Are you prepared for the new MOT changes from 2012?….

From 1st January this year, The Department for Transport added a number of new mandatory test items to the annual MOT, to comply with a revised European testing directive and in respect of MIL ( warning lights ) the following statement applies:-

“Illumination of malfunction indicator light (MIL) for electronic power steering, electronic stability control, electronic park brake control, brake fluid warning lamp, tyre pressure monitoring system and air bag/ pre‑tensioner“

As well as electronic parking brake and electronic stability control warning lights (where fitted), the MOT test will also include checks for the correct function of the following, where fitted;

- Headlight main beam warning light

- Electronic power steering warning light

- Brake fluid level warning light

- Tyre pressure monitoring system warning light

- Air bag warning light

- Seat belt pre-tensioner warning light

These changes (along with several others) will be “advisory” during the period January - March 2012, following which they will then become compulsory failures.

Help is at hand to prepare for these changes, with the recently launched TPMS Tester – An all-makes service tool that covers Sensor Activation, Sensor Checking and Sensor Replacement. 

For those looking for a more comprehensive tool – the SPe Electronic Service Tool works with ease on modern vehicles with electronically controlled service functions – including Service Light / Service Module Reset, Power / Electronic Steering Controls and Brake & Clutch Bleeding.

Full details of the new mandatory test items can be see in the 2012 MOT Inspection Manual

18580000 - Injector Puller Kit proving a success

 
We have been hearing about many success stories when it comes to the new 18580000 Hydraulic Injector Puller and how using this kit has saved so much time for many of you when faced with the problem of a stuck injector.

 

The pictures shown are another example of the kit working on a Renault 1.9DCi engine.

You can read more about the kit by CLICKING HERE or to watch a VIDEO of the puller in action, please CLICK HERE

GEN2 Bearing Fitting & Removal Tool proving a success

Many of you will be familiar with the GEN2 Tool designed for mounting and dismounting modern GEN2 wheel hub bearing units. The current kit has proved to be a popular seller having been designed for vehicles with 72mm bearings like the Audi A2 (2000 onwards), Skoda Fabia (2000 onwards) and the VW Polo (2002 onwards).

We have had a few people ask us if there are other parts available to fit different sized bearings and the good news is that we are in the process of testing further sizes for this tool with the help of our friends at FAG bearings. They have provided us with some great advice as well as performing various bearing tests so watch this space for news of other sizes that will be available for this kit. 

See a preview at Mechanex – Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire on the 20th and 21st September

You can watch a video of the GEN2 tool HERE

 

Success at Mechanex

We had a busy couple of days at the Mechanex Motor Trade show in Harrogate this week. It was good to see so many people turn up and find out about the latest products to hit the automotive industry.

Our stand at Mechanex

Huge thanks to our friends at LUK / FAG who were demonstrating our new GEN2 VAG Bearing tool (08125500) – This was a popular one with the crowds as the guys at LUK did around 30 demos of this tool in one day!

There were a couple of tools in particular that many visitors to our stand were talking about and these were the Universal Press & Pull Sleeve Set (08780000) and the recently launched TPMS Tool (30661000). It was great to see so many requests for workouts too – our Sales reps are going to be kept busy over the coming weeks visiting these people and promoting some of our latest products.

We were also thrilled at the request from a couple of fellow exhibitors who asked if they could borrow some of our products to display and help raise the image of their stands during the show…….. It’s good to know that the SP name is appreciated by many within the industry!

Thanks to all those people who came to see us on the stand and provided us with some valuable feedback that we can use for future product development. Hope to see you again at one of our future shows!

"Shut that door!" – Another top tip from Professor Rob

Shut That Door!

Vehicle diagnostic checking – always remember to shut the doors first or else there is a real chance your diagnostic tester won’t communicate with the car you are connected to.

