Just as automotive technicians have rights and responsibilities, their clients have rights and responsibilities

4 key responsibilities:

1. Read and follow your owner's manual.

2. Select a repair shop before you need one, but be sure it is registered with BAR.

3. Know your rights as a consumer.

4. Keep this guide in your car and refer to it before taking your car in for service (that is A Consumer's Guide to Automotive Repair in California)

BAR created the guide for the following reasons:

1. In recognition of the fact that a vehicle is a utility, in their words "like most Californians, you depend on your vehicle."

2. To help road users get service and repair that is quick, correct and of reasonable cost

3. To guarantee a that "you can keep your vehicle in good condition"

4. For a smooth/ "good working relationship with your auto repair shop."

5. "help you understand your rights if you have a problem with a repair shop"

Why is there a correlation between engine oil and Variable Valve Timing Trouble?


The VVT system is partly hydraulic in nature, by using 20w50, you are using too heavy an oil weight, an oil weight that is does not meet the specifications around which the engine was designed to operate.

5w30 flows better than 20w50 because it is thinner, hence better fuel economy.

20w50 does not flow as well as 5w30 because it is thicker, hence worse fuel economy.

Everything is give an take - which is more important - greater oil film thickness or flow (how quickly it gets to protect moving parts)?

To me flow matters more than film strength unless the engine is certified worn, then the decision will be different.

Here is third party explanation for the position that oil is critical to the behavior of the VVT system, and therefore by mandating the use of the correct oil, I have not deviated for engineering and scientific principles.

Although the system is party electrical and partly mechanic, without oil which takes care of the hydraulic angle, everything falls apart.

It is not just any oil, it has to be oil of the correct viscosity, which translates to the manufacturer's recommendation which translate to 5W30 or 5W20 or 0W20.

Here are excerpts to help you make up you appreciate where my recommendation so far comes from:

Oil plays a larger role in VVT systems. They need engine oil not only for lubrication, but also to actuate the camshafts to change the profile of the lobes.

Oil quality, condition and specifications are critical to the performance of the system. The passages and orifices can be very small and prone to sludging. Also, the oil acts as hydraulic fluid to move the actuators. If the oil does not have the correct viscosity, the behavior of the actuators will change.

The very first step I take before turning nuts and bolts is to check the oil. Dirty oil and the lack of regular oil changes can leave a buildup of sludge or debris in the passages leading to the pressure control valve that operates the VVT. If the oil is dirty and too much sludge accumulates at the valve ports, the sludge can be passed on through the cam and the valve assembly. From there, the oil passages in the cam can be compromised and could result in a cam failure due to scored journals.

Lack of regular maintenance seems to be the big factor in most of these systems. Unlike vehicles from years gone by where certain maintenance issues could be neglected, these newer engines and newer systems require the utmost in care. Stressing this point to your customers and performing the required basic maintenance per the manufacturer’s schedule will safeguard their vehicle and increase your profits.

Most late-model engines are ­factory filled with multiviscosity 5w-20 or 5w-30 motor oil, but some require 5w-40, 0w-20 or 0w-30. Be sure to follow the viscosity recommendations because many of these engines have tighter bearing clearances that require a lower-viscosity oil for proper lubrication. Thinner oils also improve fuel economy.

Source: http://www.underhoodservice.com/video-fuel-pump-filters-current/

In summary, the use of the correct type of oil is a must for proper operation of the VVT system.

How it works in a video


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0G5KLN4a_w


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnbJ6-nc6Oo?list=LLLuK8C8YajMHNB-x7dCix3w

BAR educates and trains auto repair and Smog Check technicians and auto repair dealers. BAR fosters voluntary compliance with auto repair laws through conferences, presentations, and training.

BAR mediates complaints, investigates violations, and takes action against licensees and unlicensed individuals who fail to comply with the Act or regulations adopted pursuant to the Act.

BAR licenses and regulates automotive repair dealers and official stations and technicians in the areas of lamp, brake, and smog device inspection and repair.

BAR was established within DCA in 1972 following enactment of the Automotive Repair Act (Act) (Senate Bill [SB] 51 [Beilenson, Chapter 1578, Statutes of 1971]). In response to consumer and industry concerns about fraud and incompetence in the auto repair industry, the Act established BAR as the licensing and regulating authority over automotive repair dealers. The Act also gave BAR authority to license and regulate stations and individuals that perform services in the areas of lamp and brake inspection and repair.

