Unique Ford spark plug design can easily break when removed

When changing Ford spark plugs it’s good to be aware of the potential of breaking them in certain models. In this repair article, find out which ones are susceptible to separating when being removed. Learn how to remove them without breaking them and how to remove them if they do break. Denlors Auto Repair blog has had several articles about removing broken sparkplugs in Ford vehicles. In addition to Rotunda Separated Spark Plug Remover, we offer several less expensive options of removal tools. Compared to Ford Rotunda special service tools, we save our customers a lot of money, when removing broken spark plugs.

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Video inspection scopes are now quite affordable.

Doctors have used fiber optic bore-scopes and endoscopes in the medical field for a longer period of time than automotive technicians have used inspection scopes in the automotive repair field. The high cost for these gadgets in the past prevented lower income fields from justifying the purchase of them. 

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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. 

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.