The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Ociliscope

Guys. I need some help/info. My girl has a small 4 cylinder 4WD ute (Mazda) that has a miss at idle. Im thinking its probably a valve. I had a mechanic suggest we take it to a place with an ociliscope (?) which he said will allow us to determine the cause of the misfire. I am totally unaware of how and what this instrument does. Apparently the operator will be able to dtermine if it is valve, ignition or fuel related (EFI). Does that sound right? Thanks in advance.

Oscilloscope? The guy was on drugs. I have several digital Oscilloscopes and while you can set them up to do diagnostics on cars - why risk a $2500 precision instrument to do something you can accomplish with a automotive diagnostic analyzer designed specifically for your car? Take it to a Mazda dealer and they will be able to read any fault codes and the history buffer with something designed specifically for your car.

I think he was using the term oscilloscope generically. Many diagnostic machines have a scope built into them. And they do work as he described.

I agree with FredT and would like to say this guy was showing his ignorance. He choose to use a big word when a diminutive one would have worked fine. What is that old saying " Better to keep ones mouth shut and be thought a fool then to open it and remove all doubt!"

Hate to burst your bubble but it wasnt ignorance (this time) and I know plenty of big words, my last name has 14 letters, :p I was just repeating what the RAC (AAA) wrench said. No offence taken for my skin is thick (as is my head) "The only stupid question is the one you dont ask" and I knew nothing of these. I hope to one day be as smart as those around me and if asking questions makes me a fool then I am a King for a day and a fool for life.

Brian. Just re-read your post and Im guessing you were refering to the wrench not me. Sorry about that, its late out here if thats any excuse. Seems I misunderstood you as others have me Perhaps I really am ignorant at times. :p So thats why life is bliss and how wars are started.

Well, yes an osilliscope is(OR CAN BE)a tool that is used for doing diagnostics.If it is an older machine, I would take it elsewhere for diagnostics.(I am saying older by 18 years old or more).Also look around their shop/place of business to see what it is they work on(types and years).If there is A LOT of junk around, I would suggest going elsewhere.
Ask if you can see the Osilliscope they are referring to.If it says something like Automotive digital engine anaylzer it may be what you need.
Have you done the simple stuff first,like compression test,leak-down test or even put a vacuum guage on it?

Let us know(King for a day )(Keep asking questions )

NO problem I was refering to the mechanic and not you. So is it spring time down under?

Thanks for accepting the apology, I get a bit grumpy (Hi GL) when Im tired (or so Im told). Yeah spring is here, well summer really we only get a couple of seasons Wet and cold, dry and hot. Hope fully we'll sort this misfire out Monday when its booked into the shop (I havent got the tools or workshop anymore) and I'll post some shots of our trips on my site. If you want to check out the beach here look for a post from last week refering to beer and beach and Australia. Hope you are all having a lovely day. Im off to walk my nieghbours dog...... down to the beach. Be safe all.

Got the little girl back from the shop today and she is running much better - so is the truck. The wrench seems to think it was carbon build up and added a carbon removal product. Truck has 140,000 kms (about 85,000 miles) Pity it was EFI not a carby then water would have worked (I learnt that here - thanks) but its better and it wasnt a head (thankfully) so we're better and so is my girl's wallet. Thanks for the input guys.