ASE Test Prep Manual A8 Automobile Engine Performance
by Motorage, Most recent edition

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The Motor Age Self-Study Guide for the A8 Automobile Engine Performance ASE Test contains:

• Tips on preparing for and taking the ASE test.
• The A8 ASE Test Task List, which lists the knowledge that a technician must have to pass the A8 ASE test.
• Complete Engine Mechanical, Ignition, Fuel, Exhaust, Emissions Control, Computerized Engine Control and Engine Electrical Systems diagnostic information, symptom descriptions and probable causes, complete testing procedures, and interpretation of test results; repair information, including detailed inspection and adjustment procedures.
• A Practice Test, with all questions written in the ASE style. The answers to the Practice Test questions contain thorough explanations for each answer.
• A comprehensive Glossary, including all engine performance-related terms used in the Study Guide.

In addition to the easy-to-read text, the Motor Age A8 Engine Performance Self-Study Guide contains dozens of useful illustrations, and like all Motor Age Self-Study Guides, it is spiral bound, which allows the pages to lie flat for ease of use. You ll also find the Motor Age A8 Engine Performance Self-Study Guide to be a handy reference manual that you can use on the job after you ve taken the ASE test.

ASE A8 Auto Test Prep Study Guide - Engine Performance

A. General Diagnosis (12 questions)
a. Verify driver’s complaint, perform visual inspection, and/or road test vehicle; determine needed action.
b. Research applicable vehicle and service information, such as engine management system operation, vehicle service history, service precautions, technical service bulletins, and service campaigns/recalls.
c. Diagnose noises and/or vibration problems related to engine performance; determine needed action.
d. Diagnose the cause of unusual exhaust color, odor, and sound; determine needed action.
e. Perform engine manifold vacuum or pressure tests; determine needed action.
f. Perform cylinder power balance test; determine needed action.
g. Perform cylinder cranking compression test; interpret running compression test results; determine needed action.
h. Perform cylinder leakage/leak-down test; determine needed action.
i. Diagnose engine mechanical, electrical, electronic, fuel, and ignition problems with an oscilloscope, engine analyzer, and/or scan tool; determine needed action.
j. Prepare and inspect vehicle for HC, CO, CO2, and O2 exhaust gas analysis; perform test and interpret exhaust gas readings.
l. Verify valve adjustment on engines with mechanical or hydraulic lifters.
m. Verify camshaft timing; verify operation of camshaft timing components, including engines equipped with variable valve timing; determine needed action.
n. Diagnose emissions or driveability problems caused by oil related issues, such as incorrect pressure, poor quality, incorrect level, or incorrect type used for the application.
o. Verify engine operating temperature, check coolant level and condition, perform cooling system pressure test; determine needed repairs.
p. Inspect and test mechanically/hydraulically/electronically operated fans, fan clutch, fan shroud/ducting, and fan control devices; determine needed repairs.
q. Read and interpret electrical schematic diagrams and symbols.
r. Test and diagnose emissions or driveability problems caused by battery condition, connections, or excessive key-off battery drain; determine needed repairs.
s. Perform starter current draw test; determine needed action.
t. Perform starter and charging circuit voltage drop tests; determine needed action.
u.  Test and diagnose engine performance problems resulting from charging system failures; determine needed action.
v. Inspect, adjust, and replace alternator (generator) drive belts, pulleys, clutches, tensioners and fans.
w. Inspect, test, and repair or replace charging components, connectors and wires in the starter and charging control circuits. Inspect, test, and repair or replace components and wires in the starter control circuit.
B. Ignition System Diagnosis and Repair (8 questions)
a. Diagnose ignition system related problems such as no starting, hard starting, engine misfire, poor driveability, spark knock, power loss, poor mileage, and emissions problems; determine root cause; determine needed repairs.
b. Interpret ignition system related diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs); determine needed repairs.
c. Inspect, test, repair, or replace ignition primary circuit wiring and components.
d. Inspect, test, service, repair or replace ignition system secondary circuit wiring and components.
e. Inspect, test, and replace ignition coil(s).
f. Inspect, test, and replace ignition system sensors; adjust as necessary.
g. Inspect, test, and/or replace ignition control module (ICM)/powertrain/engine control module (PCM/ECM); reprogram as needed.

