Walnut Creek Auto Repair

Over time, Mini models may experience failure of their automatic transmission. Without a transmission, you cannot go anywhere in your vehicle. An automatic transmission is classified as a multi-speed transmission that is routinely used in a motor vehicle that does not require a driver's effort or attention to change gears. This automatic transmission consists of many moving parts that must work together to successfully change gears as you either speed up, slow down, or need to reverse your Mini Cooper. Commonly reported automatic transmission failure warning signs Finding yourself stranded with a failing or failed automatic transmission in your Mini Cooper can be quite frustrating. Not only does this leave you stuck with a vehicle that cannot go anywhere but it also leaves you with a lingeri ... read more

BMW’s are known for their optimal performance and safety and are one of the most sought-after vehicles on the road. Unfortunately, they are not without their faults. BMW’s are known for developing lifter ticking issues with their hydraulic valve lifter. Lifter ticking issues can start off as a low and easy to miss noise coming from your engine. But it can develop into an annoying sound heard every time you start your vehicle and in intermittent frequencies as you drive. While it may not seem like much of a problem other than the annoying ticking & clicking, lifter ticking issues can signify or cause other problems with your vehicle. Let’s dig into the purpose of the hydraulic valve lifter, causes of lifter ticking issues, and what to do when experiencing this issue.   The Purpose of the Hydr ... read more

Oxygen sensors on the German-engineered Porsche serve an essential purpose in the vehicle’s performance. After many years in production, the Porsche brand remains one of the world's most regarded sports cars. With the advent of the fuel injection system, the reliability in Porsche's performance grew. The oxygen sensor still plays a large role in that dependability. In this article, we will look at the oxygen sensor, its purpose, and when it should be replaced in your Porsche. Purpose of an Oxygen Sensor All combustion engines run off of the ignition of a mixture containing a precise amount of fuel and oxygen. There are two O2 (oxygen) sensors located on the Porsche. These measure the car’s engine’s exhaust gases and report back to the computer system. This onboard computer controls the air and fuel mix. The O2 sensors will ... read more

In tip-top shape, an Audi is a joy to own and ride. Its modern features and performance rank it right up there with other luxury vehicles. However, when things start to wear and tear or an accident causes damage, you may run into some performance issues. A leaking valve cover is one of those annoying defects that starts out with mild issues that can become serious and possibly dangerous down the line. If you suspect your Audi’s valve cover is leaking even a little bit, you should get it to our licensed mechanics as quickly as possible. Your Audi's Valve Cover The valve cover (also called a rocker cover) is an important part of your engine. Made of either plastic or metal, this component is bolted to the top of the cylinder head. The small gap that exists between the head and the cover is sea ... read more

Known as one of the most luxurious sport utility vehicles, your Land Rover is the perfect blend of utility, design, and off-road capability. Offering a high-quality interior, powerful engine, excessive storage space, strong towing capacity, and amazing safety features, this vehicle is made for drivers who want it all. While your Land Rover is in the top of its class, it is not immune to mechanical or engineering issues that can sometimes plague automobiles. One component that can commonly cause issues in your vehicle is the fuel pressure regulator. It is important to be aware of problems that may arise due to a malfunction of this component. So, how do you know if your Land Rover fuel pressure regulator needs repair? First, let’s look at exactly what the fuel pressure regulator is and the important purpose it serves. The regulator helps to maintain the fuel pressure in an electric fuel injection system. Si ... read more

  The coolant is an important part of your BMW. It is responsible for helping keep the radiator, and therefore the engine, from overheating while you drive. BMW owners can top off the coolant on occasion if it runs out after prolonged driving. But if the coolant seems to run out quickly or there are other warning signs of a coolant leak, then consider visiting a reputable BMW repair shop to diagnose the problem and get repairs. Car owners of a BMW need to recognize the common signs of coolant leaking in their car. This will ensure they make it to a licensed mechanic to fix the problem right away before it damages your BMW. Common Signs of Coolant Leaking Car owners will notice several common signs when coolant starts to leak from their BMW. Some of the more noticeable signs include: Overheating: When the coolant runs out, there is no refrigerant to keep the engine from overhea ... read more

    Cruise control is a fantastic feature of your car that comes in handy on long road trips. With the simple press of a button, you can control your car’s speed and give your foot a much-needed break from the gas pedal. The last thing you want to be dealing with is cruise control failure while on the highway. With that in mind, let’s discuss the purpose of your vehicle’s cruise control system, signs and causes of cruise control failure, and where to go when your cruise control encounters problems. Purpose of Cruise Control Cruise control is a handy feature on your vehicle that is a helpful tool for road trips and driving on highways. It helps ease the foot fatigue that comes with pressing on the gas pedal after so many hours of driving on the highway. When you initiate cruise control, the system locks the gas pedal into position to ... read more

The fuel pump is an essential piece of your car. Its function is to send gasoline from your tank to your engine fuel components. The fuel pump is usually electric and is located inside the fuel tank. It creates pressure in the fuel lines, pushing gas to the engine. This pressure raises the boiling point of gasoline. Signs Your Fuel Pump is Leaking Most fuel pumps have a hole in the bottom. When the fuel pump leaks, gas escapes from this hole to other parts of the car, causing an array of problems. A fuel leak will have a gasoline smell to it, which contains carbon monoxide and can be very dangerous when inhaled. Below are some common symptoms of a fuel pump leak: ●      Gasoline Smell: The fuel system in your car is sealed. If there is a leak in the fuel pump, this allows the smell of gasoline to permeate into the cabin a ... read more

If your car runs on gasoline, it has spark plugs. (For diesel and electric vehicles, spark plugs aren’t used.) The way an engine runs is by delivering a spark to compressed fuel and air. This happens within four, six, or eight different cylinders, one spark plug for each cylinder. The spark plug receives voltage from the ignition system, allowing them to fire when the cylinder has maximum compression of air and fuel in it. The spark plug ignites the air in the cylinder, and the engine creates forward motion as a result of that explosion   6 Signs of Spark Plug Failure Spark plugs fire thousands of times a minute. Normally, they operate perfectly, allowing your engine to run smoothly. But eventually, after about 50,000 to 100,000 miles on average, you’ll encounter sp ... read more

Your vehicle’s check engine light is perhaps its most powerful warning system, as it can notify you of problems ranging from a loose gas cap to engine overheating. Unfortunately, because the check engine light can respond to such a wide variety of issues, it can sometimes be challenging to know how to react when it turns on. To help you with this challenge, here are a few key steps that work for responding to check engine light illuminations regardless of the source of the problem.   Don’t Panic If your vehicle’s check engine light comes on while you’re driving, don’t panic. And unless the vehicle is showing other signs of engine failure, such as smoking or clunking noises, don’t pull over immediately, either. Inst ... read more