CAA Automotive Systems and Parts 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An appraiser inspecting a vehicle notices a sweet smell and white exhaust smoke at startup that persists after warm-up. Which component failure is most likely?
- Worn piston rings
- Leaking head gasket (Correct answer)
- Clogged fuel injector
- Faulty oxygen sensor
Correct answer: Leaking head gasket
A failed head gasket lets coolant into the combustion chamber, producing sweet-smelling white smoke that continues after warm-up.
Question 2: Which part of a unibody vehicle, if damaged, typically has the greatest impact on its appraised value because it is integral to structural integrity?
- Front bumper cover
- Fender liner
- Rear quarter panel and inner structure (Correct answer)
- Hood
Correct answer: Rear quarter panel and inner structure
On a unibody, quarter panels are welded structural members, so damage there requires sectioning and lowers value more than bolt-on parts.
Question 3: A blue-gray smoke from the exhaust during acceleration most commonly indicates what condition?
- Engine burning oil (Correct answer)
- Rich fuel mixture
- Coolant entering cylinders
- Transmission fluid leak onto exhaust
Correct answer: Engine burning oil
Blue-gray smoke is the classic sign of oil being burned in the combustion chamber, often from worn rings or valve seals.
Question 4: What is the primary function of a catalytic converter?
- Reduce exhaust noise
- Increase engine horsepower
- Convert harmful exhaust gases into less harmful emissions (Correct answer)
- Cool exhaust gases before they exit
Correct answer: Convert harmful exhaust gases into less harmful emissions
The catalytic converter uses precious-metal catalysts to convert CO, HC, and NOx into CO2, water, and nitrogen.
Question 5: A vehicle with a CV joint that clicks loudly during tight turns most likely has a problem in which system?
- Rear differential
- Front-wheel-drive axle (Correct answer)
- Steering rack
- Wheel bearing
Correct answer: Front-wheel-drive axle
Clicking during turns is the classic symptom of a worn outer CV joint on a front-wheel-drive axle shaft.
Question 6: Which type of suspension component is a MacPherson strut?
- A combined shock absorber and coil spring assembly that also serves as a steering pivot (Correct answer)
- A leaf spring used on solid rear axles
- A torsion bar mounted to the frame
- An air bag used in load-leveling systems
Correct answer: A combined shock absorber and coil spring assembly that also serves as a steering pivot
A MacPherson strut combines the damper and spring into one unit and acts as the upper steering pivot point.
Question 7: When appraising a vehicle, uneven wear on the inside edges of the front tires most often suggests what issue?
- Overinflated tires
- Excessive toe-out or negative camber misalignment (Correct answer)
- Worn rear shocks
- Unbalanced wheels
Correct answer: Excessive toe-out or negative camber misalignment
Inner-edge wear typically results from alignment problems such as excessive negative camber or toe-out.
CAA Automotive Systems and Parts 2
An appraiser inspecting a vehicle notices a sweet smell and white exhaust smoke at startup that persists after warm-up.
Which component failure is most likely?