Case Studies
Tech Tip – Porsche 911 Clutch Replacement – Why You Should Replace Your Clutch Before It Slips
Posted on May 9th, 2013
If you take a close look at the flywheel photos, you’ll note that it it looks blued and heat checked, that’s the result of the clutch slipping, not good. Think of the clutch system to be much like your auto’s brake system, with the clutch disc being similar to the brake pads, and the flywheel like the rotors. Clutches wear out over time and miles, the friction material gets thinner and thinner, until it can no longer properly transfer the power from the engine to the transmission, and it slips.
As the flywheel is much like the brake rotors on your auto, the surface should be clean and somewhat shiny, when the clutch slips, as it does when it is near the end of it’s service life, then excessive heat is generated, and the flywheel can be quickly damaged. Some wear can be machined out, but once the heat checking and blueing has occurred, it’s unfortunately too late.
You’ll note on the clutch friction disc there is very little material left before it hits retaining rivets. Ideally this clutch should have been replaced soon, and likely the flywheel could have been saved. You’ll note additional heat marking and wear on the clutch pressure plate, which is routinely replaced during a clutch service.
Prevention, rather than repair, often saves both time and expense. At Atlantic Motorcar Center we believe in preventive maintenance, correcting small problems before they become bigger ones, that’s the Atlantic Motorcar way.
Porsche 911 Engine Reseal
Posted on May 3rd, 2013
Porsche 911 Engine removal for reseal. Ever wonder what a 911 engine looks like, yes, it all fits in back of the car. Shaun and Nick at their finest.
When Mickey Comes To Visit – Mercedes Wiring Damage
Posted on May 3rd, 2013
Tech Tip – Burned Engine Valves
Posted on April 25th, 2013
Tech Tip – Burned Engine Valves
You’ve likely heard the term “burned valve” or the car needs a “valve job” at one time or another. While this was a common problem in days gone by, these types of major engine malfunctions are pretty rare now with the superior engineering and materials in newer cars. However, we did just finish up an exhaust valve replacement on a vehicle, and I thought it might make an interesting object lesson to show what a burned valve looks like.
Most valve failures, at least the “burned” type, are on the exhaust valve side of the engine, for it deals with the hot exhaust gases. You can see here how those gases have actually cut into the face of the valve, creating a small channel which allows leakage, and prevents the car from developing proper compression. So here for historical purposes is a “burned valve”.
Stopping Steering Wheel Shake
Posted on April 10th, 2013
It’s mud season in Maine, and already the calls are coming in. “My steering wheel shakes when I go 55.” or “My wheels feel funny.” Just today in fact I took a call like that. Let us save you both some time and money and share a simple secret – Mud. Yes, that’s right, mud is usually the culprit.
Here’s Why
You don’t have to be off road to find mud in Maine, many of us live on dirt roads or have dirt driveways, and then there is the ever-present “sand” that is used on the road when it snows. All that material has to end up some place, and that is often on the inner surface of your auto’s alloy wheels. When we balance a tire, we balance down to 1 gram, about the weight of a paper clip, pretty light, right? Yet it’s not unusual for us to clean clean out 1/2 lb or more of mud, sand and dirt from our customer’s wheels.
Fixing It Yourself
We’re all about educating our customers, they are smart folks, which is why they are our customers in the first place. So here is how to save yourself some time and money.
1) Find a good self service car wash, the automatic washes just don’t do a good job of cleaning the inside of the wheels.
2) Using the wand from a self serve car wash, insert the wand tip in between the spokes of your auto’s wheels, go from spoke to spoke, try to angle in back of the spokes. Repeat as necessary.
3) Do the cleaning on all 4 wheels, you may feel the shake in your steering wheel, but chances are the rear wheels are just as dirty as the front.
4) Drive the car, see if this corrects the problem. Should you still have a vibration, please contact us, we’ll check and clean your wheels, and then inspect for a bent rim or out of balance tire.
Not sure, or just want peace of mind, then call or stop by, we’re happy to handle the task for you with our usual charm and aplomb.
Audi and Volkswagon Mechanical Fuel Pump Problem – Camshaft Wear
Posted on April 10th, 2013
Own a Audi or VW model with the 2.0 TFSI engine? – Read on, we may be able to save you and your car from some real headaches. Some of these engine have have developed a chronic problem with camshaft drive lobe, which can lead to a very expensive repair. On these cars, known at TSFI engines, there are two fuel pumps, a low pressure electrical feed pump in the fuel tank, and a higher pressure mechanical pump which is driven off a lobe on the intake camshaft, think of the old diesel engine injection pump designs and you get the idea.
The mechanical pumps contact the camshaft via a small metal “bucket” or “follower” and on some of the cars we’ve actually seen the follower wear out, damage the camshaft, and even the injection pump, see photos for reference. We feel that some of this is a design defect on the early cars, while some of it may be engine oil related.
They say prevention is better than cure so what can be done to prevent this from occurring on your auto? Using good quality clean burn fuel free of bio elements, the higher octane fuels also tend to burn cleaner. Get the engine up to temperature as soon as you can (don’t idle it but just drive it steadily at around 2000rpm till it warms up) and keep the engine operating at 3000rpm for 15 minutes per week. Be sure to always use a OEM quality full synthetic engine oil, and change the oil often, no more than every 5,000 to 7,500 miles.
