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Summer Car Care: A Checklist

July 20, 2021

The summer heat has officially arrived, and unfortunately—even though it is boiling hot—your car still needs care during the summer months.

Because of the harsh weather conditions, this season is among the most critical times of the year to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape. Hot temperatures can cause many issues for your car if you are not prepared.

Let’s look at some common car problems during the summer, as well as what you can do to combat them.

✔️ Check your Oil Level

Oil is essential to keep your engine lubricated and working correctly. An engine without oil will burn out…and that’s one costly mishap!
To ensure this does not happen, keep up with your car’s oil change schedule.With summer being the time for lengthy road trips, we must continuously check levels and regularly err on the side of caution.

Likewise, when there is oil deposit buildup in our engine, your car can’t perform optimally. If it’s been a while since your last “routine oil change”, here are a few symptoms of oil deposits to look out for. Prolong the life of your oil, and ultimately, your engine!

✔️ Check your Fluid Levels

Oil is not the only vital level to check before driving your car in these warm months…
As the beating sun is known to evaporate liquids, it is also essential to check other fluid levels, such as:
∙ your windshield wiper fluid
∙ coolant
∙ transmission fluid
∙ brake fluid
∙ and power-steering fluid.

Another tip to remember is that gas evaporates faster in heat. If possible, try to park your car in a garage, or in the shade, to prevent your gas from evaporating quicker!

✔️ Check your Car Battery

As you can imagine, heat and car batteries do not mix. During these rough few months, we recommend getting your car’s battery tested here and there, to see if it needs replacing.
It’s always good to carry jumper cables and/or a battery jump box, so you’re ever stranded with a “dead” vehicle, you’ve got options. Better safe than sorry, especially on long road trips.

✔️ Get your Brakes Checked

Do your brakes squeak, or seem spongy? This means it is time to get ’em checked!
Making sure your brakes / brake fluid are regularly maintained will help prevent potential issues.

✔️ Check your Tires

Always look after your tread and tire pressure levels to see that they are optimal during the seasons.
Each of your tires should not only have plenty of tread left, but they should also be in good condition. This means no cracks, nails, rocks, or uneven wear!

Hot pavement + poor tire tread = a recipe for disaster. Help prevent these hazardous situations with use of our Berryman® Seal-R Tire Sealer — it instantly seals leaks and protects pneumatic tires and tubes from small nails, thorns, and other sharp objects. Our one-of-a-kind Tire Seal-R stays liquid permanently and uses innovative fiber technology to plug leaks and prevent loss of air pressure. Advanced corrosion inhibitors protect all types of wheels, including:
∙ steel
∙ chrome
∙ and alloy

It also seals porosity leaks in magnesium and aluminum composition wheels! Get your tires/wheels ready for the fun drives ahead.

✔️ Clean your Fuel Tank

Fuel tanks can build up dirt and grime over time, decreasing your car’s gas mileage and efficiency.
To combat this, we recommend doing a total fuel system clean-up every season with our Berryman® B-12 Chemtool® Total Fuel System Clean-Up. Formulated for vehicles that have not had regular fuel system maintenance, this pour-in additive uses H.E.S.T. and powerful detergents to maximize one-tank clean-up of intake valves, fuel injectors, carburetors, and combustion chamber. Part #2616 dissolves gum, varnish, and carbon deposits in the entire fuel system to help restore lost power and peak performance, which improves starting, drivability, gas mileage, and injector life.

Keep your vehicle running all summer long with us!

Have more questions?

Here are some common FAQs this time of year, from our Solutions Center.

Q: I was wondering how much Tire Sealant is needed based on the size of the Tire.

A: The standard formula for ounces per tire is: width of tire (in inches) x height of tire (in inches) x 0.04. If your tires are 10.5” wide and 31” high, then you would need about 13 oz per tire. The formula assumes a moderate speed to distribute the sealant thoroughly. If this is a slow-speed application, then you may need to double the quantity.

