Margate City Auto Repair

Is your car not running like usual? Is it stalling or surging? Rocking or shaking? Getting issues such as these checked out as soon as possible is ideal as it could grow into a bigger issue if you let it go. There could be several reasons why your car is running rough. Here are some common issues to consider:   1. Fuel Issues: Dirty fuel injectors or a clogged fuel filter can affect the flow of fuel to the engine. Also, a weak (aged), a bad fuel pump, and fuel leaks.    2. Ignition Problems: Worn spark plugs, ignition coils, or issues with the ignition system can cause misfires, leading to rough running. 3. Air Intake Issues: A dirty or faulty mass airflow sensor, air filter, or intake manifold can disrupt the air-fuel mixture. 4. Vacuum Leaks: Leaks in the vacuum system can create an imbalance in the air-fuel mixture, leading to performance issues. 5. Engine Timing: Problems with engine timing, such as a worn timing belt or chain, can cause rough running. Cam shaf ... read more

Common Brake Issues. If, when driving you feel like your brakes are ‘spongy’ or are no longer working correctly it is important to address the matter immediately. Brakes are used to stop your vehicle, and any hesitation or fault could be very dangerous. Here are some potential reasons for feeling like your brakes are ‘going’: Low Brake Fluid: If the brake fluid is low, it can affect the hydraulic system, making the brakes less effective. Check the brake fluid reservoir and top it off if necessary. Worn Brake Pads: If the brake pads are worn down, they may not grip the rotors effectively, leading to a feeling of reduced braking power. Brake pads work best when over 3mm. Also, ceramic brake pads work best. The downside to ceramic brake pads is that they are noisier. Warped Brake Rotors: Warped rotors can cause uneven braking and might make it feel like the brakes are not responding properly. T ... read more

It is important to check the fluids under your hood regularly. Sometimes it can be confusing under there and it is important to get the fluids into the right place. Colin and Pooh Bear walk you through what to look for in this video to take all the guesswork out of figuring out what fluid goes where.  https://youtu.be/S_towp5Q0WM The fluids you should be checking at least once a month are:  Oil Windshield wiper fluid Power steering fluid Brake Fluid Coolant Transmission Fluid- This may or may not be in your car. Some cars have an electric transmission, which does not need fluid.  The reason for the monthly check is to catch a leak and to check the color and quality of the fluids. For warned is forearmed and catching things early can not only help your car but your wallet as well. 

What is Power Steering? The Power Steering system of your car makes turning your car easy. If you have ever driven a classic car without power steering, you understand how hard it use to be. Also, without power steering, you use to have to accelerate to turn, like a Jet ski. Where is Power Steering located? The Power steering system is a part of a larger system, it goes from your steering wheel all the way to your tires. Long story short, that means to look under the front of your car for leaking. Sometimes there is a warning light that will go on if you are having an issue, but not always. These are signs that your power steering is going bad or is bad: Low on power steering fluid- this shows when turning gets harder to do. Also, it may start whining. Power steering pump or motor went bad- this is evident when you strain to turn your steering wheel or sound like high-pitched screaming Serpentine belt broken- The car may stall ( ... read more

     What to do if my Car Rims are Bent Driving over potholes is uncomfortable and jarring for not only you but your car. If you notice your car driving differently after going over one you might have some damage like you can see in two of the photos. Unfortunately, not all damage to rims can be seen easily, some damage can be hidden by the tire and the car itself. Damage to your rims, no matter how minor, can have expensive long-term consequences. The following damage can be caused by damaged Rims (these are not always immediate; some issues happen over time due to the uneven way the tire now sits on the wheel): Flat tires Alignment issues Decreased gas efficiency Axle issues Drive shaft issues What causes bent rims Damage can happen for other reasons than potholes. Damage can also occur from hitting curbs, car accidents, and driving off-road (among other reasons). If you have minor bent damage, getting that fixed as soon as ... read more

Car Batteries and the Cold It is cold outside. Winter is here and it is the time of year that batteries start showing their age. There are multiple reasons as to why your battery is losing charge. Batteries are only expected to last 3-5 years, and that is with a good alternator. There are other factors that can lessen your battery life. Driving Habits Sometimes not taking the scenic route will cost you. If you only drive short trips that can lessen your battery life. Your alternator will not be able to recharge your battery usage. A short trip is considered a half-hour or less. Freezing weather Fully charged batteries will only freeze at around -75 degrees, but if it less than full it can freeze at around 32 degrees. Therefore, when it gets cold outside people often find that their car battery will not start in the morning. Which is frustrating and inconvenient. Idling Idling for prolong times ... read more

The Season of Pot holes is upon us! Winter is hard on everyone and everything, yes that means on your roads and cars as well. That is why April is Car care Aware month. Its time to freshen up for the Spring. The biggest threat to your car right now is pot holes and neglect of maintenance. Pot holes meh, am I right? They come back every spring like flowers. They are caused by water seeping into the cracks of the pavement, then freezing and thawing, and then being driven on causes the pavement to weaken and eventually give.  If you lucky your city is on them like white on rice. Either way they are a danger to your car. Alignments, Tires, Hubs, your exhaust, your under carriage and depending on how deep it is anything within its evil grasp. It can cause leaks, dents and compromise the integrity of parts and sometimes clips can come off and parts can start to drag.   Is there any way to avoid them? Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee, that’s because your car can ... read more

Rotors   What are they? Rotors, with assistance from the brake pads and calipers, cause your car to slow down and/or stop. They are the circular metal part that the brake pads rub against to cause the wheels to stop spinning. They are as important as brake pads for stopping.   Why do they go bad? Heat isn’t a friend of metal parts. Heat from friction can cause warping and wear. For those of you that remember LP records, think of records that were left in the sun.   Signs you need new rotors. Squeaking, rough stopping, vibrating when slowing, When your rotors go bad you will hear it and feel it. Make it over to your mechanic as soon as possible.   Helpful Info Rotors should be replaced every 30-70 thousand miles. And when you change the rotors you should change your brake pads too. Since the rotors and brake pads rub together the brake pads are ‘mated&rsquo ... read more

Thermostat: What is it? Every car has a thermostat. The thermostat in you car regulates the engine coolant temperature to cool off your engine. Thermostats don’t have an average lifespan. So there is no real recommended time to replace them. That is why it is important to get your check engine light read as soon as you can when it pops up or know what to do if it suddenly goes bad. How does it work? As the car heats up to 200 degrees, the thermostat opens (heat causes things to expand) and opens to allow circulation of the coolant thru the coolant system (which is a series of pipes that are housed around/ thru the engine) when the engine cools down enough (cold causes things to contract) it closes. When the thermostat goes bad it gets stuck, or doesn’t open which causes your car to overheat, or if it gets stuck in the open position it causes the car to be too cool which causes bad emissions, and bad efficiency, and accelerates wear. What are signs I need to get mine fixed ... read more

Overheating What does it mean when your car is overheating? Ruh roh, your gauge is climbing to the dreaded red H. What is causing it and what can you do to fix it before it destroys your engine or causes some very expensive bill? Cars start to over heat as they reach 250 degrees. (Cars usually run at 195-220 degrees. Just to give you an idea.) Now keep in mind that the boiling point for your coolant is 250–260 degrees. Not much wiggle room, is there? Why is it important? Cooling your engine is very important. As it is with most machines, like your computer, keeping things cool as they do their job keeps every thing from breaking down due to heat and friction. Here are some things that happen to your car as the temperature climbs. Lowers your fuel combustion efficiency Causes corrosion Starts to heat and warp the metal in and around your engine. Causes the viscosity of the liquid in your engine to change to gunk (oil, Co ... read more