Mishawaka Auto Repair

“What do Camshafts do?” I will do my best to explain Camshafts, there are a number of different types. You also have what they call Overhead Camshafts and they have a Bottom-mounted Camshaft, oh and don’t forget the Combined Camshaft…how does a girl explain this!! But, the one I will talk some about is the Exhaust side Camshaft for a 3.6 Engine(not sure if you needed to know that). Some camshafts depending how one wants to use it can be made very strong so that there is high bending and torsion forces over the long term, the Camshafts for those may be forged or cast, depending on use. The Exhaust Camshaft undertakes the function for the decompression of the cylinder. At a low speed of the engine the exhaust camshaft concisely lifts the exhaust valve during each stroke so that the air exits and the Engine starts easier.   If bad because the Cam sends data to the Engine, you will find poor performance in your Vehicle also your fuel efficiency may not be as ... read more

Are you ready for the Holidays? Safety tips to keeping your Holiday Driving stress free. Long Distance Travel making sure your Vehicle is road ready. Have your Mechanic check: Brakes, Windshield wipers and Fluid, Vehicles Battery, headlights, all your Oil Levels and importantly all your Lights-Rear, Brake and headlights. Making sure your Spare Tire is operational. Looking at the Weather Reports on all legs of your journey. Don’t be caught unaware. Speed Limits- Nothing dampens your Holiday Spirit faster then a speeding ticket. Always be alert. Be well rested, get shopping and everything done early. Always be prepared. Emergencies happen-making sure if you have young travelers that their needs are taken care of. First-Aide kit, extra blankets, water, healthy snacks, phone charger Our Technicians at Ricks Auto Service will check out your car. From preventive maintenance to major repairs we do it all, Ricks Auto Service at 405 W. Jefferson Blvd. Call ... read more

The function of the Axle Seal is to keep the Transmission Fluid from leaking. Is it OK to drive with a Rear Axle Seal leak? If there is a small leak, you may be able to drive for a short period of time. If the Axle Seal is leaking and you don’t get your Ford Edge fixed, you could cause permanent damage to the Transmission. The Axle Seal connects the Driveshaft or CV Axle to the Transmission or Rear Differential. The Rear Axle seal may also be referred to as a Transfer Case Seal, in some all-Wheel Drive Vehicles, one of the front CV Axles is connected to the Transfer Case. The Axle Seals only need replacing if they are leaking. How do you know if the Rear Axle Seals are leaking?  There are some early signs to look for: Oil Stains, but you need to make sure what is leaking. Unsure? Our Technicians at Ricks Auto Service will check out your car. They will know if there is a leak and where it is coming from.You may also notice a strange brown Fluid behind the Wheel and a noti ... read more

The Radiator functions in your Vehicles cooling system. It’s main goal is keeping the Engine from overheating. It does this by pumping  your coolant through the Engine and carrying away the heat from the Engine Block. It moves thru the Radiator, blowing air across the liquid and exchanging that heat with the air from outside your car. There is a Fan that blows across the Radiator carrying the hot air out of your car. Radiators themselves come in different designs, shapes and sizes but it’s main function stays the same cooling your Engine. Without the Radiator, your Engine would build up heat, the overheating could cause major damage to your Engine. Signs of a broken or failing Radiator: One of the most common signs is that your Vehicle is overheating. You notice Coolant leaking from your Vehicle. The level of Coolant is consistently low – possible leak. You notice sludge in your Radiator. There are a number of reasons why you would replace a broken Radiator, the ... read more

Is it ok to drive without a Muffler? What does a Muffler do? And other thoughts on Mufflers!!! Have you ever been next to a Vehicle that doesn’t have a Muffler? The noise can be deafening. Some other reasons to get your Muffler fixed: Driving without a Muffler can be Toxic, the Exhaust Fumes may leak within your Vehicle. The Carbon Monoxide over time may cause dizziness, headaches and nausea. The Smell itself it terrible. I mentioned earlier about the noise, which most people find offensive. The Muffler if broken over a period of time can effect your Autos Engines’ performance. Last but not least, you are polluting the air we breathe. The word “Muffler” was used as early as 1530 it is a wrap or scarf for the lower part of the face. To cover or wrap or protect something. In the 1890’s referring specifically to an automobile, it was an Exhaust System Silencer!!!  So, in common person slang, it is any device used to deaden sound. The “Muffler&rdquo ... read more

