One of the hardest problems to diagnose is the traveling miss. It’s when a cylinder misfires and seems to move from one cylinder to another almost at will with no obvious reason. The primary and secondary ignition all check OK and the fuel delivery system shows no problems. You may think a vacuum leak is the problem and this is a possibility but rarely is it the problem.2 things can cause a traveling miss and the first is a defective ignition module which is easy to diagnose. Hook a lab scope to the power wire for the module and it should show the same number of spikes as the number of cylinders. If one is missing replace the module after checking the ground. The second is rare but we seem to be seeing it on a regular basis lately and that is AC voltage from the alternator. Here again it is easy to check and you don’t need a lab scope which is becoming rare when diagnosing problems lately. With a voltmeter hooked to the battery and set to the AC range of millivolts you should see no more than 0.4 or 400 millivolts. To further check and a easy quick check is to unplug the alternator and if the problem goes away then check for AC voltage at the battery to confirm your diagnosis.
All posts by John
Penske Having Problems
Tom German who Kurt Busch blasted during the Richmond race is leaving Penske. He has worked for Roger for 16 years and is leaving to go to a prestigious school of management at MIT. They are saying this has been in the works for some time but I doubt it when you win as Kurt does you can call the shots even when The Captain thinks he is in charge. I have been disappointed in the Penske NASCAR side for some time. Remember the Kasey Kahne tirade over brake failure for the second time in 2 weeks. He went out the door, of course he had a deal inked with RCR. Penske is a class act and should get to the root of the problem and not just dust employees out the door.
Transmission Flushes
Transmission flushes are a huge profit center for many shops. They usually remove a cooling line pump in the old and out with the new. Would you change the oil in your engine without changing the filter? I doubt it so why not change the filter in the tranny. This is a messy job but one that can be done easily. If you have a pump with a small enough hose your can pump out some of the fluid through the filler tube, if not it is going to be messy to remove the pan but then that is what floor dry is for. You can remove most of the fluid from the tranny by disconnecting one of the cooler lines and pumping out the fluid. Some techs will add a couple quarts of fluid as it is pumping to run some clean fluid through the system. I also add a container of lube guard when changing fluid, this will darken your fluid some but this is not a problem. I don’t think there is a tried and true change interval as this depends on the abuse the tranny gets. If you pull a trailer or 4X4 a lot then change it more often. Check your owner’s manual for the proper fluid and don’t take an aftermarket counter persons word that this is a one fits all fluid. I have fixed many transmission problems by installing the correct fluid. This is a major problem with Chrysler products and many rice burners. As far as synthetic goes I am not sold on it in automatic transmissions just too many variables. However it is great for manual transmissions, differentials and transfer cases.
To Flush Or Not To Flush
It is that time of year when we start to worry about our cooling systems and overheating. One word of advice if you think your cooling system needs flushing do it. Better to be safe than sorry. If you have the orange dex cool then definitely flush if you see even the slightest hint of contamination. With the 3.8 it is expensive to replace the manifold and if you run dirty dex cool it is not a matter of if but when you will replace it. You may also replace the engine if too much coolant remains in the oil for too long. Many models have this same problem including the head gasket but the GM 3.8 and the Ford V6 seem to be worse.Flushing is really simple dirty out clean in. Drain the system after filling with water several times to get out as much old coolant as possible. If really corroded consider a cleaner. No matter how hard you try some will remain if you can access one a air pressure aided tool to form a vacuum and remove and install anti freeze is a great tool, just be sure your compressor is adequate to provide enough volume. My 35 gallon 140# works fine but it is close to the max. On many new vehicles it is almost impossible to reach the radiator drain. If you have a radiator with tanks on the side, which most are today. Slice a 7/16 hose, or anything close you have, at an angle and insert it into the rad all the way to the bottom, a blast of air across the hose and it will drain. It is a good idea to jack up the rear of the vehicle to aid draining. I use good old green anti freeze along with a bottle of water pump lube and anti corrosion. Many of the newer rice burners, and some others, require a certain type of anti freeze if you have one of these stick to manufactures recommendations.
Headlamp Adjustment
With the newer brighter head lights that are on the newer vehicles headlight aiming is becoming a greater problem. If you are having problems seeing at night or oncoming cars are blinking at you I would suggest having it checked. This is something a competent DIY can do. Newer vehicles tend to spread out there light whereas older ones had more of a spotlight in the center which made them easier to align. You will need a level place with a flat wall about 20 feet away. A shopping center is a god place if you don’t have one around the house. I do mine by backing my vehicle into the garage and shining the lights on the door this tends to be a little close but I have done several so I can get pretty close. I always seem to do a little fine tuning even when I do them at a longer distance.Your driver side light should be slightly to the inside and down about a ¼ of the height. The passenger should shine directly to the front with a slight down slant.The first couple of adjustments will need to be played with but after some fiddling you can get fairly accurate. As I said older vehicles are easier because they tend to have more of a spot. This is not that expensive of a repair so if you are not comfortable with playing the adjustment leave it to a professional. Some vehicles the adjustment screws are difficult to get to and here again you may want to have it done, really would not be worth buying special tools for unless you are like me and any excuse to buy a tool is a good excuse. Most body shops perform head lamp alignment.
