Battery Maintenance Missteps At "The Neighbor's Kid Auto Repair," we're seeing a troubling trend: over-application of anti-corrosion sprays and greases during battery services, often to justify a higher price. While these products can prevent corrosion, they must be used correctly. We often see other shops in the area replace customer’s battery terminals with generic emergency repair brackets, instead of proper factory or more robust solutions, which get them down the road, but lead to serious malfunctions over time.
Check Engine Light: The First Signal A recent customer at "The Neighbor's Kid Auto Repair" brought in their Audi with a familiar issue: a lit check engine light and a noticeable drop in performance. This was a clear sign that something was amiss under the hood. Courtesy Inspection Reveals Misfires and Oil Leaks Our thorough courtesy inspection quickly identified the culprits: misfires on cylinders 1 and 3. Alongside the misfires, there were multiple oil leaks from the camshaft cover, front timing cover, oil pan, and potentially the rear main seal. Prioritizing Drivability: Cam Cover and Intake Valve Cleaning Before we could tackle the oil leaks, it was crucial to address the immediate drivability concerns caused by the misfiring. The repair began with the cam cover and meticulous intake valve cleaning using special techniques and tools developed for turbocharged direct-injection engines found in Ford Ecoboost, BMW’s and VW/Audi. Carbon buildup on intake valves is common in direct injection engines, and removing these deposits is key to engine performance and preventing vehicles from entering “limp mode” or a form of catalyst protection mode. Restored Performance and Scheduled Follow-Up The result of the cleaning was immediate: the misfires ceased, and the Audi's performance was rejuvenated. In addition to the cleaning, we replaced the ignition coil packs, the spark plugs, gaskets and removed and resealed the camshaft cover. The customer left our shop with their vehicle's drivability restored and plans to return for the comprehensive sealing service that would address the remaining oil leaks. Conclusion: A Stepwise Approach to Engine Health This experience underscores The Neighbor’s Kid Auto Repair approach to automotive care: address the most pressing issues first to ensure our customers can continue their daily use of the vehicle, then follow up with necessary preventative maintenance to extend the value of their investments. The customer was pleased with the restored performance and reliability, and we've scheduled their next service to tackle the remaining oil leaks.