An ounce of prevention, always worth a pound of cure!
German Artwork – Attention To Detail – The Atlantic Motorcar Way
Posted on April 10th, 2013
At Atlantic Motorcar, we believe that it is the little things that matter, like cleaning up ‘das Benz SL500 for summer, a service customer car. Will the customer notice, not sure, but we will, and we’ll know that we did the job right, the first, with pride…that’s the Atlantic Motorcar Way.
While resealing the upper engine, we had to take a photo, look at those beautifully detailed and machined rocker arms, like artwork in aluminum. Work scope involved replacement of the camshaft covers on both banks of this Mercedes engine.
Be sure to vote for your favorite Happy Nick picture.
Do I have a fun job or what? I get to service cool technology, take photos of cool cars, work with great customers and staff, and have fun doing it!
- Bruce
Tech Tip -Trip Check – Why We Suggest Trip Checks Before Vacation
Posted on April 10th, 2013
On this Mercedes E430, it once held a metal seat for the passenger front coil spring. Unfortunately age and road salt took its toll, and the spring seat failed. This failure disabled the car, and the suspension collapsed on the passenger front side.
Trip Check – Our Trip Check normally takes less than 1 hour, and offers you a peace of mind that’s priceless. While we don’t have a crystal ball – yet – a AMC Trip Check is the next best thing! Don’t let this happen to you a 1,000 miles from home.
This is a Michigan car, so rust is somewhat expected, but this should have been caught before it failed…a long way from home. Fortunately the customer did not suffer an accident…problem is repairable, and the car will live again.
Tech Tip – All Batteries Are Not Created Equal – Wood Not Required
Posted on April 10th, 2013
Tech Tip – A Cautionary Tale – Today’s car’s use a very specific type and size of battery. Unfortunately the days of visiting the local Sears to get a “DieHard” battery installed are over. Batteries are tricky things in today’s computerized cars, the incorrect battery type or mounting can damage your car, cause alternator failure or no start, even create an electrical fire (yes, really, see BMW recalls about that).
A byproduct of battery charging is hydrogen gas, which is highly explosive – think Hindenburg. So a trunk or interior mounted battery must be of the non-venting type, or have a proper vent hose installed, otherwise hydrogen gas can build up inside the compartment, and potentially cause an explosion. Reference - http://www.battcon.com/PapersFinal2002/VaccaroPaper2002.pdf
We found this arrangement this morning on a BMW 750iL, customer had paid a shop to “replace” the battery. Rather than using the correct BMW or Bosch battery, they installed a “AC Delco” (read GM) battery “braced” with a section of wood.
Aside from the safety issue, the battery is about nearly 1/2 the size of the correct battery. See that mounting hole on the right side of the battery tray, that is where the mounting bracket should be. Car presented with a list of electrical faults and problems, many of which can be traced to battery electrical problems.
We keep a large selection of the proper Bosch batteries in stock for your auto, all backed with a free 2 or 3 year replacement, and full warranty.
“Tired” Of Run Flat Tires – We Have A Suggestion
Posted on April 3rd, 2013
Run Flat tires are the worst. No, really. That’s what people say. It’s true. J.D. Power says so. Yeah. That guy who does the surveys. And hands out the trophies. No not the big silver ones, the glassy corporate-looking ones. You know the ones. You see them in those car commercials. Complete story here - http://jalopnik.com/everyone-hates-run-flat-tires-464884753?utm_campaign=socialflow_jalopnik_facebook&utm_source=jalopnik_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow
Alternative?
So let’s talk about the Atlantic Motorcar Center approach to “Run Flat” tires for your Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Mini Cooper or Volvo. Our answer, don’t do it, don’t go there.
While run flat tires are now factory fitment on many late model German autos, we’ve found, as many of our customers, that they wear quickly, offer a harsh ride, and are much more costly than their standard brethren. So when replacement is needed, we suggest the customer consider the use of a high quality non-run flat tire like Michelin. Yes, this is a compromise, so you need to consider the downsides carefully. We also advise the customer to carry one of the Continental “Comfort Kits” in case you do have a flat with standard tires. The kit allows you to easily reinflate the tire roadside and get home, or to a service facility. You can find less expensive alternatives on Amazon, but we find the Conti kit a bargain…esp on a rainy night. http://www.continentaltire.com/www/tires_us_en/general/techdocs/cck_en.html
Highest-Ranked Tire Manufacturers
The flip side of the report referred above is equally interesting, while it roasted “Run Flat” tires, it confirmed something that we’ve been sharing with service customers for years – Michelin tires are superior, in fact #1 in customer satisfaction, as you can see the report results below. Numbers listed are out of 1,000 users. Atlantic Motorcar is a Michelin Tire dealer, because over the years we’ve found Michelin Tires give the smoothest ride, and offer the longest service life, of any tire on the market. Michelin ranks highest in three of the four segments: luxury (775); passenger car (729); and performance sport (751). You can read the complete report at the link below - http://www.jdpower.com/content/press-release/lke2ieR/2013-u-s-original-equipment-tire-customer-satisfaction-study.htm
