Auto Repair Blog
Auto Repair Topics
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Prius Hybrid Battery Repair Phoenix - ADS
http://automotivediagnosticspecialties.com/toyota-prius-hybrid-battery-repair-replacement.htm - If you are searching for “Prius Battery Repair Phoenix “, “Prius Hybrid Battery Reconditioning Phoenix” or “Prius hybrid mechanics Phoenix” while looking for auto repair shops near you, Automotive Diagnostic Specialties can help! We provide Prius hybrid battery repair & Prius hybrid vehicle repair services and more. Our service area includes the entire Phoenix Valley: Chandler, Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert, Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria and Surprise, Arizona. Give us a call today at (480) 961-8704 or visit get directions to our shop.
Hybrid Battery Repair Phoenix | Prius | Ford Escape - ADS
http://automotivediagnosticspecialties.com/hybrid-vehicle-repair.htm - If you are searching for “Hybrid Battery Repair Phoenix“, “Hybrid Battery Reconditioning Phoenix” or “hybrid mechanics Phoenix” in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, Automotive Diagnostic Specialties can help! We provide hybrid battery repair & vehicle repair services for Toyota Prius Hybrids and Ford Escape Hybrid vehicles and other electric hybrids. Our service area includes the entire Phoenix Valley: Chandler, Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert, Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria and Surprise, Arizona. Give us a call today at (480) 961-8704 or visit get directions to our shop.
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Common Repairs For Classic Cars
Classic cars are one of the most American forms of art. They stir the soul and make our hearts thunder and we race down tracks and cruise them around the country. Buying and owning them is not without some challenges. These are common repairs for classic cars. If you live in Arizona and have need classic car repair Acclaim Car & Truck is your Scottsdale source for quality mechanical repairs.
Transmission
Whether you have an automatic or manual transmission you
might need to replace some parts. Automatic transmissions have parts that wear
out, especially if it is a muscle car that has been driven hard. Manual transmissions
also have a clutch that usually needs to be replaced on classic cars. If your
vehicle will start up and run you can try to shift it into gear, both in a
forward and reverse gear. If there isn’t any movement in one or both forward or
reverse, you have some work to do.
If the vehicle does shift into a gear but it takes too long,
or you can feel that the transmission is slipping, you know there are some
parts worn out. If you can smell a burnt smell, the transmission whines as you
speed up, or you hear a clunking sound and you shift you are probably looking
at a transmission replacement.
Engine
A lot of classic cars are put up in storage for years,
waiting to repair. If your vehicle has been sitting in someone’s barn, garage,
or in their yard for a couple decades the engine is a likely part needing
replacement. Clearly the first place you want to look is for leaks and spots
under the car. If there is a load of oil on the ground you might have a leak.
You can also looking for antifreeze in the oil pan or if you find oil in the
radiator you’ve got problems. These are indications of a potential cracked
block. When the block is cracked the oil and antifreeze mix and ruin each other.
If you have a cracked block or a blown head gasket you
should be factoring in a replacement engine in your rebuild. Classic car
experts can do other tests like compression tests that check the seats and
valves. You will also find out if you have valve lash, cam wear, and a test of
the oil pressure at a idle will show if the engine is running at the
manufacturer’s design range. Temperature distribution should also be more or
less even in your engine, and classic car repair shops will help you do these
tests. If your engine doesn’t have any leaks and is working properly you might
actually only replace it if you want a larger more powerful engine.
Body
Classic car bodies are the place that most people make their
first impression. It is seen before the hood is popped and you can show off
your big block bad boy. Bondo is fine for sealing holes and patching some areas
but it is an acquired skill. Getting it right and making it absolutely
impossible to see once it is done right and painted is a demanding art. Getting
the level and smoothness wrong, or not matching and perfectly applying the
paint will result in lower resale values. Classic car buyers and lovers pay
close attention to the body and are looking for areas to ding your asking
price.
