TECHNICIANS from across the UK travelled from as far away the Orkney Islands to battle for a place in the grand final of Top Technician 2009 this weekend.

The number of direct fit oxygen sensors available from Delphi has grown to more than 190

rong>This endoscope-style device lets you snake your way through engine components while viewing the action on a 3.5” colour LCD screen.

FRANK Massey is teaming up with Pico Technology to solve technicians' oscilloscope problems.

rong>Designed for resetting the oil service and oil inspection lights, the VS8651 also adjusts service interval data on a wide range of vehicles and resets the airbag light on selected cars.

A STAR from hit TV show Men Behaving Badly is set to front an advertising campaign for the Good Garage Scheme.

rong>This powerful charger aims to maximise the performance of lead-acid batteries.

TECHNICIAN David Massey is aiming to walk 200 miles in just seven days to help young people suffering from a potentially lethal heart condition.

APPRENTICE training provider ReMIT will launch a body repair and paint apprenticeship training programme on April 30th.

THE FIRM behind the Autologic diagnostic platform has been come under new ownership.

rong>These white polythene seat covers offer a defence against grease, oil and dust and, more importantly, against having to explain to customers why their car now has horrible stains all over its seats!

A DECISION on whether to reduce the validity period of ATA accreditation has been postponed until at least 2011.

rong>This time-saving product has a colour video camera mounted on a flexible 900mm shaft.

TICKETS for the next GEA Aftermarket Technical Workshop in Watford on June 9th are on sale now.

TECHNICIANS in the Doncaster area could take advantage of a new training academy set to open in March.

GARAGES must focus on boosting revenue rather than simply cutting costs, says to the sales and marketing boss of parts distributor Andrew Page.

VEHICLE engineer Peter Coombes has emerged from a year of research into diagnostic fault codes with a message of hope for garages.

rong>This eight-piece set is just one of the latest hand tool products from Sealey. It is built from high-quality chrome vanadium satin-finished shafts with shot blasted and magnetised tips.

rong>This new unit will be available from the end of March onwards. It is aimed at professional body shop users and delivers 520 Dn pressure from a high 13,500 amps power output.

rong>The Teco range aims to help you tackle everything from small city car wheels to the larger tyres on light commercial vehicles and vans.

rong>These drills are part of a revamped range designed to combine power and durability. They combine brushless EC motors for efficiency.

rong>These unusual-looking bulbs aim to combine all the benefits of LED light while addressing the problems of small surface area and highly-directional light associated with them.

VEHICLE manufacturers will begin the switch to producing almost nothing but direct injection petrol engines within the next five years - that's the prediction of fuel injection expert Phil Ellisdon.

CASH discounts printed on replica £20 notes and putting customers in charge of repairs were just some of the innovative ideas for success revealed at the ADS Technical Conference this weekend.

This 100% synthetic oil claims to combine performance-boosting and engine-protecting benefits.

A range of new plugs are now available to the aftermarket, including the PLKR7A plug for use on Mercedes vehicles.

Updates to the diagnostic tool mean it can now perform service light reset functions and more, to help you offer the best specialist diagnostic service.

These calipers are machined from billet aluminium and are extremely lightweight, stiff and heat resistant. Because the calipers are lightweight there is virtually no impact on steering feel or ride quality.

Diesel particulate filters control harmful diesel exhaust emissions and can be quite expensive to replace.

DISPLAYS of the latest diagnostic and garage equipment are just two of the attractions at the forthcoming Autopromotec exhibition in Italy this May.

TOP Technician 2009 regional finalist David Symes has volunteered to withdraw from the contest - in order to maintain the integrity of the contest to find the UK's best working technician.

TRAINING organisation eXponentia has added four new locations to its schedule - to give technicians easier access to technical training.

BRISTOL training centre S&B Automotive Academy has expanded its facilities with a dedicated section for ATA assessments in accident damage assessor skills.

FORD Retail has launched a major training programme designed to raise customer service standards in its dealerships.

/>Snap-on Equipment general manager Chris Behan said: “Potential changes to the MOT regulations mean workshops need to make the most of their lift bays and maximise revenue.

/>This is just one of the nuggets of wisdom from the Behr Hella guys who have also developed its ever-expanding range of cooling components. It now covers 1,800 products for passenger cars and light trucks. A 576-page catalogue is out now featuring the latest high-quality parts for 47 different vehicle makes and 688 models.

/>Agriemach says this destroys bacteria and sludge by breaking them down into such small particles that they pass freely through fuel filters, pumps and injectors before being burned during the combustion proc

/>GEG says that thanks to its compact size, it is an ideal system for workshops where space is at a premium. It also claims that its “affordable price” makes it suited to new-start or small workshops during the current “rough economic conditions”.

/>The machine comes with an inbuilt multiplexer, so only one 16 pin diagnostic lead is needed, and a two-channel multi-meter. It features info on more than 100 VMs and 230,000 model variants across a full range of vehicle syst

THERE'S still time to register your views on possible changes to Block Exemption Regulations (BER) with the EU - that's the message from the Right To Repair Campaign (R2RC).

FRANCHISE dealers are neglecting MOTs as an ongoing method of retaining aftersales business, according to Network Automotive.

JUST five tickets are left for Frank Massey's Technical Conference Weekend on 21st and 22nd February.

RULES on the playing of music in workshops and waiting areas create a "ridiculous situation" that needs to be sorted, according to the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF).

THE INSTITUTE of the Motor Industry (IMI) plans to open up Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) to other qualification awarding bodies.

/>Using Bluetooth communication from the smoke chamber to the hand-held control means fast and easy access to the relevant da

A PILOT of the Institute of the Motor Industry's (IMI) management branch of Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) is set for completion in April.

/>The VOSA-approved gas and smoke analyser features automated test procedures to make it easy to use and advanced graphics that guide users through every step of the testing process. It comes with a 19” colour screen and can be upgraded with other units to form a complete diagnostic and information system

THE BBC is launching a reality TV search for the UK's best young mechanic.

/>The kit can be used on any car and aims to offer garages savings on the cost of replacing partially worn discs, allowing them to enjoy added profit opportunities. Haweka says the lathe can also be used to give cars waiting to be sold on dealer forecourts an improved and more attractive look to potential buyer

THE RETAIL Motor Industry Federation (RMIF) is attempting to broker an agreement with VOSA that spells out the vehicle inspectorate's obligations to MOT test stations.