• Is My Engine Losing Power?

    As your car increases its mileage, its engine will experience natural wear and tear. While some engine repair problems are minor, other engine issues require immediate service from an engine repair specialist. If your check engine light is illuminated, or you are experiencing other unusual symptoms, do not wait to set up engine repair in Sacramento . Your auto technician can get to the root of what is causing your engine problems, and he will be able to get your car safely back on the road. To help you figure out what is going wrong with your vehicle, here are some signs that your engine is losing power. car - engine

    You are pressing harder on the accelerator.

    As you get to know your car’s typical performance dynamics, you will be able to figure out how much pressure is required on the accelerator to achieve certain speeds. If you feel like you are flooring the accelerator pedal, but your car’s engine is failing to respond, you may be facing a fuel line issue.

    Your tailpipe is emitting strange smoke.

    Many engine problems can be diagnosed by examining the type of smoke that is coming out of the exhaust system. Depending on the source of your engine problems, you may notice black or blue smoke billowing out of your tailpipe. When your tailpipe emits black smoke, this problem may be accompanied by an engine backfire. At the first sign of strange smoke coming from your engine, make an appointment at the auto repair center right away.

    Your engine idles more roughly than usual.

    A fully powered engine that is in good mechanical shape should be smooth and quiet as it is idling. Extremely rough idling could indicate a problem in your spark plugs, cylinders, or fuel filters. No matter the source of your rough idle, any unusual engine sensations are good indicators that your engine is starting to lose power. A qualified mechanic can repair the problem and restore your engine to full functionality.

  • Getting to Know Your Ignition System

    As drivers, we may be tempted to take our ignition systems for granted. In this video, you will review the basics of how ignition systems work. Whenever you turn the key in your ignition, a signal is sent to your battery. As the battery is switched on, it will activate your engine, transmission, and other critical vehicle components. If you are experiencing ignition problems, an auto mechanic in Sacramento can repair the issue.

    When you drive a luxurious German auto, you should treat your vehicle with the utmost care. A shop that specializes in German automotive repair services will offer the specialized services and certified parts that are needed to fix your European vehicle.

  • Recognizing the Signs of an Engine Problem

    Engine problems can spell disaster for your vehicle. If you have invested in a luxurious European vehicle, you will want to protect your car’s finely-tuned internal components with regular & engine repair. If you notice that your check engine light is illuminated, you will know that it is time to schedule immediate engine repairs in Sacramento . Your European auto specialist will be able to figure out what is going wrong with your engine and recommend the correct course of repairs. To help you preserve the safety and performance of your vehicle, here is a look at some common signs of an engine problem. car - engine

    Dashboard Warning Lights Are Illuminated

    Modern cars contain computerized sensors that are designed to detect mechanical issues as soon as they occur. If your car’s computer detects an issue in your engine, it will send a message to your dashboard warning lights. Once your dashboard warning light has illuminated, this is an indication that your engine problem needs immediate attention from a certified mechanic.

    Jerking or Surging Sensations

    When your car’s engine is functioning properly, it will provide your vehicle with smooth acceleration. If you have started to notice that your car jerks or surges when you step on the gas pedal, you may be facing an issue with your engine’s spark plugs or main computer system. After your mechanic has repaired your engine, you should experience a smooth driving performance that is free of jerky, unpleasant, or otherwise unusual sensations.

    Loud and Unusual Noises

    Your engine might start to make alarming sounds when it is in need of attention from a qualified mechanic. An issue in your gas combustion chamber, for example, could cause your engine to backfire and create loud popping noises. Other worrisome sounds include clanks, bangs, or pops coming from underneath your hood. If you take the time to schedule engine repair services as soon as you start to hear strange sounds, you will help to preserve your vehicle’s lifespan on the road.

  • When is the Work Done?

    We get a lot of calls from clients asking if we can “clear codes”, “perform software updates”, “resetting service indicators”, “re-adapt”, or “program components”. They had another shop install parts but they didn’t have the right tools or knowledge to complete the work . So I ask you,“Does it sound like that shop completed the work?“

    That is why it is important to check on who is working on your vehicle, verifying they have the equipment and capabilities to complete the work. Anyone can replace parts but the proper tools and knowledge is needed to complete the work. They may be able to give you a very low quote for replacing parts, but they are only doing half the job. You can go to a restaurant and order a meal but what would you say if they brought you a plate of raw food and told you they didn’t have the tools to cook it? That would be unacceptable. Looking at it that way, do you think it would be acceptable to leave service indicators lit, check engine lights on, or your vehicle not running properly?

