The Saab Direct Ignition Cassette serves to replace the distributor cap, distributor rotor and spark plug wires found in conventional ignition systems. The system has had a history of problems with the Direct Ignition pack itself. Typically this is evidenced by misfires but can advance to a no-start or stalling. Such misfires generate tremendous engine heat, and can often damage or even melt the catalytic convertor. You'll note the melted coil packs on this Saab Direct Ignition (DI) cassette/pack. While DI failures are somewhat common with these cars, such melting is not, compare the coil ends of the cassette in the [...]

An Ounce Of Prevention - The Importance Of Antifreeze/Coolant Service - Take a look at these photos, notice the dark areas of pitting and corrosion on the engine block? Nowhere is this more frequent than on engines using an aluminum cylinder head, and cast iron block...like most modern cars. This Mercedes E320 engine, car presented with a large external oil leak from the head gasket area. Removal of the cylinder head, a extensive and expensive repair, showed one of the prime causes for leakage, engine block pitting. The sad fact is is that such damage is easily preventable, by a simple [...]

BMW is known for excellent engineering, but even the best designed vehicles still need service, and still, at times, experience part failures. Air conditioning is one of those systems which seem most prone to failure. Little, other than cleaning, can be done to maintain the system, the workshop generally consists of repair, rather than maintenance. This vehicle presented with a loss of refrigerant, the standard evacuation of the A/C was preformed and no gross (large) leaks were detected. Our service protocol is always recharge the air conditioning (A/C) systems with a UV test dye during any A/C service. Since the refrigerant [...]

Vehicle presented with a loss of refrigerant, the standard evacuation of the A/C was preformed and no gross (large) leaks were detected. Our service protocol is always recharge the air conditioning (A/C) systems with a UV test dye during any A/C service. Since the refrigerant is a gas, it is very near impossible to visually witness the leakage, other than perhaps refrigerant oil staining. The UV dye clearly shows the point of leakage, be it a hose, seal, compressor or other part. One of the most challenging components of the A/C system to diagnose is the evaporator core, located inside the [...]