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Auto Repair Detective Work
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- Category: Our Garage Car Care News
One might say the most challenging part of being an automotive service technician at Our Garage Auto Repair in Aurora, Colorado is diagnosing a problem before it can be fixed.
Cars are made up of a bunch of complex systems. There usually could be a number of reasons for any given symptom. So it’s challenging to track down the actual cause of the problem. And it can be frustrating for the vehicle owner because it can take time and money to get to the bottom of a problem. If it’s not something obvious, it’s easy for the customer to focus on the fixing and not the diagnosing.
Let us introduce you to something we’ll call Customer Detective Work – that is helping your Aurora, Colorado technician find clues to what’s wrong.
We start with the detective basics: What, Where and When. Play along with me. You come in to Our Garage Auto Repair and your car is making a funny sound.
- Q: Where’s the sound?
- A: Around the right front wheel.
- Q: What kind of sound?
- A: Kind of a clunk, clunk sound.
- Q: When do you hear the sound?
- A: When I turn and accelerate.
- Q: Right and left? Forwards and back?…
Do you see where we’re going? You’re gathering additional information to help your Aurora, Colorado technician know where to start. Based on your car and the tech’s experience, he’ll know where to look and can start with the obvious suspects.
You can see how that would be more helpful than dropping the car off with a note that says “making a funny noise”.
When you think you need to bring a vehicle in, make some notes about the problem. Rather than just saying “it’s leaking”, tell the tech the color of the fluid, and approximately where under the car you see the puddle.
Things like ‘the car is stalling or sputtering’ are often very hard to diagnose because they’re intermittent. They may not happen every time you drive and usually aren’t happening when you actually bring the car in. So, it is a big help for you to describe what’s happening in as much detail as possible.
Your technician at Our Garage In Aurora will need to be able to duplicate the problem if possible so he needs to know details, like ‘it stalls after it’s been driven for about 20 minutes and I go over 50 miles an hour’.
If the tech can experience the problem personally, he’s better able to make a diagnosis and repair. And, then test to see if the repair solved the problem.
Belts & Hoses: Essential Elements
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Make Sense of Car Care - Advice from AAA
The do-it yourself mechanic often overlooks hoses and belts. Yet, just a little attention to these vital components can ensure your car is operating at its best.
People often wait until they get some indication that their vehicles need service, such as noise or a squeal, before taking them to a repair facility. Although you should have a professional technician look at your belts and hoses as part of your regular maintenance schedule, basic inspection can be done in your own driveway. By conducting monthly inspections on your belts and hoses, you can help prevent premature engine wear and extend the life of your vehicle.
Belts
When you’re ready to check your vehicle’s belts and hoses, be sure to do so before you start your car, while the engine is still cold.
First, you need to closely inspect the belts. Drive belts are necessary to operate the accessory systems attached to the engine, such as the alternator, power steering pump, air conditioner compressor, and the water pump. To fully assess the condition of the belts, you should do a visual inspection and test the belt tension.
Begin with a careful inspection of the belts along their edges and undersides for any signs of cracking, fraying, or missing pieces. Also, look to see if they have a shiny, glazed appearance. These danger signs indicate a belts needs replacement.
In addition, the belt tension should be checked and adjusted on a regular basis. If the belt tension is too tight, it can cause bearings in the accessory components – and even the engine itself – to wear prematurely. If it is too loose, the belt will slop and squeal, causing the accessory components to work less efficiently. In adequate tension will also cause the belt to wear excessively. The only way to check tension accurately is with a belt tension gauge, but you can estimate correct tension by depressing the belt along its longest straight section. If the tension is correct, the belt should deflect about 1/2 inch to 1 inch.
Hoses
While your engine is still cold, you need to check for small hose leaks. If you notice a small leak, wrap duct tape around the hose until you are able to get it fixed. Next, make sure that the upper radiator hose is not collapsed. If it is, the radiator pressure cap is defective and must be replaced.
Now, firmly squeeze the radiator and heater hoses. A hose that feels very hard or makes a “crunch” as it is squeezed is deteriorating and should be replaced. You should also replace hoses that are extremely soft, sticky, or oil-soaked, as they are likely to fail.
Next, you want to finish inspecting your car’s hoses with a warm engine. After driving the car far enough for the engine to be fully warmed up, turn off the engine and immediately open the hood. Now, look carefully at all the hoses to spot any swollen areas. Such areas indicate weak spots.
You also want to look for small damp spots or trails of coolant at the hose-end connections. Dry coolant tracks, often greenish or pink in color, leaking downward from the hose ends, along with thermostat housing, firewall, or radiator, may indicate a small “cold leak.” A cold leak seals itself when hoses and connection expand as they warm up.
Belts and hoses are relatively inexpensive parts to maintain or replace. But ignoring these vital vehicle components can add up to major repair expense. Spending just a few minutes under your hood can help keep your vehicle running smoothly.
Remember
- Inspect hoses.
- Squeeze radiator hoses.
- Examine belts.
- Check proper belt tension.
Warning Signs
- You may be experiencing hose or belt problems if you notice any of the following:
- Small hose leaks.
- A collapsed radiator hose.
- Hoses that crunch or are soft, sticky, or oil-soaked.
- Belts that are cracking, fraying, or missing pieces or have a shinyt, glazed appearnance.
- Swollen areas on hoses.
- Coolant tracks.
- A squealing noise as the engine is accelerated.
- A slow, rhythmic slapping sound at idle.
- A sweet burning smell from a coolant leak.
| Maintenance Schedule | |
| Frequency | Maintenance Item |
| Monthly | Check belts and hoses |
This maintenance interval is based on normal driving conditions.
The final authority on your specific vehicle is your owners manual. Review it regularly to determine the correct maintenance procedures for your car or truck.
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