Engine

Why Is My Car Overheating?

June 21, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

The temperatures are climbing – 90, 95, 100. You’re stuck in traffic, and it’s hot!

You look over to the side of the road. Standing there is a person with the hood of their car propped open, smoke pouring out in all directions. Their car is overheating.

Aren’t you glad it’s not you?

Yet you stop to think about the probability of you being in the same situation. Your vehicle is several years old. You change the oil, put new tires on periodically. Maintenance? You bring it in when there seems to be a problem. What more can you do?

Are you in a situation where your car might overheat?

Why a car overheats

Your car’s engine can overheat for a variety of reasons. In most cases, it’s because something is wrong with the cooling system, and the heat isn’t able to escape the engine compartment. The source of the cooling system issue could be many things, including:

A cooling system leak
A faulty radiator
A broken water pump
A clogged coolant hose

No matter what causes an issue, allowing your engine to overheat in any way isn’t something you want to linger. The longer it goes unchecked, the more damage your engine can sustain. Until it eventually sustains permanent damage and can’t be repaired.

What are the signs of an engine overheating?

Luckily, an engine doesn’t overheat without a few warning signs along the way. This is why it’s good to pay attention to your vehicle as it ages. If you see any of these warning signs, take steps to cool your engine before it overheats more. You may be able to reduce the risk of irreversible engine damage. Signs of overheating include:

Steam – this is the one thing we all recognize when we see people pulled over to the side of the road. If you notice any amount of steam leaking from underneath the hood, pull over as quickly as you can.

The engine temperature gauge increasing – the monitors on your dashboard are there to warn you of potential problems. If you see the temperature gauge increasing, spiking up towards “H” or to the red, it’s time to pull over and turn off your engine. (Temperature gauge icons change depending on the make and model of your car. Take the time to become familiar with your vehicle before you drive it.)

A strange smell coming from the engine compartment – if anything is leaking, it’s going to give off a smell outside of ordinary. Coolant has a very distinctive sweet smell, while oil dripping anywhere into the engine compartment would create a burnt smell.

If you notice any of these symptoms of overheating, pull over as soon as you can, turn off your vehicle, and let the engine compartment cool down.

The engine is overheating … now what?

When you first see warning signs of an engine overheating, time is of the essence. The faster you act, the greater chance you have of limiting damage, meaning less cost from repair bills. If you notice any of the signs from above, do these things.

Turn off the air conditioner and crank up the heat.

You often see cars by the side of the road, smoke billowing from underneath the hood, in the middle of a heatwave. When you’re running your air conditioner at high for miles, it adds stress to the engine. If it’s weakened to begin with, it can be more than it can handle. To reduce the stress, turn the air off and dial it to maximum heat. This can help pull the heat away from the engine to keep it from overheating. This gives you a chance to find a safe place to pull over.

Safety first

Immediately look for a safe place to pull over. This isn’t the time to put your safety at risk – cars are easier to replace. Put your car into park and shut off the car. This gives the engine a chance to cool. Keep the engine off for at least 15 minutes. You can also keep an eye on the temperature gauge, as it should move back to the normal range as the engine cools.

Check your coolant levels

After your vehicle cools down, you can check to see if your coolant level is low. If it is, topping it off and adding more coolant can prevent overheating and allow you a chance to bring your vehicle in to get things fixed. Keep in mind that this step won’t do much good if the coolant hose is clogged, or if the problem stems from a broken fan or water pump. If you’re unsure, towing your vehicle might be the safest route.

Restart your car

If your car appears to be back to normal, and you’ve chosen to drive it to a mechanic, start the car and watch all signs while you carefully drive your car to the repair shop. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge. If it rises again, pull over and consider having it towed.

The key to lowering your repair risks is not to panic. If at all possible, pull over, turn the vehicle off, and don’t keep driving. This exacerbates the problem.

Also, be aware that you should never open the hood immediately as soon as you pull over. That steam is hot! Opening it could put you at risk of burns and injuries. Let the temperature gauge settle before popping the hood.

How to prevent your car from overheating

The easiest way to recover from an overheated vehicle is never to have it overheat in the first place. Taking care of your car ensures that it will always be there for you.

This means scheduling regular inspections to allow a mechanic to inspect and test every system of your car. This can find minor problems that can snowball. Regular coolant flushes can keep fresh coolant inside your vehicle, and prevent leaks and blockages by finding them before they become a problem.

You can also stay up to date on all other maintenance items, such as ensuring your radiator is inspected and in good shape, according to manufacturer’s guidelines.

It’s far more beneficial and less expensive for checkups each season than allowing your car to show signs of a potential problem, and waiting until your car breaks down.

Schedule your maintenance visit today.

Your Coolant Is Low – Should You Keep Driving?

May 17, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

What happens if your vehicle runs out of gas? It comes to a stop.

What happens if your car runs out of motor oil? It comes to a stop.

What happens if it runs out of coolant?

Not quite sure?

Coolant is an important fluid to help your car run efficiently. But is it as important as gas or motor oil? Do you need it in the same way as other fluids? Can you keep driving with low coolant?

What is coolant?

Coolant is also known as antifreeze. It’s made from a heat-absorbing ethylene glycol or propylene glycol to help collect heat from the engine components. It’s designed to expand as it increases in temperature, and helps protect the engine from wear and tear.

Because of this expansion, coolant is placed into your vehicle using a 50/50 ratio with distilled water. It should be installed following manufacturers’ guidelines, and flushed on a recommended basis to ensure it’s working as designed.

How coolant works in an engine

Without an engine, your car wouldn’t go. A combustion engine works by burning fuel and oxygen at temperatures well over 200 degrees. The metal shell contains pistons that move up and down containing thousands of tiny explosions every minute. This is what creates the heat necessary to keep your car operating.

While the exhaust system is designed to expel hot gases from the engine after they burn, metal still absorbs some heat throughout the process. Coolant helps keep these parts cool, especially as it continues to build underneath the hood.