In 1982, California became the 20th state in the nation to adopt a vehicle inspection and maintenance (Smog Check) program. Pursuant to authority granted by SB 33 (Presley, Chapter 892, Statutes of 1982), BAR became the administrator of the California Smog Check Program in 1984.

For more than 40 years, BAR has helped to protect California consumers. From its headquarters in Rancho Cordova and 12 field offices stationed throughout the state, BAR serves many functions and administers various programs aimed at protecting Californians.

The Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) is part of the California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA), whose mission is to promote and protect the interests of California consumers. BAR provides a wide range of consumer protection services, including:

Registers and regulates approximately 36,000 California automotive repair dealers

Licenses Smog Check stations, technicians, and inspectors

Licenses brake and lamp stations and adjusters

Mediates automotive repair complaints, saving California consumers millions of dollars each year in the form of direct refunds, rework, and bill adjustments

Investigates and takes disciplinary action against licensees who violate the law

Administers and enforces the Smog Check Program

Helps to keep California’s air clean by reducing air pollution produced by motor vehicles

The governing board or body is known as BAR

California Bureau of Automotive Repair

tensazangetsu20:


https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/buying-maintenance/amp9949059/mercedes-r63-amg-owner-completes-diy-engine-rebuild-dealer-said-it-would-cost-dollar57000/

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.teslarati.com/salvaging-tesla-model-s/amp/

I still maintain....the factory manual contains instructions for checking electronic circuits...it does not teach electricity or electronics, does it teach ohms law and the rest of the calculations? Nope...that background can be pretty useful

The factory manual contains dissembly instructions for the engine...and maybe the transmission...does it teach how to repair or rebuild a torque converter or a valve body? It will tell you to replace a bad torque converter and a bad valve body...people repair those and offer them for sale as certified refurbished with warranty, people take apart transmissions and replace components that were weak from the factory with stronger ones, did they learn those from the factory manual...I hope you see my point now

Secondly, the factory service manual is targeted at professionals, it does not mean a DIY can't use it, the difference is what the DIY will not appreciate the professional will

What makes an automotive technician worthy of your trust?

Given that the OBD II standard started from California and became a worldwide standard

We will set our sights on California as a model from which interesting lessons can be learned.

Stay tuned

What is the biggest enemy of an engine?

Triniti:
what he said there is the truth, my friends younger brother who finished from gtc onitsha five years ago had an encounter recently, he’s good with conduit wiring and house hold electrical engineering works. He has worked for banks,hotels and other multinationals with just secondary school education. They called him for wiring work in one of these companies in Lagos, while he was doing his job, a Japanese manufacturing equipment was being installed in the said company with a Japanese technician who flew in from Tokyo. Why they were installing it, by accident they damaged the powering system, the Japanese guy tried everything within the book to repair that machine to no avail,he was cofused that he had to call his home company about the damage, they instructed him to put the machine back in the container so that it can be shipped back to Japan . My friends kid bro was told to stop work, he demanded to know why and was told that about the damage to the machine , he demanded to see it, saw the extent of the damage, told the manager that he can repair it and they started laughing at him, he requested for some amount of money with which he want down to Alaba, bought some components, returned back fixed it did some electrical abracadabra, on the machine and it started working, the Japanese was marveled by what he did, was asking him which school abroad did he graduate from.........bottom line, dude is in Japan now, never underestimate the talent we have here in Nigeria

Happy to hear this story....confirms what I have seen severally....forget the disrespect shown to Kazeems here, in America what happened was that those who knew better organized classes for those who knew less and this started to remedy the gap between those who knew new technology and those schooled in old technology

tensazangetsu20:


Funny enough anyone with a basic knowledge of cars and how engines work can easily pass the ASE exams. Seen some of the questions online and they aren't anything spectacular.

Entry-level certification I said....not master level certification...that said I think having a lowest common denominator makes sense

America had Nigeria's problems, when the government wanted to step in to regulate, the industry said, we will set standards and we will enforce them, government hands-off, and it worked for them

They combine those with internships for a well-rounded experience

thebigkendo:


First year engineering student in Nigeria Uni that is still doing PHY, MTH, CHE and GES?
Bros calm down, just because you do something and it works does not mean you did it correctly or as it should.
Certifications are available for a reason

How many dealer technicians in Nigeria are certified?

