Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

This course is designed for students with no previous industry experience. Students will develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to perform, with limited supervision, the appropriate procedures involved in engine performance diagnosis and adjustments on cars, pickups and vans. This course will prepare students for the Auto Shop Lab capstone courses which provide the opportunity to practice learned skills on customer and school controlled vehicles in a “working shop” setting. This will begin the skill level necessary for employment at an apprentice level.

The course material will be presented in a lecture/laboratory format and include videos, handouts and hands-on lab experience in the shop. Students are required to read assigned materials, take notes, complete homework assignments and research information in service manuals and with electronic service information systems.

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

• Perform engine performance inspection, maintenance, diagnosis, and repairs relating to engine performance systems at an intermediate level.
• Access and utilize repair information in a rapidly changing technology.
• Develop and implement strategies and processes to solve engine performance problems.
• Perform diagnosis and repair of fuel delivery systems to professional and ethical standards.
• Demonstrate intermediate-level knowledge of fuel delivery and emission control systems.
• Communicate professionally with employers, customers, and co-workers using industry standard language and following industry standard protocols.

• Students will demonstrate effective work with fellow technicians in the following ways:
  • Attendance requirements include penalties for excessive days missed and late arrivals.
  • Lecture participation requirements include bringing textbooks to class, being prepared to take notes and remaining attentive in class.
  • Laboratory participation requirements include demonstrating good craftsmanship, using time wisely, treating equipment properly, using procedures properly, demonstrating acquired skills and correct use of tools.
  • Demonstrate preparedness for ASE testing by achieving a passing score on all written exams and completing homework assignments.
  • Demonstrate understanding of course material through passing scores on lab activities.

• Continues study of combustion chemistry and how failures impact exhaust emissions and engine controls.
• Define and discuss A-F ratio and oxygen sensors.

• Discuss the history, characteristics and operation of engine control systems.
• Define and discuss fuel system outputs.
• Discuss fuel system service including: injector testing, cleaning and repair.
• Define and discuss injector deposits, throttle body deposits, intake valve deposits, and combustion chamber deposits.
• Discuss the fuel delivery process including: fuel pump, lines, filter, fuel rail, pressure regulation.
• Define and discuss engine control input sensors including: throttle position, manifold absolute pressure, engine coolant temperature and mass air flow.

• Understand how engine control systems operate for diagnosis, testing and repair purposes.
• Understand the difference between fuel control systems for diagnosis.
• Understand the operation of fuel injectors for diagnosis.
• Understand the operation of the fuel delivery system for diagnosis, service and repair.