Top Tips to prevent your car engine from overheating

With the harsh summer heat around Queensland, many vehicles overheat. Your friendly mechanic on Gold Coast has these top tips to help you prevent your car engine from overheating.

Check your car’s coolant regularly

A good way to avoid a car engine overheating is to regularly check the coolant in the reservoir and radiator. This means you can be sure you have enough coolant to keep circulating to felicitate the effective cooling of the engine.

The engine oil level is also important not only for lubricating the engine’s moving parts, but also to draw heat away from the interior, so it’s a good policy to check the oil level using the dipstick every time you fill up with fuel.

Be mindful of your vehicle’s temperature gauge

Many people constantly check their fuel gauge while traveling, but it’s also important to monitor the temperature gauge as well. Some vehicles are fitted with a warning light instead of a gauge, but which ever one you have, they are there to give you warning that your engine is overheating. If your engine starts overheating in normal driving conditions you need to check the cause.

Sometimes when under load such as driving up steep or very long hills or when towing the engine can slightly overheat, which is normal. If it overheats too much it can cause a loss of the coolant so the cause needs to be determined.

Find a safe place to pull over and raise the hood, this allows excess heat to disburse while you wait for the engine to cool. It normally takes about 20 minutes for it to cool to a safe level where you can remove the radiator cap and fill with new coolant.

A soon as possible, take your vehicle to your friendly local mechanic on the Gold Coast to ascertain the reason for the overheating and to find a suitable solution.

Turn off the air con

If you find your engine temperature is rising, turning off the air conditioner can help as it removes some of the strain on the engine. The average car aircon, while operating on full, uses about 5 horsepower of your engine’s power, this can be enough to cause a higher than normal, engine temperature.

If you lower the windows and turn on the heater and blower it will help to draw the heat from the engine quickly.

Overheating in Traffic

It’s quite common for vehicles to overheat while stuck in traffic, one solution is to place the engine in neutral and rev the engine so the fan comes on and delivers more air around the engine. This can be done with the air con turned off and the heater turned on.

Have the cooling system flushed regularly

Most engine coolants need to be replaced every two years or more often for high mileage vehicles. Ask your friendly local mechanic on the Gold Coast to service your cooling system at least every two years.

A well maintained vehicle should not overheat under normal circumstances. Have your cooling system serviced by your friendly local mechanic on The Gold Coast and then check the coolant levels in the reservoir and radiator when you fill up and especially just before taking a long trip.

Top Things to consider while taking automotive services

Before you drop your vehicle of to your mechanic on The Gold Coast for servicing, consider these things to ensure you get the best outcome:

·        Make a list

Often there are often a few issues that you want to be looked at when having your car serviced. The best and most effective way to do this is to make a list that you can give to your mechanic. It’s much easier to explain the problems or concerns you have if it’s written down and you can be sure your mechanic takes note and there is no confusion.

Any strange noises or changes from the normal way the vehicle feels or handles when driving should be recorded on the list, especially brakes and suspension operations.

·        Always Remove any Personal Possessions

Your mechanic on Gold Coast pride themselves on providing a honest and professional service, but it is not their responsibility to safe guard your personal belongings while working on you vehicle. Most workshops are busy places and removing your valuables is a sensible precaution. Check the glove box and other areas you keep things including the luggage compartment.

·        Filters and other Replaceable Components

It’s now a normal practice for mechanics on The Gold Coast to replace your oil filter and leave the old filter in your luggage compartment (warped to ensure it does not dirty your vehicle). Any other components or parts they have replaced including the empty oil containers and containers of other fluids used should also be available for your inspection.

The cabin air filter should also be cleaned or replaced to ensure you have the proper airflow and air quality from your air conditioner. If you have noticed any different smells coming from your air conditioner this should be noted on you work list. It’s important that the air filter is cleaned with compressed air to remove any dust from deep inside it, not just surface wiped.

·        Check the Engine Oil

Before you take your vehicle in to be serviced, lift the hood and remove the dipstick to take a visual test of the oil. It should look clear and not black, (some diesel vehicles have black oil because of carbon from the cylinders, but the oil must not be thickened by this). The oil should be at the full mark.

