499 East Old Country Road
Hicksville, NY 11801
516-822-3671
Engines
Your engine is the heart of your vehicle. There are almost as many types of engines as there are vehicles on the road. While engines have become more complex and computerized over time, the basics of engine repair are essentially the same. Of course, there are differences in engine sizes and configurations. Engines are also more efficient, and some are powered by electricity rather than gasoline. But, despite the changes, the basics are very similar.
Engine Mounts
Engines move and vibrate. There are many moving parts within an engine. To keep the engine safe and protect the rest of the car from vibrations, engines are connected to a vehicle through a series of engine mounts.
One part of the engine mount is connected to the vehicle's body, while the end is connected to the engine. Between the two ends is thick rubber material acting as a buffer between the engine and the body to act as a shock absorber reducing the vibrations felt due to the engine's normal operation.
To further absorb movement, engine mounts contain a hydraulic fluid to enhance the absorption ability of the mounts.
Since these mounts are constantly working and being moved and shaken, they wear out over time and need to be replaced. However, with their advanced technology and engineering, newer cars have mounts that can last longer than traditional mounts, which have a lifespan of about 5 – 7 years.
Universal or individual belts
One of the jobs of an engine is to power the multiple systems your car or truck needs. This is done through belts. Many cars have a single belt that powers all of the other systems. Many older vehicles have a series of belts that handled the same function. Systems powered through the belts include the alternator, water pump, power steering, air conditioner, and radiator fan. As with all moving parts, friction and heat come into play, and belts wear out and crack over time.
Newer belts are thicker made of stronger material, but they still do wear and break down. In addition, belts need to be tight to avoid slippage. A belt tensioner is a device that keeps the belts tight under pressure to the belts remain effective. If the belt tensioner is not working, belts can become loose or misaligned, causing issues with keeping your engine and the rest of the part of the vehicle operating properly.
Gaskets and Seals
Regardless of the type or style of engine, engine oil is used to keep all those moving parts running, reducing or even removing the friction caused by parts of the engine rubbing against each other. The Engine oil is kept in the engine through a series of gaskets and seals.
With the engine moving and vibrating as it does, these gaskets and seals wear out and become damaged over time leading to oil leaks. Leaking oil causes more problems than just stains on your garage floor. The loss of engine oil reduces the engine's efficiency and can lead to serious engine issues over time.
At Sonny’s Auto Repair, we pride ourselves on our knowledge of engines and our skill and experience in repairing and maintaining vehicle engines. We also pride ourselves on how we work with you. We always maintain our honesty and integrity.
Come to Sonny's Auto Repair
We will always give you the options available and tell you straight. We will also give you an honest and fair estimate of what it will take to fix your engine. So come to Sonny’s Auto Repair and keep your car running smoothly. Call us at 516.822.3671 or drop us a line here.