Enter your vehicle’s cooling system. It is designed to dispel heat no matter what the temperature is like outside. Winter or summer, cold or hot, engines can overheat if they aren’t running properly. It’s as important to ensure proper coolant levels in the winter months as it is in the summer.

During extreme cold spells, for example, your cooling system has to work even harder. Combustion engines produce two things: heat and friction. Friction forms when internal components of the engine move very quickly against each other. In cold weather, the thermostat or a coolant leak can block a portion of the system, limiting the friction necessary for normal operation. This allows the entire system to overheat.

What happens if your car runs out of coolant?

Coolant circulates through the entire engine as it’s operating to prevent it from overheating. This isn’t an all-or-nothing system. It begins to damage the engine the lower it gets.

When your car notices a problem, it alerts you to the danger by signaling through a dashboard warning light. It might be a temperature gauge warning your vehicle is running hot. Temperatures are rising, and there’s a reason.

Some cars today are built with an automatic engine cut-off. This is an automatic way of preventing further damage to your vehicle. When the system detects low coolant and a potentially hazardous situation for your car, it cuts the engine and won’t start until it’s corrected.

But before this is done, it can start damaging auto parts. Depending on your vehicle, if it doesn’t have the automatic kill feature, damage begins the lower the coolant becomes. While there are many parts that can be impacted, they include:

Water pump
Head gasket
Cylinder head
Pistons
Connector rods

The longer you drive, the more damage is done. The more money you’ll spend on the repair bill getting it fixed. Not only will you need extensive repair work, if the damage is too comprehensive, you may need a new engine altogether.

That makes your coolant a pretty important fluid inside your vehicle!

What are the warning signs of low coolant?

Luckily, your car is programmed to give you warning signs before real damage is done. Don’t ignore these warning signs. The faster you act, the more you can prevent dangerous and expensive repair problems.

A rising temperature gauge

Every dashboard has a temperature gauge to tell you how hot your engine is running. Become familiar with the settings and keep an eye on it from time to time. If it moves, signaling your car is hotter than average, pay attention to it. If it moves towards red, this is one of the key indicators there is something wrong with your cooling system. If you notice it changing as you’re driving, pull over and turn off the engine. You can open the hood to help it cool. Then as soon as you can, schedule a maintenance appointment to fix the problem before it can escalate.

Heater not working or a hot air supply

A car’s heater utilizes the hot air formed by your engine to help warm the passenger compartment. If it malfunctions, you may have problems keeping your interior cabin the temperature you prefer. If you notice a constant supply of hot air, or a complete lack of heat, it’s telling you there is a problem with your cooling system.

Poor fuel economy

Here’s another reason to keep an eye on your gas mileage each fill up. If there isn’t another reason for decreasing gas mileage, it might have something to do with the way your engine is operating. If it’s running at optimal performance, fuel will burn effectively, and your fuel economy will be maximized. As temperatures increase, it takes more power to complete the same results, which may materialize as fuel inefficiency. This also produces more emissions.

A sweet smell

Coolant is designed to have a distinct sweet smell. It can attract both kids and animals, which is why you should always keep it out of reach, as well as clean up any leaks or spills immediately. Coolant can leak at high temperatures, which can often be found by following your nose. This can help you pinpoint where leaks or damage has occurred.

Do you have a coolant leak? Should you keep driving with low coolant? Not if you want to prevent repair work down the road.

The moment you detect a problem with the way your vehicle operates, schedule a maintenance visit as soon as possible. It can be the difference between a minor repair with an equally low cost, or one that escalates and turns into a full-blown problem.

Is That a Radiator Leak?

April 7, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

If you’re a careful driver, and do what you can to ensure your car has a long life, you may notice when liquid appears underneath your vehicle and wonder if everything is alright. Is it oil? Is it water? Is it something else?

It’s good to be aware every time you get into your car. Awareness can help you drive safely without having to worry about being stranded by the side of the road. But it still takes a careful eye to notice all the potential warning signs your car sends out.

What is a radiator?

A car’s engine produces a lot of heat during operation. To prevent the engine from overheating, your car pumps coolant through the engine to take in the heat and move it away from the engine block. Coolant takes heat into the radiator, which blows air across the liquid to cool it down, before exchanging the heat with the air outside your car. It’s like a mini air conditioner built exclusively to keep your engine cool and running at its best.

If the radiator doesn’t work at its best, it can cause your engine to overheat, impacting the drivability of your car.

If your vehicle overheats, a lot can go wrong internally. Various parts can be impacted, including the engine, thermostat, gaskets, and other components connected to the engine block. That’s why it’s important to recognize potential problems, and fix them before they allow bigger problems to occur.

Leading warning signs of radiator leaks

Radiator leaks rarely happen overnight. Instead, minor problems slowly develop as your car ages. Here’s what to watch for.

Drop in coolant levels, rise in temperature – do you keep an eye on your temperature gauge? You should. You’ll notice it remains relatively static as you drive. Coolant levels rise and fall based on engine temperature. It adjusts to keep your engine at a constant level. A quick drop in coolant levels can be a good indicator there is a leak somewhere in the system. If you think there may be a leak, fill the reservoir back up with coolant, and recheck it after a few days of normal driving. Watch the temperature gauge during this time. Does it lose fluid? If so, bring your car in for inspection as quickly as you can.

Visible fluid leaks – if you’ve ever experienced an engine misfire, it’s easily recognizable. When you turn the key or press the button, the engine fumbles for a bit as it struggles to catch and stay running. The more frequent this is, the bigger the problem. A spark plug misfiring releases a variety of problems into the overall process of starting and operating your vehicle. It can release too much raw fuel into the exhaust, which can cause internal temperatures to rise. This restriction can lead to problems throughout the system, including the converter substrate, which may further restrict the exhaust. Never ignore the warning sign of an engine that doesn’t turn over quickly every time you turn the key.

Visible damage to hoses and parts – when is the last time you popped the hood and took a look underneath? You don’t need a class in auto mechanics to notice when something is wrong. Rust or discoloration around your radiator or surrounding the engine block may be a sign of a coolant leak. Radiator hoses and clamps will also wear down over time. They should be washed and checked regularly to ensure they are running smoothly without leaks.

