Calling All Owners of All-Wheel-Drive and On-Demand 4-Wheel Drive Vehicles!!!
Calling All Owners of All-Wheel-Drive and On-Demand 4-Wheel Drive Vehicles!!!
You need to know the importance of having your transfer case checked and serviced regularly.
You need to know the importance of having your transfer case checked and serviced regularly.
When convenience goes wrong...
When convenience goes wrong...
Today's 4-wheel drive systems are quite convenient and, in our area, sometimes quite necessary. Much different than having to get out and lock the hubs in the middle of a snowstorm, However, that convenience can come with a heavy price when things go wrong.
The photo at left shows the transfer case of a vehicle which was towed in to our shop because it was making a horrible noise and not driving like usual. A quick test drive in the yard seemed to indicate that the transfer case was having problems but nothing prepared us for what we saw when Tim opened it up to look inside. You can clearly see the large amount of metal filings which came from the internal gears literally chewing themselves up.
Grinding Those Gears
Grinding Those Gears
You can see the damage to the gears inside the transfer case; this is definitely not normal wear and tear. While we were unable to determine the exact cause in this case, there are many possibilities.
- Tires--incorrect tire inflation and uneven tire wear are the most common cause of transfer case failure. Today's powertrain systems use information from sensors throughout the vehicle to determine when to engage/disengage the 4-wheel drive.
- Use of 4 wheel drive on hard surfaces such pavement. It is meant to operate on snow, sand, mud, etc. In other words, surfaces that are slippery.
- Fluid- use only the correct type and amount of fluid for the particular vehicle and NEVER use other types of lubricant in the transfer case.
Avoid Costly Problems with Regular Service Checks
Avoid Costly Problems with Regular Service Checks
In the case of the vehicle shown in this post, when faced with the thousands of dollars necessary to replace the transfer case, the customer opted for Tim's creative suggestion--conversion of the vehicle to a front-wheel drive only so that it could still be driven.
To avoid expensive repairs, Tim suggests that transfer case fluid should be check at least annually, more often if you use 4-wheel drive regularly or if you have an all-wheel-drive vehicle that doesn't allow you to shift it in or out. Of course, overall maintenance is necessary to ensure that the data being fed to your 4-wheel drive system is allowing it to function properly.
Do You Use Dry Gas In Cold Weather?
Do You Use Dry Gas In Cold Weather?
Before the days of ethanol, it was recommended that you use dry gas to protect your fuel system in cold winter temperatures. However, this is not such a good practice with the newer fuels. One of the negative effects of ethanol is that it is corrosive to certain types of metal as well as to rubber lines, hoses and seals. It also attracts water which can come from a variety of sources in your fuel system, including condensation. This water then turns into a corrosive, clogging gel that can cause blockages and damage wherever the ethanol travels in your vehicle. Because dry gas is simply another form of alcohol, it can intensify the negative effects of ethanol, causing costly damage to your fuel system and, ultimately, to your engine. To learn more about protecting your vehicle from ethanol damage and to find out how to prepare a vehicle for winter storage, give us a call.
Do-It-Yourself Air Conditioning Service Could Result in Costly Repairs-- ​July 17, 2018
Do-It-Yourself Air Conditioning Service Could Result in Costly Repairs-- ​July 17, 2018
While the photo at right is not exactly what we are talking about, you have to admire the ingenuity! See the real info below.
"If they sell it, it must be safe to use, right?"
"If they sell it, it must be safe to use, right?"
Many people have seen those instant recharge canisters at auto parts stores or other outlets. Reading the instructions, it sounds simple enough and seems like you would save a lot of money doing it yourself. Not necessarily--in fact, you could end up having to replace your entire air conditioning system.
Mixing Refrigerants, Contaminants in Your System, Component Blockages...Oh My!
Mixing Refrigerants, Contaminants in Your System, Component Blockages...Oh My!
When you use those DIY recharge systems, several things can go wrong. First, they do not evacuate the fluid that is currently in the A/C system; rather, they just add to it. This is equivalent to adding new oil to your engine without draining the old--it just covers up symptoms without solving the problem.
Secondly, if your system is low on refrigerant, this means that there is a leak somewhere because it does not just evaporate. This means that not only is refrigerant leaking into the atmosphere (an environmental concern), but other particles can get into your system. Dirt and dust can accumulate inside your A/C, clogging necessary hoses and pumps. Even water getting into the system can cause serious problems.
And speaking of water, DIY recharge kits often leave water behind in the lines. When water and refrigerant combine, they form hydrochloric or hydroflouric acids that can deteriorate parts, corrode metals and block the system with sludge.
Lastly, you may not know what type of refrigerant your vehicle uses. Combining different refrigerants can cause dangerous chemical reactions, seriously damaging key components.
How It Works
How It Works
One of the problems with DIY recharge systems is that, if you end up with too much refrigerant in your A/C, it will actually produce hot air. The amount of refrigerant has to be precise.