·        Do a test drive after servicing

When you go to collect your vehicle ask them if you can do a test drive to ensure all the issues you have were addressed. Your vehicle should feel different after servicing as many areas will have been adjusted or components replaced where necessary. Often the brakes will feel more effective, the steering will feel more positive and the suspension will react more smoothly and any strange noises will have been removed.

Things like windshield wiper blades and washer liquids will have been replaced, the tyres may have been rotated and the air pressure adjusted and all the instrument gauges and warning lights will be working properly.

Having you vehicle serviced with a mechanic on The Gold Coast will ensure your vehicle not only runs correctly and efficiently but will maintain its value and save on costly repairs. Making a list of any issues helps your mechanic do a better job.

5 signs which show your car has brake problem

While driving it’s easy to forget that you in control of large, heavy piece of metal and glass that’s moving along at perhaps 50 to 100 plus kilometers an hour. The main safety device on board is your brakes. If you have to make an emergency stop at 100kpm you will most likely need a space about the length of a rugby field 100 yards (91m) if your brakes are working properly.

In this article your friendly local mechanic on Gold Coast explains five signs that you could have brake problems:

1. Your Brake Light Comes On

The brake indicator lights on the dashboard are there to tell you if there could be a problem so should not be ignored. Usually there are two lights the main brakes and the ABS. Although your brake system will still work if the ABS fails, it will not be so efficient, so it’s time to take it to a mechanic on The Gold Coast for servicing.

2. Spongy Pedal

Whenever you detect a change in the feel of your brake pedal, you should be concerned. The brake pedal should have a small amount of play, if you rest your foot on it, and feel firm when you apply the brakes.

If it feels spongy or squishy when using, it means the hydraulic system is in need of servicing and repair. It could be failing master or wheel cylinders, damaged calipers, worn out pads or shoes, a weak flexible line or air in the lines.

3. Hard to Push Brake Pedal

Most vehicles use a mechanism to assist the brakes so they are easier to use. If the brake pedal becomes hard to push down it means the power assist has failed and it can be hard to stop the vehicle. If the hydraulic booster has run low in fluid it will not work correctly, so the reservoir needs to be checked regularly. If it’s low then you may have a leak so take it to your local mechanic on The Gold Coast for servicing. The vacuum system may not function because of a problem with the diaphragm, clogged or broken line.

4. Noises from the wheels

Any change in the normal road noise your vehicle makes should be checked as soon as possible as this is an indication of possible brake problems. If you can hear a screeching, squealing or grinding sound, it’s most likely your brake pads or shoes. This must be repaired before there is major damage to other brake components.

5. Vibrations

Often when there are vibrations that can be felt through the brake pedal or steering wheel, it’s because of a worn of distorted rotor. This can happen when the vehicle is often driven at high speed and the brakes are used excessively. Sometimes the rotors and pads or drums and shoes can overheat when traveling down a long hill using the brakes instead of relying on the gears and engine to control the decent.

If your brake warning light comes on, your brake pedal feels spongy or hard to push down, you feel strange vibrations or can her strange sounds coming from your wheels, it’s time to visit your friendly mechanic on The Gold Coast for brake servicing

How often your car needs servicing

How often does a modern car, need servicing is a question often asked by motorists. It can become expensive to have a full service every six months and so can be tempting to let it go for a while to save a few dollars. If you are unsure, talk with your friendly mechanic on Gold Coast and get some professional advice. The following considerations should be taken into account to determine if your car needs servicing.

Computerized Maintenance

Many modern cars are equipped with computerized systems that indicate when they’re due for servicing. Some use a light that shows on the dashboard, while others have the ability to track your maintenance schedule.

If you have a car without these features all the information and manufacturer’s recommendations are in the owner’s manual or do a Google search to quickly locate a copy.

For most cars

As a general rule a vehicle needs to be serviced every six months or 10,000km whichever occurs first. Even for people who do a low mileage, it’s important to have the vehicle serviced regularly. This is because many of the fluids used in a modern vehicle are susceptible to moisture and can break down over time.

If a Vehicle is not serviced

Not servicing a vehicle at the right time can cause a range of issues from having decreased fuel efficiency to causing major mechanical failures.

·         Oil

The oils used in modern engines contain special cleaning agents designed to ensure the inside of the engine is kept free of carbon deposits and anything that could wear or damage your engine. These can slowly deteriorate over time and use, so they lose their protective properties.