Regular inspections – when you work with an auto mechanic regularly, they can notice items that may otherwise go undetected until bigger problems arise. Think of an auto inspection as your vehicle’s yearly checkup. It’s a way to test each system, look at the major parts, and determine how much life is left in each system. A mechanic will notice what systems have potential problems, and what parts should be replaced to avoid problems on the road. They can also give you a clear indication of how much time you have left in different systems. This can allow you to plan for further repair work when you have the time. This is especially important if you’re planning a road trip in the near future.

Is a radiator flush necessary?

Coolant’s job is to push fluid through the system, keeping your engine cool and running properly. Over time, that coolant can begin to break down. That’s when it no longer can serve its purpose.

Over time, dirt and debris can build up inside. That’s when a coolant flush is necessary, to flush out any corrosive debris, rust, or other contaminants that have built up inside.

A technician will take several gallons of radiator cleaner and water, and flush it through the cooling system. This gets both old antifreeze and other contaminants out of the system. If this isn’t done the right way, it can break loose debris and leave it in the system, which can quickly damage major other components and lead to problems with the engine overheating.

How do you know it’s time for a radiator flush? A technician will usually look for several things.

Orange or green fluid is leaking
The radiator is corroded, dirty, or rusty
You’ve noticed steam coming from underneath the hood
Your car smells like hot maple syrup under the hood

If you’re considering this as a DIY project, keep in mind that you have to clean the surrounding area thoroughly. Antifreeze is a sweet smelling liquid that attracts both animals and children. Your space should be cleaned entirely of both old and new coolant to ensure you don’t put anyone around you in danger. That’s the upside of having a mechanic perform this task for you. They know how to complete the job efficiently, as well as dispose of all fluids properly after the job is done.

You have a choice. If you pay attention to the way your car operates, you’ll notice slight changes that can have a big impact. You’ll check coolant levels, and fix leaks before they grow. You’ll flush your radiator to keep it operating at its best. This will allow you to stop problems before they arise; a radiator flush is much less costly than replacing the entire radiator. Or worse, the entire engine block.

Have you noticed a radiator leak?

What Cheap Gas Does To Your Car

March 21, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

Have you ever thought about what happens when you visit the gas station and fill up your car? Do you pay attention to where you get your gas? Do you know what’s inside?

The quality of the gasoline ultimately impacts the way your car handles and drives. Do you know what cheap gas does to your car? Does it really matter?

Let’s find out.

How gasoline works

Gasoline is used to power your vehicles and other things we use every day. You may have noticed that gasoline comes with numbers representing different classifications of gas. These are octane ratings, usually 87, 89, and 91.

Octane ratings tell you how resistant the fuel type is to the combustion process. Pressure creates heat. The more pressure you apply, the hotter something gets. For gasoline, this tells you how much pressure is needed to heat it up until it combusts.

The higher the octane rating, the more resistant it is to spontaneously combusting. This is for performance issues. You don’t want the gasoline to ignite prematurely, which impacts the way your engine runs.

The three most common types of gasoline are:

Basic – 87 octane

Plus – 89 octane

Premium – 91 and above

The higher the octane, the more resistant it is to combusting under pressure. With some high-performance engines, they require higher compression rates, which means they operate using higher octane levels. Premium may be more expensive, but it’s required to keep the engine running well and keeping it efficient as it operates.

Before you fill up at the gas station, know which type of fuel your car demands. You can find this in your owner’s manual. If it states basic, it won’t help your vehicle to move to a higher octane level gasoline. It won’t increase performance or gas mileage. It will continue to burn it at the rate needed for your vehicle.

However, if your vehicle requires premium and you put in a lower grade, you can have what is termed “engine knock.” This happens when gas combusts prematurely and throws the balance off in engine timing. Your vehicle may be equipped to handle some of this with a timing sensor, but it’s still a good idea to protect it by inserting the correct octane level gasoline. A lessor octane puts undue stress on the engine, and over time, can increase the need for repair.

What gasoline does

Americans use over 360 million gallons of gasoline every single day. It’s hard to imagine life without the fuel source we’ve come to rely on.

When you pull into a gas station, you select the gasoline recommended for your vehicle. As you pump the gas, it flows directly down into the gas tank where it waits for use. Inside your vehicle is a fuel pump that pumps the gasoline into the fuel line as needed. It also has a measuring system to alert you when the gasoline in reserve gets low.

The fuel moves through a fuel filter to filter out harmful contaminants before it’s released into the fuel injectors. This keeps harmful debris away from your engine.

The fuel injectors operate via a piston that sprays gasoline into the cylinder. Air also enters the cylinder where it mixes with the gas, compressing the two together. A spark plug ignites the mixture, which causes the combustion reaction and forces the piston back down. This opens up the exhaust valves and forces the exhaust back out of the system.

This exhaust passes through the catalytic converter, which provides emissions control. It changes the chemical composition of the pollutants as they are released and turns them into harmless substances such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and water, before being released out into the air via the muffler.

What cheaper gasoline does

The next time you drive down the street, pay attention to the different fueling stations around your home. You’ll find plenty of the Top Tier gasoline companies – Shell ExxonMobil, BP, Chevron, Phillips 66, Texaco, and Valero, among others.

https://www.toptiergas.com/retailers/

They will tell you that their brand name gas is better than lower quality independent gas companies because of the detergents and ingredients it mixes in with the fuel. In some cases, car manufacturers may even recommend going with these better brands because of the “secret sauce” it mixes into the fuel mixture. They state that because of the uptick in detergents, lower quality fuel may allow carbon deposits into the combustion changers, which will cause the knocking or pinging commonly associated with premature fuel ignition.

Keep in mind that this is a recommendation only. Even smaller independents – cheaper gas stations – will still post octane levels for their gasoline. The difference is in the detergents. If you’re on the road and your tank is empty, by all means, fill up, even it means a tank of lower quality fuel. It still has certain qualities in it, and it won’t impact your engine with only one fill.

