Archives: January 2020

Should I Fix My Car or Junk it in Hansen, ID? Common Car Parts that Need Repair or Replacing & More

Unless it is a classic, there comes a time when fixing a car gets more expensive than replacing it. Every mechanical component is designed with a finite life span. The life of a product is the average taken over the span of years. What many don’t realize is that the manufacturer only must guarantee parts availability for 10 years. Usually not a problem as other models share parts as do models from other years. However, there does become a time
when parts begin to dry up for a particular model.

Brake Pad Wear

Over a vehicle’s lifespan it will be subject to host of minor component repairs. Certain parts should last a good 100,000 miles but there are things that wear, because they are designed to. Brakes are an example. Brakes convert the forward motion kinetic energy to heat via frictions between the pads and disks. They must be subject to wear to do their job. But most are good for about 50-60,000 miles.

Common Car Parts that Need Replacing

Being mechanical, components like alternators, power steering and water pumps come to mind as examples of items that will need replacement at some point. And air conditioning seems somewhat problematic in automobiles. Home air conditioning is not subject to as hostile an environment as automotive AC’s are. Car systems are subject road vibrations, jarring and a lot of heat in the engine compartment. No wonder AC systems lose refrigerant, a common snag in automotive systems. Not only engine heat, but road and ambient air temperature. Then there is winter. Though more reliable than in the past, water pumps still fail. Some are so integrated in the engine block that it costs big bucks to fix, as the engine must be pulled. Parts for these integrated systems are bit pricey as well.

Bad Oxygen (O2) Sensor

A common occurrence at around 50,000 miles or so is sensor failure, with the oxygen sensor being the major Achille’s heel. Failure at some point is almost assured given the fact that this sensor screws into the exhaust system and measures the oxygen content of exhaust. Engine exhaust is a mixture of hot gases and some are corrosive. So, the oxygen sensor failure is more a question when than if, but admittedly they’ve gotten a lot better as the technology has improved.

Fuel Injection System

Most fuel injection systems are fairly robust, but they do wear. Injectors must handle fuels under high pressure and the nozzles wear. Diesel injectors inject fuel at even higher pressures directly into the combustion chamber. So, the nozzles, made of ceramics will wear over time. The other major point of failure is the fuel pump. Fuel injection systems are fed by high pressure pumps. In gasoline engines this is the job of electric pumps in the fuel tanks, and many diesel systems have adopted this method.

Power Steering Pump Repair

Power steering pumps are very reliable. They do fail, but it is rare. Failure in power steering comes primarily from a broken belt. However, power steering do operate at some fairly high pressures. Hose can wear as can the couplings fail.

Auto Repair & Mechanics Shop in Cassia, Gooding, Jerome & Twin Falls Counties in Magic Valley, Idaho & Jackpot, Northern Nevada

Highway 30 Towing can fix your ride and complete the automotive repairs mentioned above as well as many others. Let us look at your car and we can give you a quote for repairs. Contact us today!

What Causes a Car Not to Start in Buhl, ID? Dead Car Battery, Bad Ignition Switch, Fuel Exhaustion & More

There are many reasons as to why the vehicle becomes inoperable on the road or simply won’t start after you recently cut the engine. Having an inoperable vehicle is always an inconvenience, but when you get stranded, there are companies, such as Highway 30 Towing that can get to your location quickly and tow you to safety. Today, we would like to take an opportunity to briefly discuss the common reasons vehicles won’t start or stop operating.

Fuel Exhaustion; Running Out of Fuel

Deficient fuel supplies are one of the top reasons stop working or will not start. If the vehicle will not turn over first, make sure you check your fuel gauge if the vehicle will not turn over. A reputable towing company can offer roadside assistance and deliver fuel to your location should a gas station is not an option.

Dead Car Battery

A vehicle that won’t start is often due to a dead or drained battery. When you open the door, the dome light will not come on. In the event your car won’t start, and you can’t even turn on the wipers, headlights, or radio the battery is dead but the light may be dim, the battery is weak, and the car won’t start. Drained batteries can be easily jump started, however, if the battery is dead, it will need to be replaced.

Bad Ignition Switch

An ignition switch is a likely culprit if the battery is not the issue. For example, it is likely the fault of the ignition switch if when you test the vehicle and your headlights or wipers work but the car still will not turn on. Behind the ignition lock cylinder, the ignition switch is a crucial electronic component is operating to power the vehicle. In fact, a bad ignition switch is suggested when you notice other problems with your vehicle, like starting but stalling suddenly for instance. The solution is to replace the ignition switch if that is indeed the culprit.

Faulty Starter

To allow a bit of a pattern to flow the activation of the ignition switch starts the flow from the battery to the solenoid over the starter. You should be able to tell if it is the ignition switch when you turn the ignition and hear a clicking sound but the car will not turn on. Like replacing

Clogged Fuel Filter

The fuel filter screens will screen for any impurities to prevent them from reaching the fuel injectors. When the fuel filter gets clogged the fuel pump is forced to work harder. Over time, the fuel pump continues to slowly deteriorate. The vehicle only becomes more difficult to start since your vehicle needs the right mixture of air and gas to start. As a general guideline your fuel filter should be replaced every 20,000 to 40,000 miles.

Towing, Roadside Assistance in Cassia, Gooding, Jerome & Twin Falls Counties in Magic Valley, Idaho & Jackpot, Northern Nevada

No matter why you may find your vehicle incapacitated in the Greater Magic Valley region, Highway 30 Towing is happy to assist you with a tow and our garage can help remedy many of the problems that lead to mechanical failure. Contact us for all your towing, roadside assistance and mechanical repairs.