Tangent and Albany Auto Repair

Those who love Fords, love Ford diesel pickups - if you're a Chevy, GMC or Dodge person I will get to them too - I promise. Fords are renowned for their strength and reliability, there are a few things you should know about your diesel engine.  This can help you maintain your truck and avoid costly repairs. Injector Failure - premature fuel injector failure which is often caused by poor-quality fuel. Symptoms include rough idling, misfires, and a significant drop in fuel efficiency. Regularly using high-quality diesel, changing your fuel filter and regular maintenance can prevent premature failure. They are a wearing part though so they will need to be replaced at some point.  Turbocharger Problems - is your turbocharger lagging? Or has it failed?  These problems might be due to oil contamination, wear, or excessive exhaust temperatures. Regular oil changes and keeping an eye on your truck's exhaust system can help prevent a ... read more

Overheating can be a serious concern for any vehicle, especially pickup trucks, which are often subjected to heavy loads and tough driving conditions. As an automotive expert, I'll guide you through the common reasons why your pickup might overheat and what steps you can take to prevent this issue, ensuring your truck runs efficiently and safely. Understanding Overheating in Pickup Trucks: Overheating occurs when your engine's temperature exceeds its normal operating range, and it can lead to significant engine damage if not addressed promptly. Several factors can contribute to your pickup truck overheating, from simple maintenance overlooks to more serious mechanical failures. Common Causes of Overheating: Cooling System Leaks: One of the most common causes of overheating is a leak in the cooling system. Hoses, the radiator, water pump, thermostat housing, and the heater core are all common leak points. Coolant leaks reduce the overall fluid level, impairing the system&rsquo ... read more

The cooling system of a vehicle is a key player in maintaining the engine's longevity and efficiency. Designed to keep the engine from overheating while it generates power, this system circulates coolant to absorb and dissipate heat effectively. However, just like any other part of your vehicle, the cooling system requires regular maintenance to function properly. Neglecting this crucial system can lead to a host of problems, from minor inconveniences to major engine failures. As an automotive repair expert, I'll explain why regular service of your cooling system is essential for your vehicle's health. The primary role of the cooling system is to prevent the engine from overheating. The engine operates efficiently within a certain temperature range. If the cooling system fails, the engine temperature can rise excessively, leading to overheating. This can cause engine components to malfunction, warp, or even melt, potentially resulting in costly repairs or complete engine f ... read more

Finding out that your car has overheated can indeed be a worrying ordeal. We aim to shed light on the factors that lead to such situations, providing you with knowledge on preventive actions and effective solutions. Cooling System Failures: A leading cause of car overheating lies within issues in the cooling system. This crucial system includes the radiator, water pump, thermostat, and coolant. Any cooling system component that is faulty can prevent the system's ability to manage the engine's temperature effectively.   Faulty Thermostat: The thermostat has a vital function in managing the coolant flow throughout the engine. If it becomes stuck or doesn't operate as it should, it could interrupt the coolant flow. This disruption might result in inadequate cooling and, eventually, overheating of the engine.   Coolant Leaks: Leaking coolant can stem from several issues like damaged hoses, a corroded radiator, a malfunctioning water pump, or a failing gasket. When ... read more

Your vehicle may be overheating due to low coolant from a coolant leak. Coolant is an important component in your car - just an important as fuel. Coolant keeps your engine at a proper temperature and prevents damage. The cooling system consists of your radiator, water pump, thermostat, radiator hoses, heater hoses, expansion plugs, and heater core.  If you have a coolant leak give us a call and we will let you know what needs to be done to get you back on the road again. 541-791-2886 Happy Adventures, Heather  

If your car is equipped with a timing belt then you should change your water pump and thermostat at the same time as you have your timing belt done. Typically with those engines it comes as a kit with the belt and components.  If your engine has a timing chain rather than a timing belt then it's not necessary to replace our water pump until it starts to leak or have an issue.  If you're wondering what type of engine you have then stop by and we'll check it and let you know.  Happy Adventures, Heather

Your car could overheat because of a handful of reasons, the first would be to check to make sure it has coolant (antifreeze) in it and that it is the correct type for your engine. After that it could be a number of mechanical or electrical issues that is causing your issue. The best way to know for sure and to prevent damage to your engine is to have it checked.  Give us a call and we will make sure you're safe on all your travels. Happy Adventures, Heather

I know today is black Friday and that itself has become a national holiday, but with all of that please remember to shop at the local stores in your town. They are small businesses trying to provide for there families, they work long hours with very little reward other than to know they are making a difference in the lives of the people who they employ and to there children. We are a small business too and sometimes people forget.  Please remember to shop small and support that local family who is doing their best to make a difference. Happy Adventures,  Heather

  Why is my car overheating? When your car or pickup is overheating it is most likely due to low coolant or antifreeze. There of course are many other reasons for it to overheat, but that is typically the most common. It is important for your engine to have coolant in it and the correct type. If you're engine is overheating it's time to have it checked out.  Did you know we do alignments too. We do! We can take care of your vehicle top to bottom, bumper to bumper.  Happy Adventures Heather

The other day while I was in town with my youngest he saw a car and pointed it out and asked what was wrong with it. I told him it was smoking and that it looked like they had it under control as there were plenty of people around the car. He told me that it shouldn't do that it's not good for it, and I agreed immediately.   If your car is smoking you should have it looked at as soon as possible. If you're having issues give us a call and we will make sure you're safe to be out on the road.   We don't just do repairs we can take care of all your maintenance needs from oil changes, tune ups, brakes, belts, water pumps, air conditioning, alignments, suspension and more.   Happy Adventures, Heather