Can I fix a broken Exhaust Pipe? Yes, sometimes the Exhaust Pipe can be welded in the areas that are rusting out.  Access how much rust is on the Exhaust Pipe, sometimes you can weld the area. The welds joining the pipes to mufflers are done with a mild steel welding wire, they are not resistant to corrosion. We all know that here in the Midwest, and other snow areas, salt is used to melt the ice, the salt corrodes your Vehicles faster then in a drier area.    Have you ever driven next to a Vehicle that is extremely loud in the Engine area? It is louder from a cold start or acieration. The performance of your engine is affected with a broken or rusty Exhaust. when you step on the gas you don’t accelerate as fast or have the same power.  You may also notice more fuel usage. Also, you may also notice a burning smell coming from the Engine. The heat comes up thru the broken areas in the Exhaust Pipe and since Gaskets and other parts are plastic you will smell t ... read more

What is the use of a Wiper Motor? The Windshield Wiper Motor is behind the cars firewall so you don’t usually see it. Here are some signs that the Wiper Motor is going out or is bad. Wiper systems today allow your Wipers to move at different speeds. When your turn the Wipers on they only operate on one speed. You might double check the Wipers, with the weather changing, leaves, dirt and debris may have gotten into the system and need cleaning out. You’ve noticed the Wipers moving slower and slower, the Motor may be going out. Don’t wait until the Wiper Blades stop completely, that could be very dangerous, especially in this wet climate. One other sign the Wiper Motor may be failing is that the Wiper Blades no longer “park” in the right position. If you are experiencing any of the above problem don’t hesitate to call and set up an appointment to get your Wiper Blades and Wiper Motor checked out.  From preventive maintenance to major repairs, Ric ... read more

How long can you drive on a noisy Wheel Bearing? That’s a hard question to answer, the average life of Wheel Bearings is about 5- 10 years or about 100,000 miles. When the Bearings go bad they affect other areas of your Vehicle. For example, the wear on your Tires may be uneven and need to be replaced sooner then later. Also, the ride can become pretty rough and bumpy. That can compromise yours and others on the road. Ignoring the grinding, or rumbling sounds, (Wheel Bearing Sound) or the clicking that can occur during acceleration. Are you noticing a vibrating or loose Steering Wheel? You might also experience a pulling when applying the Brakes. Which can cause uneven Rotor and Brake Pad wear, so ignoring the noise can cost you a lot more.   

Is a Clutch important in a car? I’ve driven a Manual Shift Car, it has the third Pedal, you change Gears from first Gear to fourth Gear and Reverse.  The Clutch allows the car to change speed and come to a stop without turning off the Engine. It is the mechanical device that transfers rotating power from the Engine to the Wheels. Without the Clutch the Engine would spin all the time but the Wheels would not. So in order for the Wheels to be disconnected from the Engine, the Clutch allows it to smoothly engage. Have you ever seen someone who is first learning to drive a Manual Shift Car? Usually, there is a lot of jerking until you learn how to let up on the Clutch slowly to engage smoothly. Because of the friction between a Clutch Plate and the flywheel the Clutch works. In Automatics, they have gears, but the car itself handles most gear changes. That’s why you don’t have the Clutch Pedal, just the Brake and Accelerator. When replacing the Clutch Assembly S ... read more

What is a Transmission and how does it work? When you press on the gas pedal, the Transmission comes into play, it allows your engine to spin at the right rate, not to fast or slow. The Transmission is your cars gearbox, withing the Transmission is a set of 5 or 6 gear sets and series of Gear Trains. The Gear Trains allow the teeth of the gears to engage. Allowing a smooth transmission of rotating one gear to the next gear, it’s much more complicated than that, trying to put it in terms that I understand! Doesn’t matter if you have an Automatic or Manual Transmission your Gearboxes work the same. Whether thru the “Clutch” or it’s automatically done, when engaging the Clutch or Gear Lever Clutch Plates to connect with larger Gears which is also connected to your Vehicles Differential. If you encounter any of the below problems your Transmission maybe slipping: If your Transmission won’t engage or stay in gear. Shifting is delayed. Transmission is s ... read more