American Airlines flight 191

CMMS Software has checks in place to prevent cutting corners on preventive and breakdown maintenance. American Airlines flight 191, a DC-10, crashed moments after takeoff from O’Hare Int Airport in Chicago. Moments earlier, while speeding down the runway, engine number 1 and pylon structure separated from the wing, flipped over the top and fell to the runway. The airplane took off but shortly after take off, the aircraft rolled left and the nose pitched down before crashing in a nearby field. The root cause of the accident was maintenance-induced damage leading to the separation of the no.1 engine and pylon assembly procedures which led to failure of the pylon structure. The mounting for the pylon had been damaged during routine maintenance performed 8 week previous.

American Airlines, without the approval of the aircraft manufacturer McDonnell Douglas remove the engine-pylon as one unit during an engine change using a forklift. The airline maintenance team modified the recommended engine and pylon replacement procedure to save man hours and get the job done quicker.

The pylon, the rigging holding the engine onto the wing, had been damaged during the makeshift maintenance procedure.

Chalk’s Flight 101

Aircraft Maintenance, Chalk's Flight 101 looses wingOn Dec. 19 2005, Chalk’s Flight 101 lost its right wing shortly after takeoff and plunged into a shipping channel off Miami beach, Florida. The plane, which burst into flames, was captured on video during its final moments. Everyone on board was killed, including three infants. The cause of the accident was a metal fatigue failure in the right wing initiated by a crack. The crack had been detected and seemingly repaired earlier by the maintenance team, but the repair was eventually to prove ineffective. The safety board, in its final report on the probable cause of the crash, noted numerous maintenance-related problems on the plane and another company aircraft, raising questions about Chalk Ocean’s maintenance practices. The NTSB also found evidence of improper repairs and undocumented maintenance. After the accident, the remaining fleet were found to be suffering from severe corrosion with many showing signs of sub-standard repair during maintenance.

Aeroperú Flight 603

Shortly after takeoff from Jorge Chavez international airport in Peru, Aeroperú Flight 603, the airliner crew realized that their basic flight instruments were giving erratic and contradicting readings. With the lack of reliable basic flight instruments, constant contradictory warnings from the aircraft’s flight computer (some of which were valid and some of which were not), and believing that they were at a safe altitude, the pilots declared an emergency and turned to head back to the airport. However, the pilots lost track of their location and altitude and crashed into the ocean, killing all on board. The cause of the instrument failure was a maintenance worker’s failure to remove duct tape covering the static ports installed during a routine wash necessary to provide correct instrument data to the cockpit. The static ports are critical to the operation of virtually all of those flight instruments that provide basic aerodynamic data such as airspeed, altitude and vertical speed, not only to the pilots but also to the aircraft’s computers, which provide additional functions such as warnings when flight characteristics approach dangerous levels.

Japan Airlines Flight 123

On August 12, 1985, suffered mechanical failures 12 minutes into the flight and 32 minutes later crashed into two ridges of Mount Takamagahara, Japan. A photograph taken from the ground some time later confirmed that the vertical stabilizer was missing. The aircraft was involved in a tail strike incident at Osaka International Airport on 2 June 1978, which damaged the aircraft’s rear pressure bulkhead.

The subsequent repair of the bulkhead did not conform to Boeing’s approved repair methods. Their procedure calls for one continuous double plate with three rows of rivets to reinforce the damaged bulkhead, but the Boeing technicians fixing the aircraft used two separate double plates, one with two rows of rivets and one with only one row. This reduced the part’s resistance to metal fatigue by 70%. When the bulkhead gave way, the resulting explosive decompression ruptured the lines of all four hydraulic systems. With the aircraft’s control surfaces disabled, the aircraft became uncontrollable. The root cause of the accident again was a maintenance related failure.

