Best Mobile Mechanics Auto Truck Repair in Memphis Ne

Car Battery Replacement Service

What are car batteries and how do they work?

A car battery is an energy storage device that relies on a chemical reaction within the battery to produce electricity. The stored electrical energy is used to initially operate the starter motor, ignition system, and fuel system on your vehicle. Once your car engine is running, the alternator supplies the electricity needed for all vehicle systems and charges the battery to replace the electric energy used when starting a car.

Most electric vehicles have a traction battery which is in addition to the standard 12 volt battery that is used to start the car engine. Traction batteries also convert chemical energy to supply electrical energy but operate at higher voltages and often are monitored by the PCM (Powertrain Control Module).

Battery

When to replace a car battery?

Your car doesn’t start. A new battery has a specified capacity to provide power. This capacity is referred to as the cranking amps rating of the battery. As a battery ages, the actual amps that a battery can supply becomes lower than its original rating Once the cranking amps fall below a critical threshold, it will be difficult or impossible to start your car.

Battery or charging system warning light is illuminated. Should a battery or charging system warning light illuminate, a mechanic should perform a few basic tests to determine if a battery replacement is needed.

Electrical components don’t work. Once a battery has started to fail, and the voltage produced by the battery drops, then vehicle electrical components can malfunction, such as the security system. If you are experiencing electrical malfunctions, it’s a smart idea to have the battery tested.

How do mechanics replace the battery?

• A temporary power source might be installed to avoid the possibility of losing radio presets or stored data in the PCM while the battery is out. When the battery is already completely dead, this step is unnecessary.
• The vehicle’s negative cable is removed from the battery, followed by the positive cable. The battery tie down system is loosened and the old battery removed.
• Cable ends and wiring are carefully inspected to ensure cleanliness and no corrosion. In some cases, corrosion can be extreme and the cable may need to be replaced or wiring repaired.
• The new battery is installed and the tie down system is reinstalled. Anti-corrosion compound is applied to the battery terminals. The positive terminal is reconnected followed by the negative terminal.
• Some vehicles, for example some models of BMW, VW, and Audi, may require PCM programming to input battery parameters. This step, performed using a specialized scan tool, is necessary to maximize battery life and prevent electrical system malfunctions.
• The car is started and charging system output is measured and compared against the factory OEM specification to ensure that the new battery will properly recharge. Generally, charging output will be in the range of 13.8 to 14.8 volts but the exact specifications vary by make and model.

Is it safe to drive with a battery problem?

Yes, but if you have a weak battery you might be left stranded somewhere if the battery dies completely and you cannot start your car. A faulty battery may also needlessly overload the alternator and could adversely affect the operation of the vehicle’s electrical system, including the vehicle security system and the shift interlock.

When replacing the battery keep in mind:

• The quality of the electrical connections to the battery posts is important. Connections must be clean, free of corrosion and properly tightened.
• Batteries store a large amount of energy and if short-circuited a battery could explode and can create intense discharges that can damage your eyesight. Insulated tools should be used to attach cabling to battery terminals. Otherwise, the battery’s positive cable can be shorted to ground or the positive and negative posts can be directly shorted. Batteries can only be safely installed from a positive terminal to positive wiring and from a negative terminal to body ground. If the polarity is reversed damage will likely occur to the vehicle’s electrical system.
• Generally, a car battery will have a service life of 4 to 7 years. If a load test on a battery reveals a significant reduction in the capacity of the battery to provide power, you should buy a new battery rather than wait for the old battery to fail completely.
• Batteries should only be disconnected if the engine is off and the alternator is not running. Disconnecting a car battery while the alternator is running can cause a voltage spike that will damage sensitive electronic components in the vehicle, such as the PCM.

Car Starter Repair Service

What’s a car starter motor and how does it work?

The starter motor is a powerful, compact electric motor that will turn a car’s engine over at about 200 RPM in order to start the engine. The starter is at the terminus of a circuit that includes the battery, the ignition switch, a neutral safety switch, relays and fuses.

When you turn the ignition key to start, or press the start button in some vehicles, the starter circuit is completed and the starter will run. Most starters have a small pinion gear that engages a larger ring gear on the flywheel when the starter is powered on. The pinion gear turns the engine flywheel at about 200 RPM. Since the flywheel is directly connected to the crankshaft, all engine components will then turn in sync and the engine starts.

Starter

When to replace the starter?

Starters are relatively durable but most will eventually fail in one or more of the following ways:

• Intermittent operation of the starter. Starters can develop bad spots on the armature which will cause intermittent operation. This causes the starter to work sometimes and other times when you turn the key nothing happens.
• Starter turns too slowly. Internal electrical and mechanical faults can cause the starter to draw too much current and in some cases the current drawn will exceed what the battery can supply. A consequence is the engine may not start as rapidly.
• Unusual noises on starting. If you hear any type of grinding or other unusual noise while starting the engine, that should be investigated as the noise could reflect an internal starter failure or the noise could be due to pinion gear failure or flywheel ring gear damage.
• Starter doesn’t function when turning the key. In some cases, the first symptom of a starter malfunction is a complete failure of the starter motor. This happens when you turn the ignition key to start the car, the starter motor does not function at all.

