Have You Checked Your Air Filter Lately?

       While doing a routine oil change we found that a bird had flew up in a customer's air vent and landed just under the air filter. Our oil changes here at Rick's Auto consists of changing the oil and oil filter and, we lube all fittings on steering linkage, ball joints & drive shaft(s); we check and correct all fluid levels to include brake fluid; power steering fluid, coolant, battery acid (unless a sealed battery, automatic transmission fluid. Check tire pressure an and install "Next Service Due" sticker. This was quite a surprise and a first in 35 years to see an actual bird in the air filter compartment.

Purpose

Air filters allow as much air as possible to enter the engine while collecting anything that will damage the engine.This part is actually quite a bit more complicated than it may sound. The engine produces a vacuum that pulls it's suction through the air filters tiny holes.

Function

A air filter is like a net (in the picture above we caught a bird). In reality, the air filter's holes would only be big enough to pass the individual oxygen particles through, holding back anything not required for combustion. Oxygen atoms are physically smaller then the nitrogen atoms (which amount to seventy-eight percent of our planet's atosphere by volume). Both are far smaller than any dust particulate which is the main area of concern regarding the safety of your motor.

Materials

Filters are manufactured using several different materials. The most common is dry paper or cotton gauze, but other well-known options include foam and oil-impregnated cotton. Foam filters typically flow very well, but aren't very durable. The oil-impregnated cotton filters helps dust particles to stick to the fibers, meaning that the holes can be larger to flow for better increased air flow. Most aftermarket performance filters are of this type.

Overall

Get your air filter checked at Rick's Auto in Forestville and we will evaluate your intake and air flow to see how your exact vehicle's engine is operating at it's max performance. Furthermore, if somehow we can recommend a better air filter for your engine to maximize fuel efficiency and gas mileage we can do so at this time.

Rick's Complete Automotive Repair: 6560 Railroad Ave. Forestville, C.A. 95436 (707-887-1641) www.ricksauto.blogspot.com

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How Timing Belt Replacement Works

Have you ever heard a band where the trumpets play off-beat, the cymbals slam into each other and the saxophone player simply drops the ball on his job. This is what could happen if the drummer of a band, the keeper of tempo, went missing. In the world of automotive maintenance, visualizing this scenario can help illustrate the timing belt's role and what can go wrong without routine replacement around the 60K-100K mile zone.

The timing belt is a synthetic rubber compound, which is reinforced with fiber cords, and in the car maintenance world much like a drummer of a band -- the timing belt keeps everything in the engine in sync. When the engine is on, it's in constant, timed motion, thanks to the belt, the connection between the crankshaft and camshaft allows the engine to run at it's best.

So is this important to replace? Well, the crankshaft converts linear energy from the pistons, which move up and down, into rotational energy that eventually turns the wheels. The camshaft opens and closes the engine's valves to allow air and gas in and out of the engine. The timing belt links the two in harmony. Without it, the pistons and valves would collide and your engine would stop running leaving you on the side of the road.

Obviously, this is bad news for vehicle maintenance as this internal collision can cause destruction fair amount of engine damage. Therefore, it's important to stay ahead of your belt's lifespan -- traditionally replacing it every four years or 60,000 miles (96,561 kilometers) or, in newer vehicles, every 100,000 miles (160,934 kilometers). Be sure to check your vehicle's maintenance manual to see what your car or truck's manufacturer suggests.

So we've all accepted the timing belt's importance, but that doesn't mean you have to spend your days worrying that your belt will force you to pay a large maintenance bill. Instead, you can act as the band director and keep that timing belt in check by watching its wear and arming yourself with the knowledge to replace it.

A typical timing belt job can eat your pocket book between $400-$800 depending on the vehicle but having maintenance done on your vehicle can extend it's life being reasonably cheaper then a new car.

Contact us here at Rick's Complete Automotive 707-887-1641 or stop by the shop located at 6560 Railroad Ave. Forestville, CA 95436 and we'll take a look at your belt to see how worn it is.

www.ricksauto.blogspot.com