A8 Engine Performance: ASE A8 engine performance, diagnostics, and shop-ready troubleshooting workflows

About the Author

I write in two distinct fields: comprehensive Automotive Technology textbooks and faith-centered books drawn from my ministry messages, revivals, and Bible studies. Automotive & Educational Background With over 35 years of hands-on automotive shop experience and a passion for teaching, I strive to mold and inspire the next generation of technicians. My journey began at Fresno City College, where an intro automotive class sparked a lifelong passion. After building a successful career—making top technician status at a General Motors dealership—I transitioned into education as an instructor at Las Positas College. 

Education: 

•         B.A. in Organizational Management (Ashford University)

•         A.S. in Automotive Technology (Fresno City College) 

Master & Advanced ASE Certifications: 

•         Master Technician (A1–A9)

•         Advanced Engine Performance (L1)

•         Electronic Diesel (L2)

•         Alternative Fuels & Hybrid (L3)

•         General Service (G1)

•         Compressed Natural Gas (F1)

•         Heavy Duty Truck (T1, T2, T3, T6)

•         Truck Equipment (E1)

•         Mechanical/Electrical Body (B5)

•         Exhaust Specialist (X1)

•         Parts Specialist (P1)

•         Service Consultant (C1)

Industry Honors:

•         General Motors World Class Technician (#2 in California, #7 Worldwide)

•         Isuzu Master Elite Technician

•         NACAT, B'laster, and Tomorrow’s Tech* Instructor of the Month (March 2026). 

Specialized Training & Certifications: 

•         California Smog Inspector, Repair Technician, & Instructor

•         HDIM Referee

•         Certified Hybrid, Alternative Fuel, & EV Trainer

•         Tesla Emergency Response

•         Mike Rowe Works Ethics Certification

•         HVAC 609

•         I-Car Certified Instructor

•         ACDelco Certified Instructor

•         NC3 Certified (Zeus, Oscilloscopes, Verus Edge, Shop Key, Precision Measurement, Torque, TPMS, Procut, B2000P, T7800, Pro X, Multimeters). 

Industry Memberships: 

•         ASE

•         CAT

•         NACAT

•         SAE

•         SEMA

•         PRI. 

Advice for Aspiring Technicians: 

"Buckle down, go to class, apply yourself, listen, and learn. Just because you think you can work on cars does not mean you can. I learn every day. If you cannot accept that there is much to learn, one day you will wake up and be disappointed at the life that you have made for yourself." 

Ministry & Community Service 

Outside the classroom and shop, I am known as "Uncle B." I proudly serve at Courts of Praise Church in Manteca, California, where I hold several key roles: * Deacon & Co-President, Board of Directors * Men’s Ministry President * Head of Safety & Security * Maintenance, Operations, & Facilities 

Serving the Lord is a joy—as Matthew 11:30 reminds us, *"His yoke is easy and His burden is light." Personal Life When I’m not teaching or serving at church, I love spending quality time with my wife and three adopted children. I am an avid firearms collector and enjoy range days practicing marksmanship. Friday nights are reserved for date night, and Sunday mornings are for church!

Automotive G1, A1 to A9 and L1, L2, L3, L4

Brian Hagopian    Fifth A Ed.

Professor Brian Hagopian has dedicated his career to advancing automotive education and preparing the next generation of technicians for success in a rapidly evolving industry. With more than 24 years of teaching experience and decades of hands-on industry expertise, he has become a respected educator, mentor, and advocate for automotive excellence. Professor Hagopian's journey into the automotive field began at Fresno City College, where he explored a wide variety of academic interests. Everything changed when he enrolled in an automotive technology course and discovered a passion that would shape the rest of his life. After building a successful career as a professional technician. Professor Hagopian was invited to join the faculty at Las Positas College. The opportunity aligned perfectly witah his long-held belief that education could transform lives. He accepted the position and has spent more than two decades helping thousands of students develop the technical skills, professionalism, and confidence necessary to succeed in the automotive field. Throughout his career, Professor Hagopian has remained committed to lifelong learning, staying current with emerging vehicle technologies, advanced diagnostics, hybrid and electric vehicles, diesel systems, and advanced driver assistance systems. His teaching philosophy emphasizes critical thinking, continuous improvement, and a dedication to mastering both theory and practical application. Outside the classroom, Professor Hagopian enjoys spending time with his wife, Teresa, and their three adopted children. He values family, faith, and community, making Friday nights a standing date night and Sunday mornings reserved for church.

Master the Road to Automotive Excellence

Drawing from Professor Brian Hagopian’s 24 years of teaching experience, this book combines proven instructional methods with real-world automotive applications. Developed from decades of classroom instruction, industry training, and student feedback, it presents complex automotive concepts in a clear, practical, and easy-to-understand format. The result is a learning resource that bridges the gap between theory and hands-on diagnosis, preparing readers for both ASE certification exams and real-world service challenges.

This all-in-one guide provides extensive coverage of the ASE G1 Maintenance and Light Repair certification, the complete A-Series certifications (A1–A9), and the advanced-level L1, L2, L3, and L4 certifications. Topics include:

Engine Repair (A1)

Automatic Transmission and Transaxle (A2)

Manual Drivetrain and Axles (A3)

Suspension and Steering (A4)

Brakes (A5)

Electrical/Electronic Systems (A6)

Heating and Air Conditioning (A7)

Engine Performance (A8)

Light Vehicle Diesel Engines (A9)

Maintenance and Light Repair (G1)

Advanced Engine Performance Specialist (L1)

Electronic Diesel Engine Diagnosis Specialist (L2)

Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Specialist (L3)

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Specialist (L4)

Readers will gain a thorough understanding of vehicle systems, diagnostic strategies, service procedures, scan tool operation, network communications, emissions systems, hybrid and electric vehicle technologies, diesel engine controls, and the latest advancements in ADAS and vehicle automation. Special emphasis is placed on critical-thinking skills, root-cause diagnosis, and interpreting service information—essential competencies for today’s automotive technician.

To reinforce learning and improve exam readiness, the book includes 125 ASE-style practice questions for every certification area covered, providing thousands of questions that mirror the format, structure, and difficulty level of actual ASE examinations. Detailed explanations help readers understand not only the correct answers but also the reasoning behind them, strengthening both test-taking skills and practical diagnostic knowledge.

Inside, you will discover:

Comprehensive coverage of G1, A1–A9, L1, L2, L3, and L4 certification topics

Thousands of ASE-style practice questions with explanations

Real-world diagnostic scenarios and troubleshooting strategies

Detailed discussions of electrical, electronic, diesel, hybrid, and ADAS systems

Step-by-step approaches to system diagnosis and repair

Industry best practices used by professional technicians

Instruction developed from more than two decades of successful automotive education

Content suitable for classroom learning, self-study, and professional development