AUTONET TV

Timing Cover Replacement

Your engine has a lot of parts that need to work in harmony in order to keep you powering down the road.  Some of those parts need to be protected in order to keep things running smoothly, and one that does the job is called a timing cover. It is in the front of your engine and shields components that keep your vehicle’s crankshaft and camshaft in sync so your engine will run the way it should.

The timing cover can fail, and it’s important to replace it before your engine suffers significant damage. The cover has to keep engine oil from getting on other parts of the engine.  Over time, gaskets and seals can start leaking oil because of the heat, vibration and deterioration.  When this happens, your oil level might be slowly going down, and sometimes you might even notice oil on the ground under your vehicle’s engine.  

The oil can leak onto belts and pulleys, severely affecting engine performance and safety.  When too much oil leaks, internal parts of your engine can be damaged.  

Sometimes it’s not oil leaks but physical damage from road debris and corrosion that can cause the timing cover to fail. It can be something as simple as a small crack.  When that happens, it’s possible your engine won’t be properly lubricated and timing alignment can be off.  

If your engine has a timing chain, the timing cover may make sure the chain’s guides and tension are operating the way they should.  If the timing cover begins to wear excessively or develops a small crack, you might notice rattles coming from your engine.  Plus, your engine’s timing accuracy may be affected and the chain may even fail.  

As part of regular maintenance, a technician checks to make sure your timing cover isn’t showing any leaks, wear or cracks.  A timing cover that is starting to show signs of damage or wear should be replaced so it can protect the engine’s timing system, prevent oil loss and keep your vehicle working reliably.  

Auto Authority LLC
804 Witzel Ave
Oshkosh, WI 54902
920-231-1016
www.autoauthorityoshkosh.com

Grinding, Jerking and Slipping

Gone are the early days of driving when people had to manually shift gears in their vehicles.  Now, though, we are spoiled by automatic transmissions that seem like they’ll go forever.  Like everything mechanical, automatic transmissions can develop problems. 

Signs trouble is brewing sometimes starts with small changes in how your vehicle feels, sounds or responds.  Knowing these signs can save you from major repairs.

One to watch out for is shifting that’s rough or delayed. Sometimes your vehicle will hesitate before it changes gears, or there’s a jerk when it shifts.  Maybe it feels like the transmission is slipping out of gear.  These are all signs you should bring it in for one of our technicians to check out.

Another thing to pay attention to is a new noise you don’t ever remember hearing before.  Your shifts should be quiet, but if you hear a clunking, grinding or humming sound during shifts, this could be a sign of low transmission fluid or worn-out parts.  It could also indicate worse things to come.

Use your nose to know if something might be wrong.  If you smell burning, it could be a sign of transmission fluid that is overheating or deteriorating.  Your eyes also might spot leaking fluid around your vehicle, especially if it’s red or pink.  That’s a good time to have us check yours for leaks.

Other signs of transmission issues are an illuminated Check Engine light, hesitation during acceleration or your vehicle not moving at all when it’s in gear. 

Your transmission delivers power from the engine to the wheels, and being aware of small changes in how your vehicle shifts, sounds or feels can be clues  problems are developing.  When you notice them, give us a call and have us check them out before you find yourself up shifts creek without a paddle.

Auto Authority LLC
804 Witzel Ave
Oshkosh, WI 54902
920-231-1016
www.autoauthorityoshkosh.com

Keeping Your Cool

Most vehicles on the road use an engine coolant to help get the heat out of the engine so it can run at the temperature it’s designed to. Coolant also prevents your engine from freezing in cold weather and reduces corrosion in some components such as the radiator and water pump.  

After you’ve driven your vehicle for a while, the coolant’s chemicals break down and can’t do the job they’re supposed to. If it’s been a long time since your coolant was last changed, you notice your vehicle is running a little hotter than it used to or your cabin heater isn’t working the way it once did, it may be time to have one of our technicians examine your coolant. It may need a coolant exchange.  What that means is draining out your old coolant and replacing it with new.  

In addition to simply replacing the fluid, the radiator, heater core, hoses and passages in the engine block should also be flushed.  That ensures that rust, corrosion and debris buildup will be removed so your cooling system can do its job more efficiently.

Conventional coolants (they’re usually a green color) typically last about 2-3 years.  Another longer-life coolant may last 5 years or more.  Many manufacturers recommend a coolant change every 5 years or 50,000-100,000 miles/80,000-160,000 km.  Our technicians will make sure your vehicle gets the correct coolant for your engine.

Once your coolant is replaced, your engine stays protected from extreme temperatures.  It shouldn’t overheat in summer or freeze in winter.  You should notice better heater performance, less corrosion in the cooling system and a longer lifespan for your water pump and radiator.

Auto Authority LLC
804 Witzel Ave
Oshkosh, WI 54902
920-231-1016
www.autoauthorityoshkosh.com

Catching Trouble Early

Your vehicle depends on wheel bearings.  Sitting between the wheel’s hub and axle, they allow your wheels to spin smoothly, bear the vehicle’s weight and work in harmony to stay aligned with other parts.  

Wheel bearings can fail in several ways, and they may send the driver some pretty clear clues.  Sometimes they make strange noises, or you may feel vibrations instead of the usual smooth ride. The most common signs are grinding or humming noises, uneven tire wear and steering vibrations.

Wheel bearings can fail when they are contaminated with water, road salt or dirt that slips in through a broken seal that’s designed to keep those things out.  If lubrication gets too old or overheats, it can create friction and heat that will cause the bearing to fail.  If you’ve hit some hard potholes or curbs, that can also damage a wheel bearing.

Unfortunately, wheel bearings can’t be fixed; they have to be replaced.

Once a wheel bearing is worn, replacement is the only fix—bearings cannot be repaired. When you bring your vehicle in, a technician will give it a road test and listen for noises on turns.  If your bearing needs replacing, the technician will use the appropriate part for your vehicle and make sure the axle nut is torqued to factory specifications.

If you can avoid driving in deep water, keep your tires balanced and make sure your suspension and brakes are maintained, you might minimize the chances of damaging a wheel bearing.  

You probably don’t think about your wheel bearings very much, but they are important to good vehicle performance.  When they’re healthy, your wheels will rotate smoothly, handling will be stable and your braking will feel solid and predictable.

Auto Authority LLC
804 Witzel Ave
Oshkosh, WI 54902
920-231-1016
www.autoauthorityoshkosh.com