·         Brake Fluid

Brake fluid can absorb moisture when in contact with air; this can reduce the effectiveness of your brakes and cause internal corrosion. It should be changed every two years.

·         Coolant

Engine coolant needs to be replaced every few years as it loses its ability to provide adequate cooling and anti-corrosion protection.

·         Adverse Operating Conditions

Adverse operating conditions are often mentioned, these are where a vehicle is operated in:

·         Heavy Traffic

Continuous stopping and starting, as often happens in the inner city and during peak traffic hours.

·         Speed

When a vehicle often operates at high speeds a lot of stress is placed on the engine, transmission and braking systems.

·         Off Road

Off road or driving in dusty conditions can also require your vehicle to need more frequent servicing, often every 3 months or 5,000km.

·         Towing

Towing a heavy trailer or caravan places a lot of pressure on a vehicle and it’s components, talk with your friendly local mechanic on The Gold Coast about your driving habits, they will advise you on how often you need to have your car serviced.

Sticking to the right servicing schedule for your particular vehicle and driving style may seem inconvenient, but it will help to ensure trouble free motoring and also help to maintain the value of your vehicle as many buyers are interested in the service log when viewing vehicles.

Having your vehicle serviced every six months or 100,000km can help prevent costly repairs and ensure your efficient and safe motoring. Talk with the mechanics on The Gold Coast for friendly advice.

5 common causes that cause overheating problems in radiators

Having a properly working vehicle is one of the necessities of life when living on The Gold Coast, unfortunately an overheating radiator is an all too common problem.

Under normal conditions, the cooling system in a new vehicle shouldn’t need any more than normal regularly servicing, but as it starts to age or with high mileage you will need to take your vehicle to be serviced by mechanics that specialize in radiators on The Gold Coast more often.

These are five common causes of overheating:

1.      A Leak In The Cooling System

Modern cooling systems operate under pressure, a small leak can quickly force the cooling fluid out and allow air to enter causing an air block or reduce the coolant to a level where it cannot cool sufficiently. Both these will cause the system to overheat and possibly damage your engine.

Use only pure water with a quality chemical additive to stop corrosion and prevent the water from freezing in very cold conditions.

The engine block is fitted with frost plugs which are designed to pop open in the event that the liquid in the engine freezes and expands. This will stop it damaging your motor. Unfortunately, these and other areas of the engine that come into contact with the cooling liquid can corrode if there is not the proper anti corrosive ingredients added to the cooling liquid.

In an emergency, you can refill the radiator with fresh water only, but it should be replaced as soon as possible with the correct coolant mixture. Sometimes in very cold a low quality coolant additive will thicken and cause a blockage so it’s advisable to always use a high quality coolant.

2.     Blockage in the Cooling System Reducing Circulation

A stone hitting the radiator can cause some of the fine pipes and fins that help the heat disperse to become restricted reducing the flow. If the proper coolant has not been used, then corrosion can cause deposits to build up and also restrict the flow.

Using water with a high mineral content can also add to deposits inside the engine and radiator reducing its cooling abilities

Another problem is a faulty thermostat which can restrict flow. The thermostat stops the flow of coolant until the engine reaches operating temperature, at which time it opens allowing the normal flow.

3.     Low Oil Level

Oil is a vital part of the engine cooling system and removes about 70% of the engines built up heat. Oil also lubricates all the moving parts which reduces friction and in turn stops excessive heat build up.

4.     Damaged or Broken Water Pump

Water pumps can break down with age or wear and need to be checked during each service by mechanics servicing radiators on the Gold Coast

5.     Blocked Radiator Air Intake

The grill at the front of the vehicle and the outside of the radiator needs to be kept clear and clean to allow for optimum air flow

People who regularly check their cooling system, especially their radiators on The Gold Coast should have little overheating problems. Always use a high quality anti corrosive additive and keep your engine oil topped up to avoid overheating. Ask your mechanic to check your thermostat, water pump and fan belt.

Tips to remove dents from your car

Having a reliable vehicle is vital for getting around on the Gold Coast and unfortunately, bumper scrapes, door dings and scratches happen all the time. Your local mechanics in Currumbin can help you fix them or you can have a go at doing it yourself.

There are several ways you can fix some types of dents:

Use a plunger

This method often works on small to medium dents without sharp edges. Splash a bit of water onto a cup type plunger and wet the surface area of the vehicle in and around the area of the dent. Place the plunger over the dent and push and pull it rapidly until the dent pops out. You may need to do this several times until the area is restored.

