car-repair-services-checks

Need an Engine Rebuild? What are your choices?

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:20:17 +0100

Engine Rebuild or replacement may be a much better economic decision to keep new car costs at bay. You have few choices of Engine Service before you decide to make new car payments.

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If your vehicle has finally bit the dust and the motor is totally shot, don't just go out and buy a new car and take on the burden of a car payment. You have a few choices of engine service before you do that. Buying a new car might sound great in theory but in these uncertain economic times, it might not be the right investment. Other options, such as an engine rebuild or replacement may be a much better economic decision to keep new car costs at bay.

So, before you go out and purchase another car when you experience serious trouble, learn what engine service options you have first. It could be that installing a remanufactured engine, or having an engine rebuild will extend the current life of your vehicle life at a significantly lower cost than buying a new vehicle, saving you money in the long run.

With an engine rebuild or replacement, a vehicle's engine (or an identical one from another like-vehicle) is completely disassembled, cleaned, machined and remanufactured or rebuilt. Remanufactured or rebuilt engines are dependable, reliable and backed by excellent warranty programs, unlike ones that are used or from junk yards with unknown performance and maintenance histories.

For about the same price as an average down payment on a new car or truck, an engine rebuild or a remanufactured engine will provide years of reliable service without monthly car payments and higher insurance rates. It makes good sense that before considering purchasing a new vehicle, discuss with a professional automotive technician to find out what type of engine service is the right choice for you.

Need a quality engine service? Contact an ASE-certified technician at one of our Excel Auto Repair service centers. We will be happy to answer any of your questions about an engine rebuild. Check our website at www.excelautoandtire.com for the location closest to you. Our three auto shops are conveniently located in Eagan, MN, Spring Lake Park, MN, and Rochester, MN.

Brake Rotors turning up the heat for a Brake Replacement?

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 13:05:49 +0100

What causes your car to actually come to a stop? To put it simply, the action of stepping on the brake pedal builds up energy by depressing on the throttle. This energy is converted into friction and heat, which in turns slows, and then will bring your vehicle to a complete stop—that is, if everything is in good working order. This process is repeated without any thought from you hundreds of times every time you head down the road. As this action is consistently repeated, the friction and heat created by the brake pads clamping down on the brake rotors actually wears down their metal surface. As time goes on, problems arise, possibly leading to a costly brake replacement.

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What's your combination—too thin or too hot?

When brake rotors get too thin, they lose their ability to channel heat away from the braking process causing them to overheat. Overheating can cause a myriad of problems and lead to a premature brake replacement. As the pads get too hot, they produce gases that can cause your brakes to fail. When brake rotors overheat, they will warp and discolor. And, brake fluid can boil, causing a total failure in the braking system!

Out of round?

Perfect brake rotors are smooth and flat, shaped like a dinner plate. The measure of this flatness is called run-out. A difference as small as .001 inch off-center may be felt in the pedal. As brake rotors warp, they resemble a wavy potato chip. If consistently overheated, they may develop deep scars. As this occurs, your mechanic will recommend a brake replacement to ensure your safety.

Brake Replacement Time?

If you feel a vibration as you step on the brake pedal, it's time to schedule an inspection. First, your mechanic should measure the rotor's minimum thickness. Secondly, they should inspect the run-out. If the rotor still meets certain specifications, it may be resurfaced and reinstalled. However, if any of the measurements exceed the stated specifications, the brake rotors will need to be replaced.

Don't be tempted to skimp or cut corners on a brake service. It's makes good sense for safety and peace of mind.

Need a quality brake replacement? Contact an ASE-certified technician at one of our three Excel Auto Repair service centers. We will be happy to answer any of your car care questions. Check our website at www.excelautoandtire.com for the location closest to you and to find our oil change coupons. Our three auto shops are conveniently located in Eagan, MN, Spring Lake Park, MN, and Rochester, MN.