Numerous studies have been done to find out the differences between gasoline products, all of which have been met with skeptical conclusions. A chief engineer for Toyota’s Avalon found that after ten years of being in charge of his division, he’s never seen an engine with a deposit issue.

What should you do?

Still worried about what cheap gas will do to your vehicle? Pick the right station to suit your needs. Whether for convenience, cost, or preference, ensure you select the right octane rankings and your car should be just fine.

It’s much more important to schedule regular maintenance visits with your local mechanic, have the brakes tested, the oil changed, and monitor the health of your tires.

When is the last time your car was inspected? Schedule your maintenance visit today.

Does Your Vehicle Have a Blown Head Gasket?

March 4, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

Have you ever lost your cool, and someone around you said: don’t blow a head gasket, it’ll be alright? You’ve reached your limits. You’re furious to the point of losing control.

That phrase actually comes from a similar action in your car.

A vehicle’s head gasket isn’t a common auto part; it isn’t one you see sitting on your dashboard, or even tinker with when you pop open the hood. The head gasket sits between the engine block and cylinder block. Today’s modern head gaskets are created from multi-layer steel, while older engines were made up of composite asbestos or graphite, or even solid copper.

A head gasket’s purpose is:

Sealant – When your vehicle is running, it causes a lot of pressure in the gasoline cylinder. The head gasket sits between the engine and the cylinder and is designed to keep this pressure in check. It often contains a special cylinder ring designed to add extra protection from releasing pressure.

Fluid – Both the engine and cylinder need coolant and oil to operate properly. Ports in the head gasket allow these fluids to flow freely as needed. The cylinder uses coolant to maintain proper temperature while the oil lubricates and provides for hydraulic pressure.

At the same time, the head gasket’s job is to ensure that both coolant and oil are maintained in their proper channels. It keeps these fluids from mixing. It also prevents combustion gases from flowing back into the various passages. The head gasket may have o-rings to provide stronger seals, depending on the make and model.

What does a blown head gasket mean?

Does Your Vehicle Have a Blown Head Gasket? The head gasket has an important job to ensure your vehicle operates smoothly. When your head gasket is blown, it means one or more of these fluids or gases are going where they shouldn’t be.

A blown head gasket can allow coolant and combustion gases to mix, for example, or allow coolant to mesh with the engine oil. And when that happens, you’ll start having issues with the way your vehicle drives.

Some problems are more noticeable than others. Keep driving, and the problems will escalate until your car is undrivable.

Most head gaskets don’t blow right away. Here are symptoms to watch for.

There is a difference between a blown head gasket and one starting to show signs of a problem. This is where it pays to know your car well. If you catch the problem early, you can avoid a blown head gasket and all the potential problems that surface with it.

Pay attention to your coolant levels. If you notice coolant levels falling without an exterior leak, you might have a coolant leak somewhere in the engine.

Watch for smoke. Another telltale sign is white smoke coming from the tailpipe. It’s an indication of a crack in the head gasket, or a problem with the cylinder or engine block. White smoke usually indicates a coolant leak, which produces the white color as it burns.

Listen for misfires. As you’re starting up your vehicle, listen for symptomatic noises that may indicate misfiring. If you notice blue smoke while driving, it’s the first sign of faulty design somewhere within the engine compartment. Investigate sooner rather than later.

Overheating. Watch your car’s thermostat and ensure it’s running at optimal temperature. Any change in the way it runs could be an indication of a potential problem.

Can you drive with a blown head gasket?

The short answer is; No. Head gaskets, in general, can last 200,000 miles or more. They are considered to be a lifetime part on many vehicles. With regular maintenance, little can go wrong with this crucial piece of the engine.

However, even with optimal care, there is always a chance of things going wrong. Even driving on city roads in normal traffic conditions can sometimes jar systems enough to cause problems.

A blown head gasket causes two problems.

It allows coolant to escape from your engine compartment. When this happens, it leads to overheating of your engine. The longer you drive in this condition, the more damage is done to the engine. This coolant is hot – if you pop the hood, you can sustain serious burns. It can also catch fire. This is why it’s important to attend to a blown head gasket quickly.

It allows coolant to enter the cylinders. When coolant mixes with oil and gas, it results in white smoke releasing through your exhaust system. Too much coolant in the engine can destroy it, and prevent oil from doing its job, and providing proper lubricant.

What’s involved in replacing the head gasket?

If the head gasket is blown and the leak is too large to simply fix the sealants, it requires a new part. While the head gasket itself isn’t an expensive piece, it does take a significant amount of labor to install it. This isn’t a DIY project without adequate mechanical knowledge.

The oil and coolant need to be drained from the engine, before removing parts of the engine to access the head gasket. A lot of parts are involved in the process, and one wrong move could cause even bigger issues.

Will your car drive with a blown head gasket?

While your vehicle won’t come to a grinding halt when a head gasket is blown, the damage can quickly escalate. Coolant and oil intermixing is never a good thing. When the two aren’t flowing properly, and aren’t providing the necessary fluids where they are intended to go, it impacts all other parts in your engine. This lack of lubrication can further damage your engine to the point of ceasing altogether.

For all these reasons and more, we don’t recommend driving with a blown head gasket once you determine you have a problem. The quicker you fix it, the less damage will occur.

What Is A Turbocharger and How Does It Work?

February 7, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

Imagine sailing down the highway, a cool breeze in your hair, passing by other cars like they are standing still.

It’s been something of fantasy since the early days of automobiles, pushing them to see how fast they can go and how quickly they can get up to speed.

We’ve even written songs about it. Back in 1961, the Beach Boys immortalized a turbocharged engine by writing the song 409. It was created about a Chevrolet 409 engine, dubbed “Turbo-Fire”, that could move zero to sixty in four seconds flat. That started a revolution in the auto industry, with people demanding more from their cars than ever before. Giddy up 409!

Of course, nowadays, it doesn’t take a street car to add power and control to a vehicle. People don’t want that in hot rods and street cars, they want it in the family sedan as they drive to and from work each day.

