Seven Car Problems That Lead to Drops in Gas Mileage

 By: Ron Haugen

Improving fuel economy is very important to most drivers. Driver-actions, such as idling, jackrabbit starts and carrying extra weight in the car, are often the culprit for ongoing poor gas mileage. However, a sudden change in fuel efficiency absent any obvious driver behaviors can indicate a more serious problem. Keep vehicles in peak operating condition and maximize miles per gallon all the time.

Eight Ways Bad Belts Break Engines

By Ron Haugen

When a high-pitched squeal or whine comes from the engine compartment of a car, one very frequent reason is a belt failure or pending failure. Take the car to a qualified mechanic as soon as possible for diagnostics and belt replacement. Broken belts cause damage to many areas of a car and this damage is far more expensive to fix than the cost to replace a worn-down belt.

1. Engine and accessory belts power many engine parts, including the power steering, air conditioner compressor, alternator, power steering and more. A broken belt, especially on that affects a critical system, often leaves the car dead until repaired.

2. Think about how long ago the car's timing belt was changed. If it was over 100,000 miles ago, then have a good mechanic inspect the vehicle and decide if belts need to be changed.

3. They are made over rubber with small teeth that grip the wheels it operates. As the rubber wears down, it begins to slip. The wheel turning it still moves, but the belt slips or does not move at all. This causes the loud squeal.

4. The engine belt squeal is a warning sound that it is going bad. It still works, but it will deteriorate and fail quickly due to the excess friction and heat generated by the slipping.

5. Engine belts that become too worn eventually snap, leaving drivers stranded. Quick fixes, like lubricants, are available. However, a temporary solution like conditioner is no substitute for qualified maintenance.

6. Different vehicles use different belt systems. Some cars have a different one for each system while others have a serpentine type that runs multiple systems. The air conditioner belt is usually a separate one, so squeals might only be heard when the AC is engaged.

7. When mechanics replace or tighten engine belts, they should care for every one in the car. Condition and wear are not the only causes of their problems. Often it may just be a matter of tightening them. Mechanics may change every one except the timing belt during a regular tune-up.

8. During a tune-up, many items including engine belts and spark plugs are changed. Drivers who notice engine squeals should check the time since their last tune-up. It may be time for another one.

Knowing this, you will now know more ways to prevent a all types of them breaking and potentially breaking your engine. You will also know some warning signs a belt going bad.
If you are looking for honest advice, prioritized repairs, options on repairs, maximized fuel economy, and a good feeling with who you are doing business with go to http://www.westsideautopros.com
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Best Auto Repair Shop Urbandale | Ask Ron The Car Guy - Viewer Questions

Best Auto Repair Shop Urbandale | http://www.westsideautopros.com Ron Haugen Presents Auto Repair Des Moines and Auto Repair Urbandale Tips With Today's Topic: Ask Ron The Car Guy - Viewer Questions

Des Moines Best Auto repair | Transmission Trouble?

By Ron Haugen

Transmissions take engine power and use it to power a car's movement. Without a working transition, the car will not move. Many transmissions suffer neglect, even though replacing or rebuilding a transmission is one of the costliest auto repair services. Simply following manufacturer or dealer service recommendations for changing transmission fluid can avoid thousands of dollars in repairs.

Symptoms of a Problem

It is important to be alert to early signs of transmission trouble. Early intervention with transmission problems can mean minor, budget-friendly repairs. Delaying maintenance can lead to mechanical failures. In the case of transmissions, this means the engine shuts down completely. The only solution then is either transmission replacement or rebuilding. Get the car inspected at the first hint of trouble.

• Transmission slips between gears while driving, or it pops back into neutral
• Grinding, humming or clunking sounds from the engine, especially in neutral
• Dark, burnt-smelling transmission fluid
• Clutch stays engaged and grinds when trying to shift - also called clutch dragging
• Delays or lags between gear changes
• Thumping or grinding during gear changes rather than smooth transitions
• Higher than normal RPMs for a speed or gear change
• Delays shifting out of park
• Takes longer than one second to engage in drive or reverse gear

Rebuilding a Transmission

If a transmission fails completely or has significant problems, the usual solutions are rebuilding it, replacing it or (hopefully) making smaller repairs that resolve the problem
Rebuilding transmissions is a lengthy and labor-intensive process. Before any rebuild begins, the mechanic should check for easier solutions.

