Professional Motor Mechanic

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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VW Transporter – Diagnosing causes of rattling

|Date: September 06, 2012

VW Transporter – Diagnosing causes of rattling

Vehicle: VW Transporter LT, T4 Product: Vacuum pump Potential complaints: Rattling noises (like bearing d ...

Vehicle: VW Transporter LT, T4 Product: Vacuum pump Potential complaints: Rattling noises (like bearing damage on the crankshaft) The piston vacuum pump is driven by the camshaft through a connecting ...

September 06, 2012
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Timing and auxiliary belts – fitting precautions

|Date: August 10, 2012

Timing and auxiliary belts – fitting precautions

Technicians are regularly reminded of the importance of ensuring that a new timing belt is fitted correct ...

Technicians are regularly reminded of the importance of ensuring that a new timing belt is fitted correctly. Unfortunately, the same thought is rarely given to the auxiliary belt, even though the fail ...

August 10, 2012
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Timing belt change – VW Beetle 1.6 Petrol

|Date: June 26, 2012

Timing belt change – VW Beetle 1.6 Petrol

Introduced in 1998, the new Volkswagen Beetle has sold over 65,000 models in the UK and is a popular vehi ...

Introduced in 1998, the new Volkswagen Beetle has sold over 65,000 models in the UK and is a popular vehicle in the aftermarket scene. This makes a cambelt replacement on the VW an ideal repair for th ...

June 26, 2012
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Turbochargers – ECU checking

|Date: June 26, 2012

Turbochargers – ECU checking

VNT turbos are fitted to most new turbocharged passenger cars and LCVs. By using moving vanes or nozzles ...

VNT turbos are fitted to most new turbocharged passenger cars and LCVs. By using moving vanes or nozzles they can alter the volume and velocity of the exhaust gas that passes through the turbo. This a ...

June 26, 2012
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How to perform a DSG gearbox filter and oil change

|Date: June 26, 2012

How to perform a DSG gearbox filter and oil change

Before you start this procedure, make sure that the engine (pictured below) is properly switched off. Pla ...

Before you start this procedure, make sure that the engine (pictured below) is properly switched off. Place the oil-collecting tray underneath the transmission and leave this in place until the end of ...

June 26, 2012
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Vacuum pumps explained

|Date: June 26, 2012

Vacuum pumps explained

In many cases, vacuum pumps (highlighted in red, image below) are located directly on the cylinder head, ...

In many cases, vacuum pumps (highlighted in red, image below) are located directly on the cylinder head, and are driven by the camshaft. ...

June 26, 2012
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Rotating electrics – key fault finding tips

|Date: June 26, 2012

Rotating electrics – key fault finding tips

In terms of fault finding guidance and advice when dealing with rotating electrics products the first mos ...

In terms of fault finding guidance and advice when dealing with rotating electrics products the first most important point to remember is that the battery is the heart of the charging and starting sys ...

June 26, 2012
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Rotating electrics – misdiagnosis examples

|Date: June 26, 2012

Rotating electrics – misdiagnosis examples

A recent analysis that Remy Automotive undertook of all the warranty returns from across the UK shows tha ...

A recent analysis that Remy Automotive undertook of all the warranty returns from across the UK shows that well over 50% of the ‘failed’ units were either damaged by an external influence, or more com ...

June 26, 2012
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Turbochargers – diagnostic techniques

|Date: June 26, 2012

Turbochargers – diagnostic techniques

The effects of turbocharger faults differ slightly from petrol to diesel. The theme of this article deals ...

The effects of turbocharger faults differ slightly from petrol to diesel. The theme of this article deals predominently with diesel, which is by far the most common application.Please note: the follow ...

June 26, 2012
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Timing belt replacement – VW Transporter

|Date: June 26, 2012

Timing belt replacement – VW Transporter

Introduced in 2003 the Volkswagen Transporter T5 has sold over 63,000 models in the UK. A popular vehicle ...

Introduced in 2003 the Volkswagen Transporter T5 has sold over 63,000 models in the UK. A popular vehicle in the aftermarket, a cam belt replacement on the VW is an ideal repair for the independent ga ...

June 26, 2012
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General drive systems maintenance

|Date: June 26, 2012

General drive systems maintenance

In 1990, Gates introduced the PowerGrip timing belt kit for Synchronous Belt Drive Systems (SBDS) to the ...

In 1990, Gates introduced the PowerGrip timing belt kit for Synchronous Belt Drive Systems (SBDS) to the market. At that time, only 6% of installations were timing belt kits. Since then, drive belt te ...

June 26, 2012
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The importance of changing the water pump at the same time as the timing belt

|Date: June 26, 2012

The importance of changing the water pump at the same time as the timing belt

Every mechanic wants to be able to diagnose vehicle problems with accuracy, but the dynamic nature of aut ...

Every mechanic wants to be able to diagnose vehicle problems with accuracy, but the dynamic nature of automotive design makes it difficult for even the most dedicated of experts. A recent technical wo ...

June 26, 2012
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Auxiliary drive belt fitment – Ford Mondeo

|Date: June 26, 2012

Auxiliary drive belt fitment – Ford Mondeo

This technical advice relates to the fitting of SKF`s auxiliary kit and the difficulties that can be face ...

This technical advice relates to the fitting of SKF`s auxiliary kit and the difficulties that can be faced when doing this. ...

June 26, 2012
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