International DT MaxxForce Engine Low Power Tip

MaxxForce DT Preventive Maintenance Low Power No Codes This condition no power no codes is a common problem with diesel engines. So the first steps are simple like checking for obvious problems with the fuel injection and air intake system. The fuel filters and air filter are exactly where you want to start. I’m not… Continue reading International DT MaxxForce Engine Low Power Tip

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5 Reasons to Avoid Using Clay Absorbent

There’s no doubt that spills in the workplace should be properly contained and cleaned with a spill absorbent product. However, not all absorbent products are created equally. Clay absorbent products, for example, can do more harm than good for a professional mechanic. That’s why if your garage still uses a clay absorbent, you should start… Continue reading 5 Reasons to Avoid Using Clay Absorbent

The New Guy

Hub gets in late, sighs heavily as he unlaces his boots.  Covered in the usual layer of grime, grease and wood dust, he reaches a dirty hand into the fridge for a cold beverage and plops down at the table, looking beat. He pops open his drink and lets out another long sigh before taking… Continue reading The New Guy

The Mechanic’s Wife

Whenever my truck is getting winched onto a wrecker here in our small town, the driver usually says, “Isn’t your husband the mechanic over at Such and Such?” Yeah, yeah he is, never mind, just tow my truck back to town, please. And thus is the life of the mechanic’s wife. Just like the wife… Continue reading The Mechanic’s Wife

School Bus Mechanic Garage Talk

Allison Transmission Clutch Pressure Test This is an old photo testing clutch pressures on an Allison 3000 series automatic transmission. The pressures would tell the story on clutch slippage and pressure retention when the transmission was at different shifting points. The tool of the day back then was a “ProLink” which was a hand held… Continue reading School Bus Mechanic Garage Talk

School Bus Emission Warning Lights

The HEST (high exhaust system temperature) warning light and the DPF (diesel particulate filter) or exhaust filter are the two main indicators that tell the operator when a manual regeneration is required. The ECU is programmed to initiate what is called a passive regeneration while the engine is running on the highway or in the… Continue reading School Bus Emission Warning Lights

School Bus Auto Chains

Installing auto tire chains on a school bus takes a better part of a day but it’s so worth it! All the service calls I went on to get buses out of a jam during a winter tire spin out was endless. One time a semi truck and trailer spun out on a hill which… Continue reading School Bus Auto Chains

Life As A GM Mechanic

The New Cummins V8 5 Liter Diesel

The Cummins ISV 5 Liter diesel will be going into the Nissan Titan for 2015. The original plan was to fit these engines into the Dodge Ram but that did not happen. The reason was the engine manufacturer for Fiat VM Motori has a 3.0 Liter diesel that is kicking butt in the fuel mileage… Continue reading The New Cummins V8 5 Liter Diesel