Archives for December 2023

Preventing European Car Engine Overheating in Brisbane

Learn about engine overheating in your European car with the friendly and expert team at Sommer Car Care in Brisbane. In this blog, we provide you with everything you need to know about how to stop your car from overheating. We will list common causes of overheating, explain potential engine damage, offer preventative measures, reference expert articles, outline maintenance tips and discuss statistics on cars overheating. For your peace of mind, speak to our team today to schedule a cooling system inspection.

Reasons for Car Overheating

Some common reasons for a car overheating are:

Coolant Level is Low

When your engine runs, the water pump forces coolant into the water vents, where it absorbs heat coming from the engine. Low or empty coolant levels are one of the most common causes of overheating. Check for leaks in your coolant tank, which can cause low pressure and air pockets in the coolant.

Damaged Fan

The fan at the front of your engine pushes air over the radiator to keep it cool. You may notice your car is overheating while idle, which might mean you have a damaged fan.

Damage to the Radiator

Your engine pumps coolant through the radiator so the fan can cool it down. If there is damage to the radiator fins, coolant can’t flow through the engine to cool it down.

What Damage Can an Overheating Engine Cause?

An overheating engine often leads to dangerous issues that can be expensive to fix, such as:

Engine Knocking

This is one of the most dangerous events that can occur when your engine overheats. Fuel can combust unpredictably inside the cylinder and cause a collision of flames, which can place a significant strain on pistons, rod bearings and rings.

Deforming Gaskets, Seals and Cylinder Heads

Gaskets, seals and Cylinder heads can withstand the pressure and heat of an operating engine. When your engine overheats, gaskets and seals can melt and deform, while cylinders can crack, requiring expensive replacements.

Cracked Engine Block

If your engine overheats, the metal of your engine block can expand and contract and cause cracks to appear. These cracks can cause leaks and a loss of compression.

How to Prevent Your Car from Overheating

If you know how to stop your car from overheating, you can apply your knowledge to take preventative measures, such as:

• Keep an eye on your temperature gauge
• Regularly check your coolant level
• Routinely inspect your radiator for damage
• Leave your air conditioner off
• Check your radiator or coolant tank for leaks

What the Experts Say

Experts agree routine inspections are the best preventative when looking at how to stop your car from overheating. Maintaining coolant levels and checking for leaks and damage will help to prevent any minor issues from developing into a problem that can cause overheating. Experts also recommend a coolant flush, because coolant can pick up dirt over time and clog the pipes.

If you need to repair the damage caused by an overheating engine, speak to the Sommer Car Care experts in Brisbane. Call today on 07 3171 8780 or contact us online.

Role of Timing Belts in Your Car’s Maintenance, Brisbane

If you require a timing belt replacement, the team at Sommer Car Care in Brisbane offers expert repairs and can provide you with information on maintenance. In this blog, we explain the function of this belt in your engine, outline the potential risks of it failing, provide guidance on intervals between belt replacements and reference the original engine manufacturer’s recommendations. Schedule a timing belt inspection or replacement with our team today.

H2: How Does the Timing Belt Work?

The timing belt acts similarly to a bike chain. It is a rubber belt with many teeth that lock into the cogs on the camshafts and crankshafts; it works by synchronising the movement between them. This allows the intake and exhaust valves of the engine to open and close in time with the pistons. Without this component, the engine will not function correctly.

H2: What are the Risks of Timing Belt Failure?

If you don’t arrange a timing belt replacement before it breaks, there are a variety of risks to your engine which can be both expensive and dangerous:

H3: Potential for Damage to Components

A broken timing belt can cause serious damage to the many elements in your engine, such as pistons and valves. Your engine will stop immediately, and subsequent repairs are often expensive.

H3: Risk of Losing Control While Driving

Belt failure can occur when you’re driving, potentially causing a serious safety risk to you and other drivers. This can result in costly repairs to your vehicle and to any other vehicles impacted by the incident.

H3: Broken Belts Can Cause Oil Leaks

Broken belts can cause the pressure inside your engine to change dramatically, which results in a strain on all the other components. This strain will cause parts to wear out faster or break, which can cause oil to leak.

H3: Reduce the Performance

If the belt skips or stretches, it can damage the fuel injectors, resulting in diminished performance and potential misfires. This can cause your vehicle to be unreliable until you can arrange a timing belt replacement.

H2: How Long Between Replacements?

Due to the many expensive and dangerous issues broken timing belts can cause, it is essential to replace them as soon as they’re due for replacement. Manufacturers typically suggest approximately 5 years or 100,000km between your belt replacements. As part of our regular servicing, our expert mechanics will inspect your belt for wear and tear, check for common timing belt warning signs and advise you on its condition. We can also arrange replacement at our state of the art Brisbane workshop.

What Does the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) say?

Manufacturers can differ when recommending how often you replace timing belts. Mercedes recommends around the 60,000km range, whereas BMW recommends as low as around 40,000km. Sommer Car Care’s expert mechanics are familiar with all European OEM recommendations and specifications for belt replacement and repair.

Arrange a replacement or repair of the timing belt in your European car with Sommer Car Care in Brisbane. Call our friendly team today on 07 3171 8780 or contact us online to schedule a service.