To Warm Or Not To Warm
To warm or not warm is the question? The temp has a lot to do with the answer. The colder it is the longer you should let your vehicle idle. Below 20% I would suggest pre starting the engine and let it idle for a minute for every 10% below 20% IE at 0% 3 minutes at -20% 5 minutes. There is no need to idle your car till it heats up, comfortable yes, but not necessary. If you park in a garage and more so if it is attached these times may be shortened but this is a good rule of thumb. Above 20% by the time you hook up your seatbelt, check your mirrors, set the radio and make sure your cell phone is on mute is plenty of warm up time.Idling does not do any damage or shorten the life of an engine. Today’s fuel system’s have total control over the amount of fuel your engine is using and will not let it run to rich. If your check engine light is on then it is a different story. Some believe synthetic oil would allow shorter times but not only does your engine have to warm up the transmission and power steering and all the other parts in general have to warm up. Techs in New York during the recent blizzard did some research on an idling engine. A 3.8 GM uses .5 of a gallon of gas when idling from cold start for an hour. A 4.7 Chrysler, like in my truck, uses .6 of a gallon for an hour. The only question I have is I believe these were performed in a warm shop. If they were performed outside I believe they would have been slightly higher. One last tip if you use auto start set your HVAC system on one lower then high fan and defrost when parking at night. There are also relays available that will kick on heated seats and rear defrost. Sounds like overkill to me but those heated seats sound comfy.
T. Bayne
Trevor Bayne (I had to look up how to spell his name) won the Daytona 500. There are several reasons he was successful, he is an excellent driver for his age and is very skillful at the new 2 car draft and having only run one other Sprint Cup race he did not have any old habits to break. He also had a very fast car, more on this later, and he made numerous friends by pushing in the Nationwide race. Of course luck and some errors by other drivers giving him some breaks also helped. For being so young he is a well spoken and seems to be centered and not letting fame go to his head. He did flash the ring a little too often but I think that was just nervousness. I did feel sorry for Rusty Wallace and Dale Jarrett as they had never won a 500 and they were talking to a 20 year old who just did.The Woods brothers are known for nudging the rules a little. Was his car a little too fast? I don’t know how much checking if any NASCAR does before the car goes into the Daytona Hall but I do think NASCAR will take a look at his engine. I do see now why NASCAR added the point for winning as the winner of this race received no points as he is running for the Nationwide title. Let’s see how well Trevor runs at Phoenix I doubt he will have so many friends and receive the help he did at Daytona had to be a little embarrassing for some of the other drivers.
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Battery Facts
I was in an aftermarket parts store the other day and a customer said he wanted the largest battery that would fit in his car. The counter person did his job and sold him one; they are in the business of selling parts and making money not giving advice that would result in a smaller sale, on a rare occasion you may find one who will but not usually. The manufactures spend time and money to find the best battery for your vehicle and they do not cut corners here as the demands on the electrical system of today’s vehicles is high and has little room for error. However they do not exceed the demands as this would raise the cost of the vehicle. There is also a space and heat problem with the cramped engine compartments. My wife’s Bonneville has the battery under the back seat, hard to get to, a great idea don’t know why they don’t put it there on a regular basis. The alternator also has a limited output and a larger battery may never obtain a full charge.When buying a battery there are only 2 things to consider. The first is the group number this will assure you get the correct battery for your vehicle’The second is the CCA or cold cranking amps. The greater the CCA the higher the price of the battery. Where I live we can see temps at -40 or more and wind chills in the -60 and it has hit a -100. Not a place to skimp on a battery. The best battery on the market today is the Optima. They come in 3 grades red, blue and yellow and can run in excess of $200, overkill for the average driver. NAPA sells an Exide that is reasonable. GM vehicles owners should also consider AC Delco and for money saving Ever Start is a good choice. I did not mention Interstate or Die Hard as I feel they are high quality but overpriced.The life span of a battery used to be 3-5 years but this is no longer the case. Today’s batteries have been forced to improve along with the demands of the modern vehicle. Also they are sealed and you no longer have to add mineral containing water which destroyed a battery. 7 years would be about the max where I live then I would consider replacement no matter how it tests and heat will destroy a battery quicker then cold. Testing has also improved and no longer is a load test used they are now tested by impedance which is more accurate. Most aftermarket stores will test a battery for free and often also install it at no charge. With the load test they could cheat but the new test equipment it is computerized.
Catch Can Member Gone
The loss of the catch can pit crew member is going to bring a number of changes to race strategy. The new method is slower and there is no sure indication that the tank is full  The gas man will have to handle the empty can plus get a second full can. Someone will have to make adjustments that the can man used to make.  With E15 there is going to be a decrease in mileage so there will be more pit stops. I hope this does not lead to an increase in fuel mileage deciding the winner. I do think we will see an increase in 2 tire stops starting at Daytona with the new surface. With backstretch exceeding 203 MPH this may create a problem that will get worse with the hotter track temps of summer. Felix Sabates, a co-owner of Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, says he never complains about drivers salaries but he does think there should be a 20 second pit rule and this would eliminate the need for highly skilled pit crew members that can make $5000 A weekend. I would bet he makes more than that a weekend, not a good idea to make enemies of you pit crew Felix. Also a tire allotment has been discussed as the Nationwide series has. Maybe if the owners would stay home or at least live the wife’s at home this would be a bigger savings then cutting pit crews or tires. With the speeds we are seeing so far this year I think cutting tires would present a safety issue. Of course with the ratings falling maybe NASCAR would like to see a few more flying cars.Target has sponsored Ganassi for 23 years, unheard in sponsorship changes taking place this year.