ASE A1 EXAM UPDATED QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS.
Technician A says that oil should be squirted into all of the cylinders before taking a
compression test. Technician B says that if the compression greatly increases when some oil is
squirted into the cylin- ders, it indicates defective or worn piston rings. Which technician is
correct?
a. A only
b. B only
c. Both A and B
d. Neither A nor B - ANS The correct answer is b. Technician B is correct that if the
compression reading is greatly increased with a couple of squirts of oil in the cylinder, then
when the compression test is first performed without the oil, the piston rings are worn or
broken. Technician A is not correct because oil should only be squirted into those cylinders that
achieved a lower than normal compression test reading to help de- termine the reason for the
low compression. Answers c and d are not correct because only Technician B is correct.
Two technicians are discussing oil leaks. Technician A says that an oil leak can be found using a
fluo- rescent dye in the oil with a black light to check for leaks. Technician B says that a white
spray powder can be used to locate oil leaks. Which technician is correct?
a. A only
b. B only
c. Both A and B
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
,d. Neither A nor B - ANS The correct answer is c. Both technicians are correct. Technician A is
correct that a fluorescent dye can be added to the engine oil and allowed to circulate. A black
light is then turned on and any leaks will show as a bright yellow-green area. This is the
preferred method for locating fluid leaks. Technician B is correct because a white powder spray
(such as foot spray) will show the location of leaks by turning dark where the liquid contacts the
white powder. Answers a, b, and d are not correct because both technicians are correct.
Technician A says that a worn (stretched) timing chain and worn gears will cause the valve
timing to be retarded. Technician B says that if the timing chain slack is over 1⁄2 inch (13 mm),
the timing chain and gears should be replaced. Which technician is correct?
a. A only
b. B only
c. Both A and B
d. Neither A nor B - ANS The correct answer is c. Both technicians are correct. Technician A
POINT TIMING
is correct because as the timing chain stretches, the camshaft will lag behind the rotation of the
crankshaft (retarded). Technician B is cor- rect because the timing chain and gears should all be
replaced as a set if the slack is greater than factory specifications (usually less than 1⁄2 in.).
Answers a, b, and d are not correct because both technicians are correct.
Leaking antifreeze can be what color?
a. Green
b. Orange
c. Red
d. Any of the above - ANS The correct answer is d. Antifreeze can be green (older IAT-type or
phosphate organic acid technology, which is a dark green), as well as orange (DEX-COOL), or red
(Asian red). Answers a, b, and c are not correct because any of the colors could indicate a
coolant (antifreeze) leak.
An increase in oil viscosity can be due to ______________.
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
,a. wear metals in the oil
b. fuel dilution of the oil
c. a clogged air filter
d. any of the above - ANS The correct answer is a. Small particles of steel, cast iron, and
other metals in an engine can react chemically to increase the viscosity (thickness) of the oil.
Answer b is not correct because if fuel were added to oil, it would become thinner (lower
viscosity). Answer c is not correct because a clogged air filter does not have a direct effect on
the viscosity of the oil. It is true that dirt could get into the oil, which will make the oil thicker
but this is not a direct result of the air filter itself. Answer d is not correct because it includes b
and c, which are not correct.
Oil is discovered inside the air cleaner assembly. Technician A says that the cause could be
excessive blowby past the piston rings. Technician B says that the cause could be a clogged PCV
valve, hose, or passage. Which technician is correct?
a. Technician A
b. Technician B
c. Both A and B
d. Neither A nor B - ANS The correct answer is c. Both technicians are correct. Technician A is
correct because if the piston rings are worn or defective, blowby gases will force oil fumes out
of the PCV system inlet and into the air cleaner assembly. Technician B is correct because if the
PCV valve or hose is clogged, all crankcase vapors have only one place to go and that is through
the PCV system inlet hose that gets its fresh air from the air cleaner assembly. Answers a, b,
and d are not correct because both technicians are correct.