When you see an auto advertised as being turbocharged, you automatically assume it has extra performance, more power, and greater speeds. But is that truly the case? What does turbocharged really mean? Is it worth it to add it to the next car you buy?

What is a turbocharger?

You’ll find a turbocharger sitting between the engine and the exhaust. It’s a small turbine that connects both pieces together, as well as to the car’s air intake. The turbine uses the exhaust to spin and force more air into the engine, increasing power as it goes.

Most cars on the road today use an internal combustion engine. As the car operates, it’s the downward motion of the pistons that brings air into the engine cylinders. This air is mixed with fuel, and the vapor ignites and creates power. By pushing your car to higher speeds, you’re not adding fuel to the process as much as you are drawing in more air, which vaporizes more fuel to create more power.

The turbocharger changes that around using an exhaust driven process instead.

How do turbochargers work?

A turbocharger has four main parts to make it work.

The turbocharger resembles a snail. It has an air intake, an exhaust intake, turbines in the front and rear, as well as a hose line for bringing in oil.

The intercooler helps control the temperature of the charged air as it’s forced out of the turbocharger. It uses coolant for control.

The wastegate valve provides a boost of pressure.

The engine’s electrical control unit (ECU) controls the air mixtures and ignition timing, which is different from a standard internal combustion engine.

A turbocharger is designed to give you more power. How much power is a difficult question to answer. Car enthusiasts will tell you they can gain as much as 40 percent more power than average vehicles. However, that depends on a host of different variables. It’s safe to say that car gains will vary.

Is a turbocharger bad for your engine?

The main purpose of a turbocharger is power. If you’ve ever felt like you needed to push your car to make it up a hill, or even get through traffic without feeling a lag when you step on the gas pedal, a turbocharger can give you the added boost you might be looking for.

But keep in mind that by adding a turbocharger, it adds another element of maintenance to your regular needs. A turbocharger makes your engine work harder. A turbocharger increases both the pressure and the temperature in the combustion chamber, which will add strain to all parts involved.

The harder the engine works, the faster it will need repair. And replacement.

Having a turbocharger also works under more extreme conditions. This means there is less forgiveness if you don’t adopt a regular maintenance plan that changes oil and checks pressure periodically. Most turbochargers need higher quality oil, and demand shorter maintenance intervals to keep it working at its best.

Are turbochargers reliable?

According to Motortrend, turbochargers are more popular than ever, with about one in four cars being produced today having a turbo engine underneath the hood.

Is it right for you? Here in Colorado, turbochargers can give you the added boost you need, especially if you drive up into the hills often.

Yet keep in mind that by adding more components to the engine compartment for a turbocharger, you’ll also have more potential for things to go wrong. Each of the parts of the turbocharger – turbocharger, wastegate, intercooler, control system – add more pieces to the engine compartment, which means greater chance of potential error, especially as your vehicle ages.

As with any engine, any vehicle you purchase, the key to keeping your car in peak performance is to adhere to a regular maintenance schedule.

Are turbochargers better at towing?

Since turbochargers add power, it’s only natural to think they would be worth the investment if you plan on towing. Not so.

A turbocharger is great for bursts of power and acceleration. If you pull over and want to jet around the person in front of you, a turbo is the way to go.

Long term power for towing heavy objects such as campers and boats is better left to a heavy duty engine, such as a V6 or V8.

Thinking of buying a used car with a turbocharger?

Before you purchase any used car, it’s a good idea to do a little research first. Check reliability ratings. Does the car require premium gas? Have there been major upgrades to the vehicle because of problems with the turbocharger? A quick search in Google will give you plenty of advice on what other drivers are facing with the vehicle you’re considering.

One of the biggest problems you may find is a turbocharged engine that consumes oil. Check for low oil levels. Ask for service logs. Do you notice a trend that the engine needed a greater amount of oil than average? You can also check for oil leaks. Be aware if you notice a burnt oil smell when you look under the hood.

Of course, it’s also a good idea to bring in any used car before you sign on the dotted line. We can perform a full evaluation and inspect the vehicle from top to bottom, giving you a better idea of potential problems lurking in the near future.

What Is Fuel Injection and Why Should You Care?

January 3, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

Just listening to modern-day advertisements for brand new cars can leave you in awe of the technology.

Or maybe a little overwhelmed.

If you’ve tried to read through all of the features, it can leave you feeling like you’re reading a futuristic sci-fi novel, trying to piece together what all of the terms mean.

It sounds impressive, but at the end of the day, you have a car in your garage, and it’s your responsibility to take care of it. That means you need to learn a little about everything, and ensure it’s all well maintained to give you top performance.

Let’s talk fuel injection

Fuel injection isn’t brand new technology. Yet it’s one of those concepts that many drivers take for granted.

Fuel injection has been around almost as long as internal combustion engines. It was initially used in WWI in aircraft engines.

Chevrolet went to market in the 1950s with a mechanical injection V8, but the electronic fuel injection used on today’s modern cars is something different completely.

Carburetors and the mechanical injection first used on the auto production line were a combination of precisely calibrated mechanical parts designed to slowly release fuel into the intake manifold. This allows an air/fuel combination to mix into the combustion chamber.

This was the most efficient fuel delivery system used for decades. They were cheap to manufacture and easy to adapt to the newest engines. They’re simple to work on, and easy to maintain. In fact, a lot of car enthusiasts prefer carburetors because they are easy to troubleshoot.

Yet as many positive features as they brought to our modern day society, they also brought something we didn’t expect: emissions. And as cars multiplied into every level of society, the air we breathe soon became too hard to ignore.

Electronics brought in today’s fuel injection

The more we moved into the technological age, the more it infiltrated our automotive industry as well.

