Car Mechanics

Do You Have a Blown Head Gasket?

Have you ever heard of someone’s engine blowing a head gasket? They never sound happy about it! A blown head gasket is a big problem — and an expensive repair. To understand why a broken head gasket could be such an issue, let's first discuss about what they do and why they are essential for your vehicle. Head Gaskets 101 The head gasket in your vehicle’s engine, retains the gases that are combusting between the engine head/s and the engine block deck. As your engine works, combustion makes power and head gasket/s prevents liquids (like coolant and oil) from getting into the engine’s combustion chambers. Head gaskets act as barriers between the engine head/s and the engine deck. It keeps everything where it's supposed to be without any crossover or contamination that could cause damage to your vehicle's engine components. However, the head gasket/s can wear over time, significantly weakening the part. Blown head gaskets can happen when an engine severely overheats due to a faulty thermostat, clogged radiator, [...]

By |2022-05-16T13:30:15-06:00May 16th, 2022|Car Tips & Damaged Car|0 Comments
Read More

Car Parts 101 – Car Chassis

We talk a lot about the inner workings of your vehicle's engine and drivetrain. We've gone over the various parts and components required to run your engine. And we have passed along a few helpful tips to help you care for and keep your car on the road. But today, we are going to talk about the foundation for your vehicle — the car chassis. What is the Car Chassis? With upwards of 30,000 parts and pieces making up your vehicle, none of that would be possible without the chassis. The chassis is a combination of many parts that act as the car's platform. They include names you may already know: The Frame Suspension Components - struts, shocks, springs, and control arms Transmission & Drive Shaft Axles Steering Gear Controls Tie Rods & other steering components But, when most folks hear "chassis," they think about the frame. Initially, cars were built on a body-on-frame construction. After the chassis was built, the vehicle's body would be fitted on top and [...]

By |2022-04-21T09:54:09-06:00April 21st, 2022|Car Parts|0 Comments
Read More

I Put the Wrong Fuel in My Car – Now What?

We've gone over the different fuel types in previous articles. Whether from not knowing any better or an accident, putting the wrong fuel into your vehicle can cause some issues. If you mitigate this mistake quickly enough, you can minimize the damage. Put the Wrong Fuel in Your Car? Here's What to Do. The first step: quit driving and look up what you need to do (see below). The less fuel that is entered into your system, the better. From there, here's what you need to do to know about the wrong gas types. Gas in Diesel Vehicles Diesel and Gas are very different fuel types. Diesel fuel is thicker and acts as a lubricant. Thinner gasoline fuel causes wear to the fuel pump, injectors, and filters. This wear can happen quickly. Immediately halt your travels and call a tow truck for a ride to your local automotive shop, where they can drain the tank and fuel lines and fuel filter/s. Diesel in Gas Fueled Cars While engine damage [...]

By |2022-02-18T11:42:17-06:00February 18th, 2022|Car Questions, Damaged Car|0 Comments
Read More

Diesel vs. Gasoline

We all know that gasoline and diesel fuels are different. We know not to put diesel into a gas engine and vice versa. But, do we know the "whys" behind that rule? When it comes to diesel vs. gasoline, not only are the fuel types different, but the respective engine types are different. And each fuel engine comes with its benefits as well as disadvantages. Diesel vs. Gasoline Gasoline engines were invented in 1876 and were ground-breaking — but they weren't efficient. The four-stroke combustion engine only utilized 10% for the fuel, while the other 90% produced heat and burned off. So, in 1892, Rudolf Diesel created the combustion power engine (also known as the diesel engine). While gasoline engines have had many technological advances that led them to be more efficient than the original model, they operate slightly differently from their diesel engine counterparts. Diesel and Gasoline Engine Differences Both engines use internal combustion, with cylinders compressing air and fuel mixtures to create mechanical energy turned into motion [...]

By |2022-01-19T14:52:20-06:00January 19th, 2022|Car Parts, Car Questions|0 Comments
Read More

Reasons Your Car Isn’t Driving Smoothly

If your ride to work or to pick up the kids isn't as smooth as it once was, it can be annoying. But, it can also be alarming. Because if your car isn't driving as smoothly as it once was, it may leave you wondering what has changed. Wear and tear are to be expected on your vehicle. After all, it takes you to a lot of different places. When that normal wear and tear is ignored, you start to have major issues (and some potential significant repairs). Common Reasons Your Car Isn't Driving Smoothly When your vehicle isn't operating as smoothly as it once was, that's a warning sign. Your car is telling you that something isn't quite right anymore, and it's time to take notice as it could be one of these common issues. Suspension Problems The struts and shocks in your vehicle's suspension system are your shock absorbers. Every time you go over a speed bump, hit a pothole, or encounter uneven ground, the suspension takes [...]

