Check our blog next Friday for the answer and another Friddle.

Last Week’s Friddle: In 2010, Dodge hired what actor to do the voice-over in their Ram Heavy Duty Truck commercial Truck of the Blank 60?

Last Week’s Friddle Answer: Sam Elliott

Jasper Engines & Transmissions offers five diagnostic clinics scheduled to be held in a number of cities throughout the nation: Strategies for Gas Engine Diagnostics, Strategies for Transmission Diagnostics and Strategies for Diesel Diagnostics.  Advanced Diagnostics and Allison Transmission clinics have also been added to the schedule.

The Strategies for Gas Engine Diagnostics clinic offers hands-on training using a live running vehicle.  This is not a basic clinic.  You will be applying fast, sure, state-of-the-art methods to pinpoint problems before they become a failure.  This clinic is designed for shops that want to reduce diagnostic time and that want the latest time saving tips. The clinic will provide quick strategies to avoid failures and techniques to verify bad components with basic tools.

Like the Gas Engine Diagnostics clinic, the Strategies for Transmission Diagnostics program offers hands-on training using a live running vehicle.  This clinic is designed for shops that install automatic transmissions, shops that want to reduce diagnostic time and shops that want the latest time-saving tips.  Topics covered in the Transmission clinic include:

• Overview of electronic control systems
• Operating strategies for Ford, GM and Chrysler
• Using a scan tool and Tran-X for fast solutions

The Strategies for Diesel Diagnostics, like the other clinics, is focused on diagnostic solutions.  The program will provide facts and solutions for issues that are causing repeat or premature failures.  While not a hands-on clinic, the program will cover such areas as:

• An overview of diesel engines
• Operating strategies for Ford, GM and Chrysler
• Trouble shooting techniques
Those that will want to attend this clinic include shops that currently install gas engines and want to move into diesel installations, those that want to reduce diagnostic time and those that want the latest time-saving techniques.

The Advanced Diagnostics clinic is a great class for the Tech that wants to learn the basic concept of lab scoping.  Each Student will receive a training book and materials.  Topics covered in the Advanced Diagnostics clinic include:

• Discussion and demonstration of basic lab scope functions
• Example of how lab scopes can find real problems that will not show codes
• Discussion and illustration of input sensors that manipulate engines and transmissions
• How to perform ampere testing
• How to operate a lab scope with hands-on exercise
• Examples of good waveforms in comparison to live data

The Allison Transmission Clinic will focus on the 1000/2000/3000/4000 Series.  Students will receive their own book and materials.  Topics covered in the Allison Transmission clinic include:

• Discussion and illustration of common questions and failures for each transmission
• Discussion pertaining to updates for each transmission
• TSB handouts for each transmission discussed
• DTC handouts for all Allison transmissions
• Discussion and illustration of the importance of transmission coolers, fluid types and oil change intervals
• Opportunity to perform Solenoid testing with the TransX 2000

Because of the personal attention provided in these clinics, the class size is limited to 10 participants.

The cost per diagnostic clinic is $129.00 per person.  Participants will receive take home materials that will recap the information covered in the clinics for future reference.  To reserve space in any of these clinics, please call 1-800-827-7455 and ask to be connected with the JASPER branch nearest you.

Check our blog next Friday for the answer and another Friddle.

Last Week’s Friddle: What is the longest-running, uninterrupted, automobile nameplate still in production?

Last Week’s Friddle Answer: Suburban

JET Transit held its 2010 1st Quarter drivers’ safety meeting on March 20th for its Crawford facility drivers, and March 27th for its Kingman, Arizona, drivers.  Two drivers were recognized for their efforts in reaching different levels of accident-free driving.  John Owen received an award for 500,000 Accident-Free Miles.  Dwayne Keck was honored with a plaque for 750,000 Accident-Free Miles.  Congratulations to both of these drivers for their achievements.

In these meetings, the drivers were introduced to the new CSA2010 program which will be implemented in November by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).  CSA2010, or Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010, is a program that will replace the current Safestat safety system.  Companies will be rated for their safety compliance in seven basic areas.  The rating will be based on roadside inspection data and compared to companies in peer groups, or companies the same size.  For the first time, drivers will also have a safety measurement system that inspectors can view.  The goal of the new program is to insure that drivers and companies comply with FMCSA regulations.  This new program will alert drivers & companies if they are deficient in an area that is identified by roadside inspections.  By giving notice, corrections can be made to issues identified before intervention measures are taken.

