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Bar’s Leaks Celebrates 75th Anniversary
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By Counterman
Arnold Motor Supply, in collaboration with several channel partners in the automotive aftermarket, raised $75,000 for the nonprofit Tori’s Angels.
The company celebrated the fundraising achievement during its annual golf and leisure event.
link hidden, please login to view is a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting children with life-threatening medical challenges. “Tori’s Angels makes a profound difference in the lives of children and families in Iowa,” said Eric Johnson, president and managing partner at Arnold Motor Supply. “With the support of our valued channel partners, we’re thrilled to have made a meaningful difference for approximately 20 more families in need.”
Tori’s Angels covers all medical and travel expenses not covered by insurance, providing support from acceptance into the program until a child’s 19th birthday. The foundation always is looking for more children to help. Tori’s Angels CEO, Kirby Klinge, encourages Iowa families to reach out to the foundation for more information.
Channel Partners Recognized
Arnold Motor Supply also took the opportunity to recognize outstanding contributions from key channel partners during the event.
The company recognized PPG Industries as Vendor of the Year for PPG’s exceptional partnership and commitment through training, shop certification programs and inventory optimization.
East Penn’s Mark Hoffman, Kevin Irlocker and Ben Clark were named Reps of the Year for their customer-loyalty programs and field support.
Arnold Motor presented the Agency Partner of the Year award to Greg Nevins and Jeff Ridley of N.A. Williams, acknowledging their substantial contributions during product changeovers, fieldwork and wrap-around program support.
“Arnold Motor Supply and their channel partners remain dedicated to community support, improving the lives of those in need and reinforcing their collaborative efforts for the future,” the company said.
The company would like to recognize the major sponsors that helped to nearly double the donation over last year’s fundraising efforts: Valvoline, BBB Industries, 3M, Delphi, Dorman Products, Dayton Parts, East Penn, First Brands Group, Growmark, Motorcar Parts of America, Akzo Nobel, AP Emissions, Denso, Gates Corp., Northland Oil, Mevotech, Bosch, C-Aire Compressors and Highline Warren.
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By Counterman
Pick a parking lot, any parking lot, and you can tell what spaces get used the most by the number of oil spots. It’s easy to think of it as just a mess, but the unfortunate reality is it’s a bigger cause of pollution than meets the eye.
Who remembers the Exxon Valdez? It was huge news in 1989 as the damaged oil tanker spilled almost 11 million gallons of oil into the ocean. If that seems terrible, think of this: It’s estimated that in America alone, we contaminate our water supply with approximately 180 million gallons of oil every year, and it comes out of our cars!
When an engine is running, oil is everywhere inside. It splashes and runs all over the place, so just like a rainstorm will find a leak in your roof, if oil can find even the tiniest of holes, it will seep out. Aside from the environmental affects, it tends to coat the outside of the engine and the engine compartment, making it difficult to pinpoint the source.
Most of the time, oil leaks aren’t discovered until there are drops in the driveway, or when a look under the hood discovers the problem – which means it’s already had plenty of time to make a mess. Professionally, they sometimes can be hard to find, but generally speaking, there are only a few common causes that make up the majority of the leaks “on the road.”
Starting From the Top
Valve-cover gaskets are one of the most common leaks. They’re on the top of an engine (the majority of the time), and when they leak, the oil runs down over everything. The big problem with this is if there’s another source of an oil leak, it will be hard to identify because it will be overrun by the oil from the cover gasket.
In addition, oil can be very damaging and when it comes from the top down, it gets on hoses, wiring and other components that can slowly degrade from continuous exposure. This leads me to another point.
Often, cleaning is the first step to finding a leak and to prevent it from damaging other components. Engine degreaser, cleaning brushes, shop towels and some form of oil-dry are excellent upsells.
Valve-cover gaskets also are a common culprit for causing hidden leaks. A vast majority of the vehicles on the road feature a combustion-chamber design that locates the spark plug in the center of the combustion chamber, meaning access is through the valve cover. This requires spark plug tube seals to prevent oil from getting into the plug well and on the plug-wire boots. Regardless of the type of ignition, the plug-wire boots will be damaged if oil gets on them.
If someone is replacing this style of valve-cover gasket, it’s a perfect time to sell plugs and wires while they’re in there, or if they’re doing plugs, why not sell a new cover-gasket set to prevent these leaks before they happen?
