How Do You Know When You Have a Blown Head Gasket?

A blown head gasket can be very bad news. It’s very expensive to fix and in this article we will provide symptoms so you can keep an eye out on your vehicle. The above picture displays how coolant has made it's way into an engine's cylinders resulting from a blown head gasket.

Overheating

The biggest cause of a blown head gasket is overheating. Before replacing the gasket, it’s vital that you find the cause of the overheating problem. It could be due to coolant leaks in the engine, the hoses, the radiator or the water pump. These have to be found and repaired. It could also be due to the cooling fan not working or the radiator being clogged. Again, these need to be fixed or, you’ll end up with another blown head gasket again shortly after your repair leaving you on the side of the road.

IF YOUR EXHAUST SHOOTS WHITE SMOKE OUT IT COULD BE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET

Installation Error

If you have had a blown head gasket replaced on your vehicle and you solved the problem of why it blew in the first place, the likely cause this time will be installation error. This is not particularly uncommon. When head gaskets are installed the head bolts need to be tightened in the correct sequence and set to the proper torque. They also need to have clean threads and are not stretched or damage during installation. The cylinder head surfaces and engine block also need to be smooth, clean and flat. Any one of these factors can cause a blown head gasket. 

Hot Spots

There are engines that are prone to hot spots between the center cylinders in the cylinder head, although aftermarket head gaskets for these engines are reinforced to lessen the possibility of a blown head gasket.

However, if you have an older car, the hot spot could be the cause especially if your old head gasket has been replaced by the aftermarket one that’s not reinforced.

Pre-ignition Problems

Pre-ignition problems can cause a blown head gasket, especially if you only use your car for city driving. With pre-ignition, there’s a hot spot in the chamber which causes ignition of the fuel before the spark plug has a chance to fire. It could also be due to detonation. This happens if the spark timing is too advanced or the fuel mixture is not rich enough. It causes carbon deposits to build up and ultimately erodes and blows the head gasket.

Bad Head Gasket

In some cases, the original head gasket for the car can just be very badly designed and the poor design can cause a blown head gasket over a period of time. A little research will establish if your vehicle is prone to poor designs, once you replace it t with a good head gasket, you should not experience any further failures.

HERE IS A VIDEO OF A PRESSURE TEST SHOWING A BLOWN HEAD GASKET

Rick's Complete Automotive

6560 Railroad Ave. 

Forestville CA 95436

(707)887-1641

Eco-Friendly Auto Care

Honest-1 Auto Care proactively takes extraordinary steps to protect our environment by helping our customers maintain the most efficient and safe vehicles possible. By maintaining a vehicle in good working condition they will experience increases in fuel economy as well as reduced emissions. This can have a positive impact on our environment.

More importantly we go beyond basic standards and expectations of auto care facilities and take additional measures to protect our environment now and into the future. While offering exceptional service programs for our customers to choose from, we also offer specialized, ECO-Friendly Auto Care services for those that want to play a greater part in helping the environment. An example of one of these programs is the ECO-TuneUp that includes a 21 point inspection, the use of synthetic oil, lifetime oil and air filters, platinum spark plugs, replacing spark plug wires, ECO 360 fuel treatment, and tire pressure evaluation.

Additionally, through the Honest-1 Auto Care ESA (Environmentally Sustainable Actions) Program we employ responsible ECO-Friendly Auto Care standards and practices in four primary categories:

• Pollution Prevention
• Recycling
• Resource Conservation
• Offering and Promoting Eco-Friendly Auto Care^® services

That is why Honest-1 Auto Care^® is the responsible choice of consumers.

Merguiars vs Turtlewax, Mer forum discussion. Enjoy the discussion then

1st post:

Turtle Wax ICE Spray Detailer Review

I went ahead and gave this product a try because it was on sale at my walmart.


Design:
I like the actual bottle and trigger design, just as good as UQD. The ICE Sprays more than it mists.

Application/Removal:
The application required the flip of the MF to remove product, where as UQD just needs one swipe as you apply. It also leaves smearing if overused, sort of like a wax.

