You know that a speedometer measures your engine’s speed, and an odometer tells you how many miles you’ve driven—but there’s another gauge on your dashboard that you might not be as familiar with: the tachometer (or tach). This post will cover everything you need to know about tachs, including how a mechanical tachometer works and if they’re even needed nowadays. What is a tachometer used for? A tachometer measures an engine’s rotational speed and gives us a readout in revolutions per minute (rpm). The higher the meter reads, the faster your engine is rotating. This can be helpful for those... View Article
In an internal combustion engine, a connecting rod is the link between a piston and the crankshaft, and it is an essential engine component. Connecting rods undergo an extreme tensile force as the pistons move back and forth. Even though they’re built to last for years, they can eventually bend or even break. A bad connecting rod is a significant problem for an engine because it can no longer perform intake, exhaust, compression or power strokes. Continue reading to learn a few of the signs that a rod is damaged: Knocking noise: A knocking sound is one of the more... View Article
A clean, flat and smooth engine is the goal for every vehicle owner. When these conditions are met, the vehicle is much more likely to last longer and run better. Vehicle owners can clean their cylinders by themselves, but they need to hire a professional mechanic for cylinder head resurfacing to make them smooth and flat. The smoother and flatter a cylinder head, the less likely the chance of gasket leaks and other serious issues under the hood. We typically resurface cylinder heads after an engine has overheated or after it has blown a gasket. In both of these scenarios,... View Article
Your braking system is essential to the safety and performance of your vehicle, no matter when or where you’re driving. Even small problems with the braking system can result in significant issues with vehicle efficiency, performance and safety on the road, so it’s important to be aware of signs of malfunctioning brakes and handle problems as proactively as possible. If you’re dealing with squeaking or grinding brakes, keep reading for some advice from a mechanic in Everett, WA. Causes of grinding and squeaking noises Brake issues can show up in vehicles of any make, model or year. Even newer vehicles... View Article
The radiator inside your vehicle is in charge of pumping coolant through the engine to prevent it from overheating. For this reason, it’s important that you ensure the radiator stays in good operational condition at all times. Here are just a few of the most common signs that indicate your vehicle is in need of some attention from trusted radiator repair specialists in Everett, WA: Overheating: This is probably the most obvious sign you can get that you’re experiencing radiator trouble. If your vehicle begins to overheat, or you see steam coming out from under the hood, this means the... View Article
