Mishawaka Auto Repair

What is a Timing Belt? The purpose of a timing belt is to synchronize the rotation of the crankshaft and camshaft in an internal combustion engine. With the Valves opening and closing at the right time, your Engin can be more efficient. You should not drive your car with a bad timing belt. If the timing belt breaks, the valves and pistons can collide, causing severe engine damage. This can be a very expensive repair, and in some cases, the engine may need to be replaced entirely. Here are some signs that your timing belt may be bad: Engine misfires Decreased engine performance Strange noises coming from the engine Oil leaking from the timing belt cover A ticking or rattling noise from the engine If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to have your timing belt inspected by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible. How often should I replace my timing belt? The recommended interval for timing belt replacement varies depending on th ... read more

   Is it cheaper to replace an Engine or get a new car?      Your car Engine is the heart of your vehicle, powering all its movements and ensuring it runs smoothly. However, like all things, it can eventually fail, leaving you with the question of whether to replace it or just sell the car for a new one. A car engine replacement is a significant investment, so it's important to understand whether it's worth it. Here, we explore the pros and cons of replacing your car engine to help you make an informed decision. Benefits of Engine Replacement:      Replacing your engine has numerous benefits, including better Fuel efficiency, improved performance, and reduced Maintenance costs. Additionally, a new engine can add value to the vehicle, meaning you can sell it for a higher price when it comes time to upgrade. When you replace your engine, you also have the peace of mind that comes with knowing it's new, reliable, and won ... read more

What You Need to Know About a Failing Fuel Pump Is your car not running as smoothly as it used to? Are you having trouble getting it to start? If so, your Fuel Pump may be going out. Here’s what you need to know about the signs, causes, and effects of a failing Fuel Pump. How does a car act when the Fuel Pump is going out? When your Fuel Pump starts to go bad, you may notice that your vehicle has difficulty starting up. This can be due to a lack of fuel pressure or an inability of the Fuel Pump to deliver enough gasoline. Other symptoms include the car stalling or sputtering while you drive and the Engine not reaching its normal operating temperature. You may also hear loud noises coming from the tank area or smell gasoline in or around the car when you get out of it. Finally, if your check engine light comes on, this could also be a sign that your fuel pump is failing. What Causes Fuel Pump Problems? There are several reasons why a Fuel Pump might be failing. One common ... 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 you drive with worn Brakes? There are a many components in the Braking System. The Brake Pads rub against the Brake Drums or Brake Rotors, if you hear a grinding or loud noise time to change the Pads. The Brake Rotors or Drums create the friction to stop your Vehicle. You are probably more familiar with the Brake Pedal which is activate by your foot. Starting the whole Braking process. The Pedal starts the Brake Fluid to flow and put pressure on the Brake Pads. The Master Cylinder, holds the Brake Fluid, and is also activated when you press the Brake Pedal. The Brake Pads are connected to the Wheel Cylinders and squeeze the Brake Drums when the fluid flows on them. Brake Lines carry the Brake Fluid from the Master Cylinder reservoir when the pressure on the Brake Pedal is applied. These are some of the Warning Signs – Please don’t ignore them: Your Brake Light comes on Squeal, Squeak or Grinding Noises Wobbling, Vibration or Scraping when you Brake Fluid is leaking ... read more

Maintenance Maintenance Maintenance!!! Being aware of the total Health of your Vehicle is key to keeping you on the road with a well oiled Car! When you get an Oil Change at Ricks Auto Service here in Mishawaka, we also do a Health Assessment of your entire Vehicle. The Health Assessment is a 50 point check on your Vehicle. This allows us to partner with you in a long-term care of your vehicle. Our 36,000 mile 3-year warranty backs up our work and gives you peace of mind. If unsure how often your Oil should be changed check your Owners Book in the glove box, also if you do a lot of rough driving, considering changing it sooner. Keeping  your family safe on the road is number one in our shop. Just as the human body can not live without blood, the Oil is the lifeline to your Vehicle. Lubricating the Engine, while cooling your Engines’ moving parts. When  you don’t keep the Oil cleaned and do an Oil Flush, you allow sludge to build up. The longer you wait, the O ... read more

Do Struts need to be replaced? Some people would say no, but in all honesty I personally prefer a smooth ride. It could also be a matter of safety. If experiencing a bumpy ride, or the Steering becomes stiff or harder to turn, it can also sway or lean to one side. You may also be hearing noises such as clunking or a knocking noise.  The Struts and Springs are part of your Vehicles Suspension System. They absorb all the excess bouncing of your Vehicles Suspension System. What the struts house are the Coil Spring, Spring Seats and Shock Absorbers. The Strut Bearing and the Steering Knuckle. The Struts provide the structural support – connecting the upper Strut Bearing to the lower Ball Joint. The Picture below is the  Vehicle that had the Struts and Springs replaced.   

Can I drive with a Coolant Leak? Sometimes this question is asked to late, driving with a Coolant Leak that is left unattended will cause major damage to the Engine. On this particular Vehicle the Coolant was left to almost run out. When this happens your Vehicle can not properly cool your engine to a normal running Temperature. When your Engine overheats, damage can occur to the Block and Heads of the Engine. The Gaskets were blown. When this happens further damage can occur. There was a deep crack in the Head, we had to replace the Engine. #Engine Repair #Engine Replacement  

A customer had his car towed in because the Vehicle had Intermittent Starting Issues. We had to Diagnosis the Vehicle and found it had a GPS Tracking System that was faulty. GPS Tracking is an acronym:  Global Positioning System. It involves an organization of 24 satellites in orbit and Tools on the ground that can set up an individual or article's area on Earth with shocking accuracy. GPS Tracking tracks three separate informational indexes: situating, route, and timing.   From preventive maintenance to major repairs, Ricks Auto Service at 405 W. Jefferson Blvd. Call 574-255-4724, or visit online: https://ricksautoservice.org/ #RicksAutoService #MishawakaMechanic #MishawaAutoRepair #No Start #Alignment  

How do I know when my Honda brakes need to be changed? Having your brakes regularly checked can make a difference between small brake job, to a large payment. Here are some of the things we check first: Sometimes steering wheel vibration is because your tires need balancing. Brakes squealing-could be dirt or water on your brake pads. Brake fade may be due to brake fluid contamination. It is serious, but doesn’t necessarily mean new brake. Those are real problems and do need to be checked. Honda brakes last a different length of time for different drivers. Do you mostly drive highway or in town?  Do you ride your brakes and stop sharply which means your brake pads could wear out thousands of miles sooner. And how you brake affects their life expectancy. Honda brakes last between 25,000 and 60,000 miles. If you have any questions or symptoms you might need new brakes, don’t chance it. Stop by anytime : Ricks Auto Service, 405 W. Jefferson Blvd, 574. ... read more