Bullett Proof- Episode Two - EGR Coolers

March 25, 2018

Bullet Proof Diesel is known for its many solutions to Ford diesel issues. In these next few blogs we will be discussing the top five different components they have to fixing these issues. As to not overwhelm you with a lengthy article we’ll take it part by part.

The EGR cooler is a component used to lower the temperature of the exhaust gases that are recirculated by the EGR system. The EGR system recirculates exhaust gases back into the engine in order to decrease cylinder temperatures and emit no emissions. There are a couple main signs that you might have a bad EGR cooler. First, you will notice a significant loss of coolant through your overflow bottle and/or cooling system. This can happen when the cooler is allowing coolant to leak back into the exhaust system and not outside of the engine like it should. Second, the white smoke out your tailpipe can be a sign of a bad or leaking EGR cooler. The white smoke is actually steamed coolant that has leaked and been vaporized.

There are a couple different options to fixing these issues. First, you can simply replace the EGR cooler with another Ford factory piece. However, the option we support here at Dana Brothers is to Bullet Proof your vehicle. To most this brand may be unfamiliar. Known nationally for their work on Ford vehicles, Bullet Proof Diesel is based out of Mesa, Arizona. They have created alternate and better solutions to the many Ford issues that occur in diesels over their life spans. One of these being the EGR cooler. They have designed a cooler with stainless steel tubing to resist fatigue and heat failures, all joints are TIG welded, and they have numerous quality control procedures to guarantee a seamless fit back into the truck.

It is important to fix these issues sooner rather than later because the following issues can occur if not taken care of properly: the head bolts will stretch, the head gasket might blow, the engine can overheat, or you might even incur turbo issues. There are so many outcomes based off the extremity of the EGR cooler’s condition so make sure to bring it in and have it diagnosed.

Bullet Proof: Episode One-FICM

March 27, 2018
Bullet Proof Diesel is known for its many solutions to Ford diesel issues. In these next few blogs we will be discussing the top five different components they have to fixing these issues. As to not overwhelm you with a lengthy article we’ll take it part by part. The fuel injection control module (FICM) does what its name implies, but we are here to break that down for you. When the vehicle is started or running the FICM will send an electrical impulse to the injectors. This action controls when and how much fuel is pushed to the engine cylinder in order to keep the vehicle running properly at its prime performance level. When this module begins to go bad it is quite obvious. It will be extremely difficult to start the vehicle, there will be a long crank before it kicks on. The truck will lose performance and see a loss in fuel economy. In addition there will be less than 48 volts of power running through the vehicle. It is imperative to replace the FICM as soon as possible to avoid not being able to start your truck all together when it is bad. The Bullet Proof FICM is designed with improvements to avoid these common failures. When a module starts to go bad it is usually caused by a low voltage battery. When there isn’t enough power left in the battery for the FICM to pull energy, the circuit board within the module will become damaged. What makes Bullet Proof better is the military grade electrical components to improve quality and durability, the upgraded circuit board to alleviate overheating, and an aluminum case to better dissipate heat as well.

General Tips

March 15, 2018
Tips and Advice - FAQ Q. When should I get my oil changed? Answer: Basic oil and filter change should be performed every 3000 Miles. True Synthetic oil and filter change should be performed every 5000 Miles. Basic oil and filter change with BG MOA Additive every 4000 Miles. (Check your oil level more often with a longer change interval) Q. How often should I rotate my tires? Answer: Your tires should be rotated every other oil change, or every 6000 miles. Neglecting to rotate tires is a major cause of premature tire wear Q. Is it really necessary to replace my timing belt at the recommended interval? Answer: YES. The failure of a timing belt in many cars can result in major engine damage. The cost of repairing an engine with a broken timing belt is much greater than the cost of a timing belt replacement. Q. What does it mean if my "check engine" or "service engine soon" light comes on? Answer: There are many sensors and computerized components that manage your vehicle’s engine performance and emissions. When one of these fails, the "check engine" light is illuminated. Although your car may seem to run fine, it is important to have the issue addressed to prevent long-term problems. Q. What should I do if my car starts to overheat? Answer: This is a very serious problem – if your car overheats for too long, you can damage your engine. As soon as possible, find a safe place to pull off the road and shut the engine off! Do not attempt to check the fluid level in the radiator as it can burn you. The best thing to do is have your car towed to a repair shop.

Emergency Preparation

March 8, 2018
With millions of drivers on the road each and every day drivers never know what will happen when they get behind the wheel. Even the safest of drivers sometimes find themselves in a predicament when they set out on the road for a destination. Accurate Automotive sees countless customers who come in for repairs after getting into fender benders all the way to nearly totaling their car or truck. What almost all of these drivers have in common is that they wish they understood a bit more about automobile emergency preparedness. In a constant effort to provide customers with what they desire, Accurate Automotive gladly offers this article on automobile emergency preparedness.