It seems that with all the new choices for wireless automotive scan tools now, information is hard to come by. Our recently revised automotive tech article compares the top three wireless, touch screen automotive scan tools from Snap On (Verus), OTC (Pegisys) and Launch (X431Tool). Snap On known for it’s quality tools and yes, high prices. Snap On has the Verus to offer shops that are looking for a good all around scan tool that works well with many different types of vehicles and systems. The good news is that there are other choices for premium wireless auto scan tools that have wireless capabilities and an Internet connection feature that is really a plus when it comes to diagnosing today’s cars. The OTC Pegisys is sure to become a very popular choice and will most likely surpass the OTC Genisys scan tool in sales in the years to come (see our previous post on the Genisys Scan Tool). Genisys isn’t done yet though, for shops that want a bargain scan tool with plenty of capability the Genisys scan tool still certainly provides that. And then there is the Launch X431Tool, a new wireless scan tool that you may not have heard about, but has been a popular choice outside the US for some time now. For shops that want a premium wireless scan tool at a great price, the Launch is worth considering. One of the best things about the Launch is that it includes Domestic, Asian and European coverage with free updates for one year directly from their website. With Launch, updates can be done every week if desired and Launch is constantly upgrading the software. So, many technicians are taking advantage of being able to update often. Vehicles are becoming more complex all the time, fortunately for auto techs of today, scan tools are providing the capabilty to diagnose these complex vehicles without losing productivity.

Good – Simple Actron Code Reader CP9125

The CP9125 Actron code reader is a very popular choice for the DIY (Do it Yourself-er) and for many used car dealers that want to read codes before the auction (or clear the codes prior to their car being ran through). The size of this tool makes it easy to carry in your pocket. No frills, just a good basic code reader with about 3,000 definitions for Global OBD 2 codes. This code reader works on all cars with US emissions, OBD II connector 1996 and up.

Better – Code Reader with Definitions

The Launch CReader is a basic OBD2 code reader that is great for the DIY (Do it Yourself-er) or the auto mechanic that would like to have the convenience of reading and clearing Power Train Codes, without the expense of owning a more elaborate scan tool. The Launch CReader is also capable of working on vehicles with CAN protocol. Controller-Area-Network, or CAN-bus is a new computer network standard that enables multiple control modules to communicate with each other. To illustrate how great a deal this is, consider this; The CAN adapter alone for a Snap On MT2500 Scan Tool is around $250. Without it the Snap On Scanner is unable to communicate with many vehicles. The Launch CReader also allows Freeze Frame Data to be stored and viewed. Freeze Frame Data means that at the time the CEL (Check Engine Light) comes on, sensor readings are recorded. This can be very helpful in cases where a sensor may have an intermittent failure and then be functioning as normal when the diagnoses is attempted. Having Freeze Frame Data with an inexpensive code reader is a real plus. Another useful feature the Launch CReader has is the built in Readiness Monitor. The Readiness Monitor will let let you know when a drive cycle is complete after a repair has been made. Since many conditions have to be met to complete the drive cycle, this indicator takes out the guess work. A Readiness Monitor alone, that indicates when a drive cycle is drive is complete can be priced over a hundred dollars.

Good – Actron CP9190 Scanner Graphs & is Bi-Lingual

The Actron CP9190 scanner has the features of the CP9125 and more. The Actron CP9190 has graphing and printing capability. This scanner in addition to scanning OBDII and CAN protocol vehicles has cables for some OBD I vehicles. So in certain cases this scanner could be more useful especially if your first language is Spanish or if you have a classic (or a work car) in the garage that has OBDI. The larger back lit display is easy to read and this scanner has it’s own batteries that allows the code information to be displayed even after the OBD interface cable has been unplugged.

Better – The OTC 3499 has more enhanced codes

The OTC 3499 Scanner has more enhanced codes including codes for Honda. OTC is one of the largest manufacturers of automotive scan tools, OTC actually owns Actron as well. Actron is tailored to the DIY (Do it Yourself-er) and OTC is marketed more to the professional auto Technician. Also Bi-lingual, the OTC 3499 has a larger display than Actron and also has extra interface cables enabling it’s use to a wider coverage of vehicles in addition to OBD II, it includes OBD I connections for GM, Ford and Chrysler. 

KD 41540 – What’s in your tool box?

You may already know from reading our auto tool blog that DenLors Automotive tools sells a lot of Jump-n-Carry Jump boxes, OTC scanners, OTC tire pressure monitors, OTC auto specialty tools and Visual Optics video inspection scopes (and much more). But did you know that KD tools has introduced many so many neat automotive hand tools recently that we have had to make special provisions to keep up with the demand? This automotive tool blog is on five of KD Tools latest and greatest auto specialty tools at prices that won’t break the bank.  

KD 41540 rear brake caliper tool kit is a specialty hand tool kit that comes in a nice storage case, it has many rear disc caliper piston adapters to fit a variety of cars. This has been one of the most popular new mechanics tool kits recently due to it’s low price and range of use. Most rear disc brake caliper pistons wind back in, due to the emergency brake being built into the caliper. This tool makes screwing the rear disc caliper piston back into the caliper much easier when performing a brake job.

Low Profile Magnetic Oil Drain Socket Set by KD Tools

KD 3870 is a magnetic oil drain plug socket set that comes with a low profile gear ratchet and storage case. The neat thing about this tool kit is that the magnetic sockets are color coded and have a thumb wheel design, they make handling hot oil drain plugs much easier, since you can hold onto the socket instead of the hot drain plug to keep from getting burned while doing that quick oil change. The low profile GearRatchet (KD Tools owns GearWrench) fits in tight areas like between the oil drain plug and most car’s sub-frames. Some tech’s keep this oil drain plug socket set attached to their oil drain right along side the oil filter pliers.