Water Beading:
The water did sheet and bead, but not nearly as good as UQD. UQD produces many very small tight, tiny beads that are even on the surface where as the ICE just had random large beads and didn't sheet very well.

 And with UQD, it is very small tight beads (which I prefer). I guess it's just opinion:

Look:
It did make the paint pop, but again, not as good as UQD does...

Smell:
The product actually smelled pretty good, but not as good as UQD.

Price:
As far as price though, I got 32oz bottle for only 6 dollars.
Where UQD is 22oz for 10 dollars.


Out of 5, I give the product a 3

It doesn't compare to UQD, or any other Meg's Detailer...
I don't recommend buying it unless it's on sale and since it's cheaper you could use it at least once a day and not affect your wallet.


Below are all the responds:

Re: Turtle Wax ICE Spray Detailer Review

I actually used to love this product until they changed the trigger(I bought one when they first came out) Like you mention i doesnt really mist and mine foams and then i noticed the smearing, i just threw mine away i was disappointed.

Re: Turtle Wax ICE Spray Detailer Review

I haven't used the detailer, but I do really like the ICE microfiber polishing towels and their drying towel. It's nice to be able to just go to Wal-Mart and find some better than decent towels.

Re: Turtle Wax ICE Spray Detailer Review

Great Review!!
Although there may be some bias, but it is okay.
I liked the Spray Detailer and that is all I liked from the ICE line.
I did a good job and helped with "wax".

Re: Turtle Wax ICE Spray Detailer Review

I have a bottle and it worked pretty good for me, also have a bottle of MOTHERS Showtime,Wax Shop Slick Stuff HD and KIT PearlGlo as well as the UQD,all seemed to work as advertised, No bias here I like to try them all

Re: Turtle Wax ICE Spray Detailer Review

I though that Turtle Platinum spray was better then Turtle Ice spray.

Re: Turtle Wax ICE Spray Detailer Review

I actually prefer the look of the ICE over UQD. I have a white vehicle and, in my opinion, the paint just pops a bit more. The reason that I buy UQD is for the hydropholic properties and that I can stock up when Target has a sale on UQD bottles.

The TW Ice claykit is actually pretty decent as well. The Liquid Claybar portion is fairly worthless but the clay and lube provided does a decent job on contamination removal.

*********************Pity right?************************
most of the time that I found out the negative review have Merguiars product along with them.But basically Merguiars is much more expensive than turtle. And only turtle have basic grade wax such as hardshell to higher grade platinum, nano extreme and ice to serve multiple categories of consumer.
Is there any one side bias review? I had been enjoying the hard shell. let see more information below:

from detailing world forum:

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonyy Hello,I have one question about the waxes of Turtle wax,is this a good staf or..?Today I look at Turtle wax original hard shell shine wax, the green bottle,enione tried it?

It's not bad, out of that and car pride hard wax, I would choose the car pride, if you must stick with TW, then I would suggest the Platinum, here is a pic of the results the cleaner wax you are reffering to can do

 I will suggest audience to have a look at a more neutral review as below:
http://www.mustangworld.com/ourpics/News/ice_review_07/index.htm

We gave the new Turtle Wax ICE system a review, but before we start we have to ask you how may times you have read the claim "leaves no powdery residue" before ?

Well you may be pleased to know that we found all the ICE products leave absolutely NO (zero) powdery residue of any kind.

We are talking not even a tiny microscopic amount of powder residue is left anywhere... nothing... Which is amazing because we read this on other products, but still see traces of powder after we use them...but with ICE, the claim is 100% true.. ZERO powdery residue. Finally some truth in advertising.. haha.

Ok lets begin...

 In fact....yes. this is awesome. !

Turtlewax legend of hard shell- The easier and affordable protection!

Nothing much to say but the picture tell. To get a budget price with enough of protective of surface.
Here is it the Hardshell... it had been the legend . time tells~~ yo.
That's why i like it, cheap and easy.

