Butte College

Course Outline

2026-2027 Catalog

AUT 31 - Gas/Diesel Engine Performance Lab

Catalog Description

Transfer Status
CSU
Prerequisite
AUT 3 (or concurrent enrollment)
Unit(s)
5.00
  • Lab: 255.00 Contact hours/0.00 Out of class hours/255.00 Total hours/5.00 Unit(s)
  • Total: 255.00 Contact hours/0.00 Out of class hours/255.00 Total hours/5.00 Unit(s)

Course Description: In this course, students will develop and demonstrate hands-on skills required to diagnose and repair ignition, fuel, engine management, and emission control systems found in modern gasoline and diesel vehicles. Students will learn to identify and analyze common vehicle issues or abnormal operations encountered in the industry, devise comprehensive diagnostic and repair procedures, and effectively demonstrate these skills.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

  1. Diagnose, assess and devise proper repairs for various vehicle ignition system problems, using industry-approved tools and techniques.
  2. Diagnose, assess and devise proper repairs for various gasoline and diesel fuel system problems, using industry- approved tools and techniques.
  3. Diagnose, assess and devise proper repairs for various gasoline and diesel computer-controlled engine management system problems, using industry-approved tools and techniques.
  4. Diagnose, assess and devise proper repairs for various gasoline and diesel emission control system problems, using industry-approved tools and techniques.
  5. Diagnose, assess and devise proper repairs for various gasoline and diesel induction and exhaust components.
  6. Properly use scan tools to monitor, interpret, record, play-back and up-load vehicle data stream information.

Course Content

Topic Titles / Suggested Time Topic

Lab

Lab topics and suggested hours
TopicsLab Hrs

Testing and repair of conventional and electronic automotive ignition systems, and diesel glow plug systems.

55.00

Testing and repair of various types of gasoline and diesel fuel systems, to include throttle body injection, multi-port fuel injection, and direct injection.

55.00

Testing and repair of various types of gasoline and diesel computer-controlled engine management systems. This section will also include working with On-Board Diagnostics 2nd Generation (OBDII) and Controller Area Network (CAN) type systems.

55.00

Testing and repair of various gasoline and diesel emission control systems, to include Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV), Evaporative Emission Control (EVAP), Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR), Air Injection Reactor (AIR), and catalytic converters (CAT).

55.00

Test and repair of gasoline and diesel induction and exhaust systems.

17.00

Properly use and understand scan tool operation and navigation for diagnosis.

18.00
Total Hours:255.00

Methods of Instruction

  1. Collaborative Group Work
  2. Instructor Demonstrations
  3. Laboratory Experiments
  4. Problem-Solving Sessions
  5. Reading Assignments

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Exams/Tests
  2. Class participation
  3. Lab Projects
  4. Final Examination
  5. Performance Examinations
  6. Practical Evaluations

Examples of Assignments

Reading Assignments

  1. Read the chapter on "Electronic Fuel Injection" in the Engine Performance Shop Manual. After studying this material, be prepared to demonstrate an injector balance test and a fuel pressure test.
  2. Read the chapter on "Emission Control System Diagnosis and Service" in the Engine Performance Shop Manual. After studying this material, be prepared to demonstrate how to test a catalytic converter and an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system.

Writing Assignments

  1. Perform a Smog Check Inspection in the lab. Complete a customer repair order following the standards set forth by the California BAR.
  2. In the AUT31 Lab Worksheets Book, complete the "OBDII Lab Worksheet". The final requirement of this worksheet is to look up the OBDII Drive Cycle Enable Criteria, for the vehicle that you are working on. Describe, in writing, the difficulties that you might have in completing the drive cycle, such as traffic conditions, terrain, vehicle conditions, time required, etc. This writing assignment must be at least 100 words.

Recommended Materials of Instruction

Wright, G. (2019). Light Vehicle Diesel Engines. Jones & Bart, 1st. 9781284145090.

Goodnight, N. & VanGelder, K. (2019). Automotive Engine Performance. Jones & Bartlett, 1st. 9781284102062.

Minimum Qualifications

Automotive Technology