Transmission Fluid Change: An important Transmission Repair

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 06:10:57 +0100

A transmission fluid change, sometimes called a transmission flush, should be part of your regular vehicle maintenance, just like an oil change or replacing the coolant in your radiator. Regular service can help you avoid costly transmission repair. Generally, you should have a service every 24,000 miles, or every two years. Some manufactures recommend longer service intervals like 50,000 or 100,000 miles. However, these intervals may exceed any opportunity for you to identify problems early on so you can avoid minor problems turning into a major transmission repair.

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Transmission Fluid Change, or Transmission Flush?

Generally, a transmission fluid change service replaces about 1/3 to 1/2 of the fluid inside the transmission and is adequate for a regularly-maintained motor. For more severe instances you may consider a transmission flush, which is intended to replace nearly 100% of the fluid. It requires a specialized machine that pumps new fluid through the transmission's lube and cooler circuit, replacing the old fluid.

A word of caution: if you elect the flush, make sure you have the filter replaced as well, provided it is accessible.Your decision to consider a regular service or transmission fluid change can be determined by the condition of the fluid.
Reseal Service
Sometimes, an automatic develops a leak but operates fine in all other aspects. For this, a reseal service is the best transmission repair which includes:

   1. Removing your automatic transmission
   2. Replacing all the external seals (which usually requires partial disassembly of the transmission).
   3. Reinstalling the transmission back into the car.

The transmission is filled with new fluid along with any necessary adjustments and then road tested to insure proper operation. During the required disassembly to replace the seals, the technician can verify whether or not other internal components are in good shape and address any problems at that time.

If you have other questions about a transmission fluid change, we will be happy to answer them for you. Stop in one of our convenient Excel Auto Repair service centers and ask our ASE-certified technicians for their recommendation. Or, check out our website at www.excelautoandtire.com for the location closest to you and to find out more about transmission repair. Our three auto shops are conveniently located in Eagan, MN, Spring Lake Park, MN, and Rochester, MN.

Oil Change: Normal or Severe Driving?

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:43:22 +0100

Estimates vary as to when you need to have an oil change service on your vehicle. The intervals between each service rely on various factors. It seems like every person you ask has a different answer. Who is right? Knowing which factors affect the cleanliness of your oil can help you make an informed choice. A recent study by AAA found that more than 50% of all motorists follow the wrong maintenance schedule for their vehicles because they mistakenly assume they drive under "normal" conditions.

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How to determine the Correct Oil Change Interval?

Typically, your owner's manual is a reliable source for the answer. Most vehicle manufacturers have two sets of maintenance schedules, one for "normal" driving and one for "severe" driving. For "normal" driving, your owner's manual will probably recommend an oil change every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. This schedule is based on ideal driving conditions – driving short distances, never over the speed limit, level roads, no load, that kind of thing – something the average driver would be hard-pressed to accomplish.

However, if you are the average driver, then your vehicle would be better off using the "severe conditions" maintenance schedule. If you frequently drive on short trips, drive in hot weather, stop-and-go traffic, or transport items on a roof-top carrier, you most likely should follow the "severe" service schedule in your vehicle owner's manual. This will mean more frequent oil and filter changes, typically with a recommended service about every 3,000 miles. Most auto shops offer oil change coupons to make frequent services more affordable for their customers.

Conversely, and perhaps obviously, if you don't drive many miles at all, you'll be able to get away with longer periods in between. By erring on the side of caution with a regular oil change about every 3,000 miles, you will enhance the performance and longevity of your vehicle.

Looking for an affordable and quality oil change? Contact an ASE-certified technician at one of our three Excel Auto Repair service centers. We will be happy to answer any of your car care questions. Check our website at www.excelautoandtire.com for the location closest to you and to find our oil change coupons. Our three auto shops are conveniently located in Eagan, MN, Spring Lake Park, MN, and Rochester, MN.

Exhaust System: How does a Muffler work?

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 05:43:39 +0100

If you've ever heard a car engine running without a muffler, you know the difference it makes to the noise level coming from your vehicle's exhaust system. The muffler is designed to reflect the sound waves produced by the engine in such a way that they partially cancel themselves out.

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Where Does the Sound Come From?