Q: When using the B-12 Chemtool total combustion kit, is there a process for waiting after it’s been run through? Should I let the car sit for an hour and then restart it, or is it good to go immediately?

A: Good news, there is no need to wait. You should start and drive it right after using the kit.

Q: When do I have to clean fuel injectors?

A: Fuel injectors generally respond very well to quality fuel additives, but you still need a “deep clean” occasionally. Use our Berryman® B-12 Chemtool® Total Fuel System Clean-Up about once a season for cleaner intake valves and combustion chambers.

Still cannot find your answer? Hop on over and ask us. Our solutions team will be happy to help!

Summer Magic: The Berryman® B-21 Professional All Surface Cleaner & Degreaser

June 11, 2021

What time is it? Summertime!

Come along with us on the journey of preparing your outdoor vehicles for the fun-packed season ahead.

The Product of The Season

Our Berryman® B-21 Professional All Surface Cleaner features a versatile formula with very low odor; it’s ideal for cleaning parts, tools, and other surfaces.

VOC Compliant in all 50 States, customers use this cleaner & degreaser in most environments — including home, shop, marine, agricultural, automotive, lawn, and garden!

Now let’s dive into some of these common applications for getting your machinery #SummerReady with Berryman Products!

Lawnmowers

Has your lawnmower sat in the garage all winter? Is it full of grease and running rough? Well, our All Surface Cleaner will help rid of all that grease and grime, getting your lawnmower looking and working like brand new!

For the best results: take your lawnmower outside, make sure the engine is off, and spray Berryman® B-21 onto the lawnmower. Make sure to get into all of the crevices!

Let the lawnmower sit for about 15 minutes to let the degreaser do its job, then simply wipe off the lawnmower to remove any grease or residue leftover.

Your spiffy cutter should be ready for all-summer-long use!

Motorcycles

There is nothing better than a warm, weekend ride on the bike. But first, we need to get her in tip-top shape!

Motorcycles can get greasy and dusty over time, so keeping a degreaser on hand is essential.

➧ First, you are going to want to grab a compressed air can and blow out any loose dirt and dust on the bike.

➧ Next, you will want to spray our Berryman B-21 Professional All Surface Cleaner & Degreaser, making sure to get the degreaser in every crack and crevice.

➧ Then let the degreaser sit for at least 30 minutes before taking a clean towel to wipe away the degreaser with any loose grease and dirt.

➧ Now, it’s time to get that bike out on the road!

Vroom vroom.

Boats and Jet Skis

Is the water is calling your name? Get your marine equipment ready to go, so you don’t waste any time getting to the lake on the next hot summer weekend!

Here’s a quick checklist to run through before you trailer over to the beach:

➧ Check your fuel filter right away. If it looks dirty, it is best to get that replaced first, as there is no use in an engine that looks clean with a dirty filter.

➧ Next, spray our degreaser throughout the engine, making sure to get the degreaser into every corner where grease is trapped.

➧ After you apply the degreaser, you will want to wait about 30 minutes for the degreaser to do its job.

➧ Then simply use a hose to spray off any debris and then wipe off any additional residue.

Every boat owner loves a clean craft, shining bright on the water…and our Berryman® B-2 can surely help you clean and degrease! You are now all ready to go hit the lake.

ATVs

Rev up your ATV on the dirt roads this year. If there’s leftover grease and dust from the winter, B-21 will quickly and safely clean your parts and surfaces! Simply spray the degreaser on all parts needing a good cleaning, and let that sit for 30 minutes. After wiping the excess debris with a clean towel, you’ll be all set to ride.

No matter what type of outdoor vehicle you’ve got, our Berryman® B-21 Professional All Surface Cleaner will not only get the job done, but will leave your ride shining!

Why your Vehicle is Idling Roughly

May 12, 2021

If your car has a rough idle, it won’t run at a steady rate after you start the engine. Maybe it consistently stalls, or runs at varying RPMs — without putting your foot on the gas — or both!

In any case, there are several potential downsides of rough idle, as well as several potential causes.