The repair instruction was simple. A splice plate needed to be inserted into a joint section of the upper and lower domes of the bulkhead. They all needed to be riveted. But for some reason, the service team used a splice plate that was slimmer than designated, covering the gap with a separate filler, which led to a lack of structural integrity.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/08/11/national/history/u-s-leaked-crucial-boeing-repair-flaw-led-1985-jal-jet-crash-ex-officials/#.W0myoLhBGC8

erico2k2:

I think you are missing the point, if you go to a garage, you leave your car with them, they go straight to the manuals, this is the reason they can repair any car. The repair manual is very important as it contains various MUST ie torque settings. Angles and gradients., gives you expectant voltage from each wires and components you are meant to check work with a company where we service any machine with hydraulics, for each new crane or heavy lifter I go, I have to take at least 30 mins read the manual so I know what to expect when I do my test.Plus it gives you a methodical sense of approach to deal with certain situation, the others is fuke.

I once had a conversation with some whites, I discussed the reluctance of technicians to use factory repair manuals, and they said, a technician that refuses to use one is one who doesn't know how to use one!

A plane once crashed because they called a technician to fix a problem in the cockpit, he fixed the problem, it appears to him, he fixed the problem, but he did not follow factory specifications, and the plane crashed, a post-mortem of the incident revealed this.

Using a manual is not proof that the techy is daft...it is proof that he knows his limitations and wants to be the right thing as a matter of professional honor

Consumers Are Not Ready for Keyless Cars, Finds Strategy Analytics

Narrow demand and the limitations of the technology itself evoke questions about its readiness for a wider market

The In-vehicle UX (IVX) group at Strategy Analytics has explored consumer appetite for truly keyless cars in its recent report, “Keyless Cars: Do Consumers Want Them, and Are Automakers Ready?”. While keyless technology provides a number of benefits such as consumers having one less item to lose or replace and automakers leveraging the technology for fleet management, it also holds fundamental disadvantages – the requirement of an active and charged mobile device and a reliable mobile connection.

More details here

https://news.strategyanalytics.com/press-release/automotive/consumers-are-not-ready-keyless-cars-finds-strategy-analytics

If this is not true of your technician/mechanic, he is not worthy of the title

Some of us not only read manuals....we also undergo manufacturer education...the dealerships in Nigeria don't even necessarily employ on the shop floor guys with certificates to back up their automotive repair skills...they go for cheap labor...it is the foreman who has the certificates, the shop floor boys don't.

I align myself with the opinion that the place does not dictate the quality of the mind

How many times have dealerships called local experts behind the scenes to solve problems for them?


Those who know know.

I have heard a story of a guy who fixes GM cars in Abuja that GM knows about because of his doing all the above, taking factory training, and by the way, he is not working at a dealership


Nigeria is not America where they insist on ASE entry level certification to work at the dealership

tolugar:



Thanks.

But must it be synthetic

Your engine has VVT technology.

If you use non-synthetic, OCI must be short.

If you use synthetic, OCI can be longer, please read above again Is there a relationship between engine oil and Variable Valve Timing problems such as P1349?

Driving an older car?

How would you feel if you could retrofit ADAS technology in your car?

ADAS is short for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS)

AAPEX is discussing that on your behalf at their 2018 event holding from October 30th to November 1, 2018

AAPEX is short for Automotive Aftermarkets Products Expo

https://www.aapexshow.com/2018/Public/Enter.aspx

Insurers strive to reduce cost and maximize profits at the expense of the end user and so Rhode Island decided to enact an Aftermarket Part Legislation to curb what it considered sharp practices

Prior to the law being enacted, it was only mandated that consumers were entitled to choose OEM parts over aftermarket parts if a vehicle was 30 months old or newer.

Law's aim is to prevent insurance companies from mandating the use of aftermarket parts without the owner’s consent on motor vehicles less than 48 months beyond the manufacturer date

Two camps: AutoBody association in favor

Insurance and aftermarket association against

https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2018/07/11/494602.htm

Snap-on Reminds Techs About Pre- and Post-Scanning

Snapshot:

Snap-on reminds automotive repair technicians it’s good practice to perform a pre-scan before vehicle work is done to spot any hidden issues and make the customer aware of problems. The pre-scan code identification helps speed the diagnosis and repair, and when followed by a post-scan after work is finished, confirms all were completed properly. It gives the shop something to hand to their customer, showing them the issues found on the vehicle when it first arrived and how those have been resolved now, aiding customer satisfaction.

Read more here:

http://www.bodyshopbusiness.com/snap-on-reminds-techs-about-pre-and-post-scanning/

Learn more about their flagship


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDd4RO4YpA0

Have you changed a tire recently?

