Tag Archives: nissan repair phoenix

Full Service Gas Stations 85016

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A long, long time ago… Full service gas stations?

I remember the days when you could find a full service gas station in every local neighborhood. I worked the full service island at a Chevron station near my home town high school. Just about every kid in the auto shop worked at one of the local service stations. It was crazy fun and 5 gallons of free gas every week.

The owner had a great hook, fill up before 9:00 am weekdays and you would get a 16oz hot coffee and a car wash for free. The coffee was average and the car wash was just a basic wash, but people lined up for it. It was a hook.

Today it is hard pressed to find a full service gas station any place in the country. Full service gas stations are gone, a thing of the past. Anyway who would pay extra money for a gallon of gas just to have someone pump it for you?

The gas station I worked at had dozens of regular clients stop in every day for full service fill ups. Young or old, people just did not want to get dirty. Clients liked the personal attention. Everyone liked that we checked the car at every fill up. Checking the fluids, belts and hoses, airing up the tires and washing the windows. We took care of the clients ride.

Cars today still need attention. Waiting till it goes in for service every 4 to 6 months is way too long. Many things can happen in just 30 days. If you have a 6-year-old car or older you should be checking it regularly. Once a month you need to check the under hood fluids, air up the tires, toss out the trash and maybe give it a wash.

If you are in the neighborhood, stop in and let me take a look under the hood. I charge nothing to take a look. If I find something needing attention. I can give you an estimate for the repairs. The important part is to take a look. If your ride needs repairs, it’s better to fix it before you break down on the side of the road.

It’s all good under the hood. Anthony Xavier ASE Master Technician

copyright: All rights reserved @ HeyAnthonyAZ.com 2013

Are you ready for the “Summer Heat”?

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It’s March & almost summer time. It’s time to get ready for the heat!

Everything inside, outside and under the hood of your car will see extra stress because of the extreme heat in Arizona. If you haven’t noticed it yet, Phoenix is a desert climate, dusty and hot. Every summer I see many cars that are not ready to take on the Arizona heat.

If you live outside Arizona and plan on traveling through Phoenix mid summer, this applies to you too.

The cooling system is a great place to start. Inspecting everything on the engines cooling system is very important. Leaky hoses, water pumps and radiators will let the coolant level drop slowly in the cooling system. Low coolant levels can quickly turn into an over heating condition ruining your engine. Reduced air flow due to bugs, trash or faulty cooling fans can lead to over heating just as easy as low coolant levels. Engine failure can be prevented with a visit to the shop for a full inspection of the cooling system.

You need air-conditioning to keep you cool in your car. let’s check it! Is the output temperature correct, do all the controls work correctly, is your cabin air filter ready to get the job done? Do you have any leaky hoses? Let’s take a look.

Have you thought about reducing the heat to the inside of your car? If you have regular clear glass. Window tint will help cut the heat load to everything inside the car. A high quality tint will reduce the heat inside the car by rejecting the sun’s UV rays.

A summer time inspection can be included with a regular oil change service. Waiting till you are at the side of the road is too late to act. Stop in today.

It’s all good under the hood. Anthony Xavier ASE Master Technician

copyright: All rights reserved @ HeyAnthonyAZ.com 2013

What is a genie lamp? Engine Repair Phoenix 85016

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What is a Genie lamp?

This was one of the funnest & sad things I have ever encountered, but it was mostly a sad day for the owner of the car. The owner of the car in question did not know what the lights on the instrument panel indicated. The owner drove the car till it stopped. Once the car arrived at the shop, I asked the standard questions. The owner said they had a genie lamp on, but the car drove fine till the engine stalled. so I asked them to show me what lamp on the panel was turning on.

Keep in mind, I was puzzled about what the client was seeing. Because I have never seen a genie lamp on any instrument panel. 

The client turned on the key and pointed to the light that was on. It was the OIL LIGHT, but to them it looked like a genie lamp. Keeping a straight face, I said, a genie lamp would have smoke going up out of the spout. The lamp on the panel had a drop going down. The client just giggled. Then shock set in.

The client had no idea that the engine had no oil in it. It was just serviced at the clients local quick lube. The drain plug was tight, the filter was new and tight, just no oil. I was very impressed, the car went 14 miles before engine failure. The client said the light was on when they picked up the car, but they did not think anything of it because, it was on intermittently a week before the service. I did not say a thing. I Just gave them a price and the car ended up going away.

As a car owner, you should know some basics. You need to know how to air up your tires, plus check the oil and coolant. You should know what all the warning lights on the instrument panel indicate. You should know how to change a flat tire.

If you have questions about your car, stop in at the station and we will answer any of your questions at no charge. Knowledge is key to keeping your car in good shape.

It’s all good under the hood. Anthony Xavier ASE Master Technician

copyright: All rights reserved @ HeyAnthonyAZ.com 2013

 

P0128 Engine Code Dodge Magnum

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Dodge Magnum Check Engine Light on, code P0128

When the check engine light turns on, it indicates that the computer sees a fault.  When the engine computer sees the fault, it will store a code.  The code will direct the repair technician to an area to test.  Today I have a 2005 Dodge Magnum with a P0128 code.  This code is basically the same for any make or model.  This is a standardized code for O.B.D. 2 cars and trucks.  P0128 is for Engine Cooling System Thermostat Rationality.  The engine computer (PCM or ECM) predicts what the engine coolant temperature should be, based on the engine coolant temperature at start-up.  The predicted engine coolant temperature is then compared to the Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor (ECT)  The error between the two is calculated and integrated with respect to time.  When the Thermostat diagnostic runs, the integrated error is compared to a calibrated threshold and a pass or fail is then determined.  Many things can cause the code to set, but they all have one thing in common, Engine Temperature.  Any electric or mechanical component that can affect engine temperature readings will cause the code to set in the computer, even a faulty computer.

The image above is from the Dodge Magnum.  The black rubber body around the center disc failed.  (new on left vs old on right)  The rubber is in place to make a tight seal around the outer body.  This rubber sealing ring keeps coolant from flowing untill the engine reaches the correct temperature.  If coolant flows too early, the code will set.

The engine computer is looking at the coolant temperature to adjust timing and fuel delivery for best economy.  A faulty Thermostat can cause reduced fuel economy, poor heater operation and hard shifting from cars with automatic transmissions.

It’s all good under the hood. Anthony Xavier ASE Master Technician

copyright: All rights reserved @ HeyAnthonyAZ.com 2013