Worn spark plugs can leave you stranded
Today’s computerized cars are amazing! They can take an engine and keep it running, smoothly I might add, until the last minute. This vehicle was towed in because it died and would not restart. No previous issues with drive-ability. Diagnosis determined it to be a failed ignition system; ignition coil failed. The “root cause” was worn spark plugs. The spark plug gap was so badly worn (see photo – worn plug on left and new on right) that the computer had to adjust fuel, timing and voltages to keep it running correctly. These types of failures occur when the on board computer runs out of adjustments or a component calls it quits. When was the last time you changed your spark plugs?
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Intermittent No Start, Remember the Battery is King
Intermittent No Start, Remember the BATTERY is King
Batteries are the heart and soul of a vehicle’s electrical system. If the cables do not make good contact because they are loose, improperly installed or repaired, or are making poor contact due to corrosion, then the entire electrical system is at risk and will affect how your vehicle performs. This vehicle came in with an intermittent no crank and had a new battery. What we found was corroded battery terminals (see photo). Poor contacts are just that, poor contacts. And as simple as it sounds, putting a battery in is more than just hooking up a set of battery cables. Before going on vacation make sure you battery is up to par.
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Suspension Service At Stock’s Underhood Specialists Inc.
Suspension systems will continue to operate effectively for many years and tens of thousands of miles. Eventually Sedan components do wear out, but how long that takes depends a lot on how you drive in Fairview Heights.
As you can imagine, if most of your driving is on smooth Illinois highways, your shock absorbers will last a lot longer than if you do most of your driving on bumpy roads or hauling heavy loads. In addition to just wearing out, Sedan suspension components can be damaged in an accident or by a hard impact – like a pothole, hitting a curb or a rock in the road. Because the life span of shocks can vary so widely, your Sedan manufacturer recommends periodic inspections.
During an inspection at Stock’s Underhood Specialists Inc., your honest Fairview Heights service technician will check for worn, broken or missing parts. Let me give a rundown of the major suspension components.
First there are the springs. The springs hold the weight of the vehicle. There are several kinds of springs. Springs are obviously heavy duty parts that rarely break or wear out. Shock absorbers work in conjunction with springs to smooth out the ride and help keep the tires on the road. The shocks are key to handling performance and ride comfort.
You’ve probably heard of struts. They combine a shock absorber and a coil spring in one unit. Shocks and struts will wear out over time. There are some signs that shocks or struts are wearing out. The tires may have a cupped wear pattern. This is from the shocks bouncing unevenly. You may notice a floaty or drifting sensation when cornering. If the front of your Sedan dives excessively when stopping, or rocks back and forth after you stopped, your shocks may be worn out. And if they are leaking fluid, it’s definitely time to replace them.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, visit Stock’s Underhood Specialists Inc. for a suspension inspection. Same if you’ve been in an accident that involved one of your wheels. If your Sedan suspension actually fails, it could lead to a serious accident, so take care of these things.
When you replace your shocks, it’s usually a good idea to replace all four at the same time. That’ll give you more even handling. Talk with your Stock’s Underhood Specialists Inc. service advisor because you don’t want a big difference between the performance of your shocks from wheel to wheel, and replacing all may be the safest bet.
There different grades of shocks and struts. You always want to use a replacement shock or strut that equals the one that came as original equipment when your Sedan was new. But remember, they were designed to meet the expected needs of the broad range of Fairview Heights people who buy that particular vehicle. Your needs may be more specialized.
For example if you want increased handling performance for your Sedan, your honest Stock’s Underhood Specialists Inc. advisor can recommend an upgraded shock or strut to give you what you want. If you haul heavy loads or trailers, you can get a more heavy duty shock absorber.
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Tueday’s Trivia
Tueday’s Trivia: The record label, Motown, was originally called ____________ ?
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Alternating Urban Legends
Call it Urban Legend, an “old wives’ tale,” or just plain stupid. Have you heard the one about checking the alternator by removing the battery cable while the engine is running? I haven’t heard this one for some time and thought it had finally died, but maybe it pops up when the economy gets tough. Let me set the record straight. The theory is that if the engine dies when you remove the battery cable while it’s running, then the alternator is bad. If the engine continues to run, then the alternator is good. This is totally FALSE. Never let anyone do this to your vehicle. It proves nothing. What it does is create an open circuit that WILL cause extensive damage to your vehicle’s electronics. Let a professional test your alternator if you think it might be bad or going bad. On many of today’s vehicles, there can be up to 3 computers that decide how and when the alternator will charge. Remember, this isn’t your grandfather’s Oldsmobile. This test for an alternator didn’t work then and it doesn’t work today. PASS it on!
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Following Recommended Intervals For Your Sedan
If you’re reading this article in Belleville Illinois, then you probably care about your car and how it runs. Even though you care, there is still that moment of dread when your service technician tells you the manufacturer recommends some additional service. Your heart beats a little faster, your blood pressure rises. You worry about spending more money than you expected.
Contact Stock’s Underhood Specialists Inc. in Belleville Illinois by calling 618.233.6119
And you worry that if you say “no”, you might be harming your car or compromising safety.
At the risk of sounding like your dad, you really should have done your homework. All of this stuff is in your owner’s manual. But it is not like you want to keep your maintenance schedule on your nightstand for bedtime reading.
Cars are complicated machines and it takes care to keep them running well. That is why manufacturers have maintenance schedules that explain how to keep your vehicle performing efficiently and prevent costly break downs. In a typical owners manual you’ll find: oil change, brake fluid and pad change, coolant system service, transmission service, battery electrolyte levels, cables and terminals, tire pressure and wear, CV boots, cabin air filter, air conditioning, heater, fuel filter, air filter, belts and hoses, power steering fluid, differential service, fuel system cleaning, and wheel alignment. And then there are mechanical service requirements like timing belt changes, valve adjustment, steering function, engine and exhaust leaks – yeah, it is a really long list!
Fortunately, this isn’t a test: You don’t need to have it memorized. Your service center at Stock’s Underhood Specialists Inc. has access to your manufacturer’s recommendations. So do not be surprised when your technician at Stock’s Underhood Specialists Inc. reminds you something is due. Your manufacturer has taken great care in putting together your maintenance schedule. Let Stock’s Underhood Specialists Inc. help you stay on top of important maintenance. You can expect them to suggest recommended services and tell you what problems they find under the hood. We’ll also explain how urgent these services are so you can work them into your budget.
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