Permission Granted To Reproduce For Educational Use Only. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc

© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 1 Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.
Chapter 19
Engine Problem Diagnosis and

Tune-Up
Objectives
Describe a minor tune-up and a major

tune-up.
List tune-up safety rules.
List items to look for in a preliminary
inspection.
Perform a current starter draw test.
Objectives
Perform dry and wet compression tests

and analyze the results.
Perform a cylinder leakage test and
analyze the results.
Perform a vacuum test and analyze the
results.
Objectives
Perform a cylinder balance test and

analyze the results.
Describe valve adjustment.
List general tune-up rules.
What Is a Tune-Up?
Engine tune-up returns engine to peak

performance after part wear and
deterioration
Tune-up involves
Replacing worn parts
Performing basic service tasks
Making adjustments
Minor Tune-Up
Minor tune-up is preventative maintenance

Performed when engine is in good condition
Engine has little or no wear
Minor Tune-Up (Cont.)
Visually inspect for

problems
Listen for abnormal
noises
Check condition of
engine oil and
coolant
Check for trouble codes in computer

Replace distributor cap, rotor, and spark
plugs (older, high-mileage vehicles)
Check and adjust ignition timing
Replace air and fuel filters
Make fuel system adjustments where
applicable
Clean throttle body, idle air bypass, and

EGR system
Test and service emission control
system
Fill all fluid reservoirs to correct level
Road test the vehicle
Major Tune-Up
Major tune-up is done when systems

or engine is in poor condition and
includes
All parts of minor tune-up
Diagnostic tests to determine what should
be done to bring vehicle back to good
operating condition
Tune-Up Safety
Engage emergency brake and block wheels

when engine is to be running
Place exhaust hose over tailpipe when
running engine in enclosed shop
Keep clothing, hands, tools, and equipment
away from moving parts
Disconnect battery when recommended
Be careful not to touch hot exhaust manifold
Tune-Up Safety (Cont.)
Keep test equipment leads away from

exhaust manifolds, fan, and belts
Wear eye protection when blowing
debris from parts or when working near
engine fan
Keep fire extinguisher handy, especially
during fuel system tests and repairs
With diesel engine, disable injection
pump when removing injection line
Preliminary Inspection
Look for problems with

Battery
Air cleaner
Fuel system
Belts and hoses
Poor electrical connections
Fix problems before proceeding with
tune-up
Evaluating the Engine and Its
Systems
If scan tool indicates problem with
oxygen sensor, remove and inspect
sensor
Note color of tip of oxygen sensor
Color can indicate condition of engine and
support systems
Systems (Cont.)
(Tomco, Inc.)
Systems (Cont.)
If engine is running too hot or cold,
measure operating temperature
Use engine analyzer or handheld tester
to check for blown head gasket
To find hard-to-locate oil and coolant
leaks, add dye and use a black light
Cranking Balance Test
Cranking balance test finds cylinders

with low compression
Monitors current drawn by starter motor
during complete turn of crankshaft
Low current draw indicates that starter is not
being loaded enough by compression stroke
Compression Test
Compression test determines engine’s

mechanical condition
Low compression may be caused by
Burned valve or valve seat
Physical engine damage
Blown head gasket
Worn rings or cylinders
Valve train troubles
Jumped timing chain or belt
Compression Test—Gasoline
Engine
Remove all spark plugs
Block open throttle plates
Disable ignition system
Disable fuel injection system
Screw compression gauge into spark
plug hole
Crank engine and let it rotate for about
six compression strokes
Compression Test—Gasoline
Engine (Cont.)
Write down readings
for each cylinder
Compare readings
to specifications
(Snap-on Tool Corp.)
Compression Test—Diesel Engine
Procedure is similar to compression test

for gasoline engine
Do not use compression gauge
intended for gasoline engine on diesel
engine
Diesel compression gauge must read up to
600 psi (4200 kPa)
Compression Test Results
Gasoline engine readings should be