The first electronic fuel injection system was little more than a carburetor designed with a few computer-controlled sensors. But it was a start. This transitional technology allowed manufacturers to see what was possible, and start checking off all kinds of benefits to the automotive industry. Clean up the air? Check. But it also helped with performance issues too. Like helping a car increase gas mileage, and improving the performance of the engine.

https://denverexpresscare.com/how-to-improve-fuel-economy

As with any technology, fuel injection changed gradually over time. Single port fuel injection first showed up in the 1980s. It might have looked similar to a carburetor, but it had one or two fuel injectors in the body, adding fuel to the air mix just before the intake manifold. They improved the mechanical injection process by delivering a more precise fuel delivery. Gas mileage improved, but horsepower and torque waned.

As the single injection system was replaced with multiple ports, engine lifespan also increased. A multi-port fuel injection process uses multiple ports to add fuel to the air mix. With multiple ports, it has better efficiency and performance, with less potential problems as it has more ports to rely on during the process.

A lot has changed since the 1980s. Technology has increased, computers have decreased in size, and they run faster than ever. The number of car sensors has increased, meaning it’s easier than ever for mechanics to diagnose where problems lie. Engineers have fine-tuned every part of the fuel delivery process, making today’s cars the best yet for emissions standards as well as performance.

Common fuel injector problems

If something goes wrong with your fuel injection system, your engine won’t perform the way it was intended. How do you know when something is wrong with fuel injectors?

A rough idle

If the fuel injectors aren’t releasing enough fuel, or are sending an uneven supply into the engine, the RPMs will drop below the optimal level while idling. That means a rough idle while standing still, and if it falls too low, it will actually stall out the car.

Engine vibration

If a fuel injector isn’t spraying correctly, it will cause a misfire in the corresponding cylinder. You’ll notice this as you’re driving, the engine will vibrate as it tries to complete each cycle without the proper level of fuel.

Engine misfire

If the injector is clogged, it won’t be able to spray the correct amount of fuel into the engine, causing a misfire as you drive. You’ll notice your car struggling as you accelerate. You might even notice a pause as you step on the gas pedal. Either way, this is a warning sign that the engine isn’t receiving the proper amount of fuel, and it could be at risk for overheating.

Fuel leak

Sometimes the fuel injector can crack, break, or deteriorate from old age. A small leak will release gasoline where it isn’t supposed to be. That means fuel won’t reach the engine, and it can start the process of damaging the system. You may even notice a fuel odor from the leak.

Engine surge

If the fuel injectors spray too much gas into the engine cylinder, it will cause an engine surge. This will cause your RPMs to change drastically, even when your driving is relatively stable. Your acceleration will be much slower.

Bad fuel economy

All cars originate with a fairly stable fuel economy. You can expect it to stay the same, depending on your driving habits. But if you start noticing your fuel tank draining faster, without a change in driving conditions, it could be your fuel injectors.

Check engine light

Today’s sensors are more sensitive than ever. They are designed to warn you of any potential problem within the system. The check engine light can mean an array of things, one of which could be bad fuel injectors. Never ignore a warning light. Stop in and have it checked to find where the problem lies.

Failed emissions test

Because your engine isn’t running optimally, it can increase emissions, which will be noticeable the next time your car is tested. If your car fails the emissions test, the fuel injectors are one of the first things we’ll check.

Have you noticed your vehicle isn’t running as well as it once did? Is your gas mileage slipping? Does your car have trouble running? Drive in today, and with a diagnostics test, we’ll pinpoint the problem and get you back on the road quickly. We’re here to help you keep your vehicle in tip top shape, and get you where you’re going safely.

EVAP System Leak, Now What?

December 28, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

When you buy an automobile, you quickly learn how it operates and functions. You adjust to the noises it makes. You become attuned to the way it performs. One tiny change – a noise or a smell – will alert you to a potential problem, and give you ample time to have it fixed before the issue escalates.

Luckily, with today’s modern vehicles, it’s not just about relying on your sense of smell or hearing to detect a potential problem. Technology is now integrated into every vehicle, being the internal sight and sound that watches over everything that happens every time you start your car. Every system is calibrated to acceptable levels, and if anything moves beyond those measures, it alerts you with a tiny dashboard light.

The check engine light is one that alerts you to a variety of potential problems. Some can involve minor fixes. Some can be massive system failures – especially if you don’t fix the situation quickly.

An EVAP leak is one of those potential problems that impacts your check engine light. What is it and how do you fix it?

What is an EVAP leak?

An EVAP leak is a problem somewhere in the evaporative emission control system (EVAP). The EVAPs purpose is to contain any fumes released from gasoline, and prevent them from seeping out and impacting the environment.

The EVAP system is an important part of your vehicle’s pollution control feature, but it also serves another function: it keeps dangerous fumes from entering the cabin of your car.

How does the EVAP system work?

A vehicle’s EVAP system controls fuel vapors from escaping the fuel tank as your car sits and runs. These vapors are collected and condensed before being returned into the fuel tank. The fuel tank is a sealed system that is vacuum controlled and has purge control solenoids for the process.

As the engine runs, a vacuum is used to draw fumes into a charcoal canister where vapors are collected and condensed. As you turn the key, the engine activates a control valve which releases this vacuum into the system. The purge solenoid moves into operation and helps control the vapors, moving them back into the fuel tank.

The fuel tank has a pressure sensor to monitor this supply cycle and ensure it’s working correctly. It’s a continual process, keeping you safe while you drive, but also ensuring your car remains safe as it sits, unused.

What can go wrong with the EVAP system?

When any part of the EVAP system is compromised, it can cause a problem inside the vehicle. If a problem arises with the vacuum, solenoid, or sensor at any time, it will deliver a code to the main computer memory, alerting it to a problem within the system. It illuminates the check engine light to warn you of a potential problem.

Potential problems can include:

Gas cap failure – this is one of the most popular shortcomings, due to regular usage
Gas cap O ring is damaged
Gas tank filler tube is damaged
Vacuum feed line leaks
Vacuum control valve leaks
Vapor tube from the charcoal canister to the tank is damaged
The charcoal canister is leaking

Is it safe to drive with an EVAP leak?

While it isn’t dangerous to drive with an EVAP leak, there are several reasons why you shouldn’t.