Common Downsides of Rough Idling:

1. Reduced fuel economy
2. Potential major engine problems
3. Poor performance
4. Starting issues

Since a smooth idle depends on just the right mixture of fuel and air, there are many places in which the combination might encounter imbalance.

Some Questions Your Mechanic Might Ask You:

1. Does it happen after the car has been parked for hours, (on cold starts)?
2. Does it happen when you restart your already warm vehicle?
3. All the time?
4. Are there any odd noises or do you see any smoke coming out?

A lit up engine light on the dashboard; rough idle can cause a malfunction code to be sent to the computer. — A rough idle can cause a malfunction code to be sent to the computer. If this happens, your check engine light on the dashboard will light up.

**Your Check Engine light is on?**

If your vehicle is flashing the “Check Engine!” light at you every time you turn it on, it’s crucial to find out what’s going on as soon as you can. Acknowledging and fixing the problem should be a top priority — before it gets worse and more expensive!

We know… finding the problem is not always easy. There could be any number of issues going on, including:

∙ a dirty air filter.
∙ throttle body incorrectly functioning.
∙ a vacuum leak.
∙ intake valve issues.
∙ clogged fuel injectors.

So let’s dive in, step-by-step, to find the issue.

The most accessible place to start is with the air filter.

First, check the air filter. It is there to keep dirt, dust and other foreign matter from entering the engine.

Pull it out and inspect it. If your air filter looks particularly dirty, (and you cannot see daylight through the filter material), then it needs to be replaced. Contact your local auto parts store for a new replacement.

Most automakers suggest a yearly air filter replacement. You can pull out your manual for this information.

Changing the air filter is easy; it’s an inexpensive fix to solve your problem, as well!

Please remember, it is important to clean the filter housing of any accumulated dirt that is in there before you close it back up!

While you have the air filter off, you might as well also check the throttle body, which could also be part of your rough idle issues.

If the throttle body also looks dirty, that likely means it is impeding airflow. It should be cleaned as soon as possible — and if that is the case, you’re in luck! The B-12 Chemtool Air-Intake and Throttle Body Cleaner* (part #2209) quickly and safely cleans, lubricates, and protects today’s intricate computerized fuel injection air-intake components. With our advanced formula, it also improves hard starting, hesitation, and responsiveness.

* VOC-compliant in all 50-states, so no need to worry whether or not it is legal in your state.

After you’ve cleaned the throttle body and replaced the air filter, and neither fixed your issue, then it’s time to check for vacuum leaks.

When the car is running, you may hear a sucking noise from somewhere in the engine compartment. This is a result of PVC pipe becoming brittle and cracking, or old rubber tubing getting gummy from oil vapor and deteriorating. When a vacuum leak occurs, some air enters the intake manifold without passing through the throttle body.

If you can find and fix issue here, that’s excellent! Replace or clean the problematic part(s).

If your vehicle is older, it’s probably a good time to perform a maintenance check anyway.

Next up: Inspecting your intake valves.

Maybe you have dirty intake valves and/or clogged fuel injectors. If your car is old enough to have a carburetor, the treatment is the same as it is for fuel injectors.

In using high-pressure fuel injectors to precisely spray the exact amount of fuel into each cylinder at just the right moment, today’s emission controlled engines are extremely fuel-efficient. The injectors’ spray nozzles have tiny openings, which can get clogged from the carbon that is a byproduct of the combustion process. This leads to less fuel going through the injectors, leading to worse performance and possibly rough idling.

Oh, you haven’t done any fuel system maintenance in the last year? Then it is most definitely time for a quality fuel additive! We suggest dissolving stubborn carbon buildup for a dramatic increase in performance and overall drivability with Berryman® Intake Valve & Combustion Cleaner.

Intake exhaust valve; the valve of the engine, or engine part.

The least expensive route: Berryman® Product’s Super Concentrated Valve & Injector Cleaner (part #3012). This is a concentrated detergent and H.E.S.T. additive that ensures targeted one-tank clean-up of intake valves and fuel injectors or carburetors. It also dissolves gum, varnish, and other deposits from intake valves and fuel injectors — a common result from the repeated use of poor-quality fuels.

