Burbank Auto Repair

The serpentine belt is a long, snake-like belt under the hood that transports the power necessary to run your vehicle's accessories, like your alternator, power steering pump, water pump, A/C compressor, and more. Sometimes, it can be referred to as the accessory belt or fan belt. The serpentine belt typically has a v-shaped ribbing that runs vertically, and you can find it on the crankshaft outside the engine. Because the serpentine belt is made of rubber, it will age over time and need replacing. A serpentine belt should not be a part you wait to break before giving it attention. Otherwise, it can severely damage the engine and surrounding parts. If the serpentine belt shows signs of wear and tear, it would be wise to ask your mechanic when you should replace it. Some of the signs of wear and tear for a serpentine belt include: Physical evidence (fraying, glazing, cracking, tearing, etc.) Dim or faint vehicle lighting A dashboard warning light comes on Performance loss (bat ... read more

An automotive oxygen sensor, or O2 sensor, is responsible for detecting the oxygen levels in your exhaust gases. The sensor measures it and sends this information to the car's computer to ensure a smooth and controlled combustion process. Without it, your car would be running very inefficiently and even dangerously in some cases.   The automotive O2 sensor is a small piece that you find in most cars, SUVs, and trucks nowadays. It prevents engine knocking, which occurs when the engine misfires or fires too soon before burning the air and fuel mixture. The sensor prevents engine damage by measuring and allowing the correct oxygen levels.   Oxygen sensors are commonly located in the exhaust pipe to monitor combustion efficiency in an engine. Their position is to return some of the air that burned with high-temperature oxygen gas during the process. The sensor uses a heated wire or platinum wire as its heat source and ejects a low-current electrical cue in response to shi ... read more

It is essential to make sure your car is ready to cruise smoothly on roads during the stubborn winter season. To do this, you'll need to have a maintenance checklist. Read on to discover some of the activities you can include in the checklist.   Check All Fluids Checking to make sure that your car’s fluids are topped off and in good condition can help prevent breakdowns and vehicle trouble during the holiday season.    Battery Check During low temperatures, chemical reactions in the battery slow down when restarting the car. It can, in turn, be hard to ignite your car since the battery needs more current to start the engine. Running a battery load test is important because you can see if it has enough Sulphuric acid and distilled water to enable the car to start during low temperatures. Additionally, check the battery cables and terminals if they have a crack and ensure Sulphuric acid and distilled water is full to the re ... read more

Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Oil Level Sensor Maintaining your car is similar to keeping your body healthy, you have to understand what it needs and don’t ignore warning signs. When it comes to engine oil, it acts like blood, circulating through the engine making sure all its moving parts run smoothly for hundreds of thousands of miles. Any type of combustion motor, whether it is a 4 cylinder or V8, requires a certain amount of oil to keep metal parts properly lubricated. With old, excess or low amounts of oil, serious damage can occur to the engine. To avoid that issue, every car is equipped with an oil level sensor, notifying the driver when oil levels are unusual. Where Is My Oil Level Sensor Located? Your car’s oil level sensor is located inside the engine’s oil pan, where it is placed to measure the amount of oil prior to starting the engine. Depending on the car, many oil level sensors are accessible towards the lowest point of the oil pan from ... read more

All vehicles come with sets of shocks or struts, which make up your suspension system. Both are in charge of giving you a steady ride and more control of your vehicle. With such an important job, are the warning signs of suspension failure? You feel excessive bouncing, rolling, and shaking when driving, especially on bumpy roads or elevated tracks, requiring you to alter your steering. Irregular tire wear is a major warning sign of worn suspension. Old shocks and struts will keep your tires from making proper contact with the road. You might also experience steering wheel vibration or shuddering, even on smooth roads. Old suspension parts will make your vehicle pull to one side. Lastly, a common sign of worn suspension is a greasy or wet appearance on or near your shocks and struts. To further confirm that you require suspension replacements, you can try the trusty bounce test. To perform the test, all you have to do is push down on each corner of your car using your body weight ... read more