Tangent and Albany Auto Repair

If you’ve noticed a strong smell of gasoline in or around your car, it’s something you shouldn’t ignore. A gas smell isn’t just unpleasant—it can be a sign that something is wrong with your vehicle and couple potentional be dangerous.  One of the most common reasons your car might smell like gas is a gasoline leak. There are several places where a leak can occur: - Fuel lines - your fuel lines carry gasoline from the tank to the engine. If these lines become cracked, damaged, or loose, gas can leak out, causing a strong smell. Leaks in the fuel lines are particularly dangerous because they can lead to fire hazards. - Fuel Tank - The gas tank itself can develop leaks due to corrosion, damage, or wear and tear. If the tank is leaking, you might notice the smell of gas, along with puddles of gasoline under your car. - Fuel Injectors - Fuel injectors are responsible for spraying fuel into the engine’s cylinders.  - Gas Cap ... read more

You know me I love a good list. Today let's discuss noises coming from your vehicle - and I don't mean the good kind. Any noise that isn't normal is concerning. Whether it happens when you start your car, accelerate, or brake, that high-pitched squeal is a sign that something needs attention. 1. Worn-Out Brake Pads One of the most common reasons for a squealing noise is worn-out brake pads. Your car’s brake pads are designed to wear down over time as they press against the brake rotors to slow down your car. When the pads get too thin, a small metal indicator embedded in the pad will make contact with the rotor, causing a squealing noise. This sound is actually a built-in warning system telling you it’s time to replace the brake pads. Ignoring this noise can lead to more serious problems, like damage to the rotors, which can be more expensive to repair. If you hear squealing when you brake, it’s a good idea to have your brake pads inspected an ... read more

The air conditioning system in your car is essential for comfort during the hot months, and the evaporator core is a critical component, without it the rest of the system will not work.  Your evaporator core is typically inside the dashboard. Your the evaporator core circulates refrigerant, which absorbs heat from the cabin air and expels it. The refrigerant, passing through the evaporator core, changes from liquid to gas, absorbing heat from the air in the process. A fan blows air through the evaporator core's fins, cooling it before it enters the cabin, thus reducing the temperature and providing you with cold air. The evaporator core also removes moisture from the air. As the warm, humid air passes over the cold fins, moisture condenses and is collected in a drain pan, ensuring the air in your car remains dry and comfortable.  Your evaporator core can fail from a couple of common problems. It may develop leaks due to corrosion, physical dama ... read more

Ever wondered what the EGR valve in your car does? If you're curious about this little component and how it helps your vehicle run cleaner, you've come to the right place. The EGR valve stands for Exhaust Gas Recirculation valve. It's a crucial part of your car's engine system that helps reduce pollution. By recirculating a portion of your exhaust gases back into the engine, it lowers the emissions of harmful nitrogen oxides that are released into the atmosphere. Here’s a step-by-step look at how the EGR valve works: Exhaust Gases: When your engine burns fuel, it creates exhaust gases. These gases include harmful substances like nitrogen oxides. Recirculation: Instead of letting all the exhaust gases leave through the tailpipe, the EGR valve redirects some of them back into the engine’s intake manifold. Mixing: Once the exhaust gases are back in the intake manifold, they mix with fresh air and fuel. Th ... read more

The check engine light can be triggered by a variety of issues, ranging from minor to serious.  - The simplest reason would be a loose gas cap. A loose or damaged gas cap can cause the check engine light to come on, due to the fuel tank not having the proper seal. It’s a simple fix, just tighten it. The gas cap being loose can lead to reduced fuel economy and increased emissions. - A faulty oxygen sensor can set off your check engine light as well. Your vehicle can have multiple oxygen sensors. Your oxygen sensor measures the amount of unburned oxygen in the exhaust and helps adjust the engine’s air-fuel mixture. When your oxygen sensors are working correctly then your fuel economy can go up.  - An issue with your catalytic converter. Your catalytic converter reduces emissions in the exhaust. When it fails, it can the check engine light to come on, poor run ability and performance.  - You could have a mass airflow sensor that is either dirty or that is re ... read more

Ford diesel pickups are designed for heavy-duty work, yet fuel system problems can impede their efficiency. Being aware of potential issues can aid in maintaining optimal performance. Fuel Pump Failures - which can lead to difficult starts, engine stalling, or total engine shutdown, are a frequent issue. Replacing the fuel filter regularly and opting for quality fuel can help prolong your fuel pump's lifespan. Clogged Fuel Filters - A clogged fuel filter can impede fuel flow, causing diminished engine performance and reduced fuel economy. Adhering to the manufacturer's guidelines for fuel filter replacement is critical to prevent this problem. Water in the Fuel System - Water in the fuel system can severely damage both injectors and the fuel pump. Employing a water separator and consistently draining trapped water can avert such damage. Maintaining a clean and efficient fuel system is vital for your diesel pickup's durability and performance. We can take care of yo ... read more

Those who drive a Honda LOVE them. Jason has had a few over the years and has loved each one of them. They drive great, they get wonderful fuel mileage and they are reliable. There are few things that can and do come up, they are a mechanical object so anything is possible.  We have found that some have an oil consumption issue. The older ones for sure will consume oil. As long as it's within the 1 quart per 1,000 miles then you're usually okay. It's when it is consuming more than that it can become an issue. To avoid engine damage, it's important to check your oil levels regularly, and if it's low then top off your oil. If you notice excessive oil consumption which is more than 1 quart of oil per 1,000 miles then it needs checked.  Almost all Honda engines have timing belts. The timing belt needs to be changed every 60,000 to 90,000 miles depending on your engine. Waiting to have this replaced can cause extensive engine damage if the timing be ... read more

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

Seeing white smoke from your diesel engine can be alarming. Not only is it a sign that something isn’t right, but it can also indicate other underlying issues that may need immediate attention.  White smoke from a diesel engine often indicates the presence of un-burned fuel or coolant in the exhaust system. When these substances are not properly combusted, they create a white vapor that exits through the exhaust. Typically un-burnt fuel causes black smoke, but we have seen it cause white smoke as well.  The primary reason for white smoke is a coolant leak. When coolant leaks into the combustion chamber - and it doesn't belong there. It mixes with the diesel fuel, causing incomplete combustion. This result can be from a damaged head gasket, a cracked engine block, or a faulty cylinder head. A sure sign of a coolant leak is a sweet smell accompanying the white smoke or a noticeable drop in the coolant level.  Another common reason for white smoke is ... read more

Youu might have heard the term "diesel engine runaway." This frightening phenomenon occurs when a diesel engine revs uncontrollably, often leading to severe damage if not promptly addressed. Understanding the causes behind this issue can help prevent it and help prepare you if it ever occurs. A diesel engine runaway happens when the engine starts to consume fuel uncontrollably. Unlike gasoline engines, diesel engines rely on compression to ignite the fuel, which means they can run on a variety of fuel sources, including engine oil or other flammable substances that might find their way into the combustion chamber. This is where the problem begins. One common cause of diesel engine runaway is a failure in the turbocharger. The turbocharger, which boosts engine power by forcing more air into the combustion chamber, can leak oil from its seals into the intake system. When this oil gets into the combustion chamber, the engine treats it as fuel. Since the engine can keep ru ... read more