JET Transit has viewed its roadside data collected in the past 24 months and is within standards at this time.  It must be an on-going effort to continue to have good roadside inspections, because the data will be downloaded much faster than the Safestat system and the rating can change quickly either way.

It is important that JASPER has a clear definition and policy that reflects the best interest of our customers and our company.  Past failure to address this issue has allowed misunderstandings within our company and among our customers.

Cooler free flow can range from one and one-half quarts to over four quarts in 20 seconds.  It all depends on the transmission.  We have established the average acceptable flow as two quarts in 20 seconds.  However, we also know that this is not true in all situations.  For example, the Dodge 47RE transmission requires up to four quarts in 20 seconds.

Replacing the vehicle’s system with an external cooler isn’t always the answer.  Consider the fact that the original manufacturer’s system uses the engine’s radiator to transfer the heat from the transmission’s fluid to the vehicle’s cooling system.  Under all conditions, this is consistent, since it is thermostatically controlled.  An external cooler depends on its ability to transfer the fluid’s heat to air, which is a less-effective method.  It is not monitored by a thermostat and depends on constant air flow to be effective.  There are two situations where they could cause a transmission failure.  One is where the air flow over the cooler is interrupted (snow plows, low-speed towing, stopped in traffic, etc.)  A second problem arises in extremely cold conditions where the transmission fluid is unable to warm-up.  In fact, under extremely cold conditions, it could contribute to the jelling of the fluid.

Flushing the system is no longer effective.  The newer-style coolers have complex internal grids used to enhance heat transferal.  These systems collect debris and are impossible to fully flush. Some systems have thermostats that open at 190 degrees.  The bypass on these systems causes a misleading appearance that the cooler itself is being flushed.

Comparing cooler flow as it exits the transmission to the flow after it passes through the cooler is not always effective.  Some Chrysler 41TE and 46RE coolers, that have contamination, could pass a flow test at normal operating temperature.  However, under load or hot conditions, the cooler will restrict the fluid flow to dangerous levels.

The point is, there is no single answer that fits all circumstances.  So, the next time you purchase a JASPER transmission go ahead and ask about adding a new Spectra radiator, cooler kit or flusher rental to your order.  Listed below are three blanket statements that are considered JASPER’s position.  They are listed in order of preference:

1. REPLACE WITH A NEW SYSTEM (RADIATOR).  Check flow to assure lines and check valves are OK.

2. REPLACE WITH AN EXTERNAL.  Keep in mind the above information and flow test.

3. FLUSH THE ORIGINAL SYSTEM.  A heated, hydraulic shock system is the best.  Flush in a can is not acceptable. Always flow test at operating temperature.

Check our blog next Friday for the answer and another Friddle.

Last Week’s Friddle: Besides Pontiac, what other automobile manufacturer produces a GTO?

Last Week’s Friddle Answer: Ferrari

Check our blog next Friday for the answer and another Friddle.

Last Week’s Friddle: What type of engine is pistonless and has a crankshaft that remains stationary while the block rotates around it?

Last Week’s Friddle Answer: A Rotary Engine

Jasper Engines & Transmissions will donate ten remanufactured differentials to the Institute for Affordable Transportation (IAT) for use in their Basic Utility Vehicles (BUV).

The ten GM 7.5″ rear end differentials include drum brakes, axle shafts, an emergency brake cable, and lubricant.

Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, the IAT is a not-for-profit public charity devoted to improving the lives of people in developing nations by providing simple, low-cost vehicles.

The BUV is a three-wheeled vehicle that is powered by a 10hp gas or diesel engine and uses common off-the-shelf automotive parts. It’s top speed is 20 mph; can carry up to 1,200 pounds, and has the capability to power water pumps, mills, compressors and other external machinery.

“IAT utilizes JASPER because they have high quality remanufactured differentials

and axles,” says IAT Director Will Austin. “I had heard JASPER President Doug Bawel give a speech in Indianapolis and really liked his heart for work, family and the Lord.”

The BUV has many applications and can be tailored to meet specific community needs for people in developing nations. The BUV allows for faster water delivery to remote villages, for quickened access to medical care, and for the safe transport of people and goods through rugged terrain. The most common uses include a delivery truck, school bus, water/food transporter, and an ambulance.