- Why Cars Need "Preventative Maintenace"
- Why Timing Belts Need Replacement
- What should a "Complete" Tune-Up Include?
- What Kind Of Maintenance Is Recommended For
Cooling Systems?
Explaining Intermittent Problem Diagnosis
Repairing Intermittent Problems
When a vehicle has a problem that occurs unpredictably
it is called an intermittent problem. An intermittent
problem may not occur while operating the system or even
during a test drive. This presents a diagnostic problem
of a very difficult nature.
Fortunately, you have chosen a repair shop equipped with
the latest repair information, technical service bulletins,
and recall information. If your vehicle has a system or
component with an inherent safety, emissions, or reliability
problem and there is a factory fix available for it, we
will be able to make you aware of it and repair the problem
for you.
Regardless of the type of problem of the system at fault,
certain aspects of diagnosis remain the same. You see,
in order to accurately diagnose the cause of any problem
the technician needs the problem to (predictably) occur
twice. This is because a first observation provides the
technician with some insight needed to plan a focused
testing strategy. A focused testing strategy saves diagnostic
time and dollars. The problem must occur a second time,
while the technician has his test equipment hooked-up
monitoring the system or components that may be involved.
Although the technician is prepared to attempt to recreate
whatever operating conditions are necessary to make the
problem occur, if the problem does not surface, a focused
strategy cannot be planned.
This means testing all systems with the ability to cause
the symptom until a defect is found. This all-inclusive
systematic method takes more time and dollars, and there
is no guarantee that the correction of a defect discovered
this way will resolve the problem.
This is because there is no proof a defect discovered
during this systematic testing is the real cause of the
problem. Another strategy to fix an intermittent problem
is to perform a repair based on an educated guess of what
is causing the problem. This can be risky because, in
most cases, the part cannot be returned and the labor
for the installation is non-refundable. However, when
the symptom cannot be observed or testing does not disclose
the defect, it can be the only choice left.
Diagnosing intermittent
problems can be very time consuming and requires your
patience and cooperation for us to be successful fixing
the problem. It may require more diagnostic time than
originally estimated to recreate or find the cause of
the symptom. It may be necessary to leave the vehicle
for several days, or return several times, so we may observe
or judge the results of diagnosis and/or repair to insure
the problem is corrected.
The service writer will give you an
initial estimate for diagnosis. This estimate is an educated
guess of how long it may take to discover the cause of
your problem. This initial estimate does not guarantee
a discovery of the cause of the symptom or include the
cost of repair. The repair cannot be estimated until after
the diagnosis is completed. During the course of the diagnosis
we will keep you informed of our progress. If additional
diagnostic time is required to discover the cause of the
problem, we will ask for your authorization of the cost
before proceeding. After diagnosis we will ask for your
authorization of the repair cost before proceeding.
Now that you are aware of some things
that can come up when trying to fix an intermittent problem,
it is time to talk to the service writer about the specifics
of your situation.
Why Cars
Need "Preventative Maintenace"
Why preventative
maintenance?
Manufactures
know that a properly maintained car will be more dependable,
safer, last longer, and increase your satisfaction with
their product. Carmakers and owners also have a responsibility
to make sure emission controls receive regular service
and are functioning properly. Regular maintenance helps
accomplish these goals by keeping your engine running
efficiently and eliminating potential problems that
may leave you stranded.
What's in it for you?
- A more Dependable car
- A car that retains the "new car feel"
- Less chance of a costly breakdown · A safer car for
you and your family
- Doing your part for cleaner air
- A car worth more at trade in or sale
- An intact warrant
Manufacturer Maintenance Schedules
The manufacturer
creates detailed maintenance schedules outlining specific
operations to be performed on various components and
systems. This is done at different mileage intervals
to ensure proper operation and prevent premature wear.
The manufacturer also indicates what services must be
done to maintain the factory warranty and extended warranty.
ALLDATA ® Automotive Information System
This service facility is equipped with an automotive
information system that provides this detailed data.
The ALLDATA ® system even lists high-tech specialty
lubricants required for your particular car. Other information
includes vehicle specific repair and diagnostic information
and factory-issued Technical Service Bulletins. The
bottom line is efficient, dependable and cost-effective
service for you.
Why Timing Belts Need Replacement
What is a timing belt?
Timing belts
have replaced timing chains on many of today's engines.
Both belts and chains ensure that crankshaft, pistons
and valves operate together in proper sequence. Belts
are lighter, quieter and more efficient than chains.
Why replace the belt?
Like other components, timing belts wear out. Proper
maintenance requires belt replacement at regular intervals
-- before they break.
Where are belts located?
Timing belts
are on the front of the engine protected by a plastic
or metal cover. When should belts be replaced? Between
75k and 105k. When a timing belt breaks, the engine
stops. Replace belts before this occurs. Most manufacturers
provide a suggested service life and replacement schedule
for this critical component.
How do I know if my car has one?
Your vehicle manual may tell you, but you should ask
your technician - he will know for sure.
