Case Studies

This BMW came into our workshop with a severe engine oil leak int he area of the front timing cover. The previous “Specialist” servicing facility had attempted to correct the oil leak, unsuccessfully.

Problem
See that “curly cue” material? That’s a shredded engine drive belt, which had wrapped itself around the crankshaft, and wiped out the oil seal. So the other “oil leaks” were corrected but the prime culprit was not found, until it visited our facility.

Cause
When belt broke it wrapped itself so tight behind the crank pulley it pushed itself into the crank seal, tearing out the rubber sealing surface. Left unchecked, this very quickly could have worked it’s way into the front timing chain and sprocket, resulting in a catastrophic engine failure.

The Truth
Folks, it’s not about the fancy building, or the “name”. It’s about the people inside, the people who care, are treated well, and treat you (and your car) well. Fancy buildings and big egos do not fix cars, people do. Our approach is always to work as a team, to network, to solve even the most complex problems, each time, every time. We’re not happy until you’re happy, and we really mean that.

The Difference
Just because someone uses the name “Specialist” does not mean that they really know, or care about your particular car. There are ethical shops out there, but judge by the reviews online, by meeting the service team, by asking friends. Out of our area (we cover Falmouth, Freeport to Camden), call and ask for a referral to one of our service network members. Your car, and your pocketbook will thank you. And so will the AMC Team.

Feel free to call or stop by find out more on how we can help you get your car back to the condition you both deserve! Earning your trust, every time you turn the car…that’s what we do…every day…for the last 30 years.

Click here see what our happy customers have to say about us and our service at AMC Customer Reviews.
If you have questions, or if we can be of further assistance, just call us at (207) 882-969, we’d love to meet you, and your car!

Warmly,
Bruce and the AMC Service Team

The IBS is a mechatronic component for monitoring the battery condition. The IBS is secured and connected to the negative terminal of the battery. The power supply for the IBS is fed across a separate cable. For data transmission, the IBS is connected to the DME (Digital Engine Electronics) or DDE (Digital Diesel Electronics) via the BSD (bit-serial data interface).

The software in the PC-board of the IBS calculates “State of Charge” and “State of Health” of the battery and sends the information to the DME via the Bit Serial Data link. Off-load current measurement: When the vehicle is not in use, the IBS continuously monitors the data relevant to the battery indicators. The IBS is programmed to “wake up” every 14 seconds so that it can update the measured values with new measurements. The measuring time is approx. 50 milliseconds (ms). The measured data are entered in the IBS memory for monitoring the offload current. When the engine is restarted, the DME / DDE reads off the off-load current curve. In the event of a deviation from the definedoff-load current curve, an entry will be made in the DME / DDE fault memory.

The sensor is very easily damaged by improper or rough handling during battery service, or by water leaks into the rear battery area (more common than you might think.) If you experience any warning messages, or have battery problem, please contact us to have this checked. (207) 882-9969.

The Difference
Just because someone uses the name “Specialist” does not mean that they really know, or care about your particular car. There are ethical shops out there, but judge by the reviews online, by meeting the service team, by asking friends. Out of our area (we cover Falmouth, Freeport to Camden), call and ask for a referral to one of our service network members. Your car, and your pocketbook will thank you. And so will the AMC Team.

Feel free to call or stop by find out more on how we can help you get your car back to the condition you both deserve! Earning your trust, every time you turn the car…that’s what we do…every day…for the last 30 years.

Click here see what our happy customers have to say about us and our service at AMC Customer Reviews.
If you have questions, or if we can be of further assistance, just call us at (207) 882-969, we’d love to meet you, and your car!

Warmly,
Bruce and the AMC Service Team

How many of you get in your car that’s a few years older now and find that your headlights are no longer shining like they used to? More and more cars have gone from glass headlight housings to plastic ones for cheaper production costs and weight reduction. One side affect we see more with lights of this type is heavy pitting and discoloration from the natural elements we face on our daily commutes. Damage like this can not only make an otherwise great car look tired, but make it very hard to see in dark and wet conditions. More often than not, replacement lenses are unavailable, and entire units can cost hundreds of dollars or more, not to mention time spent on installation.