Many vehicles (particularly Germanic ones) will restrict high level ECU access with the doors open or if the interior lights are on. Basic entry level EOBD readers pick codes from around the ECU core data..…but to go right into an ECU at a higher level using OEM type communication protocols – then many ECU’s only exchange data with the doors shut & interior lights off – so always remember to Shut That Door!

Latest generation of vehicle EOBD flight recorders to help find faults that never seem to show up in workshops…

Blubox

The past generations of vehicle flight recorders have always promised a lot but then failed to deliver – with most having limited communication, poor data recording and next to nothing in the way of diagnostic capabilities – all in all they just frustrated us! However don’t be disheartened because at last there is a recorder that delivers. The new ‘Blubox’ from Sykes-Pickavant offers full CAN compliance, multiplexing and selectable parameter recording allowing for weeks of data recording capability, making it an item that can be put into a car and left until a fault or faults appear.

 

When the little marvel spots a trouble code (not just P codes, but also B, C & U codes too!), it records it, beeps loudly and flashes its LED to alert the driver to bring it back to your workshop. In the past, older types were limited in the information they held – but Blubox is able to replay whole journeys back in real-time showing what was being sent to the ECU at the time a fault occurred and this combined with its diagnostic capability, database and free (yes free!) updates makes it the bee’s knees! So if you own a PC and are looking for a decent code reader - at £149.50, Blubox could be the ideal solution for you.   

NEW VAG Hub Bearing Tool – Developed with a little help from some friends…..

We have recently launched a tool for replacing hub bearings on certain cars that include the Polo, A2, Ibiza, Cordoba, Fabia, Roomster and Fox. The NEW 08125500 - Wheel Hub Bearing Fitting Kit was developed and tested with the help of one of the countries leading independent Volkswagen specialists - “Volks” from Coventry. 

Proprietor Rob Howard says…”Over the years we have done hundreds of these tricky hub bearings and this tool will really help, now that it can be used on the car quickly and safely”. Rob adds “Without this tool the hub bearing is likely to be damaged when you re-fit it into the hub.” Praise indeed and seeing how many people trust Rob and his team to look after their VW group cars from all across the Midlands; that’s good enough for us!

VOLKS Service, Repair & Recovery, Unit 2 Arches Industrial Estate, Spon End, Coventry, CV1 3JQ 

Tel: 02476 676407

The cost of Engine Oil – Professor Rob’s wise words

Engine oil - we all have to use it but who can say which type is best for a car. In the current economic climate you may think that cheaper oil is a good option but the truth is that splashing out a little more on motor oil is actually a good thing as the life of an engine can be affected by the quality of the oil used. There is a reason why certain oils in the market are cheaper and quite simply it’s because they aren’t as good. There are two basic types of oil - The first being high quality based oil with fewer additives - the more costly choice; and secondly, poorer quality based oil with lots of additives that are considerably cheaper. Both types meet spec when new – but when exposed to a running engine and elements such as EGR, many additives dissolve away and then there is only one stable solution that keeps on working. Don’t scrimp on oil quality – it will shorten engine life!

Success at The CV Show

We have had a busy few days at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham this week, the only specialist road transport and logistics exhibition in the UK. 

We joined forces with Automotive Tools and showcased a selection of products including the unique SP9550 -  5 Gas Diesel Analyser that generated huge interest from a number of well known vehicle manufacturers to several small garages.

The star of the show was the new Hydraulic Injector Puller – 18580000 – CLICK HERE to see a video of the puller in action. This created a lot of interest, providing a great solution to a common problem and several were sold during the show!

It was great to meet and have a chat with many end users, who provided complimentary comments on our customer service and products. A big thanks goes out to all those guys who came to see us on the stand and gave some valuable feedback that we can use for future product development.

To find out where else you can see us this year – CLICK HERE

Steering Sensors and the vital need to reset them

SPe - Screenshot
Steering Wheel Calibration

When visiting a garage recently, Prof Rob arrived as the owner was working on a Citroen C4 that had a problem with its steering. Most new cars today have a version of stability control or ESP and for this to work correctly after any repair, it is vital that the steering position sensor is reset. 

