Is your diesel engine losing power?

Is your diesel engine losing power and getting more difficult to start? Have you noticed that it isn't idling as consistently as it should? Are you using more diesel than you once did to cover the same distance? Are you getting an EGR system failure warning?


The problem might be carbon build up in the engine air intake system.

Carbon build up is one of the most common complaints in modern diesel vehicles. It can be blamed on the inconsistent quality of diesel fuel in Australia, but it's compounded by the way most of us drive these days: short journeys with constant stopping and starting.

It's a fact that regular short journey driving causes inefficient engine combustion, and this produces excess unburnt carbon particles that are returned to the air intake manifold via the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve. The particles build-up in the intake manifold and on the EGR valve, severely restricting the air flow and causing incorrect air fuel ratios.


But there's no need to watch your dollars disappear at the the diesel pump - there is a solution!


Wynn's have developed an aerosol application, Exhaust Gas Recirculation 4, to remove unburnt carbon from metal surfaces and provide an instant & noticeable performance improvement in diesel engines. EGR4 cleans the intake air manifold, inlet valves and EGR valve, and is recommended to be used at each service interval. It cleans the "dry part" of the diesel fuel system without dismantling, but it can also be used to thoroughly clean dismantled parts such as the EGR valve and turbo-charger. It's compatible with plastic/rubber seals and electronic components and is sensor & diesel particulate filter safe.

Next time you're getting your diesel vehicle serviced, ask us how we can improve your engine performance and save you money at the diesel pump!

Is a Quick Lube Service Worth It?

Ok – I’ll be the first to admit it - I’m spoiled. I’ve been in this business since I was a kid with my dad so I've never had to worry when it comes to getting my car serviced or repaired. But the other day I talked to a lady who took her husband's car to a quick lube place for an oil change.

I must admit it, she did say that the job was done very quickly; she asked for the basic service and it was immediately brought to her attention that for an extra few dollars they would check her fluids and top them up if needed. Oh, and by the way her husband's car needed the high mileage oil at an extra charge. She declined both but was told her air filter was dirty and her coolant needed to be replaced. It was a constant stream of employees coming up to her and telling her she needed this or that.

She declined any additional services at that time. One thing she noticed was that the tyre pressure was not checked (a big thing in my book since I know that proper tyre pressure helps my fuel economy and tyre wear). Of course nothing else was really checked on the car, no brake check, no belt and hose check, no suspension check, etc. You get what you pay for and it was obvious that the staff was not at the top end of the trade as far as skill level. They handed her a service sticker for the window that indicated her next oil service was in 1,000 kilometres. She asked them about that, they got confused but eventually gave her a new sticker with the correct distance. Good thing she looked.

They finished the service within about 15 to 20 minutes and off she went. When she read over her paperwork it indicated services done that she knew were not performed and claimed condition of fluids and other items that we were verbally told something different. So what would she tell her husband once she got home?

One of the first things she noticed was that her husband's car did not go up the big hill near their house as quietly. It is an older Subaru that has a tendency for lifter noise if the oil level and consistency is not right – that noise was very evident. The next morning for the first time ever there were oil spots in the driveway. Further inspection revealed that the drain plug and oil filter were leaking. The lifter noise got worse and the leaks larger. I had to change the oil and filter again after a week to stop the leaks and the engine noise.

I can see the advantages to a quick service on her car, but she is glad she didn’t rely on this type of service. Good quality service obviously counts!

What Does Your Car Taste Like?

The five human senses are; sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing. How can you use these to keep your car running longer and your repair costs down? We'll go over the five different senses and see what your car might be trying to tell you. This is not intended to diagnose any problems, but instead help you be "aware" of what's going on when you operate your vehicle and how you might be able to prevent more costly repairs.

Smell and Taste

Most people might instantly think of gas. Yes, any fuel smell should be promptly checked out by a professional. I think this goes without saying..... But what are some other smells that you might encounter that can also be a safety concern? Coolant is one. Sometimes when a heater core starts to leak, the coolant will be evaporated and blown through the vents before it starts dripping inside and becomes an obvious problem. When this happens, you can "smell" the coolant and even "taste" a sweet taste in your mouth for no apparent reason. This is not safe and you need to have your car checked out promptly as coolant is poisonous.

As your engine warms up, any leaks on or around your engine these can also be noticed with your sense of smell. More noticeably if it happens to be leaking directly onto hot exhaust components. This can be a fire hazard.

On the other hand - Carbon Monoxide has NO smell, so any exhaust leaks need to be sealed up as soon as possible!

Online sellout of Subaru sports car in 3 hours changes dealer dynamic

Subaru in Australia has pioneered an internet-only sales process for its latest release BRZ sports car - which sold out in just three hours!