When replacing a faulty starter keep in mind:

• Prior to replacing the starter, simple diagnostic tests should be performed to ensure that the problem is a faulty starter versus a weak battery, faulty neutral start switch, or other faulty electrical component in the starter motor circuit.
• Starters draw large amounts of current from the battery, much more than any other electrically powered device in your car. This makes it important that the electrical connections to the battery are inspected, cleaned, and tightened as necessary. Cables to the starter should also be inspected for corrosion and replaced as needed.

Alternator Repair Service

How does an alternator help your car run?

The alternator is the component that charges the battery in your car. When you use electrical components in your car (stereo, lights, etc.), the battery loses power. The alternator recharges the battery, replenishing the lost battery power. The alternator is located in the engine compartment. If the alternator is not working properly, your car will only stay running for as long as the battery has power stored. Once the battery loses power, your car will not start. Normally, a malfunctioning alternator will turn on the battery warning light or will have a low volt gauge reading.

Alternator

Before repairing the alternator:

The mechanic should check the entire charging system before installing a new alternator, including checking battery cables for corrosion and the condition of the battery.

Steps when replacing an alternator:

• Inspect entire charging system (battery, cables, alternator).
• Inspect the drive belts.
• Test alternator output.
• Remove and replace alternator if found to be faulty.
• Re-test alternator output.

Our recommendation for alternator replacements:

Ask your mechanic to inspect the condition of the charging system during every major service. The mechanic should also clean and tighten the battery cables during every major service.

What common symptoms indicate you may need to replace the Alternator?

• Dead battery or battery will not hold a charge.
• Dim lights.
• Battery warning light is on.

Why repairing your alternator is important?

Your alternator charges your battery, which powers the electronics in your vehicle, such as the radio and the air conditioning. The battery is also needed to turn on your vehicle. A malfunctioning alternator will not charge your car’s battery, and your vehicle will eventually run out of battery life and not be able to start.

Serpentine/Drive Belt Replacement Service

What is a serpentine belt and how does it work?

A serpentine belt is a relatively long, flat, multi-ribbed belt that is driven by the engine’s crankshaft pulley. The belt drives many, and often all, of the engine accessories such as the alternator, air conditioning compressor, power steering pump, water pump, and air pump. The serpentine belt is tensioned by a hydraulic or spring-loaded automatic tensioner. Some older cars use a serpentine belt to drive most accessories but will also have a shorter v-style belt to drive, for example, the power steering pump.

When to consider replacing the serpentine belt:

• Regularly scheduled maintenance. Typically, belt manufacturers recommend belt replacement at 90,000 miles. However, the belt must be inspected for wear or damage at regular intervals prior to this high mileage.
• Squealing noise, belt slippage, visible belt damage. Should the belt fail or wear out prematurely, you may hear noise or you may see visible signs of deterioration such as missing chunks of rubber, excessive cracking, or a shredded appearance on the edge of the belt.
• Battery Light. A loose belt, perhaps caused by a defective tensioner, may not drive the alternator at adequate speed and thus the battery may discharge, causing the warning light to illuminate.
• Engine overheating. Often, the serpentine belt drives the water pump. In those applications, if the belt breaks the engine will overheat in seconds to minutes. If the belt is inadequately tensioned, you may notice higher-than-normal engine operating temperature.

Spark Plug Replacement Service

What are spark plugs and how do they work?

Spark plugs are one of the key components of your vehicle’s ignition system. They ignite gasoline and air inside of your engine. This gives your engine the power to propel you down the road. The spark plug takes high voltage electricity from the ignition coil and creates a spark at just right moment during the engine’s combustion cycle. This gives the engine the best mix of power, fuel economy and low emissions. However, the electrode at the end of the spark plug eventually wears out and can cause performance issues.

When should you replace spark plugs?

Replacement should follow the vehicle maintenance schedule. This will be listed in the vehicle’s owner’s manual. Some cars require regular replacement at 30k, 60k or 100k miles. It is possible in some cases that a spark plug might fail before the service schedule, but it’s not typically common.

Avoiding spark plug replacement can cause:

• Difficulty starting your car.
• Check engine light for a misfire code.
• Flashing check engine light during acceleration for misfire, this can cause engine damage.
• Reduced fuel economy and/or power.
• Rough idle and/or unexplained engine vibration.
• Failed State emission testing.

Even if only one spark plug is found to be faulty, they should always be replaced in sets. Most engines will require 4,6, or 8 spark plugs.

Water Pump Replacement Service

What is a water pump and how does it work?

