WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT FIRSTLOOK®
Our clients range from Michigan Army National Guard when we assisted them in the Diesel Engine Rebuild Program to mechanics like Jeff Kogan of New York. See what they are saying about us…
“Knowing that we are only shipping to the field, about it diesel engines in known top condition is a great comfort for all of us at the CSMS Dyno Shop. This development has been a big step forward for us, and use of these tools has become an important part of our standard operating procedure.” – Michigan Army National Guard
"The Michigan Army National Guard operates and maintains a very large fleet of heavy diesel equipment. It is imperative that this fleet be kept at a high level of readiness and reliability at all times. The vehicles are stationed at armories distributed around the state and are maintained at a number of strategically located Field Maintenance Site (FMS) centers that support these local armories. When a particular vehicle exhibits mechanical problems requiring extensive engine repair, the problem engine is removed at an FMS and sent to the Centralized Service and Maintenance Site (CSMS) facility where extensive engine rebuilds can be made. A rebuilt or new engine is then sent from a quality controlled inventory at the CSMS for reinstallation at the FMS center."
Peter Meier is an ASE certified Master Technician and sponsoring member of iATN. He has over 35 years practical experience as a technician and educator, covering a wide variety of makes and models. Now, as technical editor for Motor Age, his primary goal is to bring working technicians the information they need to succeed.
“On the 3rd-5th pages of the article, Pete discusses how the FirstLook® sensor can be used with a digital storage oscilloscope (DSO) to quickly determine if an engine is mechanically sound. He covers the use of the sensor at the exhaust tail-pipe and the oil dipstick tube to look at the top half and the bottom half of the engine, comparing cylinder variation.”
– Peter F. Meier (MotorAge, Drivability, Oct 2011) “Mechanically Sound Engines”
Here are some of his other articles that highlight the value of the FirstLook® sensors:
Diagnostic voyeurism, 2011-01-31
Inside the Wave, 2008-08-31
The engine doctor will see you now, 2009-10-12
Mark Warren was installed as the 1999 president of STS. Mark, a Senior Writer and columnist for MOTOR Magazine since 1998. He is the owner of Warren Automotive in Tucson, Arizona and travels the country giving seminars on driveability service.
Articles Written by Mark Warren (motor.com) on The FirstLook® Diagnostic Sensor:
“Motor Magazine, Aug 2006 by Mark Warren Identifying the source of a cylinder misfire can be very time-consuming. New software, running in partnership with a PC-based oscilloscope, does a big chunk of the work for you.”
“Motor Magazine, June 2006 by Mark Warren (This article contains a very good description of how the FirstLook® sensor works compared to other types of sensors). An exhaust probe can save you time and improve your diagnostic accuracy. However, practice, common sense, experience and logical follow-up testing are required.”
“Motor Magazine, April 2006 by Mark Warren A sophisticated oscilloscope-based tool reminds us that automotive old-timers, with their rudimentary tools and deceptively simple diagnostic tests, might have been on to something after all.”
Albin Moore
Albin Moore (bwrench@yahoo.com) spent the first 21 years of his working life in the logging industry. In 1992 he made the transition to shop ownership and opened Big Wrench Repair in Dryden Washington. Since opening the shop he has moved the business to specialize in driveability problem analysis, both with gasoline and diesel vehicles. Albin is an ASE CMAT L1 technician, and brings with him 40 years of analyzing and fixing mechanical and electrical problems. Albin enjoys sharing his many years of experience and training with the younger generation as a way of improving the quality of the automotive repair industry.
iATN supporting member
Diagnosing Diesel No-Starts (SearchAutoParts, 1/23/2014)
“Stop and think about engine compression. In a combustion chamber, there are only four places for the compression to escape: through a leak in the combustion chamber (cracked head or leaking head gasket), through a leaking intake valve, through a leaking exhaust valve or through a leak in a piston or piston rings. I find it easier to find where the compression went and in these cases, it is easy to check for pressure pulses in the intake manifold, the exhaust pipe, the engine crank case or in the engine cooling system. This process will require a labscope and a FirstLook® sensor, but in most cases the process will be quicker and more reliable than having to remove parts and engine components in an attempt to gain access to a place to get an actual compression reading.”
Jeff Kogan, Trainer and Master Mechanic
“Since the first time I used the impulse sensor I knew the way I will diagnose cars would change forever. There is simply nothing else that can give you so much information about engine condition and help locate problem cylinders with so little effort. The cost of the unit is so little and the time savings are so big. Being able to diagnose injectors is an added bonus, and it is all done with no disassembly. All that is needed is a dual trace scope and some time to learn it. I think SenX Technology has given technicians one of the most powerful testing devices that the market has seen in years. Every scope owner should have one.”
Shaun Koester, Celina, Ohio
“So far the FirstLook® sensor is one of the most valuable pieces of equipment I own. Anyone that owns a lab scope should include this as a priority. Keep up the good work!”
Wilf Breyfogle – testimonial for FirstLook® engine check sensor
"This mystery could not be solved without the FirstLook® sensor hooked up to a Pico Scope and the training and support from Tom Roberts (Autonerdz)"