Go on… Improve your fuel economy and maximize injector life!

Need something a little stronger to get the job done? Our strongest fuel additive is B-12 Chemtool Total Fuel System Clean-Up (part #2616). This product is formulated for vehicles that have not had regular fuel system maintenance. It uses H.E.S.T. and powerful detergents to maximize one-tank clean-up of intake valves, fuel injectors, carburetors, and combustion chambers.

If you haven’t used a fuel additive in at least 10-15,000 miles, be good to your car—go ahead and grab part #2616.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

Product Comparison: Brake Parts Cleaner

April 28, 2021

So, you need a brake part cleaner. And right now you are stuck researching everything that exists online, because there are so many products on the market.

We know, it can be overwhelming and confusing trying to find a product that meets all of your specific needs.

Unfortunately, brake parts cleaners do not come in a one-size-fits-all. There are several factors that make up different products — the biggest being their VOC, chlorine and chemical content.

Some states have banned non-VOC-compliant cleaners as well as non-chlorinated cleaners. So, depending on your state’s regulations, you may not be able to use some of these products in your state. Definitely something to check for before purchasing anything online.

What is VOC compliance?

VOC-Compliant, or “Volatile Organic Compound-Compliant,” refers to the fact that each state or region has its own rules and regulations regarding these compounds that are used in many car maintenance products. VOCs are gases that are emitted from certain solids or liquids — and since they evaporate so quickly, they can be considered an environmental concern, with the potential to impact air quality.

You may find that some states require only the use of VOC-Compliant products, while others do not have as strict regulations.

Ultimately, we believe it is the user’s responsibility to confirm the appropriateness of a finished product for a given application. Stay educated! Be sure to check out our VOC compliance guide for more product information.

Chlorinated Vs. Non-Chlorinated Brake Cleaner: What’s The Difference?

Chlorine is also a factor to consider when researching brake part cleaners. Some would say that there are more benefits to using chlorinated brake parts cleaners when compared to non-chlorinated products. For instance, using a chlorinated cleaner means chlorinated formulas will effortlessly remove brake fluid, grease, oil, and other contaminants from all brake parts including brake linings, disc brake pads, rotors, drums, cylinders, springs, and other related brake parts. Since the non-chlorinated formulas use replacement chemicals for the chlorine, they are often not as aggressive with removing grime.

On the other hand, Berryman® Non-Chlorinated Brake Parts Cleaner is completely safe on automotive paints, dries extremely quickly, removes grime, and leaves no residue!

But please note: Despite those less toxic properties, the chemicals in non-chlorinated brake cleaners can be highly flammable.

Still don’t know which kind to buy? See more differences between chlorinated and non-chlorinated cleaners on our blog, or ask a question in our solution center.

Where to Buy

We’ve got distributors across the globe!

Depending on where you live and what vehicle you drive, we’ve got a little bit of everything to suit your needs. Visit our products page to browse our various solutions, today!

All About Combustion Engines

April 14, 2021

It’s not often we ponder the working mechanics in our cars — those pieces, all joining forces, allowing us to be transported.

For instance, did you know that all car engines, (excluding electric cars), are combustion engines? In the United States alone there are 250+ million cars with combustion engines!

So what is a combustion engine?

These are defined as any engine generating power from oil, gas, or other fuels.

Mixed with oxygen to create tiny explosions called combustions, the fuel generates the energy needed to move the pistons.

How does it work?

For a majority of automotive vehicles, the basic principle is a four stroke system.

1 • The first is the intake stroke where the engine sucks in air and fuel into the cylinder.

2 • The second is the compression stroke where that air/fuel mixture is compressed to as small as it can be.

3 • The third is the combustion or power stroke where that air/fuel mixture is ignited and expands to push the piston down which rotates the crankshaft.

4 • The fourth and final stroke is the exhaust stroke which simply lets all of the exhaust out of the cylinder so the engine can start the cycle all over again!