125-175 psi (860-1200 kPa) in each
cylinder
Diesel engine readings should be 275-
400 psi (1900-2750 kPa)
Compression Test Results (Cont.)
Look for cylinder pressure variations during

compression check
Wet Compression Test
Wet compression test should be done

on any cylinder with compression
reading below specifications
Wet Compression Test (Cont.)
Cylinder Leakage Test
Cylinder leakage
test measures air
leakage out of
engine combustion
chamber
Vacuum Test
Vacuum test
measures intake
manifold vacuum
(General Motors)
Cylinder Balance Test
Cylinder balance
test disables spark
plug in one cylinder
at a time
Tests whether
cylinders are firing
properly
Valve Adjustment
On some engines,
valve adjustment
involves turning
rocker arm adjusting
screws
(Volvo)
Valve Adjustment (Cont.)
On some OHC
engines, valve
adjustment involves
changing shim
thickness to alter
valve lash
(Ford)
Tune-Up Parts Replacement
Depending on age and condition of

engine, parts may need replacement
during tune-up
On newer vehicles, only spark plugs and
filters may need replacement
Older vehicles with high mileage may need
multiple parts
Tune-Up Parts Replacement
(Cont.)
Parts that may need replacing include
Spark plugs
Spark plug wires
Distributor parts
Fuel system parts
Emission control parts
Tune-Up Adjustments
Adjustments needed will vary with

make, model, and condition of vehicle
Most common adjustments include
Spark plug gap
Pickup coil air gap
Ignition timing or injection timing
Idle speed
Tune-Up Adjustments (Cont.)
(Snap-on Tool Corp.)
General Tune-Up Rules
Gather information about performance

of engine
Use professional, high-quality tools and
equipment
Make sure engine has warmed to full
operating temperature
Refer to service information or emission
sticker for specifications and
procedures
General Tune-Up Rules (Cont.)
Use quality parts

Keep service records
Complete basic maintenance service
Inform customer about tune-up intervals
Road test the vehicle when tune-up is
complete
Diesel Engine Tune-Up
(Maintenance)
Diesel maintenance involves
Replacing air filter element
Cleaning, draining, or replacing fuel filters
Adjusting engine idle speed and throttle cable
Inspecting engine and related systems
Checking injection timing
Changing engine oil and oil filter
Servicing emission control systems periodically
Review Questions
A major tune-up consists of a minor tune-

up plus which of the following?
A. Oil change
B. Coolant change
C. Battery recharge
D. Diagnostic tests
Answer: D. Diagnostic tests
Review Questions
When working on a diesel engine, disable

the ____.
Answer: injection pump
Review Questions
True or False? Checking for fuel system

leaks is part of the preliminary
inspection.
Answer: True
Review Questions
A cranking balance test will locate

cylinders with ____ compression.
Answer: low
Review Questions
True or False? A wet compression test is

used to locate defective valves.
Answer: False. A wet compression test is

used to locate defective rings.
Review Questions
In a(n) ____ test, shop air is pumped into

a cylinder and a pressure gauge is used
to measure air leakage.
Answer: cylinder leakage
Review Questions
What would cause a vacuum gauge to

show higher than normal readings
while idling in neutral?
A. Burned exhaust valve
B. Burned intake valve
C. Worn oil rings
D. None of the above.
Answer: D. None of the above.
Review Questions
What test is commonly performed to find

out if individual cylinders are firing
properly?
Answer: Cylinder balance test
Review Questions
In some ____ engines, valves must be

adjusted by changing the shim
thickness.
Answer: OHC
Review Questions
True or False? Diesel engines should be

tuned up at regular intervals, just like
gasoline engines.
Answer: False. Diesel engines do not

require periodic tune-ups.

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© Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 1 Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only.

Engine Problem Diagnosis and

Describe a minor tune-up and a major

Perform dry and wet compression tests

Perform a cylinder balance test and

Engine tune-up returns engine to peak

Minor tune-up is preventative maintenance

Visually inspect for

Check for trouble codes in computer

Clean throttle body, idle air bypass, and

Major tune-up is done when systems

Engage emergency brake and block wheels

Keep test equipment leads away from

Look for problems with

Cranking balance test finds cylinders

Compression test determines engine’s

(Snap-on Tool Corp.)

Procedure is similar to compression test

Gasoline engine readings should be

Look for cylinder pressure variations during

Wet compression test should be done

Depending on age and condition of

Adjustments needed will vary with

(Snap-on Tool Corp.)

Gather information about performance

Use quality parts

A major tune-up consists of a minor tune-

When working on a diesel engine, disable

Answer: injection pump

True or False? Checking for fuel system

A cranking balance test will locate

True or False? A wet compression test is

Answer: False. A wet compression test is

In a(n) ____ test, shop air is pumped into

Answer: cylinder leakage

What would cause a vacuum gauge to

What test is commonly performed to find

Answer: Cylinder balance test

In some ____ engines, valves must be

True or False? Diesel engines should be

Answer: False. Diesel engines do not

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