Monday, December 12, 2011
Brake System Maintenance
Brake fluid is usually neglected. It should be changed every two to three years. Brake fluid is hygroscopic and absorbs moisture over time. After two years it can become badly contaminated. Hence lowering its boiling point and causing internal corrosion that can damage calipers, wheel cylinders, and ABS components. Following the manufacturer's preventative maintenance shedule can greatly prolong the life of the hydraulic components in the brake system and improve safety. Call today and make an appointment for your next brake flush. At $40, its a great investment in your car. 770-640-0070
Sunday, December 4, 2011
How Your Radiator Works
Your car radiator keeps your engine cool. When a car's engine is switched on and running, it generates a great amount of heat, most of which is expelled through the exhaust system. The rest of it sits stagnant in the engine area, and although engines need heat to operate at an optimum level, too much heat will destroy the inner mechanics of your engine. Once those pistons and cylinders start melting together, it'll mean the end of your engine; indefinitely.
The radiator is the main part of the car's cooling system, and its primary function is to ensure exactly the right temperature for the car's engine to operate at maximum potential. In other words, the engine needs to be just hot enough, but not too hot. The quicker fuel is converted to a vapor in the combustion chamber, the more efficient the whole combustion process and the fewer harmful emissions are released into the atmosphere.
An engine running at the right temperature also means that the oil lubricating the engine is of the perfect consistency to keep the parts turning over smoothly, ensuring a longer lifespan.
Usually fashioned from aluminum, a car radiator is comprised of an arrangement of tubes which pass through the engine. The tubes carry a liquid coolant throughout the engine bay to provide relief to the car parts that heat up. The engine's overall temperature is monitored by a thermostat which opens up once the normal operating temperature is surpassed.
A water pump, along with a series of belts and hoses, helps the coolant circulate the engine while fan belt keeps the fan spinning. A radiator's job is to facilitate the transfer of heat from the cooling liquid to the air blown in from the radiator fan, or exchanger.
Older cars are cooled by means of an air cooling system that directs hot air away from the engine's cylinder and cool air towards the engine bay via a strong fan.
One of most common radiator-related problems is the overheating that occurs when the thermostat malfunctions. This will seriously compromise your vehicle's performance and emission levels, so if you're stuck with an overheated engine plus clouds emanating from the exhaust pipe, the thermostat probably needs attention. Overheating can also be caused
by leaking coolant.
It's best to check the whole cooling system, including all the hoses, the radiator itself, as well as the radiator cap and all the plugs. Besides overheating, the radiator can also become blocked or clogged with dirt particles and severely restrict its ability to dispel heat in the engine bay.
The cooling process itself might also be hampered by a clogged exhaust system or constant aggressive driving. Pushing your car unnecessarily hard will begin to take its toll on the whole car and render the engine prone to overheating and lackluster performance.
No matter the year or the make of your car, it's still a giant hunk of machinery that needs to be maintained. All cars generate heat, and all cars have cooling systems that work hard to keep the inner mechanics cool. Of course the radiator doesn't work alone, but it's best kept in good working order if you like driving a car that starts first time every time.courtesy of Tuffy Auto Service Centers
At NP IMPORTS, our radiators are backed by a 12month/12000 mile warranty. Call us today for a quote. 770-640-0070
The radiator is the main part of the car's cooling system, and its primary function is to ensure exactly the right temperature for the car's engine to operate at maximum potential. In other words, the engine needs to be just hot enough, but not too hot. The quicker fuel is converted to a vapor in the combustion chamber, the more efficient the whole combustion process and the fewer harmful emissions are released into the atmosphere.
An engine running at the right temperature also means that the oil lubricating the engine is of the perfect consistency to keep the parts turning over smoothly, ensuring a longer lifespan.
Usually fashioned from aluminum, a car radiator is comprised of an arrangement of tubes which pass through the engine. The tubes carry a liquid coolant throughout the engine bay to provide relief to the car parts that heat up. The engine's overall temperature is monitored by a thermostat which opens up once the normal operating temperature is surpassed.
A water pump, along with a series of belts and hoses, helps the coolant circulate the engine while fan belt keeps the fan spinning. A radiator's job is to facilitate the transfer of heat from the cooling liquid to the air blown in from the radiator fan, or exchanger.
Older cars are cooled by means of an air cooling system that directs hot air away from the engine's cylinder and cool air towards the engine bay via a strong fan.
One of most common radiator-related problems is the overheating that occurs when the thermostat malfunctions. This will seriously compromise your vehicle's performance and emission levels, so if you're stuck with an overheated engine plus clouds emanating from the exhaust pipe, the thermostat probably needs attention. Overheating can also be caused
by leaking coolant.
It's best to check the whole cooling system, including all the hoses, the radiator itself, as well as the radiator cap and all the plugs. Besides overheating, the radiator can also become blocked or clogged with dirt particles and severely restrict its ability to dispel heat in the engine bay.