Chances are it was changed with a Corghi machine!

Well Corgi has just introduced its largest heavy-duty tire changer to the US market

http://www.tirereview.com/corghi-introduces-its-largest-heavy-duty-tire-changer-in-the-u-s-market/

Michelin has bought over another tire company, it is called Camso

http://www.tirereview.com/travelcenters-of-america-starts-retread-production-at-first-plant/

Did you know that they retread tires in America?
TravelCenters of America Starts Retread Production at First Plant

http://www.tirereview.com/travelcenters-of-america-starts-retread-production-at-first-plant/

Is there a relationship between engine oil and Variable Valve Timing problems such as P1349?


Yes.

LeakySeals of bobistheoilguy forums said

Any engine with variable valve timing (vvt, vtech, etc) should run synthetics. Any buildup of sludge or varnish causes problems with them sooner or later. Run dino ok, but keep it short.

When the conventional oil is as good as synthetic oil countered him, he further explained

I can see how short responses can be misinterpreted. Was an opinion based on experiences researching and dealing with with variable valve timing problems. Keeping it short the mindset was...most people on here are into maintenance. But not all people maintain vehicles as they should. Infrequent oil changes, lack of maintenance, etc. For some cars you can get away with it. Others you can't. A simple google will provide page after page of vvt related issues. Researching them for my own problem the common theme for more than half is poor maintenance. Having torn one apart a vvt system it is vulnerable to problems related to sludge and varnish buildup at the OCV, its oil gallies and the vvt actuator.

You are having no problems because you are a good maintainer. Others are not. Not knowing how people maintain the general suggestion would be synthetic as not to have this issue. I did say dino ok keep it short i did not say don't use it. Thats really all there was to it.

As far as analyzing my sig, the corolla is recovering from VVT-i issues including a P1349 (clogged OCV and screen) and a sticky actuator which I was able to clean and would never attempt again. It also had a problem where the small piston oil hole returns clog causing oil consumption. Removing the pistons and drilling out hardened carbon is something I never want to do again. the Camry is under severe service. Had many sludge related problems that have subsided including oil consumption and ticking which I now suspect could have been the early stages of the corolla's vvt issues. All related to poor maintenance from prior owners including admissions to stretching out dino. When I'm comfortable I will extend the corolla.

Hope this helps explain why I wrote that and the mindset.

After reading this, what do you conclude?

Is there a relationship?

Informal poll

yes there is, click like

no there isn't, click share

Run a search on nairaland cartalk, almost every single instance of such a code is related to wrong oil or wrong oil change interval

Is there a relationship between engine oil and Variable Valve Timing problems such as P1349?

This question will be answered soon!

Why do some people scream synthetic engine oils or nothing?

Lower engine RPMs

Faster response from the engine

Increased fuel economy


Longer oil change intervals

https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/motor-oil-104/

https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/esters-in-synthetic-lubricants/

http://www.oilchangeadvice.com/synthetic-oil-vs-regular-oil.html

https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2015/07/when-should-you-consider-synthetic-oil/index.htm

Interesting quote courtesy of bobistheoilguy forums

For OCI's of 10k miles or longer, synthetic oil is needed in many engines. Mercedes learned that lesson with a multi-million dollars lawsuit early 2000's:

"U.S. District Judge Franklin S. VanAntwerpen has approved a settlement worth more than $32 million in a class action suit against Mercedes Benz brought by owners of cars manufactured from 1998 to 2001 who claimed they were never warned that use of non-synthetic motor oils would cause premature engine wear.

As part of the settlement, 351,439 class members will each receive a $35 voucher toward a scheduled service, which includes an oil change. Mercedes-Benz USA also agreed to modify its warranty to cover the costs of repairing any damage caused by the problem.

Plaintiffs claimed that Mercedes-Benz vehicles were equipped with a defective “Flexible Service System”. The system is designed to monitor the vehicle’s driving condition and alert drivers when the car requires an oil change. The alleged problem with the FSS occurs when the driver uses conventional oil instead of synthetic oil.

In March 2001, Mercedes-Benz sent all vehicle owners a letter that recommended switching over to pure synthetic oils for all FSS-equipped cars to prevent engine damage."

http://www.legalnewswatch.com/185/judge-approves-settlement-worth-32m-in-mercedes-benz-case