Pressurized Leaks
Most leaks are oil that simply finds a way out due to an aged gasket or seal, but some have a little extra help. Pressurized leaks (at least that’s what I call them) originate from a component that is directly connected to the oil-pressure circuit, such as an oil-pressure switch or the oil filter itself. Filters are easy to see, but switches, oil-galley plugs and filter flanges often are buried. An indication of a pressurized leak is one that starts to drip shortly after the engine is started and continues dripping at a consistent pace.
Common Mistakes
One of the most common service mistakes in general is not replacing the oil-pan drain-plug gasket during an oil change. Sure, you might get away with it once, but they’re designed to be replaced every time, and the telltale drop of oil that always hangs off the bottom of the drain plug is the giveaway. Who knows how many gallons a year this mistake alone could add up to!
When replacing the oil filter, it should be routine to clean the filter flange and make sure the old seal isn’t stuck to it. But many people still ignore the practice. A dirty flange will prevent a good seal, and if the old seal is stuck to it, you’ll be faced with a major leak.
Another common cause of leaks originates from using the incorrect gasket. There’s something to be said for quality, but there’s something to be said for the original design of a gasket too. Cork and cork-rubber gaskets are old news and old technology, but in many cases, they’re still the best for their application. This generally is a reference to vintage automobiles. The easiest way to know is to look up what the original style of gasket was.
If a cork variation was original, and the engine still features original components, then stick with cork. Many of these engines featured rough cast surfaces on which a cork gasket would conform. In some cases, a rubber replacement will work, but generally, many new rubber seals are designed to work with smooth, machined surfaces. I’ve seen the most advanced gaskets in the world leak like a sieve, only to have an original cork seal it up in an instant. If you stick with the OE style of gaskets, it’s an easy way to ensure success.
Shaft Seals
Shaft seals, referring to crankshaft, camshaft and/or intermediate shaft seals, are common leak sources when an engine starts to get some miles on it. These seals see a lot of abuse due to the fact that the shaft is continuously rotating inside it when the engine is running. A thin film of oil keeps the shaft from instantly gripping the lip of the seal and ripping it to shreds, and on most seals, a small spring on the inside keeps the lip tensioned against the shaft.
When these begin to leak, the oil has a tendency to get on the timing belt, if equipped, which can spell disaster. Often, the leaks can be seen originating from the area of the shaft, and if oil is present after removing the timing-belt cover, you can bet one or more is leaking. These seals can harden and leak with age, but lack of oil changes creates acidity in the oil that will damage them and shorten their life. This is yet another reason that regular oil changes are important.
Installation
Any gasket or seal is only as good as the installation. Many gaskets or seals are designed for low-torque applications, and some have very specific spots to apply a sealant. Following manufacturer instructions is the only way to do it. Too high or too low a torque can ruin the job, and “more is better” is not the slogan of any sealant company I know of. Since many gaskets call for small amounts of sealant, this also is another great upsell.
When it comes to shaft seals with a spring-tensioned lip, a common practice is to use a small amount of grease to hold the spring in place, preventing it from falling out during seal installation. A good engine assembly grease should be used for this, since it will dissolve in engine oil. Fixing oil leaks is good for business. You sell parts. But it’s even better for the world and future generations.
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By Counterman
Photo caption: GM ASEP students from Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny, Iowa, Joseph Njue (left) and Tyler Tessman (right) work on an engine donated by GM in October 2022. (Photo courtesy of Des Moines Area Community College)
In recognition of National Skilled Trades Day, celebrated on the first Wednesday in May each year, General Motors Customer Care and Aftersales (CCA) is recognizing the vital role that the more than 40,000 skilled auto technicians across GM dealerships bring to the GM owner experience.