Two technicians are discussing the cause of low oil pressure. Technician A says that a worn oil
pump could be the cause. Technician B says that worn main or rod bearings could be the cause.
Which technician is correct?
a. A only
b. B only
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
, c. Both A and B
d. Neither A nor B - ANS The correct answer is c. Both technicians are correct. Technician A is
correct because a worn oil pump can cause low oil pressure. An oil pump wears because it is
the only engine part that operates on unfiltered oil. Technician B is correct because worn
bearings allow an excessive amount of oil to escape and return to the oil pan resulting in a drop
in oil pressure. Answers a, b, and d are not correct because both technicians are correct.
A noisy valve train is being diagnosed. Technician A says that the rocker arm may be adjusted
too tightly. Technician B says that the rocker arm may be adjusted too loosely or may be worn.
Which technician is correct?
a. A only
b. B only
c. Both A and B
d. Neither A nor B - ANS The correct answer is b. Technician B is correct because noise is
created by the rocker arm pound- ing onto the end of the valve when the clearance (lash) is
greater than specified by the vehicle manu- facturer. Technician A is not correct because the
engine will not create noise if the valve clearance is too tight. The valves may not close all the
way if the clearance is too tight which could lead to a burned valve. Answers c and d are not
correct because only Technician B is correct.
Two technicians are diagnosing a problem with an OHV V-8 with flat-bottom lifters. The valve
covers have been removed and the engine is running. One pushrod is not rotating. Technician A
says that the camshaft is worn and must be replaced. Technician B says that the lifter is worn
and must be replaced. Which technician is correct?
a. A only
b. B only
c. Both A and B
d. Neither A nor B - ANS The correct answer is c. Both technicians are correct. Technician A is
correct because it is the slight angle on the cam lobe that helps create a rotating force on flat-
bottomed lifters. If the lobe is worn, the lifter and the pushrod will not rotate. Technician B is
also correct because the bottom of a lifter is slightly convex which helps rotate the lifter as it
4 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
AND CORRECT ANSWERS.
Technician A says that oil should be squirted into all of the cylinders before taking a
compression test. Technician B says that if the compression greatly increases when some oil is
squirted into the cylin- ders, it indicates defective or worn piston rings. Which technician is
correct?
a. A only
b. B only
c. Both A and B
d. Neither A nor B - ANS The correct answer is b. Technician B is correct that if the
compression reading is greatly increased with a couple of squirts of oil in the cylinder, then
when the compression test is first performed without the oil, the piston rings are worn or
broken. Technician A is not correct because oil should only be squirted into those cylinders that
achieved a lower than normal compression test reading to help de- termine the reason for the
low compression. Answers c and d are not correct because only Technician B is correct.
Two technicians are discussing oil leaks. Technician A says that an oil leak can be found using a
fluo- rescent dye in the oil with a black light to check for leaks. Technician B says that a white
spray powder can be used to locate oil leaks. Which technician is correct?
a. A only
b. B only
c. Both A and B
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
,d. Neither A nor B - ANS The correct answer is c. Both technicians are correct. Technician A is
correct that a fluorescent dye can be added to the engine oil and allowed to circulate. A black
light is then turned on and any leaks will show as a bright yellow-green area. This is the
preferred method for locating fluid leaks. Technician B is correct because a white powder spray
(such as foot spray) will show the location of leaks by turning dark where the liquid contacts the
white powder. Answers a, b, and d are not correct because both technicians are correct.
Technician A says that a worn (stretched) timing chain and worn gears will cause the valve
timing to be retarded. Technician B says that if the timing chain slack is over 1⁄2 inch (13 mm),
the timing chain and gears should be replaced. Which technician is correct?
a. A only
b. B only
c. Both A and B
d. Neither A nor B - ANS The correct answer is c. Both technicians are correct. Technician A
POINT TIMING
is correct because as the timing chain stretches, the camshaft will lag behind the rotation of the
crankshaft (retarded). Technician B is cor- rect because the timing chain and gears should all be
replaced as a set if the slack is greater than factory specifications (usually less than 1⁄2 in.).