Before jumping into a repair that may be more costly than necessary, we like to offer our customers a far more cost effective solution to restore both the look and performance of the lights their car once had when it first rolled off the assembly line.

As you can see in this comparison photo, the top images so fading to these Volvo XC90 Lenses. The damage was actually far worse than the image portrays, but even so they were able to be brought back to a great condition.

As more and more of our customers are learning, headlight restoration can be a very effective and far less expensive way to bring back the great look and performance your lights once had when your car first rolled off the assembly line. Using multiple stages of sanding, wet sanding, and buffing, we’re able to remove the outer layers that may be pitted, contaminated, or discolored from the sun, ultimately restoring your headlights to the original manufacturers specifications, be it an Audi, BMW, Honda, Lexus, Mercedes, Mini Cooper, Volvo, or Volkswagen.

Feel free to call or stop by find out more on how we can help you get your car back to the condition you both deserve! Just call (207) 882-9969.

Thanks!

Tech Tip – Dashboard Warning Lights
Here is what they really mean…

Colors
Red – Critical or safety items requiring immediate action, often shutting down the car.

Yellow – Important, but usually safe to drive

Questions, just call our team at (207) 882-9969.

Tnx,
Bruce and the AMC Service Team

This poor Volvo XC70 presented with an engine oil pressure light on.
One quick look at the engine oil pan provided what we in the business call a “clue”. A huge amount of RTV sealant oozing out of the oil pan to engine block area. The car had recently been at another repair facility…
Once our Senior Service Technician Ryan removed the oil pan, it was quite clear what had happened…and it wasn’t pretty.
1) The previous servicing shop had resealed the engine oil pan with the incorrect sealant.
2) Had used an excessive amount of sealant, to the point where it oozing inside and outside the engine oil pan.
3) Excess sealant had entered the engine oil pickup, and was subsequently sucked into the engine lubrication system, restricting oil flow to critical engine parts.
4) Sealant used appears to be something you’d buy at Home Depot to caulk your windows, not properly repair your Volvo…really, not kidding here.Holy clogs Batman, this is a mess. Also the three O-Ring seals, Volvo uses for the engine oil pickup to oil pump interface, were not replaced, and if you look carefully, you see one is actually folded over.Cost of the seals, perhaps $7, cost of the correct sealant, about $25, cost to replace the engine, close to $6,000.We’re hoping to be able to salvage the engine for the customer, but needless to say, this was a good “teaching moment” on the true cost of a “cheap repair”.Professional automotive service isn’t “cheap”, it’s priceless.

Having someone who cares about your car as much as you do, also priceless.
For fair priced, proper service, with a 2 Year Nationwide Warranty, just call us, we’re here to help (207) 882-9969.

– Bruce and the AMC Team

Tech Tip – Volvo Fuel Filter Changes, Prevent Problems

See the photo? That’s a electric fuel pump, you don’t want to have to buy one, read on for a a quick way to save yourself some real money, and headache!

Volvo has a 105K or 120K mile schedule for replacement of the engine fuel filter. Lately we’ve been seeing an increasing number of the electric fuel pumps failing. We feel that this problem is brought about by extended intervals between fuel filter replacement. In the past, fuel filters were often changed at 30k or 60K mile intervals…and we rarely had pump failures. A clogged or dirty filter makes the pump work harder, resulting in premature wear, and soon, failure.

The cost to replace the fuel filter, usually under $100, is dwarfed by the replacement cost of the electric fuel pump, in some cases over $1,300. We strongly advise changing the fuel filter in your 2001-2007 Volvo on a 60K interval.

Part of professional auto service to not just replacing parts, but determining why they failed in the first place. Armed with this knowledge, we can make recommendations to save you both time, and money. That’s the Atlantic Motorcar Center way, preventing problems before they occur, everyday.

Questions, or if we can help you with your auto, just call us at (207) 882-9969, we’re here to help!

– Bruce and the AMC Service Team

Just another day at the Atlantic Motorcar Center Planet Of Fun.

Being serviced under the delicate ministrations of our Senior Service Technician Shaun.
Lesson here, don’t let your family member push up on the sunshade.
Interior and headliner out of car, 10 hours later, new sunroof installed.

