
Archive for August 2021Cool Running (Water Pump)Posted August 29, 2021 9:28 AMYour vehicle is like you in a way. When it gets hot, it needs to be cooled down. And one of the key parts to keeping it cool is the water pump. Now, that's a bit of a misnomer. It IS a pump, but it's pumping coolant, not pure water. Cooling off your engine is vital since it builds up heat when it creates power by burning fuel. Your water pump acts as a way to recirculate that coolant. It goes through a series of tubes and hoses through the engine where it picks up heat, then is sent off to the radiator to get rid of that heat. Cooled off, the coolant is recycled through the water pump to start the journey again. The water pump works by taking mechanical power from the engine, usually from a belt. Obviously, that belt has to be in good condition and adjusted properly or else the water pump won't be able to do its job. Here are some things to look for that will signal problems with your water pump. If your heat gauge is erratic or showing a much higher than normal temperature, that could be a sign of trouble. Another is if you hear a whine under the hood. And if that gets louder when you go faster, get it checked right away. You may see steam coming out from under the hood or coolant may be leaking. These signs signal that it's time for you to have a technician check to see where the problem is. Some water pumps are powered by a timing belt. If your vehicle has that design and your timing belt is due for replacement, sometimes it's a good idea to replace the water pump too, even if it's working properly. That's because the labor to replace the timing belt can be expensive and it may be wise to proactively take care of the water pump while it's disassembled. Your service advisor will explain the options available and offer the best path to keeping your water pump doing its job. Your engine's life depends on it. Acheson Auto Works A Door No One Can Step Through (Fuel Door Repair and Maintenance)Posted August 22, 2021 7:55 AMYour vehicle has lots of doors including that one usually near the back on the vehicle's side. That's the fuel door, something you use every time you gas up. These endure hundreds of open-and-close cycles, usually without any problems. But when they act up, it can be a major inconvenience for you. When they stick in the "open" position, it can present real dilemma. You can still pump your gas, but do you just drive around with that flap sticking out the side? What happens if someone steals the gas cap or it gets damaged? What happens if it rains? Yep, it's decision time. A fuel door that sticks open can be due to a number of factors. The hinge on the door may have broken, possibly from corrosion or it may have been hit sometime. Some vehicles have a cable that operates the door and it could be loose. The latch that holds the door shut could have broken or it, too, could be bent from something hitting it. You probably want to take care of this sometime soon since your gas cap is wide open and unprotected when the door doesn't shut. Plus, it's possible that the door could be torn off completely. Often a stuck open fuel door can be fixed fairly inexpensively and quickly depending on the type of mechanism your vehicle has. Looks like it's an open and shut case. Acheson Auto Works Positive and Negative (Battery Care)Posted August 15, 2021 9:13 AMYou notice when your smartphone's battery starts to go weak on you. It runs out of juice faster than it did when it was new. Bet you pay attention to that pretty closely. Unfortunately, many of us don't pay the same attention to the battery in our vehicles. If your battery got you through the cold-weather months, you might be thinking you're all set until next winter. But you might be surprised to learn this: Hot weather is harder on a battery than cold weather. (Note: we're talking about a conventional vehicle here, not an all-electric, plug-in one.) The way your vehicle's battery holds a charge is that it has chemicals inside it, and they react with each other to produce electricity. A vehicle battery discharges electricity and then needs to be recharged. Unlike your smartphone that you plug in each night to charge, the way a vehicle's battery gets recharged is by using the mechanical energy of the engine. It's a pretty cool system that's been around for a while. An alternator changes the mechanical energy into electricity that then charges the battery. And your vehicle is designed to charge it just the right amount with a voltage regulator. If your battery constantly gets too much voltage, it could stop holding a charge. Another way a vehicle battery loses its ability to hold a charge is when it gets hot. In warmer weather, some fluids in your battery evaporate which can damage some of its internal components. Then, you've got a dead battery. Back to your smartphone for a second, it probably has a little indicator or maybe an app that shows you how healthy it is or how much charge it's holding. Well, your service repair facility has equipment that can test your vehicle's battery for the same things. If that test shows you need a new battery, then it's probably time to replace it. A technician can also check to see your battery is being charged at the correct rate. If you have a battery that is not sealed, a technician can check to see it needs more water added to it. The technician will also make sure dirt or other contaminants aren't acting as electrical conductors and discharging the battery. Plus, your battery's terminals may need cleaning. Most people just forget about their vehicle's battery until there's a big problem with it. Here's one rule of thumb: expect a battery's life to be about 5 years. Just like you wouldn't want your smartphone to leave you without any way to make phone calls or send texts, you wouldn't want your vehicle to leave you stranded with no way to start it, would you? When it comes time to make that new battery choice, your service advisor can offer you some good options, taking into account the climate you drive in, what you use your vehicle for and what your budget is. Hey, your smartphone's battery is all charged up. How about calling your service advisor for an appointment right now?