Serpentine Belt Set by KD Tools

KD 3680 is a really cool serpentine belt tool set that makes accessing hard to reach serpentine belt tensioners much easier. Common sizes are included in this kit to fit most serpentine belt tensioners and the long narrow extension arm attaches to the GearWrench at any position and then the crows foot or socket goes in the end of the GearWrench. This mechanics tool set makes frustrating serpentine belts a breeze to change. Once you use this KD tool set you’ll never want to use a regular ratchet or wrench again to change a car’s serpentine belt.

One Man Brake Bleeding Kit by KD Tools

KD 3712 provides a quick and efficient way to bleed brakes. Being able to bleed the brakes without having someone to pump the brakes saves a lot of time. This tool kit allows the auto mechanic to place the auto-fill brake fluid bottle in place before raising the car up on the lift, to bleed the brakes. The vacuum bleeder works fast, so having the auto fill prevents accidentally emptying the master cylinder and getting air in the system. The vacuum brake bleeder also helps to prevent having slippery brake fluid on the shop’s floor, that manual brake bleeding usually results in. Many mechanics are upselling a brake flush to their customers that are in for a regular oil change. If the customer watches while to flush is being done, it will look much more professional to use this brake bleeding kit than to allow the brake fluid to drip down on the floor.   

Thread On Fan Clutch Tool Set by KD Tools

KD 3472 is for fan clutch assemblies that thread on to the water pump instead of bolt on. These type of fan clutches used to be found only on Fords, now they can be found on other makes as well. When changing a water pump or fan clutch this tool makes life easier. The narrow access to the fan clutch wrench flats requires a slim design tool to reach it comfortably. The KD 3472 not only has the wrench, it has the holder so that keeps the water pump from spinning while removing the car’s fan clutch. One vehicle that has a thermostatic fan clutch that is prone to failure is the Jeep Liberty. The fan clutch sensor wires commonly get chafed, sometimes causing a fault code. Flat rate time for changing the fan clutch on the Liberty is 2.8 hours, this tool makes the job go much easier, one job could pay for the tool.          

Northstar water pump replacement, not so bad with correct mechanics tool

This automotive tool blog features a specialty auto mechanics tool for changing the Northstar water pump. The Cadillac Northstar water pump is located at the rear of the engine. As the picture shows, there is a belt cover over the water pump drive belt at the rear of the front valve cover. The special mechanics tool required for this job used to be only available in more expensive specialty tool brands like Schley Products. If the tool is to be used frequently, the more expensive version of the specialty may be the best choice. If the mechanic only changes a few of these a year, the Lisle Northstar mechanics tool will work just fine. 

Remove the air cleaner to access the water pump

Mechanics tools make life easier, in fact without this specialty tool, replacement is simply is not possible. First access the water pump by removing the air cleaner housing and swing the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) out of the way. Remove the water pump drive belt cover and belt. The water pump fits inside the coolant housing.

Access by securing outer coolant housing out of the way

Auto Tools required up this point are everyday, common auto mechanic tools that most mechanics will already have in their tool box. Of course the spring hose clamps can be removed much easier with the correct hose clamp tools as opposed to regular pliers. The professional auto technician more than likely already has a nice set of Mayhew hose clamp tools.

Northstar water pump revealed

This Waterpump tool is only used on the Northstar. The water pump is a twist in design. The Northstar water pump socket slips in around the waterpump and catches the tabs. A simple twist and the water pump comes out. Be sure that the old o-ring seal is removed. The rubber seal comes out easily, and the good thing is there’s no gasket scraping needed for the water pump itself. Gasket removal is needed for many other water pumps, but this one has a removable seal and it is easy to access. If there is any corrosion build up on the housing this should be removed. Gluing the new seals in place may be necessary to hold them in place for installation.

Lisle waterpump tool use

Water-pump Removed

Automotive specialty tools like this makes certain jobs a piece of cake. Without this specific mechanic tool, the tech finds himself down the creek, well you know the rest.

The Rigid brand video inspection scope is called the SeeSnake 

Rigid Micro SeeSnake is an option with a 3 foot reach, a magnet and clip on mirror included. The main drawback with this tool is that the camera at the end of the wand is 0.70″ and that prevents the use of this tool in smaller areas like in an engine’s cylinder through a spark plug hole. A better size for the probe on borescopes and video endoscopes is under 0.50″ this allows access to much tighter areas. The Micro SeeSnake inspection camera has a 2.4″ color LCD screen that has 160 x 234 resolution.

The Visual Optics brand inspection scope is called the Video Stik 

The Visual Optics video inspection tool is called the Video Stik, Visual Optics’ inspection scopes come in 36″ or 72″ and are made in the USA. The Video Stik with it’s 320x 240 pixel resolution, provides a more defined image compared to the Rigid SeeSnake with it’s 160 x 234 resolution. The camera on the end of the wand is smaller too. Compared to the Rigid brand that has 0.70″ diameter, the Video Stik has a 0.42″ diameter, allowing access to more spaces. The Visual Optics Video Stik also comes with accessories. The magnet an mirror are small enough to access very tight areas, after-all if they don’t fit into the area needed they are useless.

Automatic Focus allows for ease of use when compared to fiber optic borescopes. Fiberoptic bore scopes were at one time the only game in town when it came to affordable inspection scopes. New technology in affordable video based inspection scopes has changed this forever. New electronic gadgets like these, are sure to spawn more competition in the new Affordable Inspection Tool Arena, DLT’s top pick for automotive inspection is the Video Stik.