What is a "Free-Running" engine? If the timing belt
breaks on a free-running engine, the engine stops and
you will need a tow to the repair shop. No mechanical
damage occurs and the installation of a new belt is
usually all that is needed to get you on your way.
What is an "Interference" Engine?
If the timing belt breaks on an interference engine,
mechanical engine damage occurs. It most commonly involves
open valves being struck by pistons, resulting in the
need for expensive repairs. In extreme cases, a replacement
engine may be required.
What should a "Complete" Tune-Up Include?
- Electronic ignition, computerized engine controls,
and electronic fuel injection have eliminated many adjustments
that were once part of a "traditional" tune-up. Most
would agree that a tune-up today is a preventative maintenance
service and engine performance check.
- Call it what you will, a complete tune-up should combine
elements of preventative maintenance, adjustment and
performance analysis. One of the main reasons people
bring a vehicle in for a tune-up is because they are
experiencing some kind of drivability problem.
- Things like hard starting, hesitation, misfiring,
poor fuel economy, or lack of power are seldom cured
by a new set of spark plugs and a few turns of a screwdriver.
Every tune-up should include a comprehensive performance
check to verify that no drivability problems or trouble
codes exist.
- Another item that should be included is an emissions
check. Thirty-five states now have some type of annual
vehicle emissions inspection program, and all but two
include a tailpipe emissions check. Most mechanics will
check EGR valve operation, the PCV valve, and make a
visual inspection of other emission control components
and plumbing. But unless an actual emissions performance
check is made at the tailpipe, there is no way to know
whether or not the vehicle will meet applicable emission
standards. An emissions check is a must.
- Taking into account longer service intervals and reduced
maintenance requirements of today's vehicles, a tune-up
is probably only necessary every 30,000 miles, or once
every two to three years. This is altered when a drivability
or emissions problem arises that requires diagnosis
and repair.
- The best guide to tune-up frequency is probably the
recommended spark plug replacement interval in a vehicle's
owners manual.
- Our list of items that should be included in a "complete"
tune-up included:
- · Replace spark plugs
- · Replace rotor
- · Check distributor cap (replace if necessary)
- · Check timing (adjust if necessary)
- · Check ignition wires (replace if necessary)
- · Check ignition performance (firing voltage and
ignition patterns)
- · Check idle speed (adjust if necessary)
- · Check Choke (carbureted engines)
- · Clean fuel injectors
- · Check compression and/or power balance (identifies
bad fuel injectors as well as compression problems)
- · Check manifold intake vacuum (reveals exhaust
restrictions)
- · Check battery/ charging voltage
- · Check vehicle computer for trouble codes
- · Install new air filter · Replace PCV valve
- · Check all emission controls (EGR valve, air
pump, etc.)
- · Check all vital fluid levels (engine oil, transmission
fluid, coolant, brakes, power steering)
- · Check belts and hoses
- · Check safety items such as lights, wipers, tires
(including inflation pressure), horn, etc.
What Kind Of Maintenance Is Recommended For Cooling
Systems?
Replacing coolant on a regular basis
will prolong the life of the radiator and other coling
system components. Most new car maintenance schedules
call for coolant changes every three years or 50,000 miles.
Many professional mechanics consider that too long and
recommend every two years or 24,000 miles.
There are some who argue that annual coolant changes
on late model vehicles with bimetal engines (aluminum
heads/irons blocks) and/or aluminum radiators is a good
idea.
It does not really make much difference how often the
coolant is changed as long as it is changed before losing
its corrosion resistance. Antifreeze is made of ethylene
glycol (which never wears out) and various additives (which
do wear out).
Some additives
provide "reserve alkalinity" to neutralize internal corrosion
before it can start. As long as the coolant is changed
before its reserve alkalinity is depleted, the cooling
system should be no worse for the wear. If you wait too
long, the result can be expensive internal corrosion in
the radiator, heater core and engine.
How can you tell when it is time
to change the coolant? The only way to know if the
coolant still has adequate corrosion protection is to
test it. By dipping a test strip in the coolant and noting
its color change, you can determine coolant condition
and whether or not it's time to replace it.
When coolant
is changed, the system should be reverse flushed rather
than simply drained. This helps dislodge and remove accumulated
debris in the system. It also removes old coolant that
would otherwise remain in the engine block.
Use of a cooling system cleaner is not necessary unless
the system has been badly neglected and is full of lime
deposits.
The cooling system should be refilled with a 50/50 mixture
of ethylene glycol antifreeze and clean water. This provides
freezing protection down to -34 F and boil-over protection
to 265 F. When coolant is changed, inspect belts and hoses.
Make a visual inspection for leaks. Pressure test radiator
and cap. Check operation of heater and defroster.
The thermostat does not need changing unless it has been
causing trouble or the engine has severely overheated.
If a thermostat is replaced, it should have the same temperature
rating as the original. This is extremely important on
late model vehicles with computerized engine controls.
Fuel, ignition and emission functions are all affected
by coolant temperature.