The cooling process itself might also be hampered by a clogged exhaust system or constant aggressive driving. Pushing your car unnecessarily hard will begin to take its toll on the whole car and render the engine prone to overheating and lackluster performance.
No matter the year or the make of your car, it's still a giant hunk of machinery that needs to be maintained. All cars generate heat, and all cars have cooling systems that work hard to keep the inner mechanics cool. Of course the radiator doesn't work alone, but it's best kept in good working order if you like driving a car that starts first time every time.courtesy of Tuffy Auto Service Centers
At NP IMPORTS, our radiators are backed by a 12month/12000 mile warranty. Call us today for a quote. 770-640-0070
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Range Rover Air Strut/Shock
Air suspension issues? It might be an air stut. We offer a remanufactured, OE front air shock for the 2003-2009 Range Rover. The price at the dealer is $1200 just for the part. We are offering it to you at $700 installed with a one year warranty. Call us today!
Friday, November 4, 2011
Emergency Preparedness Kit
Prepare an emergency kit. Store this stuff in your trunk during the winter months, especially if a road trip is in your future:
- a blanket
- extra boots and gloves
- an extra set of warm clothes
- extra water and food, including hard candies
- an ice scraper
- a small shovel
- a flashlight
- windshield washer fluid
- windshield wipers
- flares
- jumper cables
- a tool kit
- tire chains
- a tire gauge
- a spare tire with air in it
- tire-changing equipment
- a first-aid kit
- paper towels
- a bag of abrasive material such as sand, salt or non-clumping kitty litter, which can provide additional traction if a tire gets stuck in snow.
- Also, keep the gas tank as full as you can to prevent the gas lines from freezing.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Jaguar Timing Chains
If upon start-up you notice a rattling sound from your 1997-2002 Jaguar V8 engine, or unusually rough running, turn off the engine immediately and DO NOT restart it. Have the car towed to us, NP IMPORTS, for inspection. 770-640-0077
Jaguar’s 4.0-liter V8, was the first-ever eight-cylinder engine from that manufacturer. In their zeal to reduce the weight of the valve train and related components as a way of improving fuel efficiency, the engineers underdesigned its timing gear: in particular, the cam chain tensioners. These plastic components are part of the V8's single-chain design, a weight-saving alternative to the more robust double-chain approach Jaguar has used on most of its six-cylinder engines.
As a result of their weak design and other factors like engine overheating or poor maintenance, the plastic cam chain tensioners on 1997 to 2002 V8 Jaguars began to experience stress fractures, and so did some of the plastic guides.
In their Technical Service Bulletin No. X303-68 of February 2005, titled “Rattle From Engine on Start-up and Idle,” Jaguar states:
This Technical Bulletin has been issued to address customer concerns of a rattle emanating from the engine on start-up and idle.
Cause: Failure of a primary or secondary timing chain tensioner.
Should a customer express concern, and the fault has been confirmed as a timing chain tensioner, new primary or secondary timing chain tensioners must be installed.In 2005, Jaguar introduced a third-generation metal-based tensioner kit. We use the metal-based third-generation tensioners when replacing cracked first- and second-generation Jaguar V8 tensioners.
We recommend that you take preventive action and have the tensioners inspected. If they are cracked, have them replaced before it causes engine failure leading to costly repairs.
NP IMPORTS offers a Timing Chain Inspection for $95. If you decide to upgrade your timing gear we will deduct the $95 charge from your invoice. Call us and schedule an appointment today. 770-640-0070
Jaguar’s 4.0-liter V8, was the first-ever eight-cylinder engine from that manufacturer. In their zeal to reduce the weight of the valve train and related components as a way of improving fuel efficiency, the engineers underdesigned its timing gear: in particular, the cam chain tensioners. These plastic components are part of the V8's single-chain design, a weight-saving alternative to the more robust double-chain approach Jaguar has used on most of its six-cylinder engines.
As a result of their weak design and other factors like engine overheating or poor maintenance, the plastic cam chain tensioners on 1997 to 2002 V8 Jaguars began to experience stress fractures, and so did some of the plastic guides.
In their Technical Service Bulletin No. X303-68 of February 2005, titled “Rattle From Engine on Start-up and Idle,” Jaguar states:
This Technical Bulletin has been issued to address customer concerns of a rattle emanating from the engine on start-up and idle.
Cause: Failure of a primary or secondary timing chain tensioner.
Should a customer express concern, and the fault has been confirmed as a timing chain tensioner, new primary or secondary timing chain tensioners must be installed.In 2005, Jaguar introduced a third-generation metal-based tensioner kit. We use the metal-based third-generation tensioners when replacing cracked first- and second-generation Jaguar V8 tensioners.
We recommend that you take preventive action and have the tensioners inspected. If they are cracked, have them replaced before it causes engine failure leading to costly repairs.
NP IMPORTS offers a Timing Chain Inspection for $95. If you decide to upgrade your timing gear we will deduct the $95 charge from your invoice. Call us and schedule an appointment today. 770-640-0070
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)