In Cylinder Pressure Waveform Analysis Special Guest Brandon Steckler

[@JoesAutoElectric]

Privileged and honored to call Brandon my friend. Not only is he willing to share his extensive knowledge with everyone, but he is humble as they come.

[@SGTECH-di9df]

I worked as a Mercedes-Benz dealer tech and thought I knew what I was doing until I went to an independent shop that works on all makes. It was a very humbling experience to find out I not only didn't know what I was doing but was massively undertooled as well. I still respect dealer technicians, they do what they do well, but there are dozens of manufacturers all with different configurations and span over a whole lot more years. The difficulty is way higher because you're just exposed to problems you'd never see at a dealership. Brandon Steckler is one of my favorite instructors, he is very willing to share his experience and knowledge and explains them in simple terms. Pressure waveform analysis is a true game changer if you can interpret the information!

[@MechanicMindset]

Thanks for sharing!

[@secretsquirrel9722]

The initial conversation is 100% spot on for me! I was a BMW Master tech. Beyond fixing a cheap BMW with an issue to keep as a drive car and then sell when the next opportunitycame along. I never did home jobs. I was very proficient at getting to a result using the restrictive diagnostic tools and pathways you had to stick within to obtain warranty approval. I left the trade 10 years ago. In that time since, helping out family and fixing my own (off brand) cars. I never failed to figure it out but it became pretty obvious that my knowledge was brand specific and lacking compared to aftermarket diagnostics! Guilty of firing a parts cannon here and there without the tools or the knowledge of how something worked or how to test it. I've learnt more in a month of binging KZbin diagnostics channels than I did in years as a younger mechanic.

[@MechanicMindset]

So true! A lot of knowledge on here and I learn something new every day! PS. do you still plan your day in AW’s? 😂

[@secretsquirrel9722]

@@MechanicMindset AW? Do you mean 5min increments? We called them FRU's. And I never did. Much to my bosses dislike. My efficiencies always sucked, but I was fastidious and never had come backs. So much so, it became a leverage point for pay on both sides. They used to try and keep my pay down by pointing out my efficiency. Putting value in efficiency over everything else. Willing to deal with higher levels of come backs. I would show that I was only working on and solving problem cars that had been back 3-5 times and the real kicker = I dealt with a lot of customers face to face who didn't believe the service advisors. They (especially the M owners) would come in and ask for me specifically to work on their cars. Checkmate. BUT, they would always find a way to pull the rug from under you and ensure you remembered that you were just a number and easily replaceable. So, I went up into management for a few years and like every great great tech I knew before me. I left the trade all together because they treat you like rubbish and if you dare ask for the most basic of niceties like being able to work on your own car or wash it at the dealer after hours. They would actively and systematically make your life difficult. Which anyone with self respect would bring to a head. Often ending in being walked out of the business. Leaving a sleugh of compliant oil dumpers. When you were the boss, they would then hammer you with why we were getting so many comebacks and why no one can fix the harder cars? And I know for a fact, we were one of the better dealers. Bmw has a great service name in Aus because of the level and accuracy of service delivered. But the people delivering it just get pooped on delivering it. So I bailed for more money, almost zero stress and using probably 10% of the brain power.

[@John-rw9bv]

@@secretsquirrel9722 Yo you gotta tell me where I can find a job that has zero stress and 10% brain power :D hahah Anyway glad you got out of the rat race

[@secretsquirrel9722]

@@John-rw9bv probably specific to where I live a bit. But my cities government runs public transport. I drive buses as a casual only 4 km away. I work when ever I want for literally half the hours in a week. Taking home $3-400 in hand more a week. Downside, your mixing in the lower socio-economic end of society and while it's attention intensive. Not exactly stretching your cognitive abilities.

