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Car Repair Question, Answers and Information
Welcome to 2Carpros.com your car repair information portal. Bob, Ken and their team
of auto repair specialists have answered your
car questions online since
1998. Stop guessing at auto repair, our mission is to provide you with information that can help you
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Featured Car Repair Question:
Question Asked: By
kmagura, Have Donated
Engine Cooling problem 2002 BMW 325 6 cyl Two
Wheel Drive Automatic 96405 miles
While driving today, my car's temp gauge went from normal to over
heating in about 5 minutes or less. I drove it for another 5 miles or so
until I could safely pull over. The coolant reservoir is busted. The
replacement is going to cost $193.00. Does this repair cost sound
reasonable? Could I have damaged the engine by driving it, even only 5
miles? What does an engine replacement usually cost?
Thanks!
------------------------------------
Answer Posted: By
Dr. Hagerty,
Certified 2CarPros Master Technician
The quoted price for the work is quite reasonable.
The engine may or may not have sustained some internal complications during
the temperature excursion you undertook. The decision to repair or replace
would need to be based on the level of damage.
Have a Car Repair Question
you need an answer to?
Taking Your Car in for Repair?
Before taking your car in for repairs check our website for questions pertaining
to your car repair, and gain as
much free additional information as possible. The more information you can
acciure the more intelligent you can be when car repairs are needed. The
repair shop should inspect your car and estimate repairs before beginning
the work. The shop must provide a written or verbal estimate and the final bill
cannot be more than 10% higher than the original estimate. Always ask to see
the damaged or worn parts at the time the work order is placed. Have the repair shop give you the
damaged/worn-out parts in the box the new
replacement parts came in to ensure quality. Always insist on factory OE parts (amazingly there are many car part
manufacturers that produce sub-standard replacement parts) original
manufacturer parts offer better usability and durability. If you are un-sure
of the reason the part must but replaced ask the technician to show you the
specific damage and why the part has failed. Also, ask how long the repair
shop will warranty the repair and if the warranty covers labor on the part
if it fails prematurely. It never hurts to get a second opinion, once you
have received the first estimate try checking around at a few shops and the
dealer to make an informed choice.
Information Every Car Driver Should Know
Getting the most from your gas? - It is no secret gas prices are up and putting a big pinch on our pocket
books.
Car maintenance and driving habits significantly affect fuel
economy. Here are a few tips to help you get the most for your buck.
First, check the air pressure in your car's tires. Most vehicle tire
pressure recommendations are located on a sticker in the driver's door jam
or on the side wall of the tire. While tire and car manufacturers
recommend a prescribed tire pressure, it has been shown that slightly more
tire pressure is optimal for achieving higher fuel economy by reducing
rolling resistance. Some hybrid cars are manufactured with tires that
can hold up to 55 P.S.I. as compared with the usual 32 P.S.I. For safety and
better gas mileage always keep your
tires properly inflated. Next, analyze
your driving habits. Do you take off quickly from a stop? Try easing into
the throttle and allow the vehicle to accelerate slowly. Observe the
traffic and signals in front of you. If a stop is imminent release the gas
pedal and allow the car to coast the remainder of the distance before
using the
brakes. Proper maintenance of your car's engine is essential for
optimum performance. If your
engine is misfiring it will decrease mileage.
If the engine oil and filter changes have been neglected it will cause
additional friction inside the
engine and hinder the
performance and gas
mileage. Finally, remove all un-necessary objects from the car, added
weight can decease mileage also inspect your engine service records and
perform a tune up or oil change as recommended. Following these gas saving
tips can increase your mileage and save you money.
Flat tire on freeway - A flat
tire on the freeway or any other busy highway can be very dangerous.
There are mainly two kinds of flat tires, either the tire is very low on air
or the tire is already flat and beginning to fall apart. In the first
condition (tire very low on air) you have a chance to get off the freeway to a safe place
where you can change the tire or wait for service. In the second case
(flat and falling apart) it is best not to worry about saving the tire, your
main objective is to get to the freeway off-ramp or to a safe place where
you can change the tire or wait for service. The car will have more rolling
resistance but it will continue moving on the flat tire, proceed very slowly
and use caution. When pulling off the road to a safe place make sure your car is
as far off the road and away from traffic as possible. Most of the time when a tire is run very
low on air the inner layers of the
tire will breakdown and render the tire useless
anyway. If there isn't an off-ramp near by or a safe place to stop, pull the
car to the side of the road as far away from traffic as possible, when you can
safely exit the car, walk as far away from traffic as possible to a more
protected area. Don't get hung up on the idea that you need to save the tire.
Far to many times people try to save a sixty five dollar tire and
end up getting seriously injured or worse in the process.
Don't be fooled by the "low ball bid" - Some repair shops and dealers practice the low ball bid method of
business to get you in the door this is how it works. Let's say you call in
for a radiator replacement and you get a low bid, it sounds good but what is
really happening on the other end of the phone is the service writer is
planning on hitting you with job add-on's. EXAMPLE: The phone is ringing... Mrs. Johnson... I
have bad news, your
cooling system needs to be flushed, the thermostat is
shot and your water pump is leaking... I'm sorry your car is already in
pieces so I can't put it back together... The conversion goes on to include
more problems not relevant to the issue you wanted fixed and you know the
rest. You can see the cheapest estimate is not always the best way to go. To
safeguard yourself get several estimates for the same repair, if one is much
lower there might be something wrong. Most garages know what it takes to
stay in business and stay competitive. For the most part you are safer
taking it to the middle to upper end repair shop.
