Gather all tools and equipment required and retrieve vehicle information for entry onto Job Card. Picoscope and diagnostics scanner required with live data reading facility. Undertake a check of vehicle fluids, battery charge and capture images of task progress.
Task Requirements
- R&R Spark Plugs, gapped to Manufacturer's specification.
- Connect Diagnostics Scanner and Retrieve DTCs.
- Identify Ignition Timing at Idle and 3000 RPM.
- Ascertain Spark Plug Firing Voltages.
- Refit Plugs and re-run engine.
- Complete Knowledge Questions.
- Complete Blog.
- Report to Assessor with Analysis & Diagnosis.
- Account for Tools and Equipment and tidy work area.
Analysis Pre-Inspection Checks
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| Healthy Battery |
All engine bay fluid levels were checked and confirmed as meeting the minimum levels specified. Battery charge was also confirmed as healthy at 12.66 Volts.
Analysis Fault Codes
Autel Diagnostics Scanner with Live Data Reading Facility was connected to the vehicle DLC, ignition activated and a search for DTCs commenced. Initial results were subsequently cleared and a new search undertaken. Subsequent search returned "no faults found".
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| Final DTC Search Results |
 |
| Initial DTC Search Results |
Analysis Spark Plugs
Manufacturer's data was retrieved regarding recommended electrode gapping.
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| Manufacturer's Spark Plug Data |
HT leads were then removed from all the spark plugs, and then the plugs removed and laid out in Cylinder Order ready to be examined. Results were as follows:
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| Plugs Removed |
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| Electrode Gapping with Feeler Gauges |
Plug No Report
1 Clean condition but required gapping to 1.3mm
2 As above
3 As above
4 As above
Analysis Firing Voltages
Picoscope was connected as per the on-board package instructions, and the engine started. Manufacturer's Data stated that expected firing voltages should be in the region of 12.5 - 15KV.
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| Expected Pattern and Range |
Diagnosis
Readings indicated that the firing Voltages were within Manufacturer's specification and therefore serviceable, although I now recognise the pattern retrieved as inverted, suggesting incorrect (Negative) Lead selection as opposed to Postitive as is required. A further test should therefore be conducted to ensure performance within specified parameters.
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| Returned Pattern and Range (Inverted Pattern)! |
Analysis Ignition Timing
A diagnostics scanner with live Data Reading facility was required, and the Carman device was connected to the vehicle DLC accordingly. Ignition timing performance data was required with the engine both at idle and at 3000 RPM.
Diagnosis Ignition Timing
Manufacturer's Data states that the Ignition Timing is not adjustable on this particular vehicle. With the Carman scanner connected in Live Data Mode the readings returned
were as follows:
Performance Data suggests that the Ignition Timing is operating within satisfactory parameters and therefore serviceable.
Final Recommendation
That a further spark plug firing voltage test be conducted prior to notifying the customer that the vehicle is ready for collection. Due to inexperience I was unable to immediately identify my oversight, for which I accept full responsibility in terms of any additional cost that may now be incurred by the garage as a consequence. Error only identified as I was preparing this report in the relative peace of my out of hours office!
Knowledge questions were completed and are available within my Portfolio. All tools and equipment were sucessfully accounted for and the work area left in a tidy and presentable order accordingly.
Diagnosis Ignition Timing
Manufacturer's Data states that the Ignition Timing is not adjustable on this particular vehicle. With the Carman scanner connected in Live Data Mode the readings returned
were as follows:
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| -46 Degrees at 3000 RPM |
 |
| -16 Degrees at Idle |
Performance Data suggests that the Ignition Timing is operating within satisfactory parameters and therefore serviceable.
Final Recommendation
That a further spark plug firing voltage test be conducted prior to notifying the customer that the vehicle is ready for collection. Due to inexperience I was unable to immediately identify my oversight, for which I accept full responsibility in terms of any additional cost that may now be incurred by the garage as a consequence. Error only identified as I was preparing this report in the relative peace of my out of hours office!
Knowledge questions were completed and are available within my Portfolio. All tools and equipment were sucessfully accounted for and the work area left in a tidy and presentable order accordingly.
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