Grand Rapids Auto Repair

My vehicle won’t start, now what? Believe it or not, the first tool you need to use is your ears and you don’t necessarily need to even get out and raise the hood. If you initially hear a clicking sound, that’s your starter trying to turn over the engine without receiving enough power from the battery. It could be something simple like dirty terminal connections. If the terminals are dirty inside it might not transfer enough power to start the engine. It will allow the dash lights and radio to work, but not enough power to start the engine. If you don’t hear clicking, but instead hear a high-speed whine, it could be your starter getting enough power but not engaging the engine. If you don’t hear a clicking or a whirring, then it could be that the battery has lost its charge. Did you leave the headlights on or a door open for an extended period of time and drain the battery? If this is not a one-time thing and you find the battery frequently dead, it ... read more

If you think of the belts under your hood like the chain on a bicycle transferring your leg energy to where it’s needed at the wheels. Now think of your vehicle’s hoses are like arteries, responsible for carrying life-sustaining coolant to the places that need it. Without proper maintenance, your engine could overheat and the risk of a breakdown becomes very real. Belts and hoses degrade over time and can crack, split, swell or burst. It is important to check them at the regular intervals recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer to avoid a breakdown from a broken belt or hose failure. A system is only as good as its weakest link and hoses are a vital cooling system component requiring regular service. Replacing the radiator hoses before they begin to leak can prevent an inconvenient breakdown and the potential for expensive related repairs. When cracks are visible or the hose swells or feels soft, it is a likely sign that the hoses are near the end of their life. Ofte ... read more

Think about this: Most vehicle belts fail without warning. Now think about yourself stranded on the side of the road. Not a pretty picture, is it? Belts and hoses are integral parts in the proper functioning of the engine. But it’s not easy to know the true condition of a belt or hose by its outward appearance, because most belts and hoses fail from the inside out. Because of that, owners are urged to replace belts, radiator and heater hoses at specific recommended intervals to prevent your car from breaking down. Most newer vehicles use a single serpentine belt to turn the water pump, alternator, power steering and air-conditioning compressor. If a belt snaps, everything is lost and you may be stranded. Many older vehicles use individual V-belts for each device. Belts also break down with heat, mileage and age. Every time a belt passes around a pulley, it bends. Flexing produces heat that causes the rubber to harden over time. In addition, if the belt is loose or slips ... read more

Hey, know what’s scary? Most vehicles’ timing belts fail without a lot of warning. And that can leave you stranded somewhere you don’t want to be. So check your vehicle owner’s manual’s suggested mileage for timing belt replacement and talk with the experts at Heritage Service Centre. The failure of a timing belt is one of the most common reasons why cars break down. If you are familiar with a timing belt functions and how to tell when something is wrong with it, then you can prevent more serious damage. Knowledge about timing belt symptoms will save you from being stranded by the side of a road because of a broken timing belt. Simply put, a timing belt is a chain or belt that control the opening and closing of a car’s valves. Without a properly functioning timing belt, an engine’s pistons would cease to function and your car would be unable to run. Worn / old timing belts can no longer perform their job properly and why they can lead to performance problems with your c ... read more