In this episode of Mastering Diagnostics, Brandon Steckler with Motor Age magazine follows up Mastering Diagnostics No. 30 with a very relative topic: the relationship between valve overlap and engine manifold vacuum.
In this video, the subject vehicle is due for a valve clearance inspection and/or adjustment (if required). Steckler describes the reason valve duration sets the overlap between the intake and the exhaust valves and how to interpret scan data that supports a misadjustment and needs to be corrected.
In this video, Brandon demonstrates the entire valve clearance check process, from start to finish. You will also learn how to leverage a scope capture (featuring a cranking intake manifold vacuum waveform), how to leverage auxiliary scope-tool capability as well as proper partitioning to dissect the capture and determine (with conclusiveness) that a valve duration issue is the root cause of a performance issue and the justification to sell the clearance adjustment.
If you are a technician that has any apprehension about measuring and performing valve adjustments or wish to learn how to leverage the cranking-intake manifold vacuum waveform, this episode of Mastering Diagnostics is for you.
About the Author
Brandon Steckler
Technical Editor | Motor Age
Brandon began his career in Northampton County Community College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he was a student of GM’s Automotive Service Educational program. In 2001, he graduated top of his class and earned the GM Leadership award for his efforts. He later began working as a technician at a Saturn dealership in Reading, Pennsylvania, where he quickly attained Master Technician status. He later transitioned to working with Hondas, where he aggressively worked to attain another Master Technician status.
Always having a passion for a full understanding of system/component functionality, he rapidly earned a reputation for deciphering strange failures at an efficient pace and became known as an information specialist among the staff and peers at the dealership. In search of new challenges, he transitioned away from the dealership and to the independent world, where he specialized in diagnostics and driveability.
Today, he is an instructor with both Carquest Technical Institute and Worldpac Training Institute. Along with beta testing for Automotive Test Solutions, he develops curriculum/submits case studies for educational purposes. Through Steckler Automotive Technical Services, LLC., Brandon also provides telephone and live technical support, as well as private training, for technicians all across the world.
Brandon holds ASE certifications A1-A9 as well as C1 (Service Consultant). He is certified as an Advanced Level Specialist in L1 (Advanced Engine Performance), L2 (Advanced Diesel Engine Performance), L3 (Hybrid/EV Specialist), L4 (ADAS) and xEV-Level 2 (Technician electrical safety).
He contributes weekly to Facebook automotive chat groups, has authored several books and classes, and truly enjoys traveling across the globe to help other technicians attain a level of understanding that will serve them well throughout their careers.