The water pump is a belt or chain-driven engine accessory bolted to the engine above the crankshaft pulley. The pump housing has an impeller that circulates engine coolant through the cooling system passageways in the engine block and cylinder head, on to the radiator, where the coolant temperature is reduced. . The lower temperature coolant then flows back to the water inlet on the engine and the water pump continues the cycle.

When to consider replacing the water pump:

• Coolant leaks or overheating. The water pump impeller shaft is supported by a bearing. Eventually, the bearing or seal can wear and leak or damage the impeller. Many water pumps have weep holes near the pump bearing. If you see significant leakage from that weep hole, it is time to replace the pump.
• Bearing roughness or noise. If the water pump shaft does not turn smoothly or the pump is noisy, the bearing is excessively worn. Pump replacement will be necessary.
• Timing belt replacement. In engines where the water pump is driven by the timing belt, it is a good idea to replace the water pump at the same time the timing belt is replaced. The extensive work explains why it is always recommended to replace the water pump whenever the mechanic already has these components removed for regularly scheduled timing belt replacement.

Car Radiator Replacement Service

What is the Radiator all about?

The radiator performs a critical function; it keeps the engine from overheating. While running, the engine produces heat. Coolant flowing through the system absorbs and removes extra heat from the engine. The coolant then passes through the radiator where it cools off and is later circulated back to the engine to absorb heat again.

A radiator has two tanks that are connected to each other through aluminum or brass tubes. When the coolant passes through these tubes, the radiator cooling fan blows air across the radiator to lower the temperature of the coolant. The tank is usually made of plastic, and it is common for it to crack and start leaking coolant. If the tank or the tubes crack, coolant will leak , the vehicle will overheat and could cause severe engine damage. Radiators also tend to clog over time. When this occurs, not enough coolant flows through the radiator leading to heat build-up, causing the engine to overheat.

Radiator

Keep in mind:

• When replacing the radiator, it is best to also replace the radiator cap and thermostat.
• After your radiator is replaced, it is best to have it checked for leaks, to assure that everything is in working order.
• When the radiator is replaced, the entire cooling system should be checked, especially the radiator hoses.

How it’s done:

• Inspect radiator for leaks.
• Pressure test cooling system.
• Remove and replace the radiator.
• Fill radiator with proper mixture of 50/50 coolant.
• Recheck for leaks.

Our recommendation:

Follow the service maintenance schedule provided by the manufacturer to get the coolant replaced at regular intervals. It is a good practice to change the coolant every 25,000-40,000 miles. Replacing the coolant will ensure it is free of contaminants such as rust or scale that can block it from flowing through the radiator and engine. Given high engine temperatures, it is inevitable that the tanks in the radiator will eventually crack. The thermostat should be replaced when replacing the radiator as well as any necessary radiator hoses. The system should also be flushed out of all old coolant to remove any contamination.

What common symptoms indicate you may need to replace the Radiator?

• Car is overheating.
• Coolant (red, yellow, green fluid) is leaking.

How important is this service?

If a defective radiator is not replaced, the overheating of the engine can potentially lead to serious internal engine damage.

Valve Cover Gasket Replacement Service

What is a valve cover gasket and how does it work?

Each cylinder head on your car’s engine has an aluminum or plastic valve cover bolted to it. Between this valve cover and the cylinder head, there is a gasket that keeps engine oil from leaking out. The valve cover bolts keep the gasket compressed, thus preventing leaks. Over time the gasket becomes brittle from the engine’s heat or the bolts loosen, creating an engine oil leak.

When to consider replacing a valve cover gasket?

Look for these signs of oil leakage at the valve cover gasket:

• Oil seepage or dripping. Should the joint between the valve cover and the cylinder head fail, oil often becomes visible on the valve cover or cylinder heads. Usually, the oil will attract and hold dirt.
• Oil accumulating inside the spark plug well. The spark plug tube seals are part of the valve cover sealing system. If the tube seals are leaking, you will see oil on the spark plugs or wires. The valve cover gasket and tube seals are all replaced at one time if either fails.
• Oil leakage at the rubber grommets. The bolts holding the valve cover to the cylinder head sometimes have rubber grommet seals under the bolt heads. If these seals are leaking, you will see oil seepage around the bolt heads.

 Car Thermostat Replacement Service

What is an engine cooling system thermostat and how does it work?

The car’s engine cooling system thermostat is a small valve within a cooling system passageway that opens and closes in response to the temperature of the circulating engine coolant. When your car is first started and the coolant is cold, the valve in the thermostat will be in the closed position, circulating the coolant flow only within the engine instead of flowing to the radiator, which allows the engine to warm up fast, promoting fuel efficiency, low emissions, and reduced engine deposits. Once the engine coolant reaches the design temperature, usually around 195 degrees, the valve will open and close as you drive in order to maintain a coolant temperature typically between 195 to 225 degrees Fahrenheit.