C. Fuel, Air Induction and Exhaust System Diagnosis and Repair (9 questions)
    NOTE: Fuel and air induction system diagnosis and repair will include vehicles equipped with speed density (MAP) and mass airflow (MAF) systems. These applications will be identified in ASE tests.
a. Diagnose fuel system related problems, including hot or cold no starting, hard starting, poor driveability, incorrect idle speed, poor idle, flooding, hesitation, surging, engine misfire, power loss, stalling, poor mileage, and emissions problems; determine root cause; determine needed action.
b. Interpret fuel or induction system related diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs); analyze fuel trim and other scan tool data; determine needed repairs.
c. Inspect fuel tank, filler neck, and gas cap; inspect and replace fuel lines, fittings, and hoses; check fuel for contaminants and quality; determine needed repairs.
d. Inspect, test, and replace fuel pump(s) and/or fuel pump assembly; inspect, service, and replace fuel filters.
e. Inspect and test electric fuel pump control circuits and components; determine needed repairs.
f.Inspect, test, and repair or replace fuel pressure regulation system and components of fuel injection systems; perform fuel pressure/volume test.
g. Inspect, remove, service or replace throttle assembly; make related adjustments and/or perform initialization or relearn procedure as required.
h. Inspect, test, clean, and replace fuel injectors and fuel rails.
i. Inspect, service, and repair or replace air filtration system components.
j. Inspect throttle assembly, air induction system, intake manifold and gaskets for air/vacuum leaks, restrictions and/or unmetered air.
l. Remove, clean, inspect, test, and repair or replace fuel system vacuum and electrical components and connections.
m. Inspect, service, and replace exhaust manifold, exhaust pipes, oxygen sensors, mufflers, catalytic converters, resonators, tailpipes, and heat shields.
n. Test for exhaust system restriction or leaks; determine needed action.
o. Inspect, test, clean and repair or replace turbocharger or supercharger and system components.

D. Emissions Control Systems Diagnosis and Repair (Including OBD II) (8 questions)
  Positive Crankcase Ventilation (1 question)
a. Test and diagnose emissions or driveability problems caused by positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system.
b. Inspect, service, and replace positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) filter/breather cap, valve, oil separator tubes, orifice/metering device, and hoses.
  Exhaust Gas Recirculation (2 questions)
a. Test and diagnose driveability problems caused by the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system.
b. Interpret exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) related scan tool data and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs); determine needed repairs.
c. Inspect, test, service, and replace components of the EGR system, including EGR valve, tubing, passages, vacuum/pressure controls, filters, hoses, electrical/electronic sensors, controls, solenoids and wiring of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems.

  Secondary Air Injection (AIR) and Catalytic Converter (2 questions)
a. Test and diagnose emissions or driveability problems caused by the secondary air injection or catalytic converter systems.
b. Interpret secondary air injection system related scan tool data and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs); determine needed repairs.
c. Inspect, test, service, and replace mechanical components and electrical/ electronically-operated components and circuits of secondary air injection systems.
d. Inspect catalytic converter. Interpret catalytic converter related diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs); analyze related scan tool data to determine root cause of DTCs; determine needed repairs.

 Evaporative Emissions Controls (3 questions)
a. Test and diagnose emissions or driveabiliy problems caused by the evaporative emissions control system.
b. Interpret evaporative emissions-related scan tool data and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs); determine needed repairs.
c. Inspect, test, and replace canister, lines/hoses, mechanical and electrical components of the evaporative emissions control system.

E. Computerized Engine Controls Diagnosis and Repair (Including OBD II) (13 questions)

a. Retrieve and record diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), OBD II monitor status and freeze frame data.
b. Diagnose the causes of emissions or driveability problems with stored or active diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs).
c. Diagnose the causes of emissions or driveability problems without diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs).
d. Use a scan tool, digital multimeter (DMM), or digital storage oscilloscope (DSO) to inspect or test computerized engine control system sensors, actuators, circuits, and powertrain/engine control module (PCM/ECM); determine needed repairs.
e. Measure and interpret voltage, voltage drop, amperage, and resistance using digital multimeter (DMM) readings.
f. Test, remove, inspect, clean, service, and repair or replace power and ground distribution circuits and connections.
g. Remove and replace the powertrain/engine control module (PCM/ECM); reprogram as needed.
h. Diagnose driveability and emissions problems resulting from failures of interrelated systems (for example: cruise control, security alarms/theft deterrent, torque controls, traction controls, torque management, A/C, non-OEM installed accessories).
i. Clear diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), run all OBD II monitors, and verify the repair.