Sound is a pressure wave formed from pulses of alternating high and low air pressure. These pulses make their way through the air at -- you guessed it – the speed of sound.

In an engine, pulses are created when an exhaust valve opens and a burst of high-pressure gas suddenly enters the exhaust system. The molecules in this gas collide with the lower-pressure molecules in the pipe, causing them to stack up on each other. They in turn stack up on the molecules a little further down the pipe, leaving an area of low pressure behind. In this way, the sound wave makes its way down the pipe much faster than the actual gases do.

How does a Muffler cancel out sound?

Located inside the muffler, you'll find a deceptively simple set of tubes with some holes in them. These tubes and chambers are actually as finely tuned as a musical instrument. These tubes are designed to create reflected waves that interfere with each other or cancel each other out. The exhaust gases and the sound waves enter through the center tube. They bounce off the back wall of the muffler and are reflected through a hole into the main body of the muffler. They pass through a set of holes into another chamber, where they turn and go out the last pipe and leave the muffler.

Typically, the body of the muffler is constructed in three layers: Two thin layers of metal with a thicker, slightly insulated layer between them. This allows the body of the muffler to absorb some of the pressure pulses. Also, the inlet and outlet pipes going into the main chamber are perforated with holes. This allows thousands of tiny pressure pulses to bounce around in the main chamber, canceling each other out to some extent in addition to being absorbed by the muffler's housing.

Resonator or Muffler?

Some cars, especially luxury cars where quiet operation is a key feature, have another component in the exhaust system that looks like a muffler, but is called a resonator. The dimensions are calculated so that the waves reflected by the resonator help cancel out certain frequencies of sound in the exhaust system. The resonator contains a specific volume of air and has a specific length that is calculated to produce a wave that cancels out a certain frequency of sound.

Got questions about your vehicle's exhaust system? Contact an ASE-certified technician at one of our three Excel Auto Repair Shops. We will be happy to answer any questions about muffler. Check our website at www.excelautoandtire.com for the location closest to you. Our three auto shops are conveniently located in Eagan, MN, Spring Lake Park, MN, and Rochester, MN.

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Engine Repair or Engine Rebuild – How Serious Is Serious?

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 05:12:27 +0100

No engine, no matter how well it is constructed, will last forever and will need some type of engine service. Even high performance ulra-high-end ones will eventually wear out and need an engine repair. An engine is composed of many precisely machined moving parts that work together under extreme conditions harnessing the power of internal combustion. If your car has seen better performance days, it may be time to consider an engine rebuild.

Engine Rebuild or Replace Your Vehicle? It's Your Call!

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An older or high-mileage vehicle can often be given a new lease on life with either a major engine repair or engine rebuild. There are factors to consider and remember before you make that decision, such as; the current operation and functionality of other vehicle components, and whether the vehicle's interior and exterior condition is in good working condition. Going to all the work and expense of an engine repair or engine rebuild when the vehicle already has other major mechanical issues, can amount to a very expensive and time-consuming mistake. On the other hand, an engine rebuild may be the wisest move if you've recently invested in a transmission service or replacement of major system components, and have the engine die on you. You will want to consider all the various angles before making your final decision about the type of engine service required.

The Long and the Short of It -

Remanufactured engines are available in two modes: long, and short. A "long block" is a complete engine assembly from 'A' to 'Z'. A "short block" consists of just the lower block components. The block and rotating assembly of crankshaft, connecting rods and pistons make up the bottom end. Your choice depends on which part has failed, or how worn out it is overall. If you recently replaced a cylinder head and the piston rings start burning oil, expels a connecting rod, or burns a bearing, you may only need a short block. However, in most cases the long block is the most cost-effective choice even it may be the most expensive option initially.

Unless you are a highly qualified and experienced auto mechanic, you will want to consult your auto repair shop for their assessment and recommendation as to the type of engine service will be the best way to go!

Need expert advice on engine repair? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians today at an Excel Auto Repair Shop. We will be happy to answer any questions about how we can help you with an engine service. Check our website at www.excelautoandtire.com for the location closest to you. Our two auto shops are located in Eagan MN, Spring Lake Park MN.