Upholstery
The interior of your vehicle is the stage for enjoying
cruising your classic car. The seats,
carpet, door panels, and headliner are usually fabric areas that have collected
decades of dirt, oil, and sand. If you want to get your classic car rebuild
right, you should replace these areas to make the most of the interior appearance
of your vehicle. You can choose upholstery companies that offer both retro,
original looking interior repairs or you can go with something custom and
modern for your vehicle. Either way the trick is making sure all of the
fittings and wires go back where they need to be.
Monday, November 28, 2016
Automatic Transmission History
Today’s automatic transmission can follow back to the early
horseless carriage gearbox. It was developed in 1904 by the Sturtevant brothers
in Boston. In the automatic transmission’s earliest form it had only two
forward speeds. The shift between gears was controlled by flyweights that were
driven by the engine. When the vehicle went into higher engine speeds the
flyweights would pull out and push the vehicle into the higher gear. As the
vehicle and engine speed would slow the weights would contract and allow the
vehicle to shift back into the low gear. During this time metal science had not
come as far and the strength was not durable. This means that many of these
transmissions would fail with little to no warning.
Addition Of Reverse & User Control
Ford’s Model T was the next big phase of development of what
we now use in our vehicles. The development of a reverse gear plus the user
actuated transmission were big advancements in transmission technology. The
pedals in the vehicle controlled the transmissions’ friction elements. In this
case these were clutches and bands. This type of transmission required user
skill to make a smooth start and know when to shift, but in some respects was
easier to use than today’s unsynchronized manual transmission.
General Motors and REO developed semi-automatic
transmissions in 1934. These were considerably easier to operate than the fully
manual transmissions. These vehicles did feature a clutch that the user had to
use to engage the motor with the transmission. The General Motors transmission
at this time used a power shifting planetary gearbox. This unit was sensitive
to road speed, and hydraulically controlled.
Introduction Of Fluid Couplings
During the 1930’s the automotive world also started to try
to solve the problem of how to prevent the motor from stalling at a stop while
the transmission was in gear. The answer was the fluid coupling. The first mass
produced automatic transmission was the Hyrda-Matic transmission that was
released by General Motors.
The Hydra-Matic was an available option for purchase on
Oldsmobiles and later GM’s Cadillacs. These transmissions had the fluid
coupling and hydraulically controlled planetary gearsets. This made it possible
to have 4 forward speeds and included a reverse gear. The transmission was
sensitive to road speed and throttle position. This meant the vehicle would
automatically up and down shift to adjust for operating conditions.
GM started featuring the Hydra-Matic in both the Pontiac and
Cadillac lines and started selling the transmission to other auto makers. Some
of the biggest names in automotive manufactures began buying and installing
these transmission in their vehicle lines. This included Rolls-Royce, Bentley,
Hudson, Nash, and Kaiser.
The original Hydra-Matic possessed two of the most sought
after features that are incorporated in today’s transmissions. These are the
good ratio spread and overdrive. With well designed ratios there was good
acceleration and excellent “step-off”. In the higher gears the fluid coupling
only handled some of the engine’s torque. This translated to a good degree of
efficiency. This made the early version of the automatic transmission similar
to today’s lock-up torque converter.
Monday, November 21, 2016
Automotive Diagnostics
Here at Acclaim Car and Truck, each repair service offered
comes with 30 minutes of free diagnostic checks. It is our mission to maintain
your safety and the safety of your vehicle by keeping it in superior working
condition. We are able to assist you in remaining safe with our free
diagnostics program, that way you remain on top of your vehicles maintenance
and care routine.
Common sensor malfunctions and engine issues are as follows:
- · Loose or faulty fuel cap
- · Oxygen sensor
- · Mass air flow sensor
- · Catalytic converter
- · Bad spark plugs or wiring
Auto Diagnostic’s Shop
Acclaim Car and Truck Repair is the place to go for the
Scottsdale, AZ area for your auto diagnostic needs. If your vehicle is
malfunctioning, it often provides a fault code to the computer, also known as
the Electronic Control Unit (ECU).