[@ZoomAutoDiag]

Brandon's book along with his words of wisdom on pico group and auto MD group has helped me to make way in learning so much about waveform analysis. Great person to link up with in your videos Darren! 👍🏻🤙🏻

[@MechanicMindset]

For sure! So privileged to have him on for a session ! 👍

[@lvsqcsl]

You bring out some good points about independent shops. I know years ago, I had a good friend that went to work for the local Ford Dealership. This was when the Escort had just come out. I think 1981? (The same year Brandon was born!) Yes, he knew how to put timing belts on and repair oil leaks, etc. He then went to work for an independent shop and he had a newfound respect for us independents. "Different strokes" is older than Brandon! Great video!

[@djosbun]

If I say that Brandon is a genius it would be a severe understatement. He's also a great guy!

[@BrianMann216]

Fantastic! "Different strokes" LOL Great presentation with Mr. Steckler.

[@MechanicMindset]

Haha, loved it! Such a great session, this guy is an absolute asset to the trade; he can’t give enough. Hope you’re good! 👍

[@DJ-tn7vj]

Brandon is a bad man. Respect. Plus his training and book with others is legit

[@MechanicMindset]

For sure!! Don’t forget, you have access to the full session in the site 👍

[@DJ-tn7vj]

@@MechanicMindset yeah i watched the whole thing.

[@kassemadam3005]

Apologies if this was mentioned in the video, but what exactly are you all probing/connecting the leads to to be able to read these waveforms?

[@RideBikes_Walkplaces]

I think it's a pressure transducer within the cylinder.

[@nickayivor8432]

From Trained by Techs to Automotive Test Solutions now working with Pete Meier Motor Age got a 📖 out 👌 👏 👍 BRANDON STECKLER very PRODIGY Person well done Interview this great person SUBSTANTIAL Mechanic Mindset Well done for interview BRANDON STECKLER Thank you Mechanic Mindset From Nick Ayivor from London England UK 🇬🇧

[@bekomcar554]

Say, when we do ONE cylinder transducer testing, how would we know the rest of the cylinder status? Will just one result represent the entire cylinders? or Should I do each testing?

[@MechanicMindset]

You would need to test the cylinder you suspect of being faulty. Then maybe compare to the good cylinder. This test only check that specific cylinder.

[@alibatebi2161]

thanks for very informing video i could not understand how the leaking cylinder has high vacum.@9.38

[@markg6jvy135]

Excellent stuff 👍👏👏

[@mikesautomotivediagnostics8080]

I was able to watch this live, thank you Mechanic Mindset, too bat that I was driving for most of the session, so that I couldn't look at the screen much. Thanks Brandon for your training.

[@MechanicMindset]

Great that you could listen in! How was it as an audio experience?

[@mikesautomotivediagnostics8080]

@@MechanicMindset it was good, I could see my phone a little while driving, but couldn't pay close attention.

[@MechanicMindset]

@@mikesautomotivediagnostics8080 Cool. Some sort of podcast for the future maybe?!

[@mikesautomotivediagnostics8080]

@@MechanicMindset definitely.

[@mikefoster3547]

Having worked the full spectrum in the automotive world you do in fact see the broader picture. I have worked dealerships, gas stations and even run both my own shops and other shops, including off highway & construction equipment. At now 72 years of age I'm still learning but most of the new stuff comes easily having followed the progression of these systems and technologies. My only gripe is with the manufactures and the hurdles they make us jump in order to flash components both used & new. It's all about the money these days and not about the quality.

[@MechanicMindset]

For sure, they’re not making it any easier! Lots of challenges to come too with the cyber security aspects of modern vehicles

[@RideBikes_Walkplaces]

I have a question, when there's 20 inch of Mercury on the intake stroke, then at the bottom of the non combustion stroke, would the process of squashing the air not heat it up a bit and cause the pressure at the bottom of the non combustion stroke to be slightly higher?

[@MechanicMindset]

I see what you’re saying. I suppose opposite to compressing (and heating) the air, when the cylinder domes down it drops the pressure (cooling it) again. I think more of a different would be seen from the small amount that’s lost past the rings in compression

[@RideBikes_Walkplaces]

@MechanicMindset ahh right. Is that the same principle as when fuel is atomized to a lower pressure within a carb and can cause it to freeze up because of temperature drop? Lower pressure means drop in temperature?

