Columbia SC Auto Repair Pro on Troubleshooting Auto Heating Problems

A vehicle that doesn’t have heat can be awful when temperatures drop.  You need to begin troubleshooting your heating system is to see if heat is even being produced.  The Columbia, SC Auto Repair Pro shows you how to troubleshoot your heating system issues.

A failing heater could be caused by many things.   First you need to diagnose whether engine heat makes its way to the heater core.  This is how your heating system works.

How Your Automotive Cooling and Heating System Works

Your engine uses a blend of fuel and air to create mini-explosions.  These explosions make a lot of heat in your engine.  This extreme heat build-up is handled by your cooling system.  Your cooling system needs a properly working water pump to circulate a 50/50 blend of coolant and water through the engine.  The radiator releases part of the engine’s heat. Your thermostat decides when the engine needs to be cooled, making it another very important component of your cooling system.  Add some high temp rubber hose and a heater core to that and you have a heating system.  A heater core is like a radiator.  The heater core moves engine heat into your car, keeping you warm.  A fan blows over the heater core fins, moving that heated air.  So that is basically the functions and purposes of the cooling and heating systems. Now the Columbia SC Auto Repair Pro will do some troubleshooting to see why your heater isn’t working right.

Getting Heat?

Here is a simple test to see if your heater core is getting filled with the necessary heated coolant.  Drive at about 40 mph or so and turn on the heater.  Is there warmed air making it through?  Even a little will count.  A small amount of heat coming through indicates that the heater core is probably receiving hot coolant.

I Have Heat but It Won’t Blow

Now look at the heater fan.  Turn the switch on and check your vents.  Switch between the fan speeds and check the vents at each speed.  Sometimes a fan works only on some fan speeds.  If there is no heat blowing at all at any speed, I recommend checking your fuses.

No Heat at All

If no heat was detected during the heater core test, your heater core is not properly circulating.  Start with checking coolant levels.  If your coolant levels are good, you are probably looking at water pump issues or a defective thermostat. 

Have you been having recent issues with your car overheating? If not overheating, you need to check the thermostat.  A thermostat must open and close circuits within your cooling and heating systems.  When it gets stuck, either too much or too little coolant flows through the system.  Replacing a thermostat is pretty easy and considered a basic auto repair.

Click here for a detailed How To Replace Your Thermostat step by step tutorial.

If your thermostat is good, the issue is likely with the water pump.  Take a look at this piece by the

Columbia, SC Auto Repair Pro about When to Replace a Water Pump.

When you have problems with your auto’s heater and need a mechanic you can trust to look it over, come by our Columbia, SC auto repair shop.  We will fix your heater problems, cooling system trouble, or any other auto repair for all cars, foreign or domestic.  Our ASE Certified Master Mechanic will serve all of your automotive needs.  Contact us to set an auto repair appointment that fits your schedule.  Don’t get stuck in the cold!  Sanford’s Automotive Service provides the automotive cooling and heating system repairs you need now!

The Importance of Professional Auto Maintenance, Car Repair and Check-Ups

Autos are always an expensive investment, and can become even more expensive when future car or truck repairs and maintenance are factored in. If not taken care of well right from the start, you may not get another chance at keeping your auto running as well as it should. Having regular maintenance and automotive check-ups reduces the chances of getting pulled over for small vehicle violations like burnt auto bulbs, and increases your odds of finding auto problems before they require extensive or high cost auto repairs. Most importantly, regular professional auto maintenance and checkups will greatly reduces your chances of unexpected break downs leaving you in a bad situation on the side of the road.

A certified mechanic will perform a car or truck repairs with an expert hand, but will also inspect the entire car. Don’t wait for something to go terribly wrong. You should never take your vehicle to just any auto repair shop or mechanic. Think carefully about who you trust to perform your auto repairs and vehicle maintenance.

Professional automotive repair and maintenance means you should be dealing with a true expert in auto repairs. This does not mean that they are looking to charge you hundreds for a replacement or checkup like some may do. A true professional auto repair shop or reputable certified mechanic looks at every part of your car and makes sure that it is working as well as it can. A professional mechanic may want to have a look at the vehicle’s fluids, engine, brakes, tires, air conditioning and heating systems and possibly even your auto glass in some cases.