Radiator Repair: Relieve Pressure with Radiator Service!

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 06:19:38 +0100

A vehicle that overheats is a bit more complicated than just the motor getting too hot. If this happens while driving, most drivers realize that it’s critical to stop the engine as soon as possible and head to the nearest radiator service shop. Serious damage will occur to your motor if you continue on driving, and an inconvenient as well as costly radiator repair will be required. How does a driver know when a vehicle begins to overheat?

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Signs of an Engine Overheating --

* The engine coolant temperature gauge will show in the red, or a red illuminated engine light will appear, depending on the model of the vehicle.

* If the radiator or cooling system has a sudden loss of coolant, the engine coolant temperature gauge (or red engine light) may not function properly. If there’s no coolant at all, the sending unit will measure a false reading. If this occurs the engine will start to lose compression and run rough. Eventually the engine will stop running all together, causing major engine damage,

Why an Engine Overheats --

Understanding how a vehicle’s cooling system works helps drivers understand the importance of a radiator service when their vehicle overheats. The engine coolant is circulated through the engine with a water pump. The moving parts of the engine create heat through friction and combustion. The radiator, made up of small metal fins where the coolant flows through, keeps it at an acceptable temperature. A cooling fan sucks air from the radiator and through the fins to cool the coolant. As the vehicle is driven, air passes through the radiator and helps cool the coolant.

Overheating engine problems? For quality radiator repair, contact our ASE-certified technicians at an Excel Auto Repair Shop. We will be happy to help you with any of your vehicle maintenance issues. Check our website at www.excelautoandtire.com for the location closest to you. Our two auto shops are located in Eagan MN, Spring Lake Park MN.

Auto Repair: Tips for Winter Driving from an Auto Repair Shop!

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 12:35:35 +0100

With winter at our doorstep, you may be planning to head out and visit family and friends for the holiday season. When you do, you certainly want a reliable vehicle! Get prepared with quality auto repair service. A little time spent at your auto repair shop can prevent a roadside emergency, sabotaging your arrival at your holiday destination.

To prevent emergency repair costs while on the road, or possibly being stranded on the side of the road, are you familiar with these 4 tips for auto repair?

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1. Have you kept up your scheduled maintenance services?

As needed, be sure to check, change, or top-off the fluids, i.e, oil, brake and transmission. Spend a little extra to purchase high-quality filters for a smoother ride. Have the brake system inspected too. Are the rotors warped, are there deep grooves, or are the pads worn too thin? Make sure to the exterior lights (headlights, brakes, back-up lights, blinkers) are all working properly. You want to see and be seen on a dark winter’s night! Finally, check your wiper blades and replace them as necessary.

2. What about the interior of your car?

Clean the interior of your car before you head off to grandma’s house. All-weather floor mats will help protect your carpets and are easy to clean or replace. Clean your windows so there is nothing obstructing your view. Remove unnecessary items from the trunk and backseat to increase your vehicle’s fuel efficiency, as well as make room for all your holiday food and gifts! Don’t forget to check the spare tire too!

3. What should I check on my tires?

To avoid an unexpected flat tire, make sure they have the proper air pressure. Also have them inspected for abnormal wear and if necessary, have them rotated.
4. Why should I inspect the Radiator?

Make sure the ratio of anti-freeze is adequate, and the hoses checked for cracks or bulges. This is especially important when driving in cold, freezing temperatures.

If you take care of these routine auto repair services before your trip, your car’s gas mileage and driving performance will increase significantly. It will help you have a trouble-free, and fun holiday road trip. Don’t spend your holiday in an auto repair shop!

For quality auto repair services, contact our ASE Certified Technicians at an Excel Auto Repair Shop. We will be happy to help you with any of your vehicle maintenance issues. Check our website at www.excelautoandtire.com for the location closest to you. Our two auto shops are located in Eagan MN, Spring Lake Park MN.

