Case Studies

Tech Tip – Headlights – We’ve found it best practice that when replacing a failed headlight bulb, to replace both at the same time. Bulbs are typically of the same age and with today’s “Daytime Running Lights” most headlights are on anytime the engine is running, so they wear out much quicker. Replacing both bulbs at the same time will often save you from a repeat visit a short time later when the bulb on the other side of the car fails. We’ve found this especially true of the “H-7” bulbs used in the majority of Audi, BMW, Mini, Mercedes, Volvo and VW autos, service life for these bulbs can be as short as 12-18 months due to the design and demands of the daytime running light system.

There are exceptions to this rule, one would be with the HID or Xenon bulbs. HID bulbs last much longer, and while we generally do replace those individually for cost reasons, replacement in pairs is ideal. Pair replacement is recommended as when the HID bulbs age, the color temperature of the light shifts from a white to a more bluish tint. If only one bulb is replaced, there will be a noticeable difference in color between the two headlights, and a corresponding compromise in light output. White light is preferable as it provides greater light output, and hence road illumination.

What’s a Vanos? – Vanos is BMW’s name for its engine variable valve timing unit. Variable valve timing is a way of modifying the engine intake and/or exhaust valve opening/closing timing dynamically to provide improved engine performance.

What are the symptoms of a failing Vanos? Overall loss of torque and power, particularly in the lower RPM range, < 3k. Bogging then surging at 3k RPM. Uneven power distribution and RPM transition. Engine hesitations in the lower RPM range, < 3k. Louder idle and intermittent idle RPM hiccups. Difficult takeoffs. Loss of power and bogging when AC on. Increased fuel consumption. Double Vanos cars with the M52TU engine (98/99-00) experience cold weather cold start idle jolts and possible stall.

What are the benefits of repairing the Vanos? Overall increase in torque and power, particularly in the lower RPM range, < 3k. Resolution of bogging then surging at 3k RPM. Smooth even distribution of power and RPM transition. Resolution of engine hesitations in the lower RPM range, < 3k. Quiet stable idle. Smooth easy takeoffs. Improved performance when AC on. Reduced fuel consumption, by ~10%. Resolution of double Vanos M52TU engine (98/99-00) cold weather cold start idle jolts and possible stall.

Is there a good solution to the Vanos problem? To correctly address the Vanos problem the piston O-rings need to be replaced with O-rings made from higher grade material. We do need the car for a good part of the day, but will provide you with a complimentary loaner car. It’s prudent to change the valve cover gaskets during this repair since no added labor time is needed . You’ll be returned a BMW which has it’s “Vroooom” back, and is a joy to drive again.

There is a trend with many manufacturers to use so called “Lifetime” transmission fluids in their new cars. Audi, BMW and Mercedes have been doing this for years, Volvo more recently.The real question is what is a “lifetime”? If the lifetime of the car is the reference point, most owners will be sorely disappointed, for it seems to us that almost all of the fluids need service between 80-100K miles, far shorter than the lifetime of most European cars. While fluids and lubricants have doubtlessly improved over time, we suspect that the real reason for these “lifetime” fluids is the extended service intervals of new cars.

Often times the manufacturer will offer “free” service for the first 60K or so miles. So the “lifetime” fluid is just one way for them to lower their costs, you just pay the tab later. The program is great for the first 60,000 miles. The original owner will rave about the low maintenance car where he received 3 or so free oil changes & perhaps a brake service. A happy owner drives Consumer Satisfaction Scores up, more new cars are then sold, and the manufacturer is very pleased. Problem is, the next 60,000 miles. If the original owner keeps the car reality will set in pretty quickly, or worse, the car is sold, and now the new owner starts to pay the piper for the deferred service.

Over the last 10 years as we’ve noted the trend toward reduced or eliminated fluid services, we’ve also noted a corresponding increase in transmission and driveline problems. We have an expression here, “Oil is cheaper than metal.”, it is much less expensive to change fluids, even the synthetic fluids, than it is to replace parts. With full fluid service on a newer BMW or Volvo is in the $350 – $400 range, a transmission is in the $5,000+ range, its an easy decision to make! We service a great many new cars still in warranty, but we also have some higher milage units still going strong on 300,000 miles, so we know that fluid service, and preventive maintenance does work. We delight in taking folks into our shop to show them exactly what we’ve found. The more you know about your car, the better you can work with the folks helping you.

Where have we seen this one before? Another shop had done a timing chain replacement on this car about 18 months ago, but it appears that not everything may not have been done up to snuff. On disassembly the technician also found a defective/seized engine vacuum pump, which caused the chain to bunch up, and break the upper tensioner guide. A part of the broken guide fell down into the front of the engine, getting caught between the crankshaft sprocket and timing chain, locking up the engine, knocking the camshaft timing out of order, and leading to bent engine valves. The result is the same as tensioner failure, and upper engine tear down, inspection and rebuild was needed.

Be certain, if your Mini has noise from the timing chain area, that the complete update kit be installed, with the latest in factory parts, the service parts for this update are quite inexpensive, it’s the labor on this job that is the largest expense.