To understand the damage that improper A/C service can cause, it helps to know a bit about how the system works. The refrigerant circulates in the system and is a gas in its normal state. The compressor converts the gas into a high pressure, high temperature state; from there the refrigerant flows to the condenser where cool air moves across from the fan, turning the gas to a high pressure liquid. Then it is on to the drier which removes small amounts of liquid which can contaminate the system. Still in a high pressure liquid form, the refrigerant then proceeds to an expansion valve which converts it to a low pressure liquid. At the evaporator, this liquid begins to boil, transforming back to a gas (low pressure). In order to boil, the refrigerant must absorb heat which chills the evaporator, allowing the vehicle's blower to move cold air into the interior. Then it goes back to the compressor to start again. Some systems may have small component variations but the process is the same.
A Precision System Requires Precision Service
A Precision System Requires Precision Service
If the amounts of refrigerant are not correct, the system will not be able to cool the air. Obviously, too little will not be sufficient to do the job; however, too much refrigerant over-pressurize the system, not allowing the refrigerant to boil or the compressor to work properly. Trained A/C technicians use specialized equipment to monitor both low and high side pressures to get the balance just right and also to properly evacuate the system thoroughly. So, while the DIY kits may cost less to purchase, consider the cost of having several or all of your A/C system components replaced because of damage from improper pressure.
Why Are NH State Inspection Rules Getting More Strict?--June 28, 2018
Why Are NH State Inspection Rules Getting More Strict?--June 28, 2018
This vehicle is a perfect example of why the NH Department of Safety is making some drastic changes to the vehicle state inspection procedures. The owner brought it in for a tune-up because the engine was running rough. This vehicle "passed" a state inspection at an inspection station earlier this year and the unsuspecting buyer purchased it, having no idea the extent of the frame damage that it had. This SUV could have literally collapsed in the middle by just going over a small bump in the road. The arrows point to the white marking line of how much of the inside of the frame will have to be cut out and have new steel welded in. See more below.
The first photo shows the deteriorated and weakened frame near one of the engine mounts, which allowed the engine to move excessively when running rough because of the needed tune-up. In the second photo notice the large crack in the frame just behind the front leaf spring mount and also right ahead of one of the body mounting points.
Another dangerous issue that this SUV had was a severely damaged brake rotor in the front. The third photo shows that the inside braking surface was completely gone, exposing the ribs underneath. The last photo shows what the rotor should look like, with the ribs in the middle of the two braking surfaces.
So how can you protect yourself from unsafe vehicles?
So how can you protect yourself from unsafe vehicles?
- First, only purchase from a reputable dealer or someone you know and trust.
- If the vehicle is used, have a mechanic you can trust check it out before you buy it. Depending upon how far away it is, Tim may be able to go and check it for you.
- If you already own a vehicle that is coming due for a state inspection, have it checked at least a month ahead of time so that you have time to budget for any needed repairs. While we are not yet an official state inspection station, Holley's Auto & More does pre-inspection checks to let you know if your vehicle needs any repairs or has issues that might make it unsafe. That way, you know what to plan for when the time comes to get a sticker.
- Don't ignore and new noises or anything that "just doesn't feel right". In short, trust yourself. If you think something might be wrong, get it checked right away. Better to be safe than sorry.
Your Brakes--Better Maintenance Results in Longer-Lasting Components
--June 12, 2018
Your Brakes--Better Maintenance Results in Longer-Lasting Components
--June 12, 2018
Have you ever had brake pads or rotors replaced, only to have them wear out much sooner than you anticipated? While you may have gotten a great discounted price, having them fail more often doesn't make good financial sense and may put your safety at risk. At Holley's Auto & More, we offer an optional, but highly recommended, extra step in braking system service that makes your components last significantly longer and work better. The photos below show and explain the problem and solution.
The problem is rust and corrosion. The first photo shows an average amount of rust that is released when brake calipers and rotors are removed. That's a lot of material that can keep things from operating properly.
The second photo shows the general rust build-up on a brake caliper bracket. Most usually, this bracket cannot be purchased separately from the entire caliper, making replacement a costly repair.
So what happens when this rust builds up? The brake caliper cannot apply pressure evenly, causing one pad to wear out faster than the other (the arrows in the 3rd photo point to the brake pads; notice the thickness of the braking surface on the left pad as opposed to the right one which is completely worn out).
Tim removes the caliper brackets and sandblasts and paints them, removing excessive rust and protecting the surface for smooth operation. This service keeps the calipers applying even pressure, making pads and rotors last much longer and wearing evenly.
The Importance of Having a Mechanic You Can Trust
The Importance of Having a Mechanic You Can Trust
May 16, 2018
There is nothing worse than paying for a vehicle repair, trusting that the mechanic will do the job completely and properly and then discovering that your trust was wrongly placed. Unfortunately, this happens more often than you might think. See the photos below for an example of such an event.
This customer had paid to have the timing belt changed which should include changing the associated pulleys and belt tensioner at the same time. However, only the belt itself was changed. The hydraulic tensioner (see arrow in the first photo) failed, allowing the timing belt to loosen enough to misalign the valve timing. Because the customer did not know why her vehicle was running rough (and there is no reason she should have), she tried to make it home.
However, because this car has what is known as an interference engine, being out of proper timing caused the intake valves to hit the pistons repeatedly, bending the valves and denting the pistons (see arrows in the second and third photos). The result? A very costly engine rebuild or replacement. In this case, the customer could not justify the expense so an otherwise good car will now be sold for scrap.