Tech help SAFETY
DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE
Diagnostic Procedure consists of the following: OVERVIEW 5-Step Diagnostic Procedure is a proven method to fix the vehicle right the
BRAKE FLUIDS
Brake Fluid is Highly Hygroscopic Important note: handle brake fluid with care. Fill brake fluid only into container from which the
NEW VEHICLE TECHNOLOGIES
Alternative fuels Ethanol is an alcohol-based fuel made by fermenting and distilling crops that have been broken down into simple
HISTORY OF EMISSIONS
HISTORY OF VEHICLE EMISSIONS The negative effects of the internal combustion engine on the environment and air quality have been
Formation of ozone
Formation of ozone Schematic representation of the photochemical ozone formation and destruction. Ozone is a gas found in the atmosphere
Tech News
WHAT IS AUTOMECH? AutoMech is a video-based training system. It comprises a training library of over 100 high quality and
Appropriate service methods and proper repair procedures are essential for the safe, reliable operation of all motor vehicles as well as the personal safety of the individual doing the repair. There are numerous variations in procedures, techniques, tools, and parts for servicing vehicles, as well as in the skill of the individual doing the work. This module cannot possibly anticipate all such variations and provide advice or caution to each. Accordingly, anyone who departs from the instruction provided in this module must first establish that he compromises neither his personal safety nor the vehicle integrity by his choice of methods, tools, or parts. The following list contains general warnings that should always be followed while working on a vehicle.
- Always wear safety glasses for eye protection.
- Use safety stands whenever a procedure requires underbody work.
- Be sure the ignition switch is always off unless otherwise specified by a procedure.
- Set the parking brake when working on the vehicle.
- Operate the engine only in a well-ventilated area.
- Keep clear of moving parts when the engine is running.
- To prevent serious burns, avoid contact with hot metal parts such as the radiator, exhaust manifold, tailpipe, catalytic converter, and muffler.
- Do not smoke while working on a vehicle
NEW VEHICLE TECHNOLOGIES
Ethanol is an alcohol-based fuel made by fermenting and distilling crops that have been broken down into simple sugars. While it can be made with other crops such as sorghum, sugar cane, or sugar beets, in the united states it is primarily made from corn.
A bushel (56 lbs) of field corn will yield 31.5 pounds of starch or 33 pounds of sweetener or 2.8 gallons of fuel ethanol plus 1.5 pounds of corn oil plus 16.1 pounds of high-protein feed.
E85 fuel is 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline while most pump gas is 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline, Again, pure gasoline is not sold at many stations and was reported t sell E85. These pumps are more common in the midwest. However; the numbers are growing and there is also some feel use across the country.
Ethanol has less energy than gasoline and E85 provides about 30% less power per gallon than regular gasoline. This results in reduced performance and the economy. As newer vehicles are introduced, the difference in economy between E85 and E10 becomes less.
The test on 2008 Chevrolet impala in the summer during an extended highway trip.
The mileage was calculated over 3 tanks of E10 both by the vehicle and using a calculator. The Vehicle averaged 32 MPG.
The vehicle was driven to near empty and filled with E85 twice. The miles per gallon dropped from 32 to 27. This represents about a 15% loss in the economy.
E85 generally costs about 7% less than E10 when E10 is in the $2.00 per gallon range. However, as the price of gasoline increases, so does the price offset between E85 and gasoline.
Due to the corrosive nature of ethanol, some special components are needed. Magnesium, aluminum, or rubber may not be allowed to come in contact with a high concentration of ethanol. The vehicle must be equipped with a non-arcing fuel pump and spark arrestor in the filter neck. High flow injectors are needed because more fuel must be injected during cold engine operation.
Note: Some manufacturers use E85 compatible components across the board so improper use of E85 might not cause any damage to the system. On other vehicles such as honda, extensive damage will be done.
A spark arrester in the fuel filler neck is needed due to the danger of explosive vapors coming from the fuel tank during refueling. The alcohol in E85 will quickly turn to vapor if the vehicle is in the sun. The spark arrester also doubles as an anti siphon valve.