 

 I had been using it for my own car..and sometimes shine is not as complicated as mirror reflection but the simple clean and shine which can be delivered to anyone car. as easy as possible. Just that's it.
The main reason I have my great time with turtlewax hardshell is that I need the conservative way to protect my car and let it shine as per normal instead of purposely to create it an extra-ordinary outlook. A very good information HERE for us to understand more(About: Paintwork Correction or Paintwork Preservation ).
I'm a driver who have no luck to modify my car at all, I just want it to be original. Hence in this body car of my car, I wish it shine at the most safety way as possible.
When I reach here, don;t catch me wrong that I like car detailing as well. But not what we think as the trendy car detailer thought.


Here it is. My Turtlewax hardshell paste.Just finish it .....

But let say for us to have a full protection with enough of economical budget for our car, hard shell is always the legend to offer this price tag to our consumer. 

Let see what we have with hardshell and buget protection for our car:

 First thing, a must have from me, hehe.. The legend . The turtle hardshell paste. Economic and enough for a great shine.

 Secondly, for faster application to car body of for those who like easier waxing than paste wax. Here it is, the liquid hard shell!!

 Not to left out this! the Turtlewax Express shine. This is very cool. fast enough to show fast shine, apply and wipe away. so easy so easy....just that easy and fast. that's way it said: Express shine.

 Let say If I'm busy for some weekend stuff to do, I need to cut down some waxing time. This will help alot...! wet wax. skip the wax curing time. Hence for times we are busy. Have this one
 when we are short of time~~













But what is the best match to perform the waxing?
OK. 1 hard shell paste/liquid for base application after wash and clay. then follow up with a coat of express shine. And this will cover for weeks to months depend on your car is a garage keeper or hot sun babe~~
I will suggest to get wet wax for who don't have enough time to spend on wax or want thing fast. But don;t forget, express shine is always a good topper for all kind of wax product.  Enjoy!

And This is still bead-ing of rain after days I applied. Still awaiting the next weekend to wax it again! IT just so fun to do it at the same time enough budget for me to make this hobby easy!!   ^0^

Turtle wax(Malaysia)- color retore

Color restore for old car?!! yes. it is possible.

visit youtube here

When Range Rover air suspensions go flat

Last week we received a 2005 Range Rover for service.  It had two observable symptoms – the suspension would go flat, and the suspension warning light was on.  We scanned the car using the Land Rover test system, and read several faults.

We got a long time to charge suspension fault, a rear height sensor fault, and a low voltage fault.  That’s when things got complicated.  The car obviously had multiple issues. What now?

When you see a long time to charge fault in a six year old Range Rover, it usually means the compressor is worn out.  The question is – why?  Compressors on these trucks wear out on their own, but they also wear out because of leakage (it overworks them and kills them even quicker.) As a service person we have no way to know what’s happening.  We have to change the compressor and see what happens.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t a simple one step fix.  The compressor contains electronics, and it has different running parameters from the original unit.  We didn’t discover that until we opened the replacement part. Carmakers do that – they supersede parts without warning, and we service people just have to roll with it.  We installed the compressor, and got a new fault.  After a call to LR Tech Support, we learned that new software was needed in the controller, but the controller might not be compatible. 

 That took us to the second problem – the battery voltage.  Software programming is a power-intensive process.  That’s why you always have to have your laptop connected to AC power when doing an update.  For the car, we need a strong battery.  So we proceeded to change it. It's very common for a car with a single issue in the customer's eyes to have multiple underlying causes.

With a good battery in place we did the software download – and presto – Nothing!  Another call to techline confirmed the original suggestion – not all control units accept the new update.  The solution – a car-wide update, which we are waiting to receive and load.

If that cures the problem, we are done with this step.  If it doesn’t, the car will need a new suspension controller as well – one that runs the latest software and controls the new compressor – which is the ONLY compressor they now sell.  This is truly a situation where additional layers of troubleshooting and repair reveal themselves as we go.