Troubleshooting Car Issues – Automotive Diagnostics Scottsdale, Arizona
The ECU monitors your car or trucks RPMs, the fuel injection
system, among other various processes that keeps the vehicle running. Because
of this, the ECU is always working to ensure processes are inline. If your car
or truck begins to experience malfunctions or sensors go out, the ECU will
detect it instantly and shoot a fault code. This turns on the check engine light,
then stores information in the memory until a technician can check it.
If you think the light can simply be turned off and the
issue goes away, it won’t. The reason is because the issue does not simply go
away, once you drive certain intervals the light will automatically come back
on. There are sensors built into certain components of the engine that alert
the ECU of certain problems not functioning properly. The fault code for each
of these problems gets stored in the ECU, and the only way to detect the code
is by using an automotive diagnostics scanner or code reader. This is a feature
on all vehicles since 1990.
We have professionals that use auto diagnostic tools that
are high tech or checking the car’s computer for any malfunction fault codes to
diagnose your auto electrical or mechanical engine issues that are occurring.
We are also able to diagnose transmission issues.
We understand the check engine light can be scary, but you
shouldn’t worry. Acclaim Car and Truck Repair is ready to service your vehicle
with our many years of experience with diagnosing engine malfunctions. We’ll
diagnose the issue, give an estimated repair cost, and fix the issue quickly so
you can be back on the road, safely.
We take pride in knowing we are able to detect and then
repair problems quickly, no matter how weird it may be, while being accurate
and affordable. We understand your vehicle is very important for daily living,
and it is our goal to ensure you get it repair and back to safe road conditions
as quickly as possible while using only high quality methods.
Understanding Dashboard Lights
Wondering why the Check Engine Light came on? Maybe there is
a serious issue or is it minor? AutoZone is ready to assist you with the top
five causes for the Check Engine Light.
The Oxygen (O2) Sensor needs to be replaced
The oxygen sensor helps to measure the unburned oxygen
levels in the exhaust system.
What happens if it’s not replaced?
- · You can experience fuel economy loss, up to 40%
- · More fuel will be burned by the engine than required
- · Additional damage can be caused by faulty sensors, including catalytic converter or spark plug damage
Damaged, lose or missing gas cap
The purpose of a gas cap is because it seals the fuel system
and keeping its pressure maintained inside. It also helps prevent gasoline
fumes, also known as hydrocarbons, from escaping into the atmosphere during
use.
·
What happens if it’s not replaced?
- · You may need to refuel more often
- · You can lose fuel via evaporation
Catalytic Converter needs to be replaced
The purpose of the catalytic converter is to protect the
environment by converting the cabon monoxide and turning it into carbon
dioxide. Neglecting maintenance can often lead to damages, which are causes
number 1, 4 and 5.
What happens if it’s not replaced?
- · You experience poor fuel economy and performance
- · The vehicle won’t pass an emissions test
- · The car could overheat
Mass Airflow Sensor should be replaced
The mass airflow sensor helps the vehicle measure the air
that enters the engine for determining the amount of fuel required to property
run the engine.
What if it’s not replaced?
- · You will have poor fuel economy and performance
- · The faulty sensors could lead to more damage to 02 sensors, catalytic converter or the spark plugs
Plug wires or spark plugs need to be replaced
The spark plugs help it ignite the fuel/air mixture within
the combustion chamber of the car or truck. Spark plug wires help to deliver a
spark to the spark plugs from the ignition coil.
What happens if it’s not replaced?
- · Work plug wires or plugs can lead to the catalytic converter being clogged or the ignition coils as well as O2 sensors can be damaged.
- · You will get lower fuel economy and poor performance and power
Monday, November 14, 2016
Signs You Need A Classic Car Transmission Rebuild
All types of machinery experience wear and the transmissions
in our classic cars are not impervious to this. When they get older, used a
lot, or abused they will need to be rebuilt or replaced. Knowing the signs you
might need a classic car transmission rebuild helps you keep your pride and joy
going strong. Catching problems early also can mean the difference between
driving in for a repair, and getting towed in.
Troubled Transmission Signs
Whether you are the original owner or have just bought your
classic from a dealer or private owners your car might be telling you a story.