Passing the Test (How to Prevent Emissions Test Failure)Posted August 8, 2021 12:10 PMVehicle emission testing has become ubiquitous in North America and for a good reason. Clean air quality is important for the environment and all of us. Since vehicle emissions are among the main causes of air pollution, emission testing can alert you to problems in your vehicle than can be fixed so it won't needlessly pollute. Emissions tests are looking for certain toxic gases internal combustion engines produce, such as nitrogen oxide, particulate matter, non-methane organic gases and formaldehyde. Emissions control systems reduce these gases if they are working properly. The best way to minimize pollution is to keep those vehicle systems working properly, and periodic inspection and maintenance is the key. So if you want to make sure your vehicle will pass an emissions test, it helps to know what might go wrong. Let's start on the easy one. Your gas cap could be loose, allowing vapors to escape into the atmosphere. The most common solution is to replace it. Or your air filter may be dirty. A dirty air filter may push your hydrocarbons pass the acceptable level. Now to the more complicated things. The mixture of fuel and air in your engine may be tilted toward the "too much fuel" side. That could cause problems for your vehicle's catalytic converter, a device that converts toxic gases from your exhaust into less toxic pollutants. Your vehicle has a closed system that prevents fuel tank vapors from escaping into the air; it's called the EVAP system. A technician can track down problems. Vehicle engineers have gone to great lengths to minimize the amount of pollution your vehicle produces. Your vehicle's manufacturer recommends how frequently those systems need servicing. Keep those systems in good shape and you're likely to pass emissions tests with flying colors. Neglect them and you might find your vehicle failing an emissions test. When that happens, you'll have to get the problems repaired before you can get back on the road. Acheson Auto Works The Engine Gets a Boost (Turbocharged Engine Maintenance)Posted August 1, 2021 12:15 PMIf someone told you that your vehicle could have the same power but with a smaller engine, wouldn't that sound like great idea? Just think, a smaller engine would save you money at the gas station and you'd still get the same horsepower. The technology to do just that has been around for a long time. It's called a turbocharger. Race cars and other performance vehicles have been using turbochargers for years. It gives them a power boost without the need of a bigger engine, saving them fuel and pit stops. Automakers have offered turbo gasoline and diesel engines for years, but there were problems with durability. Plus drivers had to make some driving adjustments with the way turbos delivered power. Newer turbos, though, have been vastly improved, and manufacturers are including them in more models. For example, Jeep offers its 2019 Cherokee with a choice of two engines that each make about 270 horsepower. One is a 4-cylinder turbocharged engine and the other is a 6-cylinder conventional gasoline engine. The general rule of thumb is: the fewer the cylinders, the better the fuel economy. A turbocharged vehicle uses a turbine that is turned by exhaust gas. That compresses air that goes into the engine, which then allows it to use more fuel per second, increasing power. One advantage of a turbo is that it is only engaged when the driver demands more power from the engine by stepping on the throttle harder. One thing to remember, though, is that turbocharged engines have additional parts and are more complex. That means they can be more expensive to maintain. The upside? You'll likely save fuel. Like any complex machine, it's important that you maintain your turbo vehicle so it will give you more years of service. Acheson Auto Works technicians are trained to inspect and service the systems associated with a turbo engine. If you already drive a turbocharged vehicle, keep up your regular maintenance schedule to get the longest life and performance out of it. Because of the advantages these powertrains offer, turbo engines are definitely here to stay. Acheson Auto Works | ||
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What our clients are saying about us
We have established longterm and stable partnerships with various clients thanks to our excellence in solving their automotive needs!
I have ICE COLD AC in my Jeep again!! Thanks to the crew at Acheson Auto Works. Can't tell you how happy I am now.

Clive, IA
I needed a last minute oil change and after hearing multiple people talk about Acheson Auto Works on University Blvd I decided to take my car there. I was fit right in and had a very prompt but quality oil change. You cannot get the sincerity or quality anywhere else! The front desk, young lady, was extremely cheerful and very welcoming. Tim, the service manager, was the exact same. After my oil change they advised me of a small issue I may want to address with my car later on, but did not push or make me believe it is worse than it really is. This is exactly what I want out of an auto service center. Because of their honesty and wonderful atmosphere I will always go back to Acheson Auto Works.