At the Shop (Ken's Corner) - One of my customers called me today asking me if I could help him. It
seems he was having a problem with his 2001 Toyota Avalon (V6 engine), the
car had 76,000 miles. In the morning he would try to start the car, it would
crank over and
start but then just die, this happened three more times
before he got it running again and now the
check engine light was on. His
office was right next door to a repair shop so he took it in for a
diagnosis; they told him it needed an
idle air control motor and an air
mixture sensor to the tune of $1,200.00 dollars. He brought the car to me
the next morning. I checked it out and recommended a simple solution. Some
manufacturers use a magnetic field style idle air control motor that is very
susceptible to carbon build up. I removed the
idle air control unit, cleaned
it, reassembled it and cleared the trouble codes from the
PCM. This fixed
the problem for the cost of a can of carburetor cleaner. The customer has
never been happier with a car repair. With the right information you too can
avoid costly auto repairs. All it takes is knowing the right information.
"Knowledge is power".
Change Your Oil! - I had a new customer come in with a 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier with 82,000
miles on it. She had never
changed the engine oil and filter, but always checked the oil level
and added oil when needed. The engine now has a bad camshaft, cylinder head
and two failed cam followers. The engine oil broke down and failed to
lubricate the bearing surfaces on the valve train components. This repair is
going to cost close to $1450.00 for a new cylinder head, camshaft, gaskets,
cam followers and labor. That's a lot of oil changes! Just like my Dad (Bob)
always says: "Change your oil
and filter, its cheap insurance".
Rebuilt or Refurbished? - What is the
difference? A rebuilt: replacement part,
engine,
transmission or
differential means the
unit has been disassembled and the "wear" items have been replaced such as
bearings, brushes or guides etc. A rebuilt part will sometimes have individually
painted parts. A refurbished unit is basically cleaned, painted and then resold.
Obviously you are better off with the rebuilt unit than refurbished, some repair
facilities will try to pass the refurbished unit off as a rebuilt unit so be sure
you are getting what you ask for. If you are unsure of the integrity of the
repair shop ask to see the part or unit before it is installed. Most dealerships
and high end repair shops will only install new parts. New parts are optimum for
best performance and longevity, rebuilt is the next best thing. You should only
agree to a refurbished replacement part as a last resort.
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Change
an Air Filter Changing an air, oil, fuel or air cabin filter is
necessary to keep your car in top running condition. In most cases this
service is easy to perform, we show you how to replace all of your vehicles
necessary filters and fluids. When a filter is left unchanged it can
cause poor running, low power, engine misfire, poor mileage and more.
Check your filters and service your car regularly to ensure proper operation
of your car.
How to Change an Air Filter Video
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How to Use an Engine Scanner The engine code scanner has made automotive
repair easier than ever. When the check engine light comes on while
driving it means there is a system that is having a problem. With the
trouble code scanner you are able to retrieve the trouble code stored
in the vehicles computer. Once the system malfunction has been identified replace
the shorted sensor or failed parts then clear the codes out of the vehicle's
computer. Once the codes have been cleared the computer will go into
relearn procedure and run any number of system monitors to determine
if the trouble has been properly repaired.
How to Scan for Trouble Codes Video (Check Engine Light) |
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How
to Replace Front Brake Pads All vehicles wear out brake pads and
rotors, learn the proper way to service your brakes by reading through
our step by step instructions. Neglecting your brake system can lead
to system failure, brake inspection is mandatory in some states, check
your brake system regularly to ensure proper operation of your vehicles
brake system.
How to Change Front Brake Pads and Rotors Video
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How to Replace a Multi Rib Belt All vehicles wear out
multi rib belts and must be replaced for proper
operation. Replacing your car's multi rib belt is a relatively simple
repair that can be done in a few minutes with simple tools in most cases.
Always wear protective gloves and eyewear before you begin.
How to Change a Multi Drive Belt Video
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--Popular Resources--
Safety Check - Before you take off on that road trip there
are some basic checks and information you should know
Avoiding Repair Scams - Getting your car repaired can be very expensive.
Unscrupulous auto mechanics can take you for a ride. Learn what questions to
ask when getting your car repaired plus get tips on the warning signs you should
look out for. All car repair businesses are not created equal
How to Jump Start Your Car - The starter is designed to operate on a
high amperage 12 volt system, when a starter is subjected to low voltage or
amperage (flow) it will cause the starter to not operate. To jump start your
car make sure you have a good quality jumper cable set. Inexpensive
cables do not work as well because a higher gauge wire (smaller diameter) is
used in the construction restricting the current flow from battery to battery.
Having Problems with your New Car?
A new car can be great, but sometimes a new car can have problems. The
dealership may not be as helpful as they should be once you drive the car off
the lot. If you have problems with a dealer that you can’t resolve you do have
some recourse. Contact the manufacturer of the vehicle. All major
manufacturers have a customer help line that will put you in contact with a
company representative.
Most dealerships are independently owned and operated and sometimes they
aren't always responsive. Your involvement with a manufacturer's
representative will help you get the leverage you need to resolve the
problem promptly.
| Proclaimed Master Auto Repair
Technician Ken Lavacot
and 2Carpros.com have been featured on: |
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