A mechanic checks often checks fluids for proper levels, normal color and viscosity, and to determine if there is any leakage occurring. Auto repair professionals will measure your coolant, oil, brake and transmission fluids. Proper inspection will make sure your automotive systems both holding fluids adequately and circulate properly.

A reputable mechanic may also want to take a look at your electrical connections and auto wiring. This is to determine if all of your automotive lights, blinkers, flashers and signal lights are properly attached and not worn or stripped away in areas. It is not uncommon for auto troubles to be attributed to things like damaged lines or badly worn cables, which could even cause fires in some cases.

Also to be examined is your brakes. Squeaky, squealing brakes may not cause an accident, but they do require an auto repair. Your auto repair shop can measure the pressure build-up, examine low pressure warnings, locate leaks in your air pressure system and see whether your brakes are responding as they should. Brake repairs of some type are needed on nearly every car or truck at some time or another.

As a final point, it is especially important to check your tires well.  There should be a visual inspection of your tires as well as a check on their air pressure. Underinflated tires heat up easily and reduce your car’s fuel efficiency. An auto repair shop or certified mechanic looks for cracks, damage or areas of excessive wear in the tires that might warrant tire replacement. Driving on bad or nearly bad tires reduces the traction between your tire and the road surface.  This increases your chances of having serious auto accidents.

Bringing your car in for maintenance, auto repairs or other auto servicing should not be simply about fixing a glitch. You need care for your entire car. You need an auto repair shop that cares about your vehicle as much as you do. Come to Sanford’s Automotive Service in Columbia, SC.  Our auto repair shop and ASE Certified Master Mechanic will be happy to service your auto, domestic or foreign.  Sanford’s has served the drivers of the greater Columbia area with the best auto service, superior customer service and affordable auto repair prices since 1989.

Rear End Differential Repairs w Columbia SC Auto Repair Pro

Need work on your rear end differential? Before you go in for rear differential repairs, check out our list of common signs that indicate rear differential problems.

 

Rear Differential Basics

The differential is in charge of distributing torque in the crankshaft to your car’s wheels.  Without a differential working, you auto is worthless. You need the rear differential to be able to transfer power from your engine to the wheels.

 

Signs of Rear Differential Trouble

The only real symptom of rear differential problems is noises.  The noises are created by friction, but unfortunately, they sometimes are not very noticeable.  They are often believed to be a tire noise and ignored.  Properly diagnosing rear end differential noises before it is entirely shot is always to your advantage.

 

Sounds of Rear Differential Problems

 

Rear Differential Humming Noises

Humming noises are usually the most common early sign that you have trouble.  Grinding gears within the rear differential causes this humming sound.  Low lubricant level is often the cause when discovered at this early a stage.  Sometimes some slight adjustments or an increase in lubricant levels will get things working again.  All of the gears in your rear end differential MUST work in total precision.  Over time, grinding gears will cause more extensive damage if not repaired or replaced.

 

Rear Differential Growling Noise When Turning

Once you are beyond just gear damage, your rear differential will growl.  It may sound like tire noise but differential growling is only heard while your vehicle is turning.  You are likely already looking at a permanently damaged ring and pinion.  This is where things get a bit serious.  Getting the ring and pinion replaced requires that you to get to a trusted auto repair shop, like ours in Columbia, SC.  If your differential problems worsen much before getting to your mechanic, the vehicle may potentially seize completely should the rear differential fail entirely.  The wheels stop turning, leaving your vehicle dead in its tracks.

 

Automobile Vibrations

By the time the rear differential causes vibrations, you are already too late.  Just prior to complete failure the rear differential can cause the automobile to vibrate, most often at high speeds.  The vibration could be felt in the floor, but usually occurs throughout the entire vehicle.  Once this has happened and your differential breaks down entirely, your ability to accelerate will be affected and fluids begin leaking.  At this point you need a tow to a reputable auto repair shop to get an entire rear end differential replacement.

Because of the importance of the rear end differential, always get it checked promptly if you suspect any trouble with the rear differential.  Catching this problem early on will save you cash and buy time.  Stop our auto repair shop to have your rear differential Checked out today.  To set an auto repair appointment to fit your schedule, call 803-735-7902.

 

Sanford’s Automotive Service has proudly served the Columbia, SC metro area with top quality domestic and foreign auto repair since 1989.  Sanford’s Automotive Service offers the auto repair experience you need and the superior customer service you deserve.