The Technology
- E85 has ⅓ less energy than gasoline
- Injecting the same amount results in lean mixture
- Stoichiometric
- Gasoline 14.7:1
- E85 9.8:1
- Max power burn for E85 is 7:1
- Large injectors needed.
- Since E85 contains about ⅓ less energy than gasoline, injecting the same amount as gasoline under a similar operating condition will result in an effective air\fuel mixture that is lean. The stoichiometric ratio for gasoline 14.7:1 whereas E85 requires a 9.8:1 mixture.
In order for the engine to achieve a maximum power rich burn with E85, the mixture must be about 7:1. This will require higher-flow fuel injectors than would normally be used with gasoline.
History of Vehicle Emissions
The negative effects of the internal combustion engine on the environment and air quality have been a concern for many years. Today, more than 6.3 billion vehicle miles are driven every day. Emissions from mobile internal combustion engines (automobiles and light trucks) are mostly Water Vapor and Carbon Dioxide, but these engines also have produced over 50% of the air pollution in our atmosphere. About half of the ozone and nearly all of the Carbon Monoxide are attributed to these mobile sources. A typical vehicle emits about a half ton of pollutants annually, and a vehicle with defects or in poor condition emits many times that amount. Direct health consequences caused by vehicle pollutants include increased levels of carcinogens and irritants to eyes and respiratory and cardiovascular systems. In addition to concerns about pollution, there are also good reasons to conserve petroleum resources. The United States has less than 5% of the world’s population, yet we consume more than 40% of the world’s petroleum. Tuning, maintaining and repairing vehicles will not only reduce levels of pollutants but will also improve fuel economy and stretch petroleum reserves.
Pollutants emitted by gasoline powered vehicles include:
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas that is produced by combustion in gasoline engines. It can cause dizziness, headaches, impaired judgment, and in large concentrations, death from oxygen starvation.
Hydrocarbons (HC) are unburned fuel molecules that either exit the tailpipe (leftover from incomplete combustion) or evaporate from the vehicle fuel supply or gas pump nozzle. Emissions during refueling have become a more significant source of HC as tailpipe emissions have been reduced. HC combines with Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) in the presence of sunlight to form Photochemical Smog, which creates a brownish haze and contributes to respiratory problems and eye irritation.
Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) are compounds that are produced when combustion temperatures in the engine’s cylinders exceed 1400 degrees C (approx. 2500 degrees F). Above these temperatures, normally inert Nitrogen (N2) combines with Oxygen (O2) to form several different compounds which again contribute to Smog, respiratory problems, and eye irritation.
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) is a colorless gas with a pungent rotten egg odor. High sulfur content in the gasoline leads to SO2 production in the catalytic converter. It can cause respiratory irritation, heart problems, and an increased risk of asthma.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is not toxic and not a pollutant, but it is considered a greenhouse gas and a major contributor to global warming. Much of the CO2 increase in the atmosphere is a result of burning gasoline in internal combustion engines – for every gallon of gasoline burned, about twenty pounds of CO2 are emitted to the atmosphere.
Brake Fluid is Highly Hygroscpic
Important note: handle brake fluid with care. Fill brake fluid only into container from which the fluid cannot be consumed by mistake (fatal dose 100 cc). Even slight traces of mineral oil will lead to failure of brake system. When brake fluid is from colorless up to yellow, particular attention is required since in such a case the risk of making a mistake is the highest. If mineral oil is found in brake system or if the presence of mineral oil is suspected, thoroughly flush entire brake system with brake fluid. Also renew main cylinder. Do not permit brake fluid to come into contact with paint work of vehicle, since the fluid contains constituents, which act as solvents for the paint work. Brake fluid is highly hygroscopic, that is, fluid will take up moisture from the air, so that the boiling point will be reduced.
For this reason, store brake fluid in well-sealed storage containers only.
Note. During its service life, the boiling point of the brake fluid will go down as a result of the constant absorption of moisture from the atmosphere. When the brakes are sharply applied, there is a possibility of a vapor lock in the brake system. For this reason, change the brake fluid once a year, if possible in spring. To facilitate inspections, attach a new sticker to the brake unit. following each change of brake fluid, indicating year and month of next change.