Stop, Look and Listen – you might need a brake replacement!

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 13:09:06 +0100

How confident are you with the stopping power of your car? Brakes often become an afterthought. They work hundreds of times each week, stopping your vehicle in just the right time. But how long can they keep up with this demanding pace? Don’t wait for problems before you schedule a brake service.

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Behind the Scenes --

When you step on the brakes, the car stops – it’s that simple. But behind the scenes, your car’s brake system is performing a detailed balancing act to help you stop safely and smoothly every time. If a component becomes worn or damaged, that system breaks down and your vehicle won’t stop as it should.

Warning Signs leading to a Brake Replacement --

Fortunately you can usually hear brake problems coming. Take a minute to stop, look, and listen to your brakes. Hear that screeching, squealing sound when you come to a stop? That sound typically means that the brake pads are worn. Schedule a brake service! Don’t ignore that sound for too long as the excess heat created can cause serious damage to your rotors, most likely leading to a complete brake replacement.

Do you see a warning light on your dash board? If so, don’t delay in scheduling a brake service for an inspection of the entire system. Failing brakes are nothing to mess around with. Your family’s safety is at stake.

The level and quality of the brake fluid is another indicator of failing brakes. The fluid can become dirty and create problems when it can’t do its job of flowing to the calipers. Clean, new fluid will help to extend the life of your entire vehicle and save you money on costly brake repairs in the future.

Proper Brake Service --

A complete brake service typically requires resurfacing the rotors. Each rotor is resurfaced according to manufacturer specifications and lubricated properly to make sure the pads get the maximum durability. These important steps make a major difference in your car’s braking performance. If you see or hear the warning signs described, take your vehicle into an auto service center as soon as possible for a brake service. It’s the wise thing to do.

Need a brake replacement? Contact our ASE-certified technicians at an Excel Auto Repair Shop. They will be happy to help you with a quality brake service. Check our website at www.excelautoandtire.com for the location closest to you. Our 3 auto shops in the Twin Cities area are conveniently located in Eagan MN, Spring Lake Park MN, & Maplewood MN.

Vehicle Maintenance Alert! Prepare your car for Fall!

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 07:02:29 +0100

Now that summer driving is over, and fall is at the door, car maintenance is vital to keep your vehicle dependable. For your quick reference, we have compiled a checklist to alert you to the most common components that should be inspected as part of a vehicle maintenance service:

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    * Get a transmission check. Is the fluid clean or are there any noticeable leaks? A transmission flush and filter change is a great way to protect this major automobile component.

    * Time for a brake check. Are you hearing a grinding or squealing sound? Does your car shudder when stopping? Have your pads and rotors examined for excess wear.

    * Check your power steering system. Make sure that the fluid quality is good and that it is adequate. If your steering wheel shakes or is difficult to turn, it is time for a little vehicle maintenance.

    * Replace your wiper blades. New wiper blades can significantly increase visibility on rainy days.

    * Oil Changes. Follow your vehicle’s recommended oil change intervals. This is probably the easiest and least expensive car maintenance service that you can do to keep your motor running as efficiently as possible.

    * Clean and wax your car’s exterior. The wax will help protect your car from the dirt thrown up on rainy muddy roads.

    * Check the cooling system. The correct level and type of antifreeze for the climate that you live in is very important. Have the hoses checked for leaks, as well as the condition of the thermostat.

    * Tires and wheel alignment. Be sure tires are properly inflated with a good amount of tread remaining. If you notice uneven wear, chances are the wheel alignment needs to be checked.

With the vehicle maintenance complete, you can rest assured that your car is ready to keep you on schedule for all your Fall activities. Car maintenance is worth every effort and dollar spent to protect the life of your car, and ensure the safety of you and your passengers!

Need to find expert vehicle maintenance? Our ASE-certified technicians at an Excel Auto Repair Shop will be happy to help you. Check our website at www.excelautoandtire.com for the location closest to you. Our 3 auto shops in the Twin Cities area are conveniently located in Eagan MN, Spring Lake Park MN, & Maplewood MN.