Yes, BMW does build and ship in the wooden “coffin case”.

Problems with your BMW, or your BMW Panoramic Sunroof, we’re the experts, and know these like the back of our hands, and feet, and…
Anyway, you get the message, done right, the first time, warrantied for 2 Years Nationwide, exceptional service for exceptional cars!

Just give us a call, and prepare to be delighted – (207) 882-9969

– Bruce and the AMC Service Team

Recently we were engaged to work with customer’s insurance company on a problem with his BMW’s glass sunroof. It was, to put it mildly, an interesting experience. Having done this for more than a few years, thought I might pass along some tips in the interest of helping our customers.

1) Get An Independent Estimate, Always –
As far as much possible, have a trusted, independent professional service provider provide an estimate BEFORE the insurance “adjuster” shows up. You don’t need to get the traditional “3 estimates”, just a single, well written estimate, from a professional. Remember, the insurance “adjuster” is really looking out for the insurance company’s interest, not necessarily yours. It takes time and delays your auto repairs, to get the adjuster to come back out and look at additional work needed.

2) The Insurance Adjuster Is Looking Out For the Insurance Company, Not You –
If you remember anything from this list, remember this one – while most adjusters are fair, they are paid to minimize claims, not necessarily look after your best interest. He or she may be friendly, or want to offer you a payment check on the spot, but it is much harder to go back and correct the estimate later, than it is to get it right in the first place. Again, most companies are fair, but like anything else, you do need to stand up, or have an independent shop, stand up for your rights. Ask questions!

3) The Insurance Adjuster Is Not An Expert On Your Car –
Most are well trained, but by simple statistics of the vehicle population on the road, they are largely familiar with domestic cars. Your European or Japanese import might be a different matter. This is where a estimate from a qualified professional independent service facility is to your advantage, and helps speed up the claim process.

Example – We recently had to work with a customer’s insurance company about a glass sunroof issue on his BMW. This was the very complex, two part “Panoramic Sunroof”. The adjuster admitted that he was not familiar with the vehicle, and it took well over a week to finally write and settle the claim. It was only after 3 phone calls to us, and my suggestion that he contact BMW directly to confirm our diagnosis and repair course, that he realized that extent of the repair. If we had not been involved, the customer would have likely ended up with a denied claim, or worse, had a used assembly installed (yes, that was the original offer), and had to deal with the problem again in a short while, after the warranty expired…a 10 hour, $3,000 repair.

4) Estimates Are Not Written In Stone –
It is not uncommon for hidden damage to be found, especially in the event of collision or impact accident damage. Most shops know this as well, and should work with your insurance company to write what is termed a “supplement” for additional repair work. A professional shop will look out for your interests here, and call and work with the insurance company to make sure your car is repaired to “pre-loss condition”, not just the way the insurance provider wants.

5) Warranty, Be Sure Of The Warranty –
Insurance work is funny, oftentimes the insurance company will attempt to have the shop install “used” parts in an effort to save the insurance company money. Problem is that used parts often only have a 30 day warranty, leaving you on the hook, for expensive repairs, from day 31 on.

A quality shop will look out for your best interest, and press the insurance company to cover any repairs for at least 1 full year. Ideally, you want NEW parts installed on the car, rather than used, but your insurance company has to consent. There have been times, when we could not get an insurance company to agree to new parts, we suggested to the customer to pay the difference, just to assure a quality job…the difference is often surprisingly small. At Atlantic Motorcar, we warranty all service for 2 Years, Nationwide, you should expect nothing less.

Summary – This is just the tip of the iceberg, so if you have questions, please call. And remember, we are not knocking insurance companies or adjusters, we just want to show you have the game is played, the rules of the road if you will.

If you have questions relating to the repair of your car, please contact us. Likewise if you have experienced a loss, we’re happy to provide a fair, independent assessment of the damage, and offer a suggested course of repair. We’ll work directly with your insurance company to make the procedure painless, and simple!

At Atlantic Motorcar Center we’re all about relationships, with you, and your car! Let us know how we can help you.
(207) 882-9969
– Bruce and the AMC Service Team