Through “Bring Us Your Talent,” GM’s marketing initiative to help GM dealers recruit and train new talent to fill the technician gap, unique career stories and journeys will be shared across several GM platforms including:
The future of automotive talent – A video highlighting GM Automotive Service Educational Program (ASEP) students sharing their journeys with Dale Earnhardt Jr., who knows firsthand the importance of under-the-hood expertise. What GM-certified automotive technicians are saying: Stories from automotive technicians at all levels on why they chose their career path, life on the job, advancement and more. These stories, along with information on pursuing career opportunities as an automotive technician at a GM dealer through GM ASEP, are live on
link hidden, please login to view. GM brand social channels will also be featuring content honoring the experts who help keep us on the road. “With the progression of automotive technologies and the shift to electric vehicles, there is an ever-growing demand for skilled technician talent,” said John Roth, GM global vice president, Customer Care and Aftersales. “Not just today, but every day, we appreciate our dealership technicians who bring us their skills and continue to advance their training to take care of our customers.”
“Bring Us Your Talent” launched in May 2021 to coincide with National Skilled Trades Day and targets potential talent with educational content on automotive technician career opportunities. The initiative also provides marketing and advertising assets to dealerships to help them drive technician recruitment and industry awareness in their markets.
These efforts have helped to attract and build a pipeline of talent. Enrollment in the 51 ASEP schools across the United States is the highest it has been in 10 years.
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By Counterman
Penzoil recently introduced the “Long May We Drive” campaign, celebrating the thrill of driving and carving your own path on the open road.
“Every person has a unique story to tell when it comes to driving, and every vehicle can tell a thousand tales,” Penzoil explained in a news release. “No matter where and what someone drives, or whether cars are used for hugging curves in the road, commuting to work or packing up kids and heading for the mountains, Pennzoil wants to celebrate the pursuit of the next mile with this campaign.”
Featuring real drivers with a passion for car culture, “Long May We Drive” focuses on the stories of those who are passionate about taking care of their engine, those who relish the open road or those racing into the record books track by track. One of those real drivers, who not only owns the road but also moves the industry forward, is
link hidden, please login to view, an automotive content creator. Chen and his daughter are featured in the campaign, tinkering in the garage like a normal weekend, alongside a real cast of drivers including offroad enthusiasts and a five-star-rated rideshare driver.
link hidden, please login to view, driver of the No. 22 Pennzoil Ford Mustang and two-time NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) champion, is a key driver in this campaign, highlighting his dedication to pushing his engine to the limits. Pennzoil also is proud to spotlight a budding relationship with motorsports enthusiast
link hidden, please login to view. In the campaign, Gross demonstrates his drive to celebrate mobility and challenge the norm. As a racecar driver and a C6 quadriplegic who uses hand controls, Gross created the link hidden, please login to view to allow others in similar conditions to experience the thrill of driving at racecar speeds. “Pennzoil is proud to champion his mission of equalizing mobility in motorsports, supporting the Just Hands Racing team’s development of more cars modified with hand controls to hit the racetracks nationwide so people with disabilities can experience the thrill of racing,” the company said.
Cars provide an irreplicable source of freedom and self-expression, and the love of the drive is a common thread that connects us all.
“Wherever your car is going to take you, Pennzoil will be there,” the company said in a news release. “The ‘Long May We Drive’ campaign serves as a reminder that each person’s path of driving is unique, and Pennzoil invites you to join in this exciting ride!”
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By Counterman
Worldpac, a wholly owned subsidiary of Advance Auto Parts, celebrated the grand opening of its newest warehouse on Feb. 22 in Hatillo, Puerto Rico.
Members of the local community, including Hatillo Mayor Carlos Román Román, attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Located at H-1 Metro Plaza Hatillo, Carr No. 2 KM 87.5 Marginal, Worldpac’s Hatillo warehouse measures more than 30,000 square feet and has the capacity to house more than 400,000 original-equipment and premium-brand automotive parts, serving most vehicle makes and models on the road in Puerto Rico.
The warehouse will support the businesses of local independently owned auto parts stores throughout the western region, with parts deliveries for most customers taking place multiple times per day, six days a week.
“We are very proud to open our second Worldpac warehouse in Hatillo, bringing independent businesses in the western region greater access to original equipment and leading name brand auto parts,” said David Heine, Worldpac executive vice president of sales. “With two locations in Puerto Rico, we can now offer far greater inventory coverage across the island to better serve our customers. We’re also very pleased to employ members of the community at our new facility and we look forward to continued investment in Puerto Rico for years to come.”
Worldpac employs 10 team members at its new facility, with many living locally in Hatillo and surrounding communities. The company also supports independent auto parts stores through its warehouse in Bayamon, which opened in 2010.
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