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Head Gasket Reality!

Head Gasket Reality!

Recently we had a 2008 Dodge Avenger in the shop. The customer’s complaint was that there was a “coolant leak”. They stated that there was coolant leaking from the radiator cap. During inspection, our tech determined that there was a blown cylinder “head gasket”. The head gasket seals the engine block and the cylinder heads. When the engine over heats, has excessive miles or is just getting old, the head gasket breaks down and can leak. When there is a leak in the head gasket fluid can get out and it is now considered “blown”. Many people know that a “blown head gasket” is bad and expensive but they don’t know why. It’s easy to question why one gasket can affect so many components but this really is the case. Since the head gasket seals some of the most essential pieces of the engine it needs to be in working order at all times or the engine fluids can leak, combine or let contaminants in. This was the case for this veh ... read more

Working the Social System

Check out this article I found on the optimization of your Google+ account: Click here! Also check out our Google+ page for more fun articles and posts

ATE 2015 as a Team

ATE 2015 as a Team

So, this past weekend our team had the privilege of attending the 2015 Automotive Training Expo, also known as simply ATE by local automotive professionals. ATE is a weekend event here in the Pacific North West that caters to independent auto shop owners and their teams. There are management and technical classes as well as lots of time for meeting new and interesting people in the industry after class time is over. Technicians are able to pick the brains of other techs and owners are able to recruit trainers to come help improve their shops. Service writers are able to take classes to ensure they have the skills to offer the best customer service around! Bud’s is so lucky to have an owner who believes in constant and continuing growth. With key note speakers at each event meal, every team member was offered new perspectives and a chance for open discussion with different teams. The keynote speakers were just the icing on the cake as far as Bud’s team was concerned though ... read more

Battery Corrosion

Battery Corrosion

This is what an overly corroded battery looks like. This happens naturally over time on vehicle battery terminals. Since you check your oil with every gas/fuel fill up (or, you should be at least!), you should also be keeping an eye on the amount of corrosion that’s building up on your car or truck battery. There are solvents that we can use here in the shop during a battery maintenance service that will help slow the corrosion process but nothing that can prevent it 100%. It is sometimes suggested that vehicle batteries are good for 5 years. We don’t believe this is the case. That 5 year life span is set by the manufacturer with the battery only being used to start the vehicle. This does not take into account any “extras” being turned on, you know, the computer systems, the lights and radio, those extras. Since most of us use those optional and non-optional items, we should really be changing our battery every 3 years. Bud’s suggests changing your battery ... read more

Subaru Sales Mean More Maintenance

Subaru Sales Mean More Maintenance

Subaru of America reported that over all Subaru sales increased by 24% from January 2014 to January 2015 with it being the 38th consecutive month of month-over-month growth. This is awesome news for teams like ours who consider ourselves Subaru specialists! With the report of seven million Subaru’s sold in the US we are excited to be able to offer maintenance and repairs to one of the fastest growing vehicle makes. Americans buy Subaru’s for the rugged abilities and for the fact that if you keep up on your maintenance, a Subaru will keep you on the road safely for a very long time! Most vehicles have their quirks and usually end up with specific maintenance needs. While we have talked about how some of the older Subaru’s have issues with head gaskets, the newer models haven’t shown the same predictability. While talking to Branden, one of our Subaru specialists, he gave us a few things to share with you. 1. Remember to have your cabin air filter changed every ... read more