by Admin | Jun 4, 2020 | Auto Care Blog
The radiator is an integral component of your vehicle’s cooling system. Nonetheless, problems such as a leaking radiator can arise and cause overheating. The telltale sign is a temperature warning or when the temperature gauge reads high.
How do You Tell the Radiator is Leaking?
The first step is usually to check the level of the coolant in the see-through reservoir. If it is empty or less than half full, check the level in the radiator. However, you must first make sure that the engine is not hot. Overheating can be from an insufficient amount of coolant.
If it becomes clear that you are losing the coolant, the radiator should be your first pit stop. A puddle under the radiator is the best indication of leaking. Check the bottom and the seams of the radiator. Typically, holes from flying debris and rust inside the radiator are the usual culprits.
And even though aluminum cannot rust, it will still develop pinhole leaks and can corrode. Sometimes you can see dripping or seeping. Other telltale signs are discoloration spots and rust on the radiator.
If everything appears ok, there are still several possibilities of leaks. It can be from the radiator cap or the hoses connecting the radiator to the engine. The problem can also be the thermostat, heater core, or engine block, among others. A blown gasket between the engine block and cylinder head, causing a coolant leak into the combustion chambers, is also possible. If that happens, you will see thick smoke coming from the tailpipe.
Sometimes, the leak happens under pressure when the engine is running. The coolant escapes in the form of steam, leaving no trace at all. In such a case, you can seal the small leaks with a stop leak additive from your favorite auto parts store.
The folks at A1 Performance Auto Repair can help you with radiator troubles. Contact us!
by Admin | May 26, 2020 | Auto Care Blog
Like blood in your veins, oil is an essential component in automobiles. Your vehicle would practically grind to a halt if you neglected its oil changes. You see, the up-and-down movement of the pistons inside the cylinders requires lubrication. Without oil, the friction and heat would be so much that it would cause the piston to weld together. The engine would cease, and there would be no movement.
What if I Don’t Change the Oil?
You can argue that your vehicle has a lot of oil, and it does not need to be changed. Well, a few scenarios will happen if you were to take this point of view.
First, dirt would accumulate in the oil and turn abrasive on the various parts in the engine. The filter would hold for some time but get overwhelmed if the dirt continued to accumulate.
Another function of the oil is to transfer the heat from the engine. If it becomes too thick with dirt, the oil would have a hard time transferring that heat. As a result, it would cause more problems, and that is not what you want.
The oil contains several additives such as rust fighters, dispersants, detergents, and friction reducers. Over time, these additives break down, and the friction-reducing capability lessens significantly. The old oil stops lubricating, and the friction between metal parts increases. Eventually, the engine wears out and stops completely.
Also, the metal parts expand when heated. If the oil does not transfer this heat away from the engine, it becomes less effective. The engine parts warp and the life of the engine diminishes.
The recommended change interval is about 5000 miles. Don’t get a mini heart attack if you forget to do the scheduled oil change. Typically, your vehicle would have to run the same oil for a long time for the above to happen.
Contact A1 Performance Auto Repair in case of engine troubles. We will be more than happy to help.
by Admin | May 20, 2020 | Auto Care Blog
You cannot help but fall in love with the current crop of Dodge vehicles. For example, the Dodge Caravan, currently in its fifth generation, is one of the most popular the US and Europe. However, your prized Dodge Caravan may experience shifting shuddering and harshness that you have no idea where it’s coming from.
The problem is quite common with the 2003 Caravan and usually episodic, but this should not cost you an arm and a leg. Dodge Grand Caravan comes equipped with the latest A604 (41TE) or 62TE transmission, but it is not without problems.
So what do you do about the Dodge Van shifting problem?
Solving Dodge Van Shifting Problems
The shifting shuddering and harshness are one of the most manifest signs that your vehicle’s automatic transmission needs a thorough inspection. Sweeping this problem under the carpet can lead to much larger issues with the auto’s transmission, and that is never what you want. Contact an experienced auto repair, and they will make the problem go away.
One of the quickest ways of solving the Dodge van shifting problem is to purchase a used transmission. Most of them that you find in junkyards come with between 30 and 90 days warranty. Unfortunately, there is no way to determine if the unit does not have the same problem as the one that you want to replace.
The second option is getting a rebuilt transmission from your local repair shop. However, this mostly depends on the expertise of the auto repair technician. Don’t leave this task to someone that is on a trial-and-error rampage.
Usually, the best solution is always to spend on a remanufactured transmission. It is generally worth the investment.
Should you need any help with your Dodge Caravan transmission, A1 Performance Auto Repair is just a contact button away.
by Admin | May 4, 2020 | Auto Care Blog |
GMC Savana 2500 is a hard-working van, and that pretty much explains why it’s been giving Ram ProMaster and Ford Transit a run for their money. Even though the formula for the basic utility van has been the same for quite a long time, it has beefed up its powertrain, safety and technology. The 2019 model comes with advanced safety features.
