Professional Motor Mechanic

Turbo charger replacement – best practice

|Date: June 18, 2013

Turbo charger replacement – best practice

STEP 1:Ascertain why the old unit failed. You don’t want the same problem to recur and damage the new uni ...

STEP 1:Ascertain why the old unit failed. You don’t want the same problem to recur and damage the new unit. You can find help in our fault finder, or at the back of the current BTN catalogue. ...

June 18, 2013
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Timing belts and tensioners – general best practice

|Date: May 29, 2013

Timing belts and tensioners – general best practice

Millions of cars on the road today have an automatic Poly V belt tensioner on the engine, designed to kee ...

Millions of cars on the road today have an automatic Poly V belt tensioner on the engine, designed to keep the belt tight on the pulleys. These tensioners play a vital role in the smooth performance a ...

May 29, 2013
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EPDM belts and ABDS systems – service and repair tips

|Date: April 29, 2013

EPDM belts and ABDS systems – service and repair tips

When examining a multi-ribbed drive belt, it is important to be aware that changes to the materials used ...

When examining a multi-ribbed drive belt, it is important to be aware that changes to the materials used in its construction mean that some of the visible wear indicators that could be applied to belt ...

April 29, 2013
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Turbocharger inspection – 3 easy steps

|Date: March 12, 2013

Turbocharger inspection – 3 easy steps

A borescope is essentially a flexible, bendy inspection camera that features an integrated screen to allo ...

A borescope is essentially a flexible, bendy inspection camera that features an integrated screen to allow the inspection of vehicle systems and components that are particularly tricky to access ordin ...

March 12, 2013
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How to replace a timing belt on a Vauxhall Zafira

|Date: March 04, 2013

How to replace a timing belt on a Vauxhall Zafira

The Vauxhall Zafira may sound like a daunting vehicle on which to change a cambelt, but with a little kno ...

The Vauxhall Zafira may sound like a daunting vehicle on which to change a cambelt, but with a little know-how and the appropriate tools it will prove to be an ideal repair for the independent garage ...

March 04, 2013
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How to replace a timing belt on a VW Golf

|Date: February 24, 2013

How to replace a timing belt on a VW Golf

The 1.6L 16V engine has been installed en-mass in Volkswagen vehicles in recent times. The manufacturer r ...

The 1.6L 16V engine has been installed en-mass in Volkswagen vehicles in recent times. The manufacturer recommends checking and, if necessary, replacing the timing belt every 55,000 miles, and then ev ...

February 24, 2013
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Timing chain tension – the importance of correct oil grades

|Date: January 21, 2013

Timing chain tension – the importance of correct oil grades

The correct grade of oil is vital to ensure that tensioners keep the timing chain tensioned to the correc ...

The correct grade of oil is vital to ensure that tensioners keep the timing chain tensioned to the correct level, yet FAI’s technical department has identified that the majority of timing chain warran ...

January 21, 2013
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Timing belt failure diagnosis and rectification

|Date: January 11, 2013

Timing belt failure diagnosis and rectification

The 1.7-litre diesel engine that has been a permanent fixture in a number of configurations in theVauxhal ...

The 1.7-litre diesel engine that has been a permanent fixture in a number of configurations in theVauxhall/Opel Astra, Combo, Corsa and Meriva for more than a decade is one that will be very familiar ...

January 11, 2013
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Rotating electrics – Fault finding

|Date: January 09, 2013

Rotating electrics – Fault finding

Small mistakes when fitting or replacing Starters & Alternators can bring the whole system to a standstil ...

Small mistakes when fitting or replacing Starters & Alternators can bring the whole system to a standstill, making it essential that the correct procedures are carried out. ALTERNATORS The correct app ...

January 09, 2013
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Starter motor failures – Ford, Jaguar and LDV models

|Date: December 22, 2012

Starter motor failures – Ford, Jaguar and LDV models

Product/part number affected: Starter motor (AES2202) Fitted to: Ford 2.0, 2.2 and 2.4 Duratorq diesel en ...

Product/part number affected: Starter motor (AES2202) Fitted to: Ford 2.0, 2.2 and 2.4 Duratorq diesel engines Applications: Ford Mondeo, Tourneo, Transit; Jaguar 2.0 & 2.2; LDV Convoy 2.4 and LTI TX2 ...

December 22, 2012
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Serpentine belts – installation tips

|Date: December 09, 2012

Serpentine belts – installation tips

For some mechanics, installing a serpentine belt can seem to take forever, however the following tips sho ...

For some mechanics, installing a serpentine belt can seem to take forever, however the following tips should make the procedure a great deal easier. What to do ...

December 09, 2012
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Belt system maintenance – Peugeot 206 2.0l HDi

|Date: November 30, 2012

Belt system maintenance – Peugeot 206 2.0l HDi

The jobcard says it's time for a scheduled timing belt change on the Synchronous Belt Drive System (SBDS) ...

The jobcard says it's time for a scheduled timing belt change on the Synchronous Belt Drive System (SBDS) of a Peugeot 206 2.0 Litre HDi. Experience tells you that to replace the belt alone is not eno ...

November 30, 2012
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Drive belts – workshop questions and answers

|Date: October 23, 2012

Drive belts – workshop questions and answers

What's the most common cause of a noisy Auxiliary Belt Drive System (ABDS)? ...

What's the most common cause of a noisy Auxiliary Belt Drive System (ABDS)? ...

October 23, 2012
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How to replace a timing belt on a Vauxhall Astra H

|Date: October 15, 2012

How to replace a timing belt on a Vauxhall Astra H

Before carrying out any work,disconnect the battery earth cable.It is important that belt installationis ...

Before carrying out any work,disconnect the battery earth cable.It is important that belt installationis performed on an engine atambient room temperature. Always turn the engine in the normal directi ...

October 15, 2012
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Citroen 2.0l HDi – Auxiliary belt issue

|Date: September 14, 2012

Citroen 2.0l HDi – Auxiliary belt issue

A 2008 Citroen 2.0L HDi had been fitted with a new Synchronous Belt Drive System (SBDS) kit. A few thousa ...

A 2008 Citroen 2.0L HDi had been fitted with a new Synchronous Belt Drive System (SBDS) kit. A few thousand miles later, the SBDS failed prematurely. The mechanic reported valve-to-piston contact and ...

September 14, 2012
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