder head gasket is usually fairly easy to detect; the engine oil may have become contaminate ...

A blown cylinder head gasket is usually fairly easy to detect; the engine oil may have become contaminated with coolant, and the coolant may show signs of being contaminated with engine oil, displayin ...

March 24, 2014
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How does the StARS system work?

|Date: March 04, 2014

How does the StARS system work?

The StARS system is a reversible alternator and replaces the conventional alternator and starter motor. T ...

The StARS system is a reversible alternator and replaces the conventional alternator and starter motor. The reversible alternator provides the function of alternator and starter combined. The new desi ...

March 04, 2014
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How to fit a new timing chain kit

|Date: February 03, 2014

How to fit a new timing chain kit

Timing chains are becoming more popular with engine designers, as they allow for greater power and econom ...

Timing chains are becoming more popular with engine designers, as they allow for greater power and economy whilst minimising space. It is therefore a certainty that more cars entering the aftermarket ...

February 03, 2014
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External factors that cause premature water pump failure

|Date: February 03, 2014

External factors that cause premature water pump failure

The quality of a water pump generally depends upon the use of high-grade components, as these ensure a co ...

The quality of a water pump generally depends upon the use of high-grade components, as these ensure a component repair in workshops and satisfied customers overall. Even the best selection of materia ...

February 03, 2014
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How is belt wear identified?

|Date: December 27, 2013

How is belt wear identified?

At the Gates workshop seminar that took place during May’s MECHANEX outing in Manchester, several garage ...

At the Gates workshop seminar that took place during May’s MECHANEX outing in Manchester, several garage mechanics from the North West of England were concerned about the same technical issue. The que ...

December 27, 2013
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‘Should we or should we not flush engines?’

|Date: December 11, 2013

‘Should we or should we not flush engines?’

‘To flush or not to flush’ is a conundrum that no doubt has faced the majority of workshop technicians. H ...

‘To flush or not to flush’ is a conundrum that no doubt has faced the majority of workshop technicians. Having carried out extensive research into deposit control and identifying that a quality oil fl ...

December 11, 2013
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