Here’s a great visual, to see it all together in the works:

4-Stroke Engine GIF - Here's How Your Car's Engine Works — The bars moving up and down are called pistons. These turn the engine’s crankshaft, which then turns your wheels.

Notice how the heated fuel is turned into energy, which applies torque to move the pistons, which in turn powers the car. Beautiful, isn’t it?

The Different Types of Combustion Engines

Gasoline engines:

Gasoline engines are the simplest type to understand! They can come in many different shapes and sizes, but all operate using the four-stroke cycle: intake, compression, combustion/power, and exhaust.

The benefits of gasoline engines? Well, they’re light, fuel efficient, and relatively easy to maintain, depending on the manufacturer.

Diesel engines:

Most people don’t know that these are the most efficient types of engines; diesel engines work similarly to gasoline engines, however, the difference is with the mixture of air and fuel.

Unlike gasoline engines, a diesel engine uses compressed air which then mixes with the diesel fuel to get even more compressed by the engine.

When that air-fuel mixture is compressed, it heats up and self ignites without the use of spark plugs.

So, if diesel engines are more efficient, why are they not great daily drivers?

The answer is simple: Most diesel engines are very heavy and have a very high amount of torque. Daily drivers are often sedans or smaller vehicles, having to meet certain weight requirements, meet stricter emissions standards, and simply do not need the power of a diesel engine. However, as technology advances, car manufacturers are finding ways to make diesel engines cleaner and lighter!

Turbine engines:

Turbine engines are what you can find on most commercial airlines, trains, or even tanks!

A turbine engine is very similar to a four-stroke engine except that it doesn’t involve the use of an engine block or pistons. Rather, it uses a turbine, which has several tiny fan blades. These fan blades suck the air in, compress it, mix it with fuel, and ignite that air/fuel mixture. The expanding or exploding air goes over a turbine blade section, which spins a rotating shaft, to spin your propeller, wheels, etc.

Combustion Engine Maintenance

Reduce repairs for lower operating cost

Having a two-stroke or a four-stroke engine means that during the exhaust stroke, carbon deposits and other unwanted build-up and debris can collect inside the cylinder, as well as on the pistons and valves, and end up gumming up your engine.

To counteract this, we suggest using our Berryman ®Total Engine Tune-Up for Gas and Diesel. It works by dispersing moisture and cleaning fuel injectors and carburetors, all while giving a smoother top-engine performance.

In the crankcase, it dissolves and disperses gum, sludge, and other residues for better lubrication and longer oil life.

More great news: You only have to use this product once a year!

Steer clear of aggressive solvents

Likewise, our Berryman® Oil Change Flush quickly and safely cleans harmful sludge and other deposits in the crankcase of all gasoline and diesel engines without the use of aggressive solvents.

It frees sticky valves and lifters for quieter operation, opens restricted oil passages to improve overall oil circulation, removes water for enhanced corrosion resistance, and frees sticky piston rings for reduced oil consumption and blow-by.

It’s also compatible with all single-grade and multi-grade conventional and synthetic gasoline and diesel engine oils. Wowwweee!

To learn more about combustion engines and the difference between two-stroke and four-stroke engines, visit out blog about The Difference Between 2-Stroke & 4-Stroke Engines.

The Product of The Season

Lawnmowers

Motorcycles

Boats and Jet Skis

ATVs

Your Check Engine light is on?

The most accessible place to start is with the air filter.

After you’ve cleaned the throttle body and replaced the air filter, and neither fixed your issue, then it’s time to check for vacuum leaks.

Next up: Inspecting your intake valves.

What is VOC compliance?

Chlorinated Vs. Non-Chlorinated Brake Cleaner: What’s The Difference?

Where to Buy

So what is a combustion engine?

How does it work?

The Different Types of Combustion Engines

Gasoline engines:

Diesel engines:

Turbine engines:

Combustion Engine Maintenance

Reduce repairs for lower operating cost

Steer clear of aggressive solvents

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**Your Check Engine light is on?**