First, it is potentially harmful to the environment. Every time you drive, your car emits exhaust fumes that contribute to the destruction of the ozone. Without the EVAP fully working, you’re emitting various levels of harmful chemicals into the world.

It also impacts your drive. While you might be able to drive your car with EVAP problems for a while, eventually, you’ll have to undergo an emissions test to update your vehicle registration. An EVAP leak will prevent you from passing this test. The longer you wait to fix the problem, the more potential damage may be done.

Finally, while the EVAP is a closed system, and won’t directly impact your health if there’s a leak in the system, it can impact other comforts of driving your car. A leak can impact the pressure in your gas tank, which can affect your mileage. It’s also something to pay attention to if you park in a closed environment.

Can you pass smog with an EVAP leak?

The short answer is: maybe. It depends on the source of the problem.

In some cases, this may be the first sign you have a problem. A negative test alerts you to the fact your car isn’t working properly.

If you do notice a check engine light before an emissions test, scheduling a maintenance visit to ensure every system on your vehicle is fully operational will help keep your car in good working condition all throughout the year.

Does EVAP system affect performance?

The EVAP charcoal canister valve – the purge solenoid – acts as a switch to move vapor into the engine. If this fails, one of the first symptoms you may notice is a rough ride. You will notice your car running inconsistently when you come to a stop, or while you’re driving at low speeds. If it sticks open, it can create a vacuum leak that impacts your idle speed. If damage to the solenoid continues, it can also lead to your engine stalling out completely.

The EVAP controls vapor. A leak within the system can impact how well your vehicle starts and stays running. Any issue with interrupted internal combustion may cause your engine to stall or refuse to start altogether.

How do you fix evaporative emission system leak detected?

One of the easiest fixes is simply to replace the gas cap. Since broken seals and a loose fit can impact how much emissions are escaping, Inspect the O ring. Because the gas cap is removed continuously when you fill up, it can stretch and loosen over time.

It may also be the vacuum feed line. This line feeds from the engine intake manifold to the EVAP system control valve. Engine heat and vibration can loosen connections or even deteriorate the rubber over time.

The main component is the charcoal canister. While it’s not something that deteriorates with regularity, it can need replacing if you’re having emissions problems.

Every system on your vehicle works to keep your car running smoothly.

Whether you have a check engine light that won’t turn off, or are noticing your car is running rougher than before, don’t wait for bigger problems to arise.

Drive in today and let us have a look.

It can be the difference between a minor repair and a major overhaul.

We’ll get you back on the road in no time.

Timing Chain or Timing Belt – How Your Car Works

December 8, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

The heart of your vehicle is the engine. Without an engine, your car simply won’t go.

Since the very first car, the engine has been vitally important to keeping your vehicle running. Over the years, the engine has been upgraded for precision to give you the smoothest ride possible in the most efficient way. To ensure this process, it requires timing, which uses a timing chain or timing belt to work with the camshaft and crankshaft to provide motion to the pistons and valves to produce synchronicity.

Both the timing chain and timing belt are used to produce the same result. Yet they are slightly different from one another.

What is timing?

Within the engine, you have a camshaft and a crankshaft. The camshaft controls the valves that let fuel and air in and out of the engine. The crankshaft moves the pistons up and down. This process involves mechanical timing, with the synchronicity of these two movements being imperative to the engine functioning. If the timing is off, it can damage any part within the two processes – the pistons, valves, or other components of the engine.

The purpose of the timing chain or timing belt is to make this process fluid. Either of these components is used to create harmonization at a precise rate.

Timing chain or timing belt – what’s the difference?

The timing chain and timing belt function in the same way. The difference between the two is the material they are created from, and their location in the engine compartment.

Timing chains were introduced first in the production line. A timing chain is constructed of metal, and is housed within the engine compartment. It receives lubrication from engine oil, and with proper maintenance, can last for a lifetime.

Timing belts were introduced in the 1960s as we became more sophisticated with the materials we produced. Belts are made from a reinforced rubber, and are quieter and less expensive to produce. But because they are made from a softer, more flexible material, they do wear down over time, with manufacturers suggesting they be replaced every 60,000 to 100,000 miles.

Of course, modern technology keeps making improvements to the way we produce various components of a vehicle. Some manufacturers have returned to a timing chain because of the strength in metal, albeit more quiet and efficient than was used decades before.

There are strengths and weaknesses to both, so manufacturers select their final products based on the overall design of the vehicle.

The symptoms of a bad timing chain or timing belt

While a timing chain can last the lifetime of a vehicle, and a timing belt can last as long as 100,000 miles, it isn’t impossible for either component to fail. Before either completely fails, it will show warning signs along the way.

Engine misfire and poor performance

Over time, either the timing chain or timing belt can stretch, meaning it won’t be able to perform at its optimal level. As it tries to do its job, it can skip a gear on the camshaft or crankshaft as it moves as you drive. This causes the engine to fall out of calibration, and often results in an engine that misfire. You may also notice the engine jumps and runs poorly, or a lack of acceleration as you move forward down the road.

Ticking noise in the engine

The timing belt is attached by a series of pulleys that connect it to the camshaft and crankshaft. These pulleys are what help the camshaft and crankshaft function within the engine itself. As the timing belt wears down, it can produce a ticking noise in the motor due to the individual parts not being able to perform as designed.

An engine that won’t turn over

If the timing belt snaps, is broken, or no longer works, it also means your engine won’t have the neccesary power to turn over and run. When you turn the key or press the button, you’ll hear a clicking noise as the motor tries to engage. But since the timing belt is responsible for the operation of the camshaft and crankshaft, the engine won’t have a way to fully ignite.

An engine that suddenly fails

Over time, the timing belt can loosen to the point it becomes a risk underneath the hood. If it brakes while you’re driving, it snaps and begins to flail around. That’s when it has the potential for doing a lot of damage. The rubber can snap back and forth, damaging other parts such as the cylinder head hardware, including pushrods and valves. You’ll have no choice but to bring your car to a stop and have it towed into the shop.