Great question one we often get is from folks who have had their tires “balanced” at another location, yet the steering wheel still shakes. This can be not only frustrating, but can actually damage your car! At 60 miles per hour, an average size tire rotates 850 times per minute. At this speed, slight variations in balance, sidewall stiffness or roundness can cause the wheel to literally slam into the pavement 14 times a second. The ultra-sensitive road feel of today’s vehicles gives drivers a hands-on detection of vibration, a warning of potential problems. Unchecked, excessive wheel vibration can result in expensive damages and unsafe driving conditions. Fortunately we can help, Atlantic Motorcar utilizes a Road Force Vibration Analysis System, one recommended by Mercedes Benz, to properly diagnose and correct tire vibration, the first time, every time.

So let’s talk about why traditional tire “balancers” simply can not find most causes of vibration and problems, we’ll list these below:

Misbalancing – Fully 60% of the balance issues we correct start with recently misbalanced tires – an untrained operator with uncalibrated equipment, and you have improperly balanced tires, despite what the machine is showing. Failure to clean dirt from the wheels, or non-removal old wheel weights are all secondary causes. You have to start with the fundamentals, if they are wrong, nothing else will make it right. You’d be surprised how often this is the case.

Excessive Road Force – A tire which has excessive “road force” or a high spot in the thread, this is perhaps the most common issue after equipment problems, and one which a tire balancer simply can not find. A tire which is truly not round will not roll smoothly down the road, and will ALWAYS vibrate, damaging both the tire, and expensive suspension parts on your car. This is a fault in tire construction, and can usually can only be cured with replacement.

Wheel Runout – A steel or alloy wheel can wobble, or have a “low or high spot” due to manafacurting problems, or road damage. Again, a traditional tire balancer can not find this issue, only a Road Force analysis system can do so. Nor do you want someone guessing when it comes to repair or replacement of expensive alloy wheels. We test, not guess, every time.

Conicity and Radial Tire Pull – This can be one of the more puzzling problems, and unfortunately we frequently see parts replaced needlessly, by shops not equipped with a Road Force System, in an attempt to deal with this problem. You’ll notice it as the car wants to “pull” or steer to the right or left with your hands off the wheel. This is not an alignment issue, and while it can be caused by low air pressure in the tire, the most common cause is something called “Conicity”. Conicity means the tire contact surface is cone shaped, rather than a cylinder, if you’ve ever rolled a cone shaped objet, you know they do not travel in a straight line, but rather in a circle. Likewise tires with conicity want to roll in a circle, causing your call to pull to one side.

In short, today’s cars require high tech equipment for proper service and equipment.

Control arm bushing replacement is a common repair in many Volvo models like S60, S80, V70, XC70, XC90, (BMW and Mini suffer the same fate, we can help here as well!) blame it on Maine’s rough roads. There two ways of doing this job: The Old Way – The first way is expensive, and frankly prone to failure, for it is not unusual to replace these parts again, often in less than 2 years due to road conditions. Also the Volvo dealer will ask around $800.00 for the repair.
The AMC Way – Think Outside The Box. Sometimes, different is better, and you know that we like to think outside the box. We noticed this problem, did our homework and came up with a better idea. In our new process, we utilize a superior quality bushing kit, and by replacing only the bushings, not the complete arm, we lower the cost of this job significantly.

Different Is Better – Atlantic Motorcar has invested in and developed a specialized process and tooling, that does this job at a considerable cost savings for our customers, while offering a better product! Yes, this requires the use of a precision hydraulic press, a superior bushing kit and a good amount of skill, but that’s nothing we lack at AMC. Results = Value – In the end, our customer’s get a much more durable product, and save a considerable amount of money, we call that “Value”. If you’ve ever driven a car with fresh replacement bushings, the difference is like night and day, the car tracks and handles like new…and like every service we offer, it comes with a full 2 Year Nationwide Warranty!
How We Can Help – If you suspect you may have this problem with your auto (and most over 60-80K miles do), a quick phone consult with one of our Friendly Service Advisors may be of assistance, we’re here to help.

Audi Clutch Failure – Even the newest and best maintained cars sometimes “break”, like this late model Audi A3. Low mileage, clutch pressure plate cracked right in half. Car was not driven hard or abused.
Successful repair protocol dictates that one understand the nature of the failure, so the causal factor can be eliminated, preventing a repeat occurrence. In this case, one is at a loss for a cause, other than bad “car karma”. 🙂

See the “gooey” yellow stuff? That’s not peanut butter, but rather engine oil and condensation/water which have mixed to form this sludge. New customers in today with this problem, 72k miles on the car, beautiful auto, but severe engine oil leakage and burning smell. You guessed it, a breather system in need of the update, and correction of subsequent oil leakage issues caused by the crankcase pressure. Thankfully we stock this kit, as we do most BMW parts, and our BMW techs were able to turn the car around in a timely fashion.

With the advent of cold weather we’re seeing this frequently on the BMW 2.5 and 3.0 liter engines. If you car has not been updated, you might want to give us a call, BEFORE the failure occurs. The update cost is minimal compared to the damage which can result. Our goal at Atlantic Motorcar, to provide the lowest possible cost by preventing problems first, rather than just repairing them.

Precautions
Here is how you can take some simple precautionary step to take:

1. Upgrade your Separator to the Cold Country Version: Even if it has not failed.
2. If you have no choice but to make short trips, try and take your vehicle on the freeway at least once per week, as this will help burn off condensation.
3. Avoid excessive idling or allowing the car to warm up.
4. Keep Your vehicle garaged at night, if possible, when the temps are very low.
5. Change your engine oil every 5,000-7,000 miles, always using full synthetic.