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Posted on Wednesday, October 26, 2011 9:57 AM
The term “tune-up” actually applies only to older cars without electronic ignition (before 1981). On these vehicles a tune-up would generally be required every 15,000 – 20,000 miles and consisted of replacing the spark plugs, ignition contact points, rotor and distributor cap and adjusting the ignition timing as well as the carburetor.
On modern vehicles equipped with electronic ignition, fuel injection and computer controls, the term “engine performance maintenance” is a more accurate term. A “tune-up” for these newer vehicles is an orderly process of inspection, computer diagnosis, testing and adjustment to maintain peak engine performance, maximum operating efficiency and low exhaust emissions. |
Brake Repair and Service, General Auto Repair Questions, Vehicle Inspection Services, Tune-Ups, Engine Repair & Service Questions, Cooling System, Auto Diagnostic and Repair, Steering and Suspension, Cylinder Head, Fleet Maintenance and Repair, Tire Repair and Replacement, Heating and Air Conditioning Diagnostic and Repair
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Michelle Anderson: Posted on Wednesday, October 26, 2011 9:54 AM
If you are driving at normal highway speed and the vehicle starts to overheat, turn off the air conditioner, turn on the heater and immediately pull over to the shoulder. Odds are if the vehicle starts to overheat at highway speed, there is a problem in the cooling system such as low coolant, a clogged radiator or a broken drive belt or burst hose. Once at the shoulder, shut off the engine, open the hood and let the engine cool down – 20 minutes minimum. Once any overboiling stops and the engine has cooled, look for obvious signs of trouble. |
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Steve Easley: Posted on Wednesday, October 26, 2011 9:47 AM
It is impossible to determine the condition of the coolant in the radiator just by looking at it. Coolant, a mixture of ethylene glycol and water, breaks down with age, picks up contaminants that cause sludge, and becomes acidic. When this happens, it can cause corrosion within the radiator and cooling passages of the engine. To determine its condition, coolant must be checked with coolant test strips that measure PH balance. Coolant is an environmentally hazardous substance. It pollutes the water table and is poisonous to people and animals and therefore must be disposed of as a hazardous waste. |
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Michelle Anderson: Posted on Wednesday, October 26, 2011 8:49 AM
It's always better to fix something before it breaks, the same applies to your car. That's why regular maintenance is so important on today's vehicles. Below are some helpful hints and articles that we think will help you maintain your vehicle for years to come.
- Change your oil at regular service intervals.
- Replace your wiper blades twice a year for streak-free visibility.
- Screeching or grinding sounds from your brakes can mean trouble. Make an appointment with us to get a brake inspection.
- A loud muffler may not just be annoying, it can be dangerous because harmful exhaust fumes may be leaking into the passenger compartment.
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Michelle Anderson: Posted on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 11:37 PM
First, we'd like to tell you a little bit about Nevada mobile Automotive Service... Nevada Mobile Automotive Service is a local, family owned, auto repair business; committed to providing our customers with the best auto repair and service in the industry. It is our goal to provide every customer with convenient, hassle free service that they would love to recommend to a friend. What type of experience does your company have? At Nevada Mobile Automotive Service our owners and mechanics have a combined 30 years experience in the automotive field. |
Brake Repair and Service, General Auto Repair Questions, Vehicle Inspection Services, Vehicle Maintenance, Tune-Ups, Engine Repair & Service Questions, Cooling System, Auto Diagnostic and Repair, Steering and Suspension, Cylinder Head, Fleet Maintenance and Repair
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Rick Anderson: Posted on Thursday, November 11, 2010 11:41 PM
Proper repair depends where the leak is. Coolant leaks often occur at the water pump shaft seal. Other leak points include radiator, heater cores, hoses, freeze plugs, and the engine itself. Small radiator leaks, as well as minor internal seepage inside the engine or past a freeze plug, can often be temporarily plugged with a can of sealer. No sealer will plug a leaky water pump, hose or badly damaged or corroded radiator. The only cure is to replace the faulty component. Small radiator leaks can often be patched by soldering or using a special high-temperature epoxy. |
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Frank Phillips: Posted on Sunday, November 07, 2010 6:48 PM
Overheating is caused by anything that leads to a loss of coolant, prevents the cooling system from getting rid of heat, or causes excess heat in the engine itself: · Coolant leaks · Weak radiator cap (does not hold rated pressure and allows coolant to boilover). · Clogged cooling system · Thermostat stuck shut · Inoperative electric cooling fan · Bad fan clutch |
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Michelle Anderson: Posted on Friday, November 05, 2010 12:04 PM
Most hose manufacturers recommend replacing hoses every four years. V-belts should be replaced every three years or 36,000 miles. The incidence of failure rises sharply after the fourth year of service for hoses and third year for belts. The lifespan of a typical serpentine belt is about five years or 50,000 miles. Serpentine belts are thinner and more flexible than V-belts. They run cooler and last longer, but cost about twice as much to replace. The hard part is convincing customers to change belts and hoses as preventative maintenance BEFORE they fail. |
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Frank Phillips: Posted on Wednesday, November 03, 2010 10:11 PM
Replacing coolant on a regular basis will prolong the life of the radiator and other cooling 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/iron 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. |
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