[@MechanicMindset]

@@RideBikes_Walkplaces Maybe, pressure and temperature are certainly related regarding gasses 👍

[@stephenwhite5444]

What attachment would be used to get this kind of clean in cyl reading? Wouldn't an exhaust or intake accessory be too hard to read in this way because you have all cylinders working creating intake, exhaust, compression strokes at the same time? So that the only way to get a clear reading as demonstrated, is through the spark plug hole one cyl at a time, and just turning the engine without cranking it? Is there any way to get something like this with the engine actually running?

[@MechanicMindset]

We use a pressure transducer that screws in the spark plug hole. I have a video showing an introduction to in cylinder pressure testing 👍 go check it out

[@stephenwhite5444]

@@MechanicMindset okay, that's what I figured....I'm trying to make my way through all the videos lol. I bought a 2204a and all the accessories from your links and trying to get this figured out.

[@sivucit]

Hi quick question.. Just subscribed your channel... Does incylinder pressure transducer testing reveals sticky or leaky valves,? if so what shoud be looking for, i do know how to test and what values to look for with respect to approximate valve opening, towers leaning etc. etc. but dont know what would a leak valve pattern look like?. 2. do you prefer to use PULSE wave form in stead of incylinder pressure wave form for leaking valves.. bit conused many people are explaining how it works but not one created a case study on those..

[@RideBikes_Walkplaces]

I think for an all round view you would have a vacuum transducer in the inlet manifold, a venturi in the tail pipe and another pressure transducer in the dipstick tube. Then you could see where any air loss is going.

[@kevinpalmer7452]

Very interesting 👍

[@MechanicMindset]

Check our Oscilloscope Training offer here: www.mechanicmindset.com/oscilloscope-masters

[@danielgreenbaum8875]

Hi great interesting video could you answer a question we are debating if you had a blocked exhaust would the psi after engine shutdown stay in cyclinder chamber or would it leak out through piston rings and pvc valve overtime or through intake valves ?

[@MechanicMindset]

Interesting question. I suppose it’s likely that at least one of the cylinders exhaust valves would be open, so the pressure might dissipate through the exhaust and the bore. If it stops on an overlap event then yes, it would go through I take. You might even be able to see that on a pulse sensor with engine running

[@danielgreenbaum8875]

Yeah has been a topic today as was showing video forgot too say if the exhaust was completely blocked and car would not start would the pressure stay there in bore and intake or escape out through intake and air filter after engine shut down

[@John-rw9bv]

@@danielgreenbaum8875 It depends on the car but usually the pressure is lost through the cylinder rings pretty quickly. If you ever get a chance to spin an engine by hand, usually to align things to TDC, then you'll definitely feel the pressure building as you fight against it, then eventually dissipating.

[@johnbonifas6040]

Nice how do I buy your book

[@MechanicMindset]

You can check it out here www.aeswave.com/cart.php?m=search_results&headerSearch=Y&search=Steckler+

[@thecordero8008]

Good

[@johnmwangi6291]

Wow 🤯

[@MePeterNicholls]

My brain fizzed when he kept talking non metric …

[@MechanicMindset]

🤣 Haha, yeah I don’t do PSI

[@gbazil]

just another example of dealer mechanics - they learn how to use tools they are provided with, but they have no clue of the physics behind the processes happening in a vehicle.

[@georgedawsonjr450]

That commercial should not be shown the man has no idea about guns. Ar's are not assault weapons nor have they ever been. Its a made up term ani guns use to make you think they are assault weapons. The loss of his child is sad im sorry for the loss. But people need to understand what is real and not. Most guns used are pistols not arms and parents should be more careful on how they store them its not the gun its the person guns are only tools.

[@kc360awareness]

Something tells me Brandon’s still bitter about the “ex wife” backing his car into a wall. Lol Gotta move on Brandon.

[@MechanicMindset]

😆