    At Frank’s Automotive , when we quote a price, that quote is for installing components and performing the necessary actions to Complete The Job . Also, a very important part of completing the work is standing behind the work we do. That is why we give you a 2-year unlimited mileage warranty. We want you to know that we are here to take care of you.

    So next time you call for a quote ask not only for a price but verify that they can…

    Complete the Work!

  • Caring for Your Car’s Engine

    A dirty engine can cause significant wear and tear on the mechanical components of your vehicle. In this video, you will learn some essential tips for performing engine repair on your vehicle. To protect your engine from wear, you can apply an engine degreasing product at regular intervals. The degreaser will remove any dirt and buildup, allowing your engine’s parts to operate more smoothly. Along with cleaning your engine, you can also extend its lifespan with routine engine repair in Sacramento . car - engine

    If your check engine light is on, do not hesitate to contact a qualified mechanic that services your local area. A mechanic that specializes in repairing and maintaining German cars will be able to provide you with quality services that are tailored to the needs of your luxurious vehicle and its high performance engine.

    Does You Vehicle Burn Oil?

    Are you having to add oil in between oil changes, but there are no visible oil leaks? Your engine could be burning oil. 1 quart every 1000 miles is quite normal & acceptable.

    Problem that arises when your vehicle burns that oil, it leaves behind carbon & sludge. (It is like burning oil in a fry pan. A portion of that oil remains as thick sludge or carbon.) That carbon restricts & plugs up oil passages in your engine & it’s components. It is important to remove as much of that build up as possible. That is why we at Frank’s Automotive recommend our Bluechem Premium Engine Oil Service . Bluechem softens, breaks up, & encapsulates those carbon molecules allowing them to be flushed out with the old oil. This allows the new oil to better lubricate your engines interior components. The benefit from this is it helps to restore performance & efficiency. Read more about Bluechem .

  • Don’t Ignore Your Check Engine Light

    Being in tune with your vehicle means knowing what kinds of problems to look for and what types of signs your car might provide when it’s dealing with an issue. Your check engine light in Sacramento can help alert you to a problem with your car, but it’s your responsibility to talk to your engine repair specialist and get to the bottom of the issue. Check engine lights can indicate a wide array of malfunctions, so you shouldn’t waste any time in looking for a diagnosis. Continue reading to find out why you shouldn’t ignore your check engine light.

    The longer you wait to find out what’s making your check engine light illuminate, the more time you will give the problem to develop. Even minor issues can become serious if you don’t address them, but a check engine light could also indicate a significant malfunction. Try looking at your gas cap when you notice your check engine light is on; you might just need to tighten it. If the check engine light stays lit, you could have a problem with your spark plugs, catalytic convertor, or oxygen sensor. Make sure to talk to your mechanic to get these problems sorted out.

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  • Why Is Your Check Engine Light On?

    Check engine light on? This is one of the biggest automotive headaches drivers deal with, not necessarily because a check engine light means anything serious but because of the number of different possibilities that could be causing the light to come on. That’s why your best bet is to visit an auto repair shop in Sacramento that specializes in check engine light diagnostics . A mechanic will use advanced diagnostic equipment to pinpoint exactly what’s causing your check engine light to come so you can get back on the road as quickly as possible. In the meantime, here’s a look at some possible causes of a check engine light.

    Faulty Oxygen Sensor

    The oxygen sensor measures the amount of unburned oxygen in the vehicle’s exhaust system. A faulty oxygen sensor can cause the engine to burn more fuel than needed, resulting in up to 40% lower fuel economy. Failure to replace a faulty oxygen sensor over time can also cause damage to the catalytic converter.

    Damaged Catalytic Converter

    The catalytic converter converts carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide. Typically, the catalytic converter will become damaged due to neglected maintenance or a problem with one of the sensors (mass airflow sensor, oxygen sensor, etc.). Your vehicle will not pass emissions testing with a faulty catalytic converter, and you can experience reduced performance in addition to poor fuel economy.

    Loose or Missing Gas Cap

    That’s right, one of the most common causes of the check engine light is simply a loose or missing gas cap. If the check engine light is on, make sure the gas cap is securely fastened and doesn’t appear to be cracked, chipped, or visible damaged in any way. If the gas cap looks good, bring your vehicle to an auto repair shop in Sacramento and let a mechanic perform a check engine light diagnostic to figure out exactly what’s going on with your car.