You’ll notice metal shavings in the oil

If you’re performing regular maintenance on your vehicle, you’ll change out your motor oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Oil begins to separate over time as it continually heats up and cools, and is exposed to the solvents found in today’s gasoline. If the timing chain is wearing down, flecks of metal can break away and find their way into the oil pan. A mechanic watches for these signs as he changes the oil, and alerts you to the beginning of any potential problems.

You’ll notice an oil leak

Another common sign of a problem with a timing belt is an oil leak. Pay attention to any changes in and around your vehicle, even under the hood. If an oil stain starts appearing around the engine, it might be a timing belt issue. The timing belt cover is secured by nuts and bolts, which can work their way loose over time. This can allow oil to pool out and become noticeable around the engine compartment.

The check engine light is illuminated

The check engine light can illuminate for a variety of reasons, one of which can be a problem with the timing chain or timing belt. Because the check engine light can signal a variety of issues, it’s important to have a mechanic check it out as quickly as possible to prevent further stress to your vehicle.

Whether you suspect an issue with your timing chain or timing belt, or are just in need of a reputable mechanic who will change your oil regularly, we’re here for you. Give us a call today.

All Signs Point To A Bad Alternator

November 3, 2020 by Denver Express Car Care

Today’s modern vehicle is designed with thousands of parts working together to keep you on the road. While most of us know how a few of the systems work, other parts aren’t as clear.

Tires connect to the road, keeping you comfortable and safe. A battery keeps the car running. Or does it?

A car battery is used to provide electricity to the electric starter motor designed to turn your vehicle on. But once the car is running, the power moves to the alternator, which generates energy to continually feed the electrical system while in operation.

Think of your alternator as a generator. When your vehicle is started, the engine spins wheels underneath the hood. One of those wheels is connected to the alternator, which generates energy. That energy is what keeps your electrical system running.

How do you know where the problem is with your vehicle? What are the signs of a bad alternator?

Bright or dim lights

When your electrical system isn’t getting enough current, it impacts the various accessories on your vehicle, including your lights. When you drive in the dark, is it harder to see? Does it appear your lights have dimmed? Or do they seem to be shining too brightly?

When an alternator begins to fail, it provides inconsistent voltage to the various systems in your vehicle. And that often translates to either underperforming or overperforming equipment. It’s usually most noticeable in headlights that appear either too dim or too bright. You may also experience flickering lights as you drive through the night.

Trouble starting

When you turn the key, you expect your vehicle to jump into action. If your alternator is starting to fail, that might not occur with regularity. You may have to turn the key a time or two, trying to get the engine to stay running.

For most car owners, the thought immediately turns to the battery. And while it might be the case, it’s important to consider all of the possibilities. How old is your battery? When was the last time you changed it out? Watch for other clues to determine where the problem lies.

Stalling

You may find the reverse happening too. As you drive your vehicle, stopping for lights and stop signs, you may find your car frequently stalls out.

If this happens regularly, it’s not your battery failing. Instead, it’s a sign that your vehicle’s spark plugs aren’t retaining enough power to keep your car operational. Without the flow of energy, your car simply can’t keep going.

Dead battery

There may be other times where you try to start your car and the battery is dead. You turn the key and nothing happens.

It could be just that – a dead battery. Maybe you left your light on overnight, and it drained the power from the battery. But if you’ve noticed other signs of potential problems, you might also determine it’s a sign your alternator is failing.

A bad alternator won’t charge the battery while the engine is running. That means the energy dissipates from the system quicker, preventing it from turning over when you go to start it.

A great way to test to see if it’s your battery or the alternator is to jumpstart the car. If it stays running, it’s your battery. If it dies shortly after the jump, it might be that your alternator isn’t supplying enough power to the battery.

Accessory problems

The electrical system supplies energy to many different parts of your car. It includes your power windows, your radio, your seat warmers, your windshield wipers and more. If you notice your windows take longer to move into place, it might be a sign the electrical system isn’t working at its best.

Thanks to today’s technology, there’s a hierarchy to where energy flows in the event of a problem. Your car is programmed to keep your car running, keeping you safe from potential problems. It’s programmed to stop supplying energy to things lower on the list – your radio or seat warmers – before turning off more vital systems – your headlights.

That’s why it’s important to pay attention to all warning signs as they occur. If you notice your radio fading in and out, there might be a reason for that.

If it keeps occurring and you notice other problems, it’s time to get your vehicle tested and the problem solved.

Noises

Cars make a variety of noises. From the moment you drove it off the lot, you’ve become attuned to the noises your car makes. Pay attention to any noises that change over time.

Do you hear a growling sound? Or a whining noise coming from under the hood? Whether something changes, gets louder, or worsens over time, your best course of action is to have a mechanic check things out.

Odor

Another warning sign that may occur is a strange odor coming from underneath the hood. A burning rubber smell could indicate parts are starting to wear out. The alternator’s drive belt is under constant tension and pressure. And because it’s near the engine, it can easily emit a burning smell as it comes closer to the engine compartment.

A burning odor can also occur as your alternator ages. If it has frayed or the wires are damaged, it’ll be reminiscent of an electrical fire.

Battery warning light

Your vehicle’s monitoring system is designed to warn you of any potential problems. When the battery warning light pops up on the dashboard, it can be from various problems. Many drivers assume it’s a problem with the battery. However, it’s also designed to illuminate any issues with the electrical system, including the alternator.

The alternator is designed to work at a specific voltage. When it falls outside of the recommended levels – usually 13 to 14.5 volts – it’s a sign that it’s failing. And when that happens, the battery dashboard light will illuminate.

Depending on how the electrical load is impacting your car, it can also cause the battery light to flicker on and off. If power isn’t getting to your headlight or wipers, for example, the battery may flicker as it attempts to do its job. If you notice this frequently, it’s worth further investigation.

Whether you’ve just started noticing a problem with your electrical system, or your car simply won’t start, we’re here to help you with all of your vehicle’s issues.

Give us a call today. We offer quality service at a reasonable price.