It was positive to see that the owner reset the sensor as soon as he had fixed the steering problem – avoiding the risk of any danger to the cars stability once the owner had driven away. As any vehicle ECU relies on accurate information to safely control the car – resetting the steering sensor is easily done – so don’t forget………..reset!

An Industry Tip from Professor Rob – Diesel Common Rail Woes

In the past I have been witness to a number of poor running vehicles that have been mis-diagnosed and the customer has had to fork out for expensive replacement parts like fuel pumps and injectors when there is nothing wrong with them and then their car STILL runs badly! Arrghhhhh! 

To avoid any unnecessary costs, look out for a common issue relating to this problem and that is the fuel cooler……..The fuel cooler can be mounted under the car near the jacking points and is in a position where it can get easily crushed, creating a host of woes for the diesel engine, as the damaged cooler blocks returning fuel to the tank, causing back pressure problems. So if you are ever in doubt, it is always a good idea to check the fuel pressures manually.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) Regeneration

Date: 29/03/2011

Time: 11.12am

Location: Vehicle Investigations Unit - SP Headquarters

Problem: Blocked DPF on a Peugeot 307 HDI

As you may know, DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) regeneration, continental name for task FAP (Filter Anti-Particulate) regeneration is a modern electronic service task relating to a number of later diesel vehicles. Basically, it is the forced cleaning of a filter inside the exhaust system that catches and traps soot and dependant on driving styles, it can self clean but often the filter can still become blocked, causing a dash light warning to come on advising urgent action.

First things first, all system errors, faults or trouble codes must be read, rectified where present and cleared for this to occur, so use the SPe to do this, (if on a vehicle fitted with a fuel additive tank – top up the tank with fluid and electronically reset the counter & reset codes for low additive level first). Then find a clear or open space, select the DPF/FAP regeneration service task on the SPe and follow the info on screen that will guide you through the process.

It will ask for at least ¼ tank of fuel to undertake the task, a hot engine and you supply the patience; you enter the task and then the tool takes over, gradually loading up and revving the engine – which builds up terrific heat and pressure in the exhaust system and burns the blockage internally out of the filter. Information appears on the screen letting you know what’s going to happen – so you just wait for 10 minutes or so for the process to be completed. However, please ensure no other vehicle (or valuable item) is close to the exhaust tailpipe – the output during this phase can burn paint away!

Verdict: Case closed – Problem solved by Professor Rob 

Worse than pulling teeth – HELP NEEDED!

Diesel injectors are a nightmare to get out. We hope you agree.....Sykes-Pickavant currently have a tool under development and we need to test it.
 

If you live within a 30 mile radius of Burntwood (WS7 3FU) with a vehicle in your workshop with this issue, CONTACT US! 

Drop us an email and we might choose your garage to help you take out the injector. There is no guarantee you’ll be chosen but that’s what development is all about........ never know your luck! 

Send an email by 3pm on Friday 8th April to: blog@sykes-pickavant.com put INJECTOR PULLER in the subject line of the email and include the following information:

·        Vehicle Make and Model

·        Age of vehicle

·        Engine Type      

·        Mileage

·        Your contact Details – Name and Number

Sadly, we can only offer this help to one lucky garage but we will offer similar support through this blog in future. If you’re interested why not subscribe to the blog with an email address and get these blog posts delivered directly to your inbox? The subscription box is to the right of this post.

Good Luck!

It’s CES time again!

We are currently supporting CES UK and their Diesel Evenings that are taking place at various venues around the country. The evenings are hosted by Steve McCann, MD of CES UK and the presentation he gives about Common Rail diesel problems is well worth a listen. 

The latest diesel event took place at Porthmadog last night with over 100 people attending. Visitors got to see on-vehicle demo’s, were told about new technology updates and had the opportunity to purchase several tools with special ‘on the night’ prices. For further details about future CES Diesel Evenings, please click here.