ASE A1 Practice Test

ASE identifies engine repair as an individual service area. The engine repair service area involves the following components:

• Cylinder heads -The foundation of the valve train.

• Valve train -Components that open and close the cylinder, allowing the air and fuel mixture in and the exhaust gases out.

• Short block assembly -Those components that are found in or on the engine block.

• Cooling system -Components (such as the radiator and water pump) that maintain proper engine temperature.

The free sample ASE A1 (Engine Repair) Practice Test below consists of 20 questions organized within 5 sections.

For complete practice, check out the ASE-A1 Engine Repair Practice Exam Kit with 100 questions and fully explained answers.

1.	Which of the following creates a flapping sound near the front of the engine?
		a. Timing belt tension too tight
		b. Drive belt too tight
		c. Drive belt too loose
		d. Timing belt tension too loose

2.	An engine noise sounds like a knock at the side of the engine that is louder when the engine is cold and goes away or is reduced when the engine reaches operating temperature. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?
		a. Cam bearing
		b. Main bearing
		c. Wrist pin
		d. Piston slap

3.	This question is not like the others. It has the word EXCEPT. For this question, look for the choice that could NOT cause the described situation. Read the entire question carefully before choosing your answer. All of the following are reasons why you must disable the fuel injection system and ignition system when conducting an engine compression test, EXCEPT:
		a. Prevents damage to the ignition system during the test
		b. Prevents fuel injection into the cylinders
		c. Prevents a shop engine fire
		d. Prevents inaccurate readings

4.	A power balance test is being performed. Technician A says to note the engine RPM before and during the test for each cylinder. Technician B says to record the RPM drop for each cylinder. Who is right?
		a. A only
		b. B only
		c. Both A and B
		d. Neither A not B

5.	What engine seal is pictured in the illustration on the right? (Image courtesy of Toyota.)
		a. Rear main
		b. Camshaft plug
		c. Throttle valve
		d. Valve

6.	Technician A says the closed coil end of a valve spring should go against the cylinder head. Technician B says all valve springs use shims to control free spring height. Who is right?
		a. A only
		b. B only
		c. Both A and B
		d. Neither A nor B

7.	This question is not like the others. It has the word EXCEPT. For this question, look for the choice that could NOT fit the described situation. Read the entire question carefully before choosing your answer. All of the following statements are correct when adjusting valve lash on engines with overhead camshaft cylinder heads, EXCEPT:
		a. Shims may be used to make adjustments.
		b. Clearance is measured between the camshaft and follower or rocker on most engines.
		c. The follower or rocker must be on the base circle of the camshaft when measuring.
		d. The engine must be cold for all engine manufacturers

8.	The surface of the cylinder head has just been machined. What will have to be done to the valve train?
		a. Lengthening the push rods
		b. Increasing valve spring tension
		c. Grinding the valve stems
		d. Shim the head

9.	A technician hears a knock or thumping at the side of the engine block that is louder when the engine is hot and goes away when the affected cylinder is shorted out. Which of the following could be the cause?
		a. Main bearing
		b. Wrist pin
		c. Rod bearing
		d. Piston slap

10.	An engine is making a knocking sound that changes with RPM, and the noise disappears while a cylinder is being tested during the cylinder balance test. Which of the following could be the cause?
		a. Rod bearing
		b. Main bearing
		c. Piston Slap
		d. Burnt valve

11.	This question is not like the others. It has the word EXCEPT. For this question, look for the choice that could NOT fit the described situation. Read the entire question carefully before choosing your answer. All of the following are ways the piston is attached to the rod, EXCEPT:
		a. Free floating
		b. Press fit to piston
		c. Woodruff key
		d. Press fit to rod

12.	Technician A says before you remove an engine assembly, the battery must be disconnected. Technician B says to assist in reassembly, you should take a photograph of the engine compartment before you remove any components or connectors. Who is right?
		a. A only
		b. B only
		c. Both A and B
		d. Neither A not B

13.	Technician A says a weak solution of antifreeze may cause corrosion build-up in the cooling system. Technician B says some original equipment manufacturers (OEM) recommend that the coolant be changed at specified intervals. Who is right?
		a. A only
		b. B only
		c. Both A and B
		d. Neither A nor B

14.	When refilling a cooling system, which of the following steps is NOT necessary?
		a. Bleeding the air out of the system
		b. Mixing tap water and distilled water
		c. Mixing the proper ratio of water to coolant
		d. Check the radiator cap for proper fit

15.	Which of the following indicated a contaminated cooling system?
		a. Orange and slimy feeling coolant
		b. Pink colored coolant
		c. ATF (automatic transmission fluid) in the coolant
		d. Bubbles when the radiator cap is removed

16.	The proper coolant freeze protection can be measured with which of the following tools?
		a. Micrometer
		b. Thermometer
		c. Pressure tester
		d. Hydrometer

17.	A technician is using a laptop computer and manufacturer software to test the ECT (Electronic Controlled Throttle) circuit that has a stored DTC P1121 (Electric Throttle Control Actuator). Which of the following customer concerns could be caused by a defective ECT return spring malfunction?
		a. Rough idle
		b. Low power
		c. High idle
		d. Detonation

18.	Technician A says the voltage required maintaining spark is referred to as the spark line and the duration of the spark line is based on total primary circuit resistance and coil voltage available. Technician B says problems with the burning (called fuel propagation) will show up within the spark line. Who is right?
		a. A only
		b. B only
		c. Both A and B
		d. Neither A nor B

19.	Low-firing voltages are measured on a shop oscilloscope and this indicates a lower voltage is required for the spark to jump the gap. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?
		a. Lean air/fuel mixture
		b. Rich air/fuel mixture
		c. Wide or worn spark plugs
		d. Bad plug wires

20.	Turbochargers use boost pressure to indicate proper operation. What units are used to measure boost in the English System of Measurement?
		a. Inches of mercury (Hg)
		b. Pounds per square inch (psi)
		c. Inches of water (H2O)
		d. Inch pounds