Knowing what to listen for and keep track of helps you stop problems when they
are smaller and less expensive to repair. Keep an eye out for the following
signs that something is amiss with your transmission.
Burning Smells –
Unless you are drag racing or have slide to a stop under heavy braking you
should not smell any burning rubber smells. The smell of burning rubber can be
a clear indication that something is wrong with your transmission. The smell
can mean that your transmission fluid is breaking down or worse is allowing
damage to your vehicle. The fluids job is to keep the transmission lubricated
and cool. It cannot do its job if it has broken down. The smell is a clear sign
that something is wrong and it very likely could be the transmission.
Slipping Gears –
If you are cruising down the road and your vehicle suddenly pops out of gear,
your transmission is having problems. This can be a very dangerous situation
when you need to be able to rely on your vehicle for sudden surges of power to avoid
collisions. The problem can be as simple as the link that keeps your vehicle in
gear. They get worn and could need a replacement. Don’t ignore this issue as it
can lead to life threatening situations. You need a transmission you can count
on that is as sure as the ground under your feet.
Noisy Neutral Gear
– If when you are in neutral and you hear a bump, you might be in luck. This is
a sign that you might just need to add some transmission fluid. If that doesn’t
fix the problem you can try changing your transmission fluid. This can solve a
lot of the issues people have with their transmissions. If you still notice a
bump in neutral a part in your transmission is failing and should be looked at
by a professional.
Sluggish Shifting
– Vehicles shouldn’t need to be convinced to go into gear. Sluggish shifting is
a sign that something is wrong with your transmission. When you pull the
vehicle from park into drive it should be smooth transition. You might be able
to work with your transmission and force the vehicle to go into gear, but this
can be a very serious problem.
Monday, November 7, 2016
Resto-modding & Restoring Classic Cars
An ever increasing number of people from every age group are
getting into classic cars. Owning a piece of history is an intoxicating hobby
and knowing how to restore these vehicles the way we want them to be is a big
part of choosing which car to buy, or how to restore them.
Resto-modding Classic Cars
Resto-modding classic cars differs from restoring in the
approach and end goal of how the work is carried out. Resto-modding describes
the choosing of modern parts and new technologies that did not exist when the
vehicle was first produced. This can make the vehicle more comfortable and
safer to drive. Technology has come a long way in the last 40 years to make
vehicles safer. The brakes, suspension, steering, and air bags have all been
improved and will make the driving of these classics much safer. Even the
comfort and navigation technologies have come a long way.
The inclusion of improved modern air conditioning can make the
owning and daily driving of classic cars much more enjoyable. With addition of
GPS taking your classic out for a road trip can be just as easy as rolling out
of your driveway in the current model year. The biggest difference is having
the classic car rumble and excitement for driving.
Replacing or increasing the horsepower of the motor is one
of the favorite projects of resto-modders. Being able to push more and more
horsepower out of these vehicles makes them more fun and more exciting to
drive.
Restoring Classic Cars
When people restore classic vehicles the goal is different than
resto-modding. The approach is more about staying true to the original design
and factory equipment. In fact some replacement parts are still sitting on
shelves from the original runs back decades ago. This means the parts are made
for your vehicle and have never been used. These are known as “new old stock”
parts. They are considered a premium part and do cost more than other
replacements but do offer the truly restored, factory original vehicle repair.
The other option is reproduction replacement parts. These
will still stay true to the original look and design of the vehicle. These
efforts are made to restore a classic to be what it was and be an example of
automotive tradition.
Which Restoration Style Is Right?
There is no definitive answer for which way is better as it
comes down to personal preference. If the goal is to take the vehicle to auto
shows as an example of the perfect factory reflection, restoring classic cars
is a better approach. If you plan to use this vehicle as your daily driver and
want to commute to work in it, resto-modding might fit better. You won’t be
winning any classic car meet up awards for original restoration, but driving to
work every day will be safer with modern brakes and safer steering and
suspension. Not to mention upgraded air conditioning is not really an option
during the intense summer heat.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)