1. Change transmission fluid.
2. Check the car's computer system that controls automatic shifting. Replace sensors if needed

If these processes do not resolve the problem, rebuilding or replacing the transmission is the only available option.

1. Remove the transmission and opening the case
2. Inspecting and cleaning all components
3. Replacing damaged or worn out "soft" parts like seals, O-rings, gaskets, bands, valves, filters and clutch components.
4. Inspect "hard" parts like shafts, pumps, converters, casing and gears for damage.
5. Test and repair electrical system.
6. Reassemble transmission and reinstall it
7. Test drive to ensure repairs are completed

Costs of Transmission Repair

Costs to rebuild a transmission may be less or more than the cost to replace it. It depends on the complexity of repairs needed in the existing transmission.

• A complete overhaul of a transmission might cost more than purchasing and installing a new transmission.
• Replacements can cost $2000 to $4000 or more, depending on the make and model of the vehicle.
• Complete transmission rebuilds and overhauls can cost as much as the higher end replacement costs.
• Basic transmission repairs such as replacing the clutch on a manual transmission car may cost an average of $1000 to $2000.

Other factors that influence the costs of transmission repairs:

• Domestic cars generally cost less to repair than high-end or imported cars
• Extent of the transmission damage
• Newer, better maintained cars cost less to repair
• It is harder and more expensive to find parts for older or rare cars
• Standard transmissions are cheaper to fix or replace than automatics
• City, state and regional differences in repair and replacement costs

If you are looking for honest advice, prioritized repairs, options on repairs, maximized fuel economy, and a good feeling with who you are doing business with go to http://www.askronthecarguy.com
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Auto Repair Mechanic West Des Moines | Camshaft Concerns

By Ron Haugen

Camshafts are responsible for timing the opening and shutting of engine valves, and as such are integral to the engine's mechanical performance. Cams may be made of solid steel, low-grade steel or iron. They run the length of the engine head and have uneven-looking lobes set at regular intervals along the shaft. Under normal conditions and with adequate preventive maintenance, camshafts should last a great many miles.

As the engine runs, the cam turns using a chain or belt attached to the end of the crankshaft. This pushes the rods along the lobes, applying pressure to the valves and forcing them open during that phase of the engine stroke. The movement of the lobes then allows valves to close once the stroke ends. Lobe shape regulates engine timing and the time valves spend open. As such, lobe shape directly affects engine performance.

Symptoms of Camshaft Problems

• Failing camshafts make a "ticking" sound or "valve clatter"
• Engine makes "popping" sounds or backfires
• Poor gas mileage or poor engine performance
• Trouble starting
• Signs get progressively worse
• Dark, oily exhaust

If the valve train fails completely, the vehicle is immobilized. Fuel delivery and exhaust removal do not function.

Reasons for Camshaft Problems

• Failing camshafts usually signal other problems
• Cams fail due to other problems in the engine's valve train.
• Oil can be starved in the engine head, causing increased friction where the cam and rods meet, or causing excessive heat on the cam
• Rocker arm assemblies can be adjusted incorrectly and cause binding
• Valve springs may bind or break
• Occasional manufacturer errors of shipping damage to the cam
• Pitting or scratching on the camshaft from contaminated lubricants
• Mechanical and material stress over time
• Failure to change the oil and adjust valves as recommended
• Poor quality fuel or contaminated oil

Repair and Replacement Costs

• Replacing camshafts requires disassembling the engine timing components including belts and pulley.
• Camshaft replacement requires intensive and difficult labor, driving up costs.
• Camshaft replacement can cost between $1500 to over $3000, depending on the car and the repairs required.
• The price of the camshaft alone can be between $250 and $1000 or more, depending on the model of the car.
• Foreign camshafts may cost two to three times more than domestic ones.
• Labor prices may be anywhere from $20 to $100 per hour
• The average camshaft repair takes five to seven hours
• There will be additional costs for engine parts that support the camshaft and the engine.
• A camshaft position sensor will be needed, costing upwards of $150.

If you are looking for honest advice, prioritized repairs, options on repairs, maximized fuel economy, and a good feeling with who you are doing business with go to http://www.askronthecarguy.com
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