Northside Auto Repair News - Maintenance, Service & Specials

How well do you know your Fuel System?

Come with the technician at Northside Auto Repair as we give you a quick overview of the fuel system.

It starts with the fuel tank. The fuel pump is located inside the tank and pumps fuel out to the engine. Somewhere along the way is a fuel filter whose job is to filter out dirt before it hits the engine.

Then there’s the fuel intake system and the fuel injectors that deliver the fuel to be burned in the engine. Our focus is to discuss how to make the various components of your fuel system work well and last as long as possible. The best thing you can do for your fuel pump is to use good quality fuel. Top tier or “premium” gas typically has fewer contaminants and more detergents to keep things clean. Using good gas, or adding a fuel system cleaner to your tank, can prolong the life of your fuel pump. Because the fuel pump lives inside your tank, it’s pretty expensive to replace, so helping it last as long as possible is a worthwhile goal.

The fuel filter catches dirt and contaminants. When it’s clogged, your vehicle engine may not be able to get enough fuel and could sputter. Many fuel filters have a bypass valve that allows unfiltered fuel past when the filter’s clogged. That prevents your engine from dying while you’re driving around , but it can’t protect your engine from dirty fuel. Check your owner’s manual or talk with your friendly and knowledgeable Northside Auto Repair about when you should replace your fuel filter.
Now fuel will cause gum and varnish to build up in the fuel intake system. A professional fuel system cleaning at Northside Auto Repair will remove the gunk to keep fuel flowing freely and help prevent contamination from reaching your fuel injectors and your engine. Fuel injectors squirt fuel into the engine. The fuel must be delivered in a precise amount, at a precise time, under precise pressure and in a precise pattern. Pressure can range from 45 pounds per square inch to 45,000 pounds per square inch depending on the engine.

As you may guess, fuel injectors cost a lot in the area. Allowing them to get gummed up will not only hurt your performance, it will cause the injectors to wear out much more quickly than they should. A professional Northside Auto Repair fuel system cleaning will keep injectors clean and working correctly. It’ll also clean deposits from the inside of the combustion chamber and off the intake valves, giving you optimum performance and mileage. Check with your friendly and knowledgeable Northside Auto Repair and see when the service advisor recommends you get a fuel system cleaning.

About Water Pumps

The cooling system in an engine has five components: the radiator, the radiator cap, the hoses, the thermostat and the water pump. The water is literally the heart of the system. Just as your own heart keeps your blood circulating through your body, the water pump keeps coolant circulating through your engine.

The water pump is driven by a belt, chain or gear and only operates while the engine is running. It has a limited life span and sooner or later will have to be replaced. You can check your owner’s manual to find out how long your water pump should last. Some can fail at only 40,000 miles, or 65,000 kilometers, but almost all of them fail by 100,000 miles, or 160,000 kilometers.

Water pumps don’t gradually wear out; they fail. In other words, they’re either working or they’re not. A failed water pump has to be replaced.

Water pumps can fail in two ways; they can spring a leak or their bearings fail. Leaks can come from a cracked pump but usually develop at the gasket where the pump attaches to the engine.

If you hear a low-pitched grinding sound coming from the water pump, it’s time for a new one. If you see coolant leaking in the area near the pump, it needs to be replaced. Also, coolant on the driveway could indicate water pump failure. Many water pumps aren’t visible because they’re under a plastic cover, so you may have to take your vehicle to Northside Auto Repair to know if the water pump has failed.

If your water pump is run by the timing belt, then it should be replaced when you replace the belt. Most timing belts need to be replaced at around 60,000 to 90,000 miles, or 100,000 to 145,000 kilometers. The labor for replacing a timing belt is about 90% the same for replacing a water pump, so it’s cost-effective to take care of them both at the same time.

Also, if your water pump develops a leak (if it’s powered by the timing belt), you have to replace the timing belt as well since contamination by coolant fluid damages the belt. It just makes sense for residents to replace both of these parts whenever either one needs it.

Replacing a water pump at Northside Auto Repair is a car care issue that almost all of us residents face eventually. They don’t last forever. On the other hand, we can extend the life of most of the components of our vehicle through preventive maintenance. Just as exercise and diet keep our heart healthy, regular check-ups and fluid changes will keep our vehicles healthy. Talk to your friendly and knowledgeable Northside Auto Repair service advisor.

Improve Fuel Economy with Service

Maintaining your car or truck will make it more fuel efficient. That means it uses less fuel, and you save money. When we think of things that rob us of fuel economy, we can think of them in two ways: increased friction and inefficient fuel combustion.

Friction: Anything that increases friction increases drag or load on the engine. The engine has to work harder to overcome the drag, which takes more fuel. The first thing that comes to mind is engine oil. Low oil means there’s not enough to fully lubricate the engine, so there’s more friction. The wrong viscosity and grade of oil can also adversely affect fuel economy. Dirty oil won’t lubricate as well as clean oil. The same principles apply to transmission fluid. Getting your oil and fluids changed and your car serviced regularly will help maintain optimal fuel efficiency.

Inefficient fuel combustion: This happens when fuel isn’t burning completely in the engine. It’s also affected by factors like spark plugs, air filters, and fuel injectors. When these things aren’t working properly, it can lead to poor fuel economy. So it’s important to get your car serviced regularly to keep everything running smoothly. By following these simple tips, you can help improve your car’s fuel efficiency and save money in the long run.

Meet Our Team

Vic Dugger – Owner

The Dugger family name has been trusted for quality auto repair and service since 1972. Vic opened Northside Auto Repair in 1994, after working for the family business and later as a Service Manager in Colorado Springs. Since 1994 more…

Edward Smith – Technician

I’ve been working for Northside Auto Repair for 14 years. I’ve been an auto technician for 22 years. I graduated from Monzano High School in 1986, then TVI now CNM, with a diploma in diesel mechanics in 1987. more…

Rafael Hosteen – Technician

Rafael grew up in Phoenix and at a very young age started helping his father work on family vehicles. At the age of 20 he and another friend started their own business called “Two Guys Automotive”. They specialized in air conditioning, brakes and front end work. He then graduated from the Arizona Automotive Institute. more…

Northside Auto Repair

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