Brentwood Auto Repair

To better understand what a head gasket leak is, it would help first to know what a head gasket is and its role in a car. What is a Head Gasket? A head gasket is a flat, thin metal sheet with several holes fitted between the motor and the cylinder head. Their design, thickness, and construction vary, depending on the engine design. It is a critical component under the hood, enhancing the engine's efficiency by sealing the combustion chamber for maximum compression and containment of exhaust gases. It also prevents the entry of oil and coolant (and antifreeze) into the combustion chamber. Understanding Head Gasket Leak and Its Costs The head gasket seals out extremely hot pressurized combustion gases and the antifreeze. Because the coolant temperature varies from time to time and the gasket's large surface area, it is not uncommon for the gasket to leak as the years go by. A leak in the head gasket is also referred to as a blown head gasket. That means it can no longer perfo ... read more

The starter on your vehicle is so important and makes every drive happen. The starter is attached to the back of the motor and is essential to your motor starting. The entire process of your car starting all begins and relies on the starter. If you are ever having issues with your starter and it begins to wear down or even break it will directly affect your ability to drive your vehicle. Starters in vehicles can go out or become worse and that's not what's ever wanted. Luckily there are some symptoms that you can look for when you may be headed towards having a bad starter. These are some warning signs you can be watching for that may indicate your starter is going bad or beginning to fail on you. Sporadic starting issues: If you have sporadic starting issues it could be caused by wires that are loose or dirty. This can lead to your car not starting or starting irregularly.   Your engine won't turn over: This is a common indicator that you may see. If you do not he ... read more

Your car has a way of letting you know when something is wrong. Your brakes make different noises to tell you what's going on with your car. Here's what the different brake noises mean. Morning Sounds If your brakes make a grinding noise each morning, you may or may not have a cause for concern. Some brakes make this noise due to accumulated moisture. Other times, your brakes can make a squealing or grinding noise due to rust buildup on the rotors. Normal driving can remove the rust and stop the noise. Loud Squealing Your brakes will make a loud squealing noise when the brake pads need to be replaced. You should never drive a vehicle that has worn brake pads. Most cars have a brake wear indicator that is made from steel. When the brake pads make contact with the rotor, you will hear a loud squealing noise. Rattling or Vibrating Rattling or vibrating sounds could indicate you have a worn or warped rotor. Worn or warped mot ... read more

Not many parts of your car are more important than the brakes. No matter how beautiful or luxurious your vehicle may be, it is worthless and even deadly if you cannot stop it when you need to. Therefore, the braking system has to be subjected to regular maintenance to keep it operating perfectly. Some of the parts of the braking system that need regular checks include the brake pads, the rotors, and the brake fluid. But why exactly does the condition of brake fluid matter? The Importance of Brake Fluid For you to appreciate the importance of getting your brake fluid checked on a regular basis, you need to understand its role. Basically, brake fluid is responsible for moving the various parts of your car's braking system. The braking system is hydraulic, and the brake fluid is its hydraulic fluid. This implies that the entire braking system is moved by the brake fluid. Therefore, if your car does not have the right amount of brake fluid, the braking system could fail and, and cons ... read more

There's no better way to prepare for a Thanksgiving road trip than to schedule an inspection and maintenance service for your vehicle. During an inspection, the brakes, battery, tires, filters, and essential fluids are checked. This gives you the added peace of mind that your vehicle is completely safe and effective functioning. In the long run, it can also prolong your vehicle's lifespan. During your last vehicle inspection, you may have received a list of updates on a few pages that you filed away. Or, in some cases, threw away or even lost. At Monkey Wrenches, we use the latest technology to provide digital vehicle inspections that can be sent straight to your email, phone, or tablet. This is the perfect option for drivers who are busy and on the go. Electronic results are not the only reasons to consider digital inspections. Below are three benefits to choosing a digital vehicle inspection over a traditional one.  Images and Videos During ... read more

You’re driving down the road, drumming your fingers to your stereo as you receive an unwelcome surprise – the check engine light. There are several reasons your dashboard may be alerting you, and all of them aren’t also severe. Since the check engine light can come on for various reasons, it’s crucial to have a trusted automotive expert perform a troubleshoot to identify the exact cause. Staying informed can save you from unnecessary panic if the check engine light can be a quick fix. If your check engine light has recently come on, below are five commons reasons why:  Bad Oxygen Sensor The oxygen sensor plays a vital role in measuring the amount of unburned oxygen within your vehicle’s exhaust system. If you’re noticing that your car is guzzling more gas than usual, followed by the check engine light coming on, you should have the oxygen sensor inspected. The Catalytic Converter is Failing  The catalyt ... read more