Use boiling water on plastic bumpers

Plastic bumpers are made so they are very stiff and usually resist any attempt to push out dents. By pouring boiling water over the area of the dent you will heat it up enough so that it becomes more pliable flexible and easier to push out the dents.

A hair dryer and compressed air

The plastic areas on your vehicle often respond well to this treatment.

Heat the area of the dent with the hair dryer on the highest setting so the plastic softens and expands.

Then spray the area with air from a compressor, this will force the plastic to quickly cool and contract, causing the dent to pot out.

Dry ice

Use a protective glove to hold a piece of dry ice and rub it over the dent until you see or hear it pop out.

For stubborn dents, you may need to heat it first using a hair dryer, but eventually the hot, cold action will force the metal to go back to its original shape.

For large dents, try hot glue, screws and wooden dowels

•         Place a screw into each side of the short dowel to act as a handle
•         Hot glue one end of the dowel inside the dent and keep adding dowels until the area is covered
•         When the glue is cold pull on the dowels until you’ve removed the dent

Once you have removed the dent it may still need to be filled and painted. This can be done using scratch filler and a touch up paint.

It’s important to select the correct type and color of paint to finish the job.

Start by looking for the vehicle paint code. This should be under the bonnet or on the inside of the door pillar. Be aware that your vehicle’s color may have faded so it may be best to get a match from an auto parts store or paint shop. They will often be able to match the right color and place it in an aerosol spray pack for ease of spraying.

If you have used filler you will need to sand the area smooth using sandpaper before painting and between coats so the finish is perfectly smooth.

Often your local mechanic in Currumbin will give you a quote for fixing your dents, often their prices are competitive enough that it’s better to have it done properly rather than risking an imperfect job yourself especially if you’re not used to doing such work.

Know why your Car Color is deteriorating fast

Modern car paints are very durable, but everyone has seen cars that lose their vibrant color after they have been exposed to the sun and elements for a number of years. As the mechanics in Currumbin suggest most of this is due to exposure to ultraviolet or UV sun a rays. This is the same UV that can damage human skin if not properly looked after.

Although it’s invisible, it’s very powerful, on contact with any surface it gives the molecules there an energy jolt. This energy can form heat and also tends to weaken the molecular bonds of the paint. This over time can result in a change in the way the paint reacts with light with the result, it is less reflective and appears duller as the paint transmits less outward energy we see as color.

Some colors such as red can be more susceptible to fading

The reason red paints tend to appear to fade quicker than many other colors is because of the specific wavelengths involved.

The way in which a certain material reflects and absorbs light wavelengths determines what we see as color. When paint is made or engineered, it’s designed to absorb all the wavelengths apart from the particular ones that are associated with that color range. The red wavelengths are at the lowest energy level of light we can see. Something that’s red will absorb all the other wavelengths and reflect the red wavelengths.

Because all the other wavelengths are much stronger and more energetic they cause more degradation of the surface molecular bonds which shows up as faded paint.

The best way to avoid faded paint

As molecular breakdown is not reversible the only way to prevent fading is to take steps to protect your vehicles paintwork from sun related damage. These tips may help you:

Keep your vehicle clean

Salt, dirt, grime and pollutants can build up and accelerate fading by degrading the paint molecules. Regular washing helps to reduce these substances and safeguard your paint.

Keep your vehicle in the shade

Where ever possible park your vehicle in the shade to prevent UV fading, the best place is inside a garage or under a carport

Car care products

You can build up a good level of protection for your vehicle by using a quality car shampoo. There are a variety of products now available that will give a protective film or layer to help mitigate the sun’s harmful effects. You can apply them yourself or have it done by a professional like your local mechanics in Currumbin to give lasting protection

Car waxes

Modern car waxes are formulated to provide protection against the sun’s rays as well as the caustic effects of pollution and the elements. The Gold Coat never gets that cold, but the summer sun can cause the paintwork on your vehicle to be so hot it can give a person substantial burn if touched. At these temperatures car paint if unprotected can suffer.

A good quality car cover that breathes can offer protection to your paintwork and reduce the effects of climatic conditions on your cars paint if not garaged when not being used. Coupled with regular washing and waxing you’re sure to keep it in great condition/