The Blog

On Becoming A Technology Teacher

So you have some life skills and you think you'd like to be a teacher, eh? Well the good news is that, in many states, it is possible to get a provisional type teaching certificate that will allow you to teach without a college teaching degree. Usually all that is needed is current industry experience and the willingness to pursue a degrees in small steps. The technology schools across our land seek teachers who come from the industries that they tech. Experts, who... [Read more...]

Featured Engine Repair

Intake Manifold Leaks

Don't know if it's the season for it, or things tend to run in groups. I've had another run of several GM vehicles with intake manifold leaks of one sort or other. I'm not sure of the reasoning behind the plastic intake gaskets that are on most GM late model vehicles, but it certainly keeps us independent repair shops busy. I recently posted of a Vortec Engine intake mainfold water leak. This repair is very typical of all the GMs with plastic gaskets. The plastic... [Read more...]

Featured Maintenance

Do K&N Filters Kill Mass Air Flow Sensors?

I've told I don't know how many drivers who pull into my shop with the car not running too well that the K&N Filter they got is causing them problems. Ask almost any shop operator I know and they'll tell you the same thing. The car or truck has no power. I open the hood and spy the K&N setup. Not just a direct factory style replacement, but some monstrosity crammed into what little space there may be under there. Pull out the mass air flow sensor and surely enough... [Read more...]

General

On Becoming A Technology Teacher

Alternative Tech

Cellulose Ethanol For Tomorrow

I found this article written by Jose D. Martinez on ethanol. Interesting read. Ethanol has emerged as the premier alternative fuel to replace gasoline and lessen our dependence on fossil fuels. In Brazil for example, 8 out of every 10 cars on the road already run on ethanol derived from the sugar cane plant. In part, the United States is the largest producer and exporter of ethanol derived from corn. But is it a good idea to use a food source to produce a fuel? By the current... [Read more...]

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