We love our engines
Quick Answer: Most modern BMW engines use a timing chain designed to last the life of the engine—but on certain models, especially early BMW N20 timing chain setups, design flaws and oiling issues cause premature wear. If you hear a cold-start rattle or see timing-related fault codes, stop driving and inspect the chain … Read more
It was 7:30 AM on a Tuesday in February, coldest day we’d seen in Atlanta that winter. My coffee was still steaming when Mrs. Johnson rolled her ’08 Honda Pilot into the bay, engine clattering like a toolbox down a flight of stairs. “It just started making this noise yesterday,” she said, but I knew … Read more
It was 7:15 on a Tuesday morning in early March, the kind of cold that makes your knuckles crack just looking at a wrench. A customer had towed in his wife’s 2013 Ford Escape, convinced the engine was toast. The tow truck driver and I both knew the sound before we popped the hood—that distinctive, … Read more
Quick Answer: Most Toyota Camrys from 2002 onward (all 4-cylinder models) and 2007 onward (V6 models) use a timing chain that typically lasts the life of the engine with proper maintenance. Older models (1990-2001 4-cylinder and 1990-2006 V6) have a timing belt that must be replaced every 90,000-100,000 miles, or sooner under severe conditions. Always … Read more
Quick Answer: An engine compression test measures the pressure in each cylinder to diagnose issues like worn piston rings, leaking valves, or a blown head gasket. A healthy engine should have compression between 125-175 PSI per cylinder, with no more than 10% variation between cylinders. The Day I Diagnosed a “Dead” Engine with a $40 … Read more
Quick Answer: Blue smoke exhaust is a classic sign your engine is burning oil. The culprit is usually worn valve seals or piston rings, but it could also be caused by a faulty PCV system, turbocharger issues (on turbocharged engines), or using the wrong oil viscosity. Ignoring it will lead to increased oil consumption, poor … Read more
It was a Tuesday morning in February, about 15 degrees outside, when a panicked customer rolled into the bay with his 2011 Chevy Silverado 5.3L. The oil pressure gauge was sitting dead at zero, and he’d driven three miles that way before noticing. I pulled the dipstick—bone dry. The engine was ticking like a time … Read more
Quick Answer: If your car stalls at idle—especially at red lights or when stopped—the most common culprits are a failing idle air control valve (IACV), vacuum leaks, a dirty throttle body, or a malfunctioning mass airflow sensor (MAF). Diagnosis starts with checking for error codes and inspecting hoses and sensors. Many fixes are DIY-friendly and … Read more
Quick Answer: Oxygen sensor failure usually shows up as poor fuel economy, rough idle, or a check engine light. Most O2 sensors last 80,000–120,000 miles. Replacement is typically a moderate DIY job costing $80–$250, versus $250–$600 at a shop. That Cold Morning When the Check Engine Light Wouldn’t Quit It was a gray Tuesday morning, … Read more
Opening: The Day the Engine Started Stuttering It was a sweltering July afternoon in the shop, the kind of heat that makes even the most seasoned mechanics slow down and grab an extra Gatorade. I was elbow-deep in a Toyota Camry’s timing cover when my service writer, Jake, walked in with that look—the one that … Read more