Once this situation is resolved, we still have to solve the height sensor problem.  Once again, it’s a step by step thing.  A new sensor may be the answer, but the sensor fault may be an artifact of something larger – leakage from an airbag, or even intermittent connections from a corroded wire harness.  When a car is 5-6-7 years old, anything is possible.

What’s the takeaway message from this story?  Don’t ever ask “How bad can it be?” because even a simple seeming problem can expand or resist resolution for a long, long time with the complexity of today’s cars.  All we can know is what the fault codes tell us. Owners believe they point straight to an answer, but they seldom do.  More often than not, the codes reveal multiple problems, and the solutions – as seen on this truck – may themselves be sequential processes.  There is no way for us to know what it will take to reach the endpoint – a fixed car – until we are there.

That is the unfortunate reality of computerized automobiles.

We tend to see a lot of situations like that at Robison Service, because our reputation causes motorists to see us as the shop of last resort.  We often get the cars no one can fix, and I’ve yet to have one of these vehicle beat us.  But they can be challenging, to be sure.

Have you got a problem you can't solve, on a Land Rover, Range Rover, BMW, Mercedes, or Jaguar? GIve us a call at 413-785-1665 or find us online at www.robisonservice.com

John Robison

Honest-1 Auto Care Becomes Only Auto Care Concept Ranked On Franchise Business Review’s Annual Satisfaction List

Success Fuels Auto Care Company to Open 15 New Units In 2013 As Part Of Expansion Plans

Honest-1 Auto Care (Honest-1), the only national full-service auto care company that is 100 percent ESA® Certified Eco-Friendly, today announced its inclusion in the eighth annual Franchise Business Review's 2013 Franchise Satisfaction Awards (FBR50). The FBR50 is the only awards program to rank companies based solely on actual franchise satisfaction.

The list, which was based on a survey of more than 26,000 franchisees representing over 350 franchise brands, put Honest-1 at number 25 for brands with less than 50 units, making it the only auto care company on that list. The auto care company, backed by system-wide sales growth in 2012 up 35 percent, an unheard of growth rate for the auto care industry, retains a 76.2 percent satisfaction rating amongst its network of franchisees, well above the 2012 industry average of 67.4 percent.

“We are thrilled to be chosen as one of Franchise Business Review’s FBR50 this year as it helps validate the principles that make Honest-1 tick,” said Rissy Sutherland, COO of Honest-1 Auto Care. “The only way to grow as an organization is to provide your staff with the resources and leadership necessary to excel. In 2013, the scope of our growth positions us to take our company to the next level.”

Franchise Business Review’s survey includes 33 benchmark questions relating to the franchisee’s experience and satisfaction as well as market area, business lifestyle and other demographic characteristics. Collectively, these findings put Honest-1 on the list.

Aiming to fix the auto care customer experience, Honest-1 took the time to re-define how the entire experience should look and feel, from the customer service members at the front desk to the waiting areas and top-quality amenities available while customers wait. Honest-1 is not only the best option for all consumer bases who need all scopes of service work, from basic oil changes to full transmission diagnostics and complete auto repair services, but one that any car owner would feel comfortable spending time in. Plus, Honest-1 utilizes technology to review repairs with their customers by showing the customer their vehicle and service issue in 3D interface so that they can visually see their vehicle needs, and not just hear it from their customer service manager.

Over the past year, Honest-1 has signed development deals for 90 units through an aggressive Region Developer (RD) concept. In 2013, the RD’s signed into the system are working to develop a minimum of 15 units in five major markets.

“For us, we see a synergy between franchisee satisfaction and location growth,” said Chip Baranowski, Vice President of Franchise Development for Honest-1 Auto Care.  “Our nationwide footprint is pretty diversified, but we know now is the time to strategize our next growth objective. With locations in the Southwest, Northwest, the Rockies, Midwest and East Coast, we are primed to develop additional locations throughout the country.”

Honest-1 Auto Care plans to expand into markets around the country including, Phoenix, Atlanta, Nashville, Indianapolis, Miami, Orlando, Raleigh, Charlotte, Michigan, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Denver, and many others. For more information about Honest-1 franchising, visit www.h1franchise.com.