Temporary Radiator Hose Repair w Columbia SC Auto Repair Pro

Ever been broke down on the side of the highway, radiator hose spitting and steaming?  Yeah, it isn’t much fun.  While it won’t work for too long, this emergency roadside auto repair for your radiator hose will get you back home or to an auto repair shop.  Remember, this is a temporary emergency radiator hose fix and is by no means considered an actual auto repair.

Never perform cooling system work or radiator repairs on a hot vehicle!  This could cause serious burns resulting in hospitalization. 

When the vehicle has cooled enough for a closer look at the problem, you need to find the exact location of your leak.  If it is the radiator hose, this emergency auto repair can hold long enough to get you to a safe destination.  You need to locate the hole in the radiator hose and dry it off very well.  Next, grab a roll of duct tape!  Yes, duct tape.  If you don’t have any, it is found almost anywhere.  At worst, try finding a passing driver that may have some duct tape you could use.

With the radiator hose hole area completely dried off, get a strip of duct tape approximately 3 inches long.  Place this piece right over the hole in the radiator hose.  Press firmly to seal the hole.  Now smooth the tape on each side, starting from the center and smoothing it outward.  This will become a radiator hose patch.  Now use a much longer piece of the duct tape to secure the patch.  Secure the patch by beginning around two inches above the duct tape patch.  Wrap the longer duct tape strip tightly around your radiator hose.  Continue wrapping from two inches above the tape patch to about 2 inches below.  Wrap tightly and smooth it as you go.

With the radiator hose patched and tightly wrapped, check the radiator fluid levels.  Determine if there is enough coolant to get you to your destination.  If not and you can’t get to the usual cooling system blend you use, add enough clean, clear water to bring the level up.

As I have already said, this is merely a temporary, roadside emergency radiator repair.  A proper auto repair is still necessary, but this should emergency fix should get you home or to the auto repair shop or your mechanic.  While duct tape is great for many things, it will not be strong enough to contain the leak for long.

In the greater Columbia, SC area your best choice for all auto repairs is our auto repair shop, Sanford’s Automotive Service.  Our ASE Certified Master mechanic will take care of you and have you back on the road fast.  Sanford’s Automotive Service is proud to serve the drivers of the Columbia, SC area now and since 1989.  Just take Exit 71 off I-20 to our auto repair shop at 7917 Wilson Blvd. or call us at 803-735-7902 to schedule an appointment.

The Best Foreign and Domestic Auto Repair in Columbia SC at Your Service

We all know, not every auto repair shop is as good as the next.  A good auto repair shop or great mechanic is nothing without their customers.  I’d like to take a moment to thank all of the many, many customers that have allowed me to serve them since 1989.  We have worked hard to create happy, loyal customers here in our auto repair shop in Columbia, SC.  In recent years, we’ve worked to reach out to drivers across the country as we branched out online, doing our best to provide information that is important to any driver.  While I’m always happy to hear from satisfied customers from the Columbia area, I also love the comments and emails that come from the cyber world. 

For over 30 years, our ASE Master Certified Mechanic has been servicing your domestic and foreign auto repair needs.  Our blogs offer advice and how to tutorials on car repairs that can safely be done at home, with a little guidance of course.  As we continue to add more and more automotive related information and auto repair tutorials to our blogs, I wanted to make sure you knew where else you can find all of this great automotive info and mechanic tips.  

In addition to our blogs here and on Merchant Circle, our website offers all kinds of useful information.  You can learn more about the Columbia SC Auto Repair Pro, Mike Sanford, how to find our shop conveniently located off of I-20 on Wilson Blvd., or get all types of automotive related matter from tips to tutorials on the blog.  Our website is updated multiple times a week and you can also set an auto repair appointment there too!  Yes, I said an appointment.  Better yet, we will even set your auto repair appointment for a Saturday.  Just another of the many ways that we strive to make your auto repair experience as easy and stress free as possible.

Read the Columbia SC Auto Repair Pro Blog now!

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Sanford’s Automotive Service has been offering the greater Columbia metro area superior auto repairs and service at great prices since 1989.  We are located at 7917 Wilson Blvd., all you have to do is take exit 71 off of I-20 and you'll be the best shop for everything from exhaust and muffler repair, to brakes, oil changes, transmissions, rear end repair, or about any other type of foreign or domestic auto repair need you may have.  Contact us any time, online or by phone at 803-735-7902.