DenLorsTools.com Summary: Tips on how to check an overheated car and we cover some tools that help if first the problem isn’t revealed. A car motor overheating can cause engine damage pretty quickly. Here we cover the basics on quickly checking for the cause of an overheat. Some tools make the job easier, but many things can be checked without any special tools if you know what to look for.
DenLorsTools.com Summary: Suggestions on how to properly repair stripped threads for rocker arm bolts in cylinder heads. Tools for repairing rocker arm bolt holes for gm 2.8, 3.1 and 3.4’s. Affected engines in GM vehicles are 2.8, 3.1 and 3.4 Liter V-6 motors. Aluminum cylinder heads used in Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Buick and Pontiac’s have a common problem with rocker arms coming loose. Misfire codes and very rough running conditions can indicate a fallen rocker arm.
Auto mechanics need car tools to be productive, but at what cost?
© DenLorsTools.com Summary: As with many industries the automotive mechanics tool industry is evolving due to availability and competition that the Internet has brought forth. In the past auto technicians mainly bought their auto mechanics car tools from mobile tool trucks such as Snap On, Mac Tools, Matco, Cornwell and USA Tools. This car tool article shows the trend of auto mechanics increasingly going on-line to find the tools they need. No longer are car tools ONLY available from the local tool truck salesman. Read on for a great selection of auto mechanics car tools.
Leaves accumulated near the fresh air intake can enter the car’s evaporator case.
© DenLorsTools.com Summary: Article on low flow from air conditioning vents in cars. Neglected cabin air filters are the leading cause of this issue. Although, there are several things that can cause low airflow from a vehicle’s air conditioning system. The strongest blowing vents are the middle ones with the setting adjusted to maximum or recirculate. On the max setting, the air is recirculated in the passenger compartment. Obstructions can include leaves, loose articles from the glove-box, a broken or out of position door in the Heating Ventilating & Air Conditioning (HVAC) case.
Image courtesy of Jeep-Offroad
Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee differentials seem to have the highest failure rate compared to other makes and models. I’ve found this to be true in my years working as a master auto technician. Many technicians shy away from rebuilding rear ends even though they are quite accomplished otherwise. The actual R&R of the parts isn’t really that hard…it’s setting the rear end up so that there is no noises when your done.
Lisle Auto Tools manufacturing company was started in Clarinda, Iowa in 1903 by C.A. Lisle. The first tool his company manufactured surprisingly wasn’t an automotive tool at all, it was water well drilling equipment powered by a horse! Subsequent products were not automotive related either, remember old ringer washers? And how about the old style manual push mower? Some twenty years after the Lisle Corporation was first started, the tool company made its first automotive product.
Cutting nails short keeps dirt from getting underneath – still stains
The picture above is of a neglected thumb (Not a nasty middle finger). Our hands are the most valuable tools we possess, it makes sense to protect them. I remember when I first started turning wrenches, you were a sissy and a wimp if you were afraid to get your hands dirty. I used to be constantly exposed to grease, oil, mineral spirits, carb cleaner and brake clean. I recall working I in a 10 bay shop, with the bays lined up in a row. Many times I was 6 to 9 bays away from the nearest sink, where we washed our hands. I would many times use brake clean to spray off my hands, to save time. In addition I  was frequently washing my hands with cleaners and hand soaps that would dry my hands out allowing the grime to easily work it’s way deep into my skin. Needless to say, my hands were constantly stained. The only time my hands would really come clean was when I went on vacation, especially to the beach. After a week away from dirt and grime, my hands in the salt water frequently for that week, my hands would finally get back to normal. My wife would always comment “your hands are so clean”. Then back into the grease I would go until another year passed and it was vacation time again.
Stains will not wash off – they wear off.
Later in my auto mechanics career, I realized that wearing latex or nitrile gloves were the only way to go. Instead of having to wash my hands before pulling a car out of the shop, all I had to do is take the disposable gloves off and I was on my way. This saved time and made me available for my next job sooner. When using adhesives like super glue or two part epoxy, gloves protect your hands and being able to peel them off quickly, helps prevent getting the adhesive on tools or the customer’s car.
Latex gloves sometimes causes allergic reactions for some people. Nitrile gloves are recommended for those that have sensitivity to latex products. Many new colors are available, including the most recent, I’ve seen…BLACK (Microflex Midknight Black nitrile gloves).
Nitrile gloves usually cost a little more, but in most cases they last longer resisting easy tears.
At home I’ve found even more uses for nitrile gloves. Doing sprinkler repairs is a perfect example, when it comes time to use PVC solvent and glue, the gloves go on. Nothing seems to be worse about drying your hands out than purple solvent and PVC glue. My wife even likes to have latex gloves on standby in the kitchen. After she makes hamburger patties or cuts up a chicken, she says it’s nice to be able to take the gloves off and throw them away, then you know your hands are safe to go into the utensil drawer.
We’ve got one customer that hangs drywall, that’s sold on nitrile gloves. Drywall joint compound can really dry out your hands. He likes the nitrile gloves also because he can still feel what he is doing. He says that since Wise Auto Tools has free shipping at $199 and no sales tax outside the state of Florida, he’ll keep coming back.
The Rigid brand video inspection scope is called the SeeSnake
Fiber optic borescopes have been a great tool for auto techs, locksmiths, plumbers and electricians for years. Until recently there hasn’t been many options for a video based borescope that is affordable. Not too many auto technicians or electricians that want to spend five to ten thousand dollars for a fancy video based borescope. There are basically two options for a low priced video scope that can be used for a variety of purposes, the Rigid See Snake and the Visual Optics Video Stik.
This YouTube Video Shows a Classic Auto Assembly Line
Automotive assembly lines sure have changed, I didn’t see one robot! They were pretty advanced though considering this was in the 60’s. One of the most automated tools I saw in this car assembly line video was the spot welder for welding the body panels together. The spot welder was kind of similar to the Miller spot welder that we sell.
Metal Stamping. The huge metal stamping press, for creating and shaping the metal body panels is just cool. Assembly line processes have always been a curiosity of mine. I worked on cars for years and have found myself asking, How did they do that? Thanks to video sites like YouTube, it’s easy to have many questions answered.
7,000 Gallons of Paint. I like the fact that these VW cars were submersed completely in paint. I know that when the Ford Mustang was built in the 60’s they were certainly not dipped. My 1967 Convertible Ford Mustang Cowl Repair was needed mainly because the body wasn’t dipped or rust proofed in any way on the backside of the body panel. That was a nightmare auto repair for me, since I’m more of a mechanical repair guy and not a body or paint man.
What’s Old is New Again. Who knows Mexico and maybe Cuba could possibly be using this assembly line footage in their VW manufacturing plants as a new employee training film!
OTC Hand Held Battery, Charging System/ Starter Tester
The OTC Sabre is a hand held tester that is an easy to use alternative to the OTC Minuteman electrical tester. This tool is very easy to use, quick and accurate. The Sabre being a hand held unit, is not subjected to the abuse of rolling across rough shop floors. It comes in a nice storage case, some models come with a wireless infrared printer. A battery tester with a printer is a good sales tool, no pun intended.