Tangent and Albany Auto Repair

Why did my car overheat while at a light? This could have occurred due to a faulty fan clutch. If it is hot outside and your vehicle is stopped or moving slowly your engine fan is set to come on a specific temperature. If this does not happen then it can cause your engine to overheat. The fan pulls air through your radiator at slow speeds or at a stop. This air flows air over your engine and helps the cooling system to keep things at the correct temperature. Your fan has a clutch and when it gets worn out it may not engage properly, and this will cause the fan to not work. Newer vehicles may have an one or more electric fans. These do the same job but are controlled by the computer. When they stop working it could be one of several electrical components that control them. Give us a call and let us take care of you. Happy Adventures, Heather

Why does my A/C blow hot? Your air conditioner may be blowing hot due to low refrigerant in the system. When you do not have enough refrigerant your air conditioning will not turn on to prevent damage to your a/c compressor and other components. This could be due to a leak in your air conditioning system. Your air conditioning system has many fittings and all of them can seep refrigerant over a long period of time causing your levels to be low and your air conditioning to not work properly. It is also possible that one of those many components has failed and that is causing your air conditioning to not work properly. We recommend that if your a/c is not working properly to have a leak test performed to make sure you have no other issues. Give us a call and let us take care of you. Happy Adventures, Heather

All gave some and some gave all. This is the time of year that we remember those who we have lost. We feel the loss of them being gone every day. We miss them. To all those who are missing family and friends we feel your loss too. Thank you to the familes who are missing your loved ones, thank you is all we can say. We would not be here in the land of the free is it was not for them.  Happy Adventures,  Heather

Your shocks and struts do more than just cushion your ride. Did you know they also help keep your tires on the ground. This increases your stability and control of your vehicle. Your shocks and struts will increase the life of your tires by maintaining constant contact with the road surface. When your stocks and struts bounce they can cause damage to the tire and uneven tread wear. Your shocks and struts also aid in how quickly you are able to stop when braking. When your stocks and struts are worn out and or damaged they could greatly increase your stopping distance. This in an emergency situation can cause an accident. Most of the time you will not notice that your shocks and struts are worn out due to how slowly they wear. Many times after they are replaced you will notice a better and quieter ride.  Manufactures recommend your replace your shocks and struts every 50,000 to 100,000 miles. This depends all on the vehicle you drive. Give us a all and ... read more

Our Newest Team Member. We wanted to take a moment and introduce to you our newest team member. This is Kimber, she is a French Bulldog that has joined our merry band of Labradors. She naps a lot right now so she may not always be up and about. If you would like to meet her just say the word and we can bring her out to greet you. Why a French bulldog you ask. Well if you have been around for a while then you may remember Gracie. She was an English bulldog that we fostered and miss. We decided that we just could not live without a bulldog.   Happy Adventures,  Heather

Summer is just around the corner and that means road trips whether for a week or a day. It never hurts to be prepared so you are not making a last minute stop. This can either add a bit of adventure or ruin your day. The best advice we can give you is to plan ahead as much as you can. Here is our top 10 for getting you ready to go on your next road trip. 1. Pre-trip inspection - this will keep you on the road and make sure you do not have any unexpected detours. This will not prevent all breakdowns but it does help. This should cover all your fluids, brakes and tires. It should also be a comprehensive check over the rest of your vehicle as well.  2. Oil change - if you are going farther than just a day trip or a weekend and you are getting close this is a good time to get that oil changed.  3. Safety equipment - you do not need a lot but a few things are a must have. For your vehicle flashlights, blankets, matches, and a shovel. For you bottled water, and long lasting ... read more

Why does my diesel need special coolant? Your diesel engine does not need a special coolant, but it does need to have a special additive added to the coolant to protect your engine.  This additive may already be built into your coolant, you need to check the label. This additive protects your engine from cavitation. The short answer is cavitation is when bubbles get forced against the cylinder wall and over time while it is minor can cause a hole in your cylinder wall. The additive helps to prevent cavitation and adheres to your cylinder walls to protect them. All diesel engines have this in common. Some are more prone to the issue than others. One of the best ways to protect your engine is by having the cooling system serviced regularly. Give us a call and let us take care of you. Happy Adventures, Heather

What should I check before a road trip? I love road tripping. It so great to get out and explore. Seeing new things and exploring new places is so exciting. Oregon is a beautiful state with so many places to go see and visit. You name it and we probably have it. I still have a few places on my list that I have not visited yet and I was born here. My list includes the tree houses in southern Oregon and Wallowa Lake near Joseph. Before embarking on any trip no matter if it is just a day trip to the beach or true adventure you should make sure you have all the items on your list checked off. It is best to have this list gone through the week or so before you trip to make sure you are ready. Check your tires. You need to check for a bulge, tire wear or other damage. Tire pressure. Nothing ruins a good start than a flat tire or needing a new tire. Check your oil. If you are almost due for an oil change you might as well get it done so it is one less thing to worry about. Coolant &ndash ... read more

Why does my car overheat? Your car can overheat from numerous reasons. The first thing I ask when someone calls saying that they have an overheating issue is how hot did it get. The next is what happened. I almost always think maybe it has a coolant leak. When your coolant leaks out of your Radiator it will cause your engine to overheat. Your coolant flows in and out of your radiator and through hoses by the water pump. This keeps your engine to keep it operating at the optimal temperatures. When any of these components stop functioning properly then you can have an overheating issue. Give us a call and let us take care of you. Happy Adventures, Heather

Why is my car making a ticking noise? Your engine could be making a ticking noise due to a stuck lifter. When your lifter is not working properly then it will make a ticking noise. When the lifter sticks it causes the rocker arm to move freely and this will cause the noise. If the lifter does not unstick then it can cause damage to the rocker arm and other valve train components. Any time that your car starts to make a noise that is not within its normal range then it should be checked. Early detection can prevent damage to your engine and the many components. This goes for any noise that is coming from your car. Give us a call and let us take care of you. Happy Adventures, Heather