It’s becoming faster and easier for our technicians to locate leaks and address other car problems.   HomeTowne Auto Repair recently invested in a Diagnostic Thermal Imager. We can use this new device as we look into a wide range of concerns – from something as simple as a tire repair to catalytic converter problems. On the screen, heat appears in yellow and the temperature of a targeted area is displayed. Friction as well as increases and decreases in pressure are also shown.  Screenshots of the thermal image may be taken and saved. Then, we can share them with customers and me ..read more

Multiple car problems can stem from the same issue. A Chevy Tahoe was towed to our auto repair shop because it suddenly became very hard to steer and brake. The steering problem and hard brake pedal were the results of a bad power steering pump. Through diagnostic testing, our technician determined that – even though the pump was somewhat new – it wasn’t pushing power steering fluid out.  To function properly, the power steering system needs a power steering pump to supply pressure to the rack and pinion. This makes it easy to turn the wheel. On some systems, the vacuum booster provides ..read more

Over the course of using a vehicle, you may occasionally notice a dashboard light illuminate.  Many people are familiar with the check engine light, but there’s another one that you should be aware of – the oil pressure light. This light can appear for a few reasons. If it does turn on, there are some immediate actions you should take. Oil pressure light on? Here’s what you should do. You should avoid using your vehicle if your oil pressure warning light turns on. What if it appears when you’re driving? Pull over in a safe location.  Then, check your oil. To learn how to do that, ch ..read more

This is the latest chronicle on the most recent car problem I had with my Volkswagen Beetle. I hope that my experience helps you address any issues you face. I was taking my exit off I-95 South when I noticed what sounded like a rattling noise – and then turned into a grinding noise – as I stepped on the gas.  I reached out to the General Manager at HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire, thinking it was some sort of belt issue.  However, as I spoke with him, I began to see other problems. Smoke was emitting from the front of my vehicle and I heard a loud beeping noise. That’s when I saw t ..read more

Whenever something is wrong with your vehicle, you may begin to hear strange sounds. The a/c is no different. Noises from the air conditioning system are one symptom you may notice when there is an issue. What does a normal AC sound like? When the ac compressor comes on, depending on the type of vehicle, you may hear a click and you might see the tachometer go down a little bit and back up as the engine is compensating for the load of the ac compressor.  Weird noises from the air conditioning system Now that we’ve covered what you should be hearing, let’s move on to those odd noises, and ..read more

A crank no start is a common problem that can occur with any vehicle. It’s the reason that a customer brought their Ford F-350 to our shop earlier this month. When looking into the problem, our technician found that the fuel injectors weren’t pressurizing. A high pressure oil system is used to pressurize the injectors, because they need 500 PSI just to fire.  To determine the cause behind the pressurizing issue, he hooked up an air line to the oiling system and discovered a leak on the oil stand pipe. There was a broken o-ring, as well. When o-rings break, they will leak internally, resul ..read more

Are you having trouble starting your vehicle? Your car alternator going bad could be the cause behind this problem. Here are some bad alternator symptoms: Battery light comes on Grinding, growling and whirring noises Electronics not working correctly Dead or slow car battery Burning electrical or rubber smell More in-depth explanations of each indicator can be found below. Signs of a bad car alternator Battery light turns on: One of the first signs that you would see if your car alternator is going bad would be when the battery light comes on. It can be mistaken for a regular battery issue ..read more

When you turn on your car, you’ll notice lots of lights on the dash and it may take a few moments before it stops looking like a Christmas tree. The reason? There are many computers and modules that run various systems, such as the transmission and engine. Giving the car a minute allows these computers – called Electronic Control Units (ECUs) – to reset. Together, the ECUs form the Controller Area Network (CAN). Sensors and modules send information to the computers and there are gateway modules that help direct traffic. So not only do you have sensors, you’ve got modules that actually control ..read more

As you’re driving around town or on your way to work, you may notice a squeaking noise. There are several reasons why car squeaking sounds occur. These are some of the most common causes: Ball joints Brakes Control arm bushings Sway bar bushings Worn struts Here is a more in-depth explanation behind the different components. When ball joints create car squeaking sounds Ball joints are a pivot point for the control arm, which supports the primary load of the car. These components can create a squeaking sound when they run out of lubrication. They also may need to be replaced to resolve the no ..read more

Are you hearing a clunking noise when you’re driving? Don’t worry, you’re not going crazy (well … hopefully not). Clunking and rattling sounds are one sign you may notice when there is a problem with your car’s steering and suspension. So, what’s the source of all that racket? Well, the question of why a car is making a clunking noise isn’t an easy one to answer. Because many components make up this part of a vehicle, the direct cause might be hidden under layers of possibilities. Possible causes of clunking noises There are numerous reasons that could be behind a clunking sound. It may be the ..read more