July 6th, 2009
…..by doing one simple thing: check your coolant level!
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, cooling system failure is the leading cause of mechanical breakdowns on the highway – and coolant neglect is one of the leading causes of coolant system breakdowns!
Did you know that up to a third of the heat energy produced by an internal combustion engine ends up as waste heat in the cooling system? A gallon of gasoline produces about 19,000 to 20,000 BTUs of heat energy when it is burned, which is enough to boil over 120 gallons of water! So the two or so gallons of coolant that circulate within the typical automotive cooling system have to carry away a lot of heat. The radiator also has to be fairly efficient at getting rid of the heat, too, otherwise the BTUs will start to back up and make the engine overheat.
An efficient cooling system, therefore, requires several things: an adequate supply of coolant, an efficient heat exchanger, a fan to pull air through the radiator at low speeds, a water pump to keep the coolant moving, and a thermostat to regulate the operating temperature of the engine for good performance, fuel economy and emissions. The coolant must also have the right mix of water and antifreeze to provide adequate freezing and boiling protection, and the proper amount of corrosion inhibitors to protect against rust, oxidation and electrolysis.
To keep the cooling system in good operating condition, it’s important to check the level, strength and condition of the coolant on a regular basis – and to replace or recycle the coolant before the protective additives are entirely depleted.
Most mechanics check and fill all of the fluids when changing the oil in your car – make sure your mechanic does so. If you’re not sure, ask!
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June 30th, 2009
BMW models 740i, 740il, 540i, 745i or 745il with the 4.4 liter V8 (M62) engine can develop an issue that is often misdiagnosed. Coolant leaks from a small weep hole in the front timing cover can easily be misdiagnosed as a water pump or valley cover problem. We see this problem often in our shop: a front timing cover to engine block coolant leak.
BMWs are designed with the foreknowledge that the design for sealing the water passage from the front timing cover to the engine block would not last forever, so a provision was made for a cavity to catch the coolant leak and eject it through a weep hole at the upper right corner of the timing cover. The cavity and weep hole keep the engine coolant from leaking into the engine oil that would probably lead to engine failure if not detected in time.
The repair is quite labor intensive, upwards of 30 hours. Additionally, there are also other labor operations that should be done at the same time as the timing cover that are not included such as replacing the valley block cover. The cover is not re-sealable and should be replaced. Part of the labor for the cover is overlapping (removing the intake manifold), but replacing the cover itself is not included in the front cover time.
Questions? Call us.
- Fixcarnow
(thanks to autobahnperformance for additional information.)
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June 23rd, 2009
Brake squeal is enough to make anyone’s hair stand on end. But does it mean you need new brakes? Not necessarily. See your mechanic, as brake squeal could be caused by a number of things.
1) Drum dust and buildup: 
As the shoes wear down, the dust produced builds up in the drums. Take your car through an automatic car wash and wash down the back side of your wheels for 2-3 minutes each to see if this takes care of the problem.
2) Low-cost linings: Repeated stops (especially city driving) can wreak havoc on your braking system. Heat produced by cheap linings can cause the linings to glaze, creating squealing and decreasing braking efficiency.
3) Automatic brake adjusters may not be working. Ask your mechanic to adjust – not repair – your brakes for you.
3) Other causes include distorted brake shoes, bent backing plate, broken or weak brake shoe return springs or retaining springs, or saturated linings (caused by leaking cylinders). Your mechanic can diagnose any of these conditions for you.
4) Differential: The differential allows each of the driving wheels to rotate at different speeds, and can be a cause of brake squeal. The next time you get your oil changed, make sure they check the differential fluid level. Low fluid level is the major cause of differential failure.
5) Disc brakes: Disc brake calipers can “stick” or clamp down more firmly than they should. This is a common problem with age, but it can affect brand new calipers. Have your mechanic check all four brake pads to make sure none are unusually worn.
- Fixcarnow
Posted in brakes | 2 Comments »
June 19th, 2009
A couple of important things to know about timing belts:
1. Due to its general inaccessibility, it is difficult to check the condition of a timing belt. Different manufacturers have suggested replacement intervals ranging from 60,000 to 105,000 miles.
2. Your mechanic may suggest you replace the water pump during a timing belt job even if there is nothing wrong with it. This is because 90% of the labor to change the water pump has already been done with the timing belt job and some technicians consider it good insurance to replace the pump at this time.
3. Labor to replace a timing belt can be considered expensive. Considering timing belts can fail at any time, the replacement labor is much less expensive than the engine damage that can occur if they fail!
4. Choose a link below to see timing belt information about your car:
5. Don’t delay – timing is everything!
- Fixcarnow
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June 15th, 2009
Check out the Governor’s Highway Association to see a state-by-state list of cell phone driving laws. Current as of June 2009.
Posted in cell phones, safety | No Comments »
June 15th, 2009
We found a website we hope you won’t need – a great compilation of various car complaints, including:
- current problem trends
- worst vehicles
- problem vehicles
- common complaints
- horror stories
- lemon laws
Hopefully you won’t find your vehicle listed!
- Fixcarnow
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June 15th, 2009
If you have a teen driver you should check out this website, created by a teen to promote safe driving by other teen drivers.
Posted in safety, teen drivers | No Comments »
June 15th, 2009
Now that Memorial Day has passed, it’s time to start thinking about what you need to do to get your car in top shape for your summer road trips. Here’s a short list of suggested checks and maintenance we recommend you address before you hit the road:
1. Oil change and upgrade your oil. Reduce engine heat by upgrading to a high-performance synthetic motor oil. Synthetic motor oils disperse heat faster and have a lower coefficient of friction than mineral-based motor oils; this helps reduce engine heat during long road trips.
2. Check and top all fluids, including engine oil, cooling system, power steering, brake fluid, transmission and washer fluid. Regularly changing old fluids improves performance and reliability.
3. Prevent overheating: the leading cause of preventable breakdowns. If your antifreeze is over a couple of years old, replace it.
4.
Inspect belts and hoses, checking for worn or loose belts…another cause for an engine to overheat. Ensure that hose clamps are tight and check the ends for cracks or corrosion.
5. Check your battery. Clean terminals, hinges and latches. Lubricate hinges and the hood latch. Check that terminals and hold-downs are tight. Clean white residue on the battery terminals with a mixture of baking soda and water. Top any low battery cells with distilled water.
6. Check (don’t kick!) your tires, and don’t forget your spare! Refer to the sidewalls for the proper pressure level. Properly inflated tires increase gas mileage, lengthen tire life and are much less susceptible to blowouts.
Questions? Consult your mechanic.
If you’re in the greater Los Angeles area, stop by and ask about our summer road trip inspection!
Safe travels!
Tags: travel
Posted in seasonal car preparation, travel | No Comments »
June 15th, 2009
Did you know changing the oil in a hybrid requires special precautions?
As opposed to a regular vehicle, the hybrid engine will start or stop automatically when the car is in ready mode and the ignition key is in the ‘on’ position. The engine will automatically start whenever the high-voltage battery needs charging.
Your mechanic must know that he needs to remove the key from the ignition when servicing your vehicle. Otherwise, if he has drained the oil and the engine fires up automatically to charge the battery, your mechanic may not be able to shut off the engine before damage occurs.
Posted in hybrids, oil change | No Comments »
June 15th, 2009
Did your vehicle fail the California biennial smog check?
Need emission-based automotive repairs? You may be eligible for financial assistance for repairs or a $1000.00 payment to retire a high-polluting vehicle.
Check out the the Bureau of Automotive Repair to see if you qualify for assistance.
- Fixcarnow
Posted in financial assistance, saving money | No Comments »