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AutofixWorld
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Guest Editor - Commentary
Guess That Part!

I had the pleasure of meeting our Guest Editor, Dave Heinzen, at the the automotive aftermarket show in Las Vegas a couple years ago, where he bested a strong field of entrants to win the electrical troubleshooting contest sponsored by ATS and ATTS. Dave loves his job as an automotive instructor, and his passion for teaching goes beyond the classroom. He's here to share his thoughts on needed changes in technician pay, and to stick up for his students.

 

April 2009 Welcome to the April 2009 Issue of Autofixworld.

This month, we celebrate our one year anniversary. Thanks to all who have so generously contributed their time and skills to our project.

• Our Guest Editor is Dave Henzen, automotive instructor (and ace technician in his own right). He looks at the importance of fair reimibursement for diagnostic time.

• Our main feature looks at how biodiesel differs from used cooking oil, and the difference between raw oil and feedstock that is converted into a clean, efficient fuel.

• Don't forget to check the archives for video clips accumulated over the last year. In addition to the current items in the video blog, the archive now contains over 360 video links. Use the search feature in the upper left corner of any page to track down a video on a specific topic.

• Occasionally, we get an email complaining about type size on our web pages. Please use the page and type size controls in the upper right corner of our web pages to adjust page width and also to increase or decrease type size for a comfortable view.

• If you'd like to be a guest editor, drop us a This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Same goes for you instructors out there: If you want to submit an article like Dave Heinzen did, or shamelessly promote your school and students, drop us a This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

April 2009
New articles...
Renewable Fuels
Biodiesel - Fuel or Fantasy? Biodiesel - Fuel or Fantasy?
by Ralph Birnbaum
Deep Fryer to Diesel, a Good Idea?

You've probably heard about diesel owners clattering around town, powered by waste cooking oil; their tailpipes exhausting the tantalizing aromas of Fried Rice or Fish 'n Chips. Chinese restaurants and chain store burger outlets are now viewed as alternative fuel sources by a dedicated band of frugal free-thinkers.
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New Technology
Tech Report - Detroit Auto Show - Part Two Tech Report - Detroit Auto Show - Part Two
by Ralph Birnbaum
Last month we brought you tech highlights from the Detroit Auto Show. This month, we're back with more photos and coverage of the tech-rich 2009 NAIAS gathering.

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Using Generic Data Wisely
Generic Tag Team Corners Fuel Trim DTC Generic Tag Team Corners Fuel Trim DTC

by Sam Bell
OBD II has several important diagnostic features. Even the generic interface can diagnose many common vehicle problems, if we just take the time to look at stored data. There's a common tendency afoot in some circles to use complicated, high tech cures. But a pair of Toyotas showed us how generic OBD II can nail down a fast diagnosis, even when the problem is intermittent.
 

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Flash Slide Show
NOx Troubleshooter NOx Troubleshooter
Some areas of the U.S. are still using some form of tailpipe test as a part of their vehicle emission test program. One of the hardest emissions problems to correct is high NOx emissions, partly because many corrective steps taken reduce HC and CO often increase NOx.
 


Editor's Notebook
Editor Editor's Notebook - April 2009
Welcome to Editor's Notebook, our quick-read section containing feedback from readers, small pieces of repair info too small to be a feature article, and anything else that tickles our collective fancy. Think of it as the AFW junk drawer.


Scope Essentials
Scope Essentials - Connections - Couplings- Channels Scope Essentials - Connections - Couplings- Channels
We have covered quite a bit of ground already in our series on scope use. This month, we'll provide added information about connecting the scope to a circuit to sample it. Before we start this month's feature, however, a review of previous articles in this series is in order.


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