So I have a whole saga about trying to get my car to pass emissions, but here is today's issue that makes me scratch my head.

I had to replace the Holley intake with one that has an EGR port, I chose the Edelbrock Performer 3701. I bought the OEM EGR valve from Autozone and sent the parts to a mechanic to put it all together, but he saiud the EGR valve and the port on the intake don't match up! He said the intake instructions recommended a specific GM part number EGR to use and they ordered one.

Is that for real? Has anyone heard of this before? I just would have thought that all small blocks used the "same" EGR and so the intake for a small block would accept that one.

 

nope - your mechanic is probably telling you the truth. The edelbrock intake you purchased will fit 30 years of chevy engines, and GM had specific egr valves for most all of them. BTW - autozone is selling aftermarket parts, not "OEM" parts.

 

What the hell is a mechanic? Don't you guys know the politically correct name for a guy who fixes cars is a technician. What are they going to call them next?

 

technician a says that a mechanic is self proclaimed and has absolutely no certification, technician b says that a technician has passed at least one of ase's 8 engine repair tests who is correct?

A. Technician A
B Technician B
C. Both A and B
D Neither A nor B

 

another way to put it is a mechanic changes parts, while a technician can troubleshoot to find not only the problem but also the cause.

 

A mechanic can fix almost anything on a car, I was a mechanic, then I went to school and didn't learn very much except how to use a multie meter and a diagnostics computer. Now I am a technician, its the multie meter thats the key, a mechanic will see a car running rough and say, "its a coil pack" and replace it. A technician will say "I think its a coil pack" pull out his multie meter check the resistance and determine if the coil pack is good or bad. I Know a few of "Mechanics" though that are 10x better at fixing a vehicle correctly the first time than any technician, myself included, I have ever met.

 

I choose C. damn I hated those ASE tests...

 

Been working in a shop for 2 years now. All with good Techs that can fix anything. They all said the ASE's are a joke. I took a couple and they were right. I passed em both easy. Whether or not i bother taking anymore is yet to be decided. Just for the record, ANYONE can study up on cars and pass those tests. It doesn't mean you can actually diagnose and fix a car. What matters most in this business is hands on experience. Period.

And yes, you're mechanic is more than likey being honest with you. Go to a bone yard or whatever and get the correct GM intake for your car, and get a real EGR valve. Not some Autozone trash.

 

i agree with that, i took auto tech my junior year in high school (2 years ago) didnt learn anything, and passed a couple of those tests. but in all honesty, i dont know diddly about diagnoses.

 

Aint that the truth!! When I started at the dealer I'm at now, the oil change guy was an ASE Master certified tech. Problem was, changing oil was about as far he was qualified to do. He was simply a very good test taker and loved studying up on things. Meanwhile, all I had was a trainee permit and I was doing just about everything except heavy engine/trans stuff (under proper supervision, to keep it leagal)

I see someone's taken some automotive tests. I think they're all the same, state/manufacturer/ASE. At least the same format...

 

yea i've taken a buncha tests with this format and i plan on take 4 ase tests this spring (A3 manual drivetrain and axles, A4 suspension and steering, A5 Brakes and P2 Automobile parts, the last one is for a raise at work)