Equus 3140 Limited Time Halloween Tool Special – 10/31/2008 $219.95

For our Halloween Special, the Equus Innova 3140 Pro Scan Tool is on sale until midnight October 31, 2008 for $219.95 with free shipping within the continental US. The Equus Automotive scan tool (3140) has OBD I, OBD II and CAN (Controlled Area Network) capability. This means this tool will work for older cars prior to 1996 (OBD I) and later models after 1996 (OBD II) and will even work for OBD II models that use CAN protocol. OBD I cables are included for GM, Ford, Chrysler and Toyota and of course the OBD II connector works for all cars after 1996. The Equus 3140 also comes with an instructional video, in case you are less than familiar with scan tools. Comes with a written manual in English, Spanish and French. And if you are experienced in using scan tools you will find the Equus easy to use and you will appreciate the live data display. The 3-color LED display provides a quick indication of the vehicle’s readiness for an emissions test. For the DIY (Do It Yourself-er) or the professional mechanic, this a bargain automotive scan tool deal, don’t let it pass you by or it may haunt you.  

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.