Car Repairs – Excel Automotives Chesterfield

Engine Not Running Correctly

Symptoms

• Partial or complete loss off engine power
• Vibrations through vehicle body and steering wheel
• Odour from the engine bay
• Unusual noise

How To Fix

Isolate the problem by determining if the issue is fuel, electrical or mechanical related.

• Vibrations through your vehicle body could suggest your engine pistons or crank shaft which is a very expensive job.
• Odours indicate a possible cylinder head gasket failure. Check your water reservoir for signs of oil or scum.
• If you hear noises check visually around your engine bay for any debit or objects fouling your engines external moving parts such as belts and pulleys.
• Check you have a spark at all of your engines spark plugs. If not check the spark plug lead and coil pack.

Engine Wont Start

Symptoms

• When you turn your ignition key to the start position your engine does nothing
• When you turn your ignition key to the start position your engine turns over very slowly but does’t start.
• When you turn your ignition key to the start position your engine turns over at normal speed but does’t start.
• When you turn your ignition key to the start position your engine turns over unusually fast but does’t start.

How To Fix

Determine if the issue is fuel, electrical or mechanical related.

• If you cant hear your engine turning over check your starter motor and battery power output.
• If your battery and starter are good but your engine doesn’t turn look at wiring loom connections, electrical relays and possible ECU faults.
• If your engine turns check for a spark at the spark plugs and make sure their is fuel to the engine.
• If you have a spark but no fuel check there is fuel in your tank then trace where the fuel gets to.
• If you have fuel but you don’t have a spark check: HT leads, coil packs and your ignition amplifier.
• If your engine turns over unusually fast your cam belt may have snapped.

Brakes Not Functioning Correctly

Symptoms

• Your brakes don’t stop your car like they use to.
• You can hear noises such as grating or grinding like metal on metal.
• There is a smell coming from some of your braking components.
• Your car pulls to one side whilst braking.
• You can see fluid around your wheels, brake pipes or brake cylinders.
• You find you are topping up brake fluid more often.
• When your car is moving you press your brake pedal and there is no braking at all.
• When you press your brake pedal their is little to no braking.

How To Fix

For slight to medium loss of braking the culprit is usually the brake disks. Check for scores and replace. You should also change your pads if your disks are scored as they will have the same grooves worn into their braking face reducing braking performance even more.

• On inspection if your brake discs are scored replace them.
• On inspection if your brake pads are scored or worn to or near their limits replace them.
• Check all brake pipes for any signs of damage, corrosion or leaks and replace where necessary.
• Check brake cylinders and replace if leaking or have perished rubbers.
• Check brake top up reservoir for leaks or damage.
• Check all brake pipes for leaks or signs of damage.
• Check any brake pedal linkages.
• Bleed your brakes.

Cambelt Snapped

Symptoms

• Your engine turns over unusually fast but never actually starts.
• When you turn your ignition key your engine fails to turn at all and you may notice dimming dash board lights.
• Your car’s engine rattles when trying to start.

How To Fix

All the items below are clear signs you have suffered a broken cambelt. This is a very skilled job to put right and will be costly in terms of parts, machining and labour.

• Oil in your water reservoir.
• Scum in your water reservoir.
• Visually inspect around your engine pulleys and underneath your engine bay for any or your broken cam belt pieces hanging or wedged.

Gearbox Problems

Symptoms

Any issues involving gear selection, gearbox noises or vibrations.

• Can’t select 1 or more gears.
• Gearbox crunching noises.
• Slipping out of any gear

How To Fix

• If you cant select 1 or more gears this could be a simple gear linkage problem. Check linkages for play and accurate movement.
• Check gearbox oil level.
• Crunching or whining noises could be worn or broken internal gears.

General Electrical Issues

Symptoms

• Lighting Issues
• Car Engine Wont Start
• Dashboard Switch Problems
• Electric Windows & Sunroof Not Closing Or Opening
• Dashboard Warning Lights

How To Fix

This can be caused by many problems

• Check all wires for signs of damage or corrosion.
• Dashboard Warnings
• Starter Motor & Alternator
• Exhaust Repairs
• Gearbox & Gear Selection Issues
• Suspension Springs & Shockers

ECU Problems

Symptoms

• Engine Not Running Correctly
• Dashboard Warnings
• Starting Problems
• Stuck In Safe Limp Mode
• Engine Cut Outs

Unfortunately your Ecu is expensive to replace. You can sometimes get an after market 3rd party Ecu or a second hand Ecu.

How To Fix

• Check All wiring to and from your Ecu
• Get your Ecu’s fault codes read & checked
• Check any connections for tightness of fitting, signs of corrosion and damage.
• Check HT leads

Suspension Problems

Symptoms

• Feel every road pothole or defect.
• Really poor cornering.
• Noises from suspension areas.
• Needs new tyres more often.
• Wheel or wheels catch on vehicle body.

How To Fix

• Look for signs of oil around your shock absorbers and replace if leaking. Note you should change them in pairs either front or and back.
• Check all four corners of your vehicle for any obvious height difference and replace any that are particularly low on both axles.

Fuel Pipes & Connections

Symptoms

• Car Wont Start
• Smell Of Fuel
• Engine Splurs & Cuts Out Sporadically

How To Fix

You can buy a brake pipe kit for your car including everything you need. We use many different tools to hand make any braking pipes your car may need.

• Check pipes for damage, leaks and stains and corrosion and replace where applicable
• Check connections for damage, leaks and stains and corrosion and replace where applicable

Exhaust System Faults

Symptoms

• Loss Of Vehicle Power
• Blowing Sounds From Your Exhaust System
• Unusual Odours
• Using More Fuel

How To Fix

You need to know exactly which section of your exhaust system needs replacing.

• Visually inspect under the car whilst the engine is idling listening for any escaping air from the system. Home in on any noises and carefully and thoroughly inspect for corrosion and damage. Pay particular attention to all your exhaust joints as these are literally a hot spot for leaks.
• Under your bonnet in your engine bay follow your exhaust system to the point it is bolted to your engines inlet manifold. Check for stains which are good leak indicators. Also check where the exhaust manifold bolts to the engine as this is a frequent problem area and usually the most expensive. Make sure your engine is running throughout or you wont hear your leak.