Media reports indicate that the car was sold online because the company was only allocated 201 cars for the Australian market, of which 50 had been bought by dealerships as demonstrator models, and therefore decided to sell the remainder online.

The online sales strategy may be cause for concern among Subaru’s 105 Australian dealers, who invest substantial amounts to establish and operate their dealerships. However Subaru claims it has used the online approach on this occasion so that customers could buy the sought-after BRZ, and then collect it from their nearest dealer, rather than have dealers competing for an allocation of the cars.

Ford announces more factory job cuts

It's very disappointing to hear that Ford Australia is expected to announce massive job losses at their Geelong and Broadmeadows plants today.

The venerated car maker is in talks with employees and union officials today, but initial reports claim that the company will cut almost a quarter of their factory floor staff between now and November.

The sackings come after 240 jobs were already cut at the plant last year.

Ford received a $100 million lifeline in January - from the parent company in the US and the Federal and State Governments - aimed at securing the future of the Australian operations until at least 2016.

The announcement follows FORD's reported $290 million loss in May. The loss has been blamed on weak sales of its flagship Falcon model, along with problems within the supply parts industry which slowed Ford’s production lines.

The sackings will bring the total number of Ford factory employees at the two plants to 1360.

Commentators are expressing grave fears that Ford will no longer be viable in Australia beyond 2016, and the grim reality is that demise of Ford in this country would put the entire car industry at risk.

Unions say the industry needs three major car manufacturers to be viable, and both Ford and its main competitor Holden are struggling with falling sales.

Let's hope that things pick up for the Australian car manufacturing industry and that we don't see too many announcements like this in the future.

Look At Your Car!

The five human senses are; sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing. How can you use these to keep your car running longer and your repair costs down? We'll go over the five different senses and see what your car might be trying to tell you. This is not intended to diagnose any problems, but instead help you be "aware" of what's going on when you operate your vehicle and how you might be able to prevent more costly repairs.


Sight

As you walk out to your car in the morning do you see anything out of the ordinary? A crooked tailpipe can be an indication of a muffler or exhaust pipe hanger problem. Any leaks that are causing visible drops on the ground are sufficient enough to be repaired. 

There are a lot of plastic covers that protect your engine and associated moving parts from the elements during operation. These shields are commonly located on the lower front sides and in the lower front. They can become loose and damaged from age and coming in contact with curbs, etc. These can usually be easily reattached before they become more damaged and need to be replaced.

You may notice many different warning lights on your dash. Sometimes they can be overwhelming to the average person. Air Bag, ABS, and Check Engine lights should always be checked out as soon as possible. Sometimes a Check Engine light can be as simple as a loose gas cap. We have many tools and resources to properly diagnose the tough problems too. 

Listen To Your Car

The five human senses are; sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing. How can you use these to keep your car running longer and your repair costs down? We'll go over the five different senses and see what your car might be trying to tell you. This is not intended to diagnose any problems, but instead help you be "aware" of what's going on when you operate your vehicle and how you might be able to prevent more costly repairs.


Touch and Sound


While driving, some problems might be "felt" as well as "heard". Wheel bearings, brakes, tires and suspension components can exhibit these very characteristics. Does your steering wheel vibrate while braking? This is a common complaint when the front brake rotors are warped. A simple (but thorough) brake inspection can find the exact problem. Worn or unbalanced tires can also cause your vehicle to not "feel" right as you are going down the road. Loose suspension parts can cause premature wear on your tires, so periodic inspections are well worth your time.

Recall of almost 10,000 Holden Cruzes in Australia

Around 10,000 Holden Cruzes are being recalled by Holden Australia.

The recall applies to 9,547  locally built 2012 and 2013 units of the sedan fitted with the 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine. Holden said a condition has been identified where the car’s belly pan can catch oil that might drip from the engine if an oil change is not done properly. 

Holden's statement said: “If oil makes contact with hot engine parts such as the exhaust manifold or catalytic converter, a fire could occur.”

The move follows General Motors’ recall of 475,418 Chevrolet Cruze sedans in North America and Israel due to a similar fire risk.

So far there have been no reported cases of engine compartment fires caused by this problem in Australia.

Holden Director of Warranty, Customer Satisfaction and Quality, Craig Porritt said the recall is a precautionary measure and that Australia’s standards of servicing significantly reduce the risk.

“
We believe Australia’s high standards in servicing procedures significantly reduce the risk of improper oil changes which almost eliminates the risk of a thermal incident. However we will always err on the side of caution when it comes to initiating safety recalls and campaigns. Even if there have been no reported cases in our market we will take action to assure our customers and their vehicles are safe.”

Holden is contacting customers to arrange a free-of-charge modification which it expects to take around 40 minutes.

Owners are urged to contact 1800 632 826.