Answers a, b, and d are not correct because both technicians are correct.
Leaking antifreeze can be what color?
a. Green
b. Orange
c. Red
d. Any of the above - ANS The correct answer is d. Antifreeze can be green (older IAT-type or
phosphate organic acid technology, which is a dark green), as well as orange (DEX-COOL), or red
(Asian red). Answers a, b, and c are not correct because any of the colors could indicate a
coolant (antifreeze) leak.
An increase in oil viscosity can be due to ______________.
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
,a. wear metals in the oil
b. fuel dilution of the oil
c. a clogged air filter
d. any of the above - ANS The correct answer is a. Small particles of steel, cast iron, and
other metals in an engine can react chemically to increase the viscosity (thickness) of the oil.
Answer b is not correct because if fuel were added to oil, it would become thinner (lower
viscosity). Answer c is not correct because a clogged air filter does not have a direct effect on
the viscosity of the oil. It is true that dirt could get into the oil, which will make the oil thicker
but this is not a direct result of the air filter itself. Answer d is not correct because it includes b
and c, which are not correct.
Oil is discovered inside the air cleaner assembly. Technician A says that the cause could be
excessive blowby past the piston rings. Technician B says that the cause could be a clogged PCV
valve, hose, or passage. Which technician is correct?
a. Technician A
b. Technician B
c. Both A and B
d. Neither A nor B - ANS The correct answer is c. Both technicians are correct. Technician A is
correct because if the piston rings are worn or defective, blowby gases will force oil fumes out
of the PCV system inlet and into the air cleaner assembly. Technician B is correct because if the
PCV valve or hose is clogged, all crankcase vapors have only one place to go and that is through
the PCV system inlet hose that gets its fresh air from the air cleaner assembly. Answers a, b,
and d are not correct because both technicians are correct.
Two technicians are discussing the cause of low oil pressure. Technician A says that a worn oil
pump could be the cause. Technician B says that worn main or rod bearings could be the cause.
Which technician is correct?
a. A only
b. B only
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
, c. Both A and B
d. Neither A nor B - ANS The correct answer is c. Both technicians are correct. Technician A is
correct because a worn oil pump can cause low oil pressure. An oil pump wears because it is
the only engine part that operates on unfiltered oil. Technician B is correct because worn
bearings allow an excessive amount of oil to escape and return to the oil pan resulting in a drop
in oil pressure. Answers a, b, and d are not correct because both technicians are correct.
A noisy valve train is being diagnosed. Technician A says that the rocker arm may be adjusted
too tightly. Technician B says that the rocker arm may be adjusted too loosely or may be worn.
Which technician is correct?
a. A only
b. B only
c. Both A and B
d. Neither A nor B - ANS The correct answer is b. Technician B is correct because noise is
created by the rocker arm pound- ing onto the end of the valve when the clearance (lash) is
greater than specified by the vehicle manu- facturer. Technician A is not correct because the
engine will not create noise if the valve clearance is too tight. The valves may not close all the
way if the clearance is too tight which could lead to a burned valve. Answers c and d are not
correct because only Technician B is correct.
Two technicians are diagnosing a problem with an OHV V-8 with flat-bottom lifters. The valve
covers have been removed and the engine is running. One pushrod is not rotating. Technician A
says that the camshaft is worn and must be replaced. Technician B says that the lifter is worn
and must be replaced. Which technician is correct?
a. A only
b. B only
c. Both A and B
d. Neither A nor B - ANS The correct answer is c. Both technicians are correct. Technician A is
correct because it is the slight angle on the cam lobe that helps create a rotating force on flat-
bottomed lifters. If the lobe is worn, the lifter and the pushrod will not rotate. Technician B is
also correct because the bottom of a lifter is slightly convex which helps rotate the lifter as it
4 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