By |2021-10-20T14:18:23-06:00October 20th, 2021|Car Questions, Car Service & Maintenance, Car Tips, Damaged Car|0 Comments
Read More

Fuel Injectors and Signs They Aren’t Working Well

We all know that we have to stop at the gas station when the gauge creeps towards empty to keep our car moving. But, do you know what happens with that fuel once it enters your vehicle? The job of distributing the gas to your engines falls on the fuel injectors. And their job is not as simple as stop and go. How Do Fuel Injectors Work? Your vehicle's injectors have the vital task of delivering fuel from your gas tank to your engine. And it all comes down to the timing. Fuel injectors inject the ideal amount of fuel into the combustion chamber at just the right time. They are commanded by the vehicle’s PCM (Powertrain Control Module) or computer. Allowing the correct mixture of air-to-fuel, creates the perfect condition for combustion and keeps your car running well. Controlled by a computer, there is one fuel injector per cylinder in modern vehicles. Initially, injectors sprayed gas into the intake manifold. Moving to your car's cylinders helps your vehicle's [...]

By |2021-10-08T10:43:43-06:00October 8th, 2021|Car Parts|0 Comments
Read More

Vehicle Oxygen Sensors – What Do They Do?

Let's talk oxygen. Not only is it vital for humans, but your car also needs it to function as well. Without the optimal oxygen ratios, your vehicle isn't going to run at its top performance levels. That's where your car's oxygen sensors come in... What Does An Oxygen Sensor Do? Oxygen sensors optimize performance and emissions by monitoring the oxygen ratios in the exhaust system and reporting the Aforementioned to the P.C.M. (vehicle’s main computer). Too much oxygen read by the oxygen sensor is a lean mixture and generates nitrogen-oxide contaminants. Extremely lean conditions may cause overheating and engine damage. The opposite is known as a rich mixture and can cause pollution and an engine that misfires or runs rough. Oxygen levels vary from outside factors like altitude, temperature, load weight, engine temperature, barometric pressure, etc. Oxygen sensors will calculate the ratio of oxygen to fuel in the exhaust and communicate that information to your car's computer. The computer will then adjust the gasoline inputs based on the balance to keep it at optimal [...]

By |2021-09-22T11:40:28-06:00September 22nd, 2021|Car Parts, Car Questions|0 Comments
Read More

Jerky Acceleration? Here’s Why.

Picture this: you're sitting at a red light, and it turns green. You press the gas pedal, but instead of moving ahead smoothly, it's a jerky acceleration. The feeling can be quite alarming, especially if it's a new development. The thought of any potential vehicle issue and needed repair fills folks with dread. It's an expense no one wants to have to deal with. But, it's an issue you won't want to ignore when it comes to jerky acceleration. Continuing to drive while your vehicles jerks while accelerating can cause further damage. So you need to work with your local mechanic to get to the bottom of it. Reasons for Your Car's Jerky Acceleration 1) Dirty or Faulty Spark Plugs To get going, your vehicle needs a bit of a spark. That's the job of your spark plugs. If they are dirty, old, or faulty, the spark plugs may not give the combustion process and your fuel cylinders the needed spark leading to a misfire. Dirty spark plugs are [...]

By |2021-09-14T14:50:53-06:00September 14th, 2021|Auto Care, Car Service & Maintenance, Damaged Car|0 Comments
Read More

8 Transmission Maintenance Tips

Your transmission is one of the integral parts of your vehicle. It is what communicates between the engine and the wheels, sending engine power to move your vehicle. It also allows quick acceleration of your vehicle and disconnects your engine from your wheels so it can continue to run when your vehicle is stopped. If your transmission has problems, you will not be going anywhere in your vehicle. To prevent large costs and inconveniences from transmission repair or replacement, here are some simple transmission maintenance tips that even the least car-savvy driver can manage. 1. Get Regular Car Check-Ups Transmissions vary in type and model, therefore each transmission should be on a different maintenance schedule. Check your vehicle manual or the manufacturer transmission service recommendation for how frequently you should take your car into your mechanic to get your transmission checked and possibly serviced. You can also discuss your transmission maintenance schedule with your mechanic, asking any questions and setting up maintenance appointments if needed. 2. Use the Right [...]

By |2021-02-23T14:39:22-06:00February 23rd, 2021|Car Parts, Car Service & Maintenance|0 Comments
Read More

5 Reasons for Wheel Bearing Failure

You’ve probably never thought about how your tires work. They sit under your car and help get you where you need to go. But, there are many components to a car wheel and one of the extremely important ones is the wheel bearing. Wheel bearing failure can cause serious problems for you and your car so it is beneficial to know what a wheel bearing is and what pitfalls to avoid in order to prevent wheel bearing failure. What is a Wheel Bearing? A wheel bearing is a set of steel balls connected by a metal ring. It sits tightly in the middle of the hub. Wheel bearings require grease to lubricate them, with a seal keeping the grease in the bearing. The seal also acts as a barrier against dirt and debris that can cause corrosion. The seal is essential to the durability of the wheel bearing. Wheel bearings allow the wheel to spin rapidly without too much friction. They also carry the weight of the car, which can be over 4,000 pounds. [...]

By |2021-01-22T13:51:30-06:00January 22nd, 2021|Car Parts, Damaged Car|0 Comments
Read More
Go to Top