Regardless, GMC Savana 2500 has been subject to a few engine problems. Here are some of the most common.
Some of the GMC Savana 2500 Engine Problems
Transmission getting stuck in the third gear is a common problem with 4L60E and 4L65E types of transmission. There may be a malfunction with the instrument cluster with DTC set at P0753, P0740, P1860 and P0785.
The most likely culprit is open on circuit 1020 between the transmission and fuse panel or a blown fuse. If the fuse happens to have no battery voltage, you may need to replace the ignition switch.
An abnormally harsh 1-2 shift experienced by 4L60E Transmission RPO M30 may indicate excessive bore wear that holds the regulator valves and TCC isolator. This results in extreme line pressure and the only solution is the replacement of the 4L60E valve body with isolator valves and revised TCC regulator.
When there is no movement when you shift to the third gear or Drive position, it indicates that your GMC Savana 2500 has problems. You will experience regular operation by shifting to 1st, 2nd and reverse gear positions. The obvious solution for this problem is the replacement of forward sprag assembly.
There is another common problem with 4L60E Transmission and 4L65E Transmission. The first and third gears seem to function correctly, but there are problems with the 2nd, 3rd and reverse gears. The solution is to replace the heat-treated 4L60E / 4L65 sun gear. It is a failure of the reaction sun gear.
As always, A1 Performance Auto Repair European Specialists are here to help with any GMC Savana 2500 problems.
by Admin | Apr 26, 2020 | Auto Care Blog
We know how much you love your Grand Cherokee, but its shifting problems can give you quite a headache. Of course, the Jeep brand has been one of the most reliable, especially for off-road adventures, but they are not immune to transmission problems.
Jeep vehicles have been subject to a couple of recalls to address transmission problems. For example, there was a recall that involved up to 160,000 cars toward the end of 2009. They did not have a temperature warning system in the transmission and a faulty park gear led to a recall of more than 250,000 Jeeps in 2005.
Some of the standard Jeep transmission issues included disconnected transmission linkages, rough shifting, cracked clutch plates and selector levers that were loose.
Symptoms of Jeep Transmission Problems
Transmission problems may cause a loud noise when shifting or driving, and some report deteriorating fuel economy. It’s typical for most Jeep owners to ignore these symptoms and hope that they will go away on their own. For them, it’s just a simple inconvenience, but it can create dangerous situations. The Jeep shifting problem can put you and other road users in danger of a crash or the Jeep stalling in the middle of nowhere. You’ll also risk engine fire where the transmission fluid is leaking.
Jeep Transmission Remedies
Typically, the cost of the transmission repair will depend on the problem and its complexity. Small leaks or loose shifter knobs can be repaired in less than an hour by a qualified auto repair technician with favorable pricing, if it isn’t covered under warranty.
However, installing a new Electronic control unit or replacing gears will cost you a few hundred dollars. The last option is usually a replacement transmission, and it can go upwards of $3000. A1 Performance Auto Repair European Specialists will help you with any Jeep transmission issues if your warranty doesn’t cover it.
by Admin | Mar 26, 2020 | Auto Care Blog
Tesla Model S long-range Sedan claims a range of 390 miles. For some time, this was the best battery capacity on the electric car market, but that is no longer the case. General Motors has topped Tesla in that regard. Thus the adage becoming number one is easier than remaining number one proves true.
But what is it all about, and what does it mean for the electric car market? Are we about to see a drop in the price of electric vehicles?
GM’s New Battery and Possible Implications
The new battery can potentially power motor vehicles for up to 400 miles, currently the best range. General Motors hopes to license the battery to other electric vehicle manufacturers to make them affordable. GM’s aggressive plan is to put everyone in an electric vehicle and reduce the effects of global warming.
Ultium, as GM calls the new battery cells, has flat and soft pouches. In contrast, the battery cells from Tesla are hard cylinders that must be in horizontal rows like books stacked in a bookshelf. The benefits of Ultium are that they can take any shape, allowing designers a lot of flexibility, and, therefore, more versatile than the Tesla battery.
The electric vehicle batteries contain cobalt, an expensive component. Ultium includes a small amount of it, without affecting performance. Combined with continued manufacturing improvements, the prices of the battery go down.
GM is optimistic that the current battery improvements will drive the costs below $100 per kilowatt-hour. This is the mark often cited by industry specialists as the threshold that will make electric vehicles genuinely competitive with their fossil-fuel counterparts. The battery makes up a large part of the electric vehicle cost. Bringing this cost down will make the electric-vehicle affordable, and that is what we all want. At least most of us!
