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The Unsung Heroes of Your Engine: Cambelts and Timing Chains

Your vehicle is a complex machine with numerous components working in harmony to ensure smooth operation. Among these crucial elements, the cambelt and timing chain often take center stage in maintaining the engine’s integrity. These components play a vital role in synchronizing the movement of various engine parts, preventing catastrophic collisions that could lead to…

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How to keep your fuel usage at an optimum level

As cars get older we tend to assume that the older they get the more fuel they use, however, this is incorrect. A car should not burn more fuel unless it has been modified to do so. Remember that your fuel usage is directly related to how hard your engine has to work, so the…

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How does an engine overhaul work?

The engine’s job is to burn fuel and convert that into power which turns your wheels allowing you to drive. This process happens when spark plugs ignite an air/fuel mixture inside the combustion chamber. This creates an explosion pushing your pistons up and down. There are two types of overhauls, the top and full overhaul:…

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Replacing or Fixing your damaged tyre

Replacing a tyre with a spare tyre Changing a tyre can be a daunting experience for someone who has never done it before. However, despite everything, changing a tyre is quite an easy thing to do and should not take you more 30min to complete in total. There are 2 types of spare tyres: a…

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Why is my Clutch so important

There are three main parts of a clutch, the clutch plate, pressure plate and flywheel. The clutch is one of the most important parts of your vehicle. It separates the power of the engine from the wheels allowing you to press your brakes and come to a stop without you turning off your engine. What…

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How will I know when to replace my Cambelt or Timing Chain

Different makes and models of cars come with either a Timing Chain or a Cam/Timing Belt. The main difference is the Timing Chain can last anywhere from 120 000km to 200 000km and is made of metal. While the Cambelt is made of rubber and can only last between 60 000km and 160 000km. Your…

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Consider the Pros and Cons of the purchase you wish to make

Whatever car you decide to invest in always consider the Pros and Cons of the purchase you wish to make Let’s take a look at the Pros and Cons of investing in new and secondhand cars With all the opinions floating around it can be hard deciding what car you want to invest in. But…

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Diagnostic Scan

Using a Diagnostic Scanner on your vehicle. How does it work and why is it important? It is important to know that a diagnostic scan allows us to access your vehicle’s fault codes but does not tell us how to fix them.   Why am I being charged for a diagnostic scan? Diagnostic equipment is…

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Why are engine mountings so important?

What is an engine mounting supposed to do? A mounting is designed to limit the vibrations coming from your engine. As well as ensure it does not knock into any other part of your car. Your engine holds multiple explosions and multiple moving parts. These explosions and moving parts are enough to cause your engine…

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What do I need to know about my aircon?

Your aircon draws its power from the engine and loses around ten to fifteen percent of gas each year even if it’s not in use. Due to this, the less gas there is in your aircon system the harder your engine will have to work to keep your aircon running smoothly. Therefore, like any other…

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How do I know if my wheel bearings are failing?

There are two types of bearings, the sealed unit, and the unsealed unit. By sealed we mean that the wheel hub and bearing come as a complete unit. Whereas by unsealed we mean that the bearing comes separate from the hub. When the hub and bearing are sealed together, contaminants such as dirt, dust and…

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Nissan X-Trail fuel level gauge not reading correctly?

Are you experiencing issues with your fuel level gauge not reading correctly? Let us assist you! Nissan X-Trails share a common issue when it comes to their fuel pumps or level senders having a fault or simply not working. Often times it may not even be your fuel pump or level sender, but instead a…

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Do you feel like your suspension is giving you problems?

Your car’s suspension is designed for control while driving. We often take our car’s suspension system for granted. The suspension tends to not get as much attention as the engine, transmission, and braking system of the car. Below are just a few parts that make up your suspension, each of them having to play a…

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CV Joints, and how to tell if they are failing

The CV joint is designed to allow up and down movement to your car’s wheels while making sure they rotate at a constant speed.   If your CV joints are starting to fail, here are a few things you may notice: Tyre edge grease The first thing about your CV joint that tends to break…

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OE, OEM, OES and Aftermarket Parts

Does the terminology involving parts confuse you? We are sure you heard the terms OE (Original Equipment) OEM quality parts (Original Equipment Manufacturer) OES quality parts (Original Equipment supplier) Aftermarket parts Let us explain – OE (Original Equipment): The original equipment is your car OEM Parts (Original Equipment Manufacturer) OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) refers to…

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The best and safest way to change your transmission oil

Is your automatic vehicle not changing as smooth as it used to? Have you reached 150 000 km or is your vehicle 8 years or older? AutoWorks recommends a transmission oil change with the all new ATX 180 automatic transmission service machine.   Repairing your automatic transmission can cost an excessive amount. To avoid this,…

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Cleaning injectors reduces fuel consumption

The injectors of your vehicle play a vital role in improving performance and reducing fuel consumption. Dirty fuel and carbon accumulation in your engine results in your fuel injectors forming a leak or becoming blocked. This results in high fuel consumption and a noticeable decrease in the performance of your vehicle. In the long-run carbon…

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Why should you take your vehicle to a reputable service provider?

To protect you and your vehicle, we recommend taking your vehicle to a reputable service provider. We are sure to use only the best when it comes to your vehicle. Our qualified technicians use only the latest in state of the art diagnostic equipment, and fit only OE quality parts. OE (original equipment) parts are…

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When should I replace my vehicles brake pads/shoes?

Brake pads and shoes on vehicles are important as they allow you to stop. The job of the brake pads/shoes and disc/drum is to create the resistance needed between your tyres and the road to stop your vehicle. The brake system on a motor vehicle is considered a critical safety item according to the Retail…

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When should I flush the coolant in my vehicle?

The difference between Anti-freeze and Coolant Anti-freeze is the concentrated version which still needs to be mixed with water Coolant is the diluted version that has already been mixed and needs to be added to your car. Your engine generates massive amounts of heat due to the combustion that takes place to push your pistons…

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When should I flush my brake fluid?

We recommend flushing your vehicles brake fluid every 2 years. Brake fluid is as vital to stopping a vehicle as engine oil is to keeping it going, but it doesn’t get as much attention as it deserves. Brake fluid is hygroscopic (binds water) and deteriorates quickly, especially in coastal towns. This can cause corrosion in…

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When to replace your vehicle’s power steering fluid

Power steering fluid keeps components such as pistons, valves, hoses, and the power steering pumps functioning seamlessly and effectively. This hydraulic fluid protects O-rings and seals as well. Most vehicles come with a life-time fill or powersteering fluid. While some forums recommend a replacement every 30 000 km we do not think this is necessary. If…

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When to replace your cam belt or timing chain?

It is important that you always change your cambelt at the recommended interval. Cambelts for most vehicles need to be changed at 90 000 km. For some vehicles this can vary from every 60 000 km to every 180 000 km. Autoworks recommend changing your cambelt at the manufacturer’s recommended guidelines on mileage and age.…

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Why you should service your car at least once a year

Why should you service your car at least once a year even if you hardly drove it… New cars have a built in reminder system that lets you know when a filter needs to be changed. This happens because the lights on your dash are connected to your vehicle’s built in diagnostic system, the diagnostic…

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BMW X3 transfer box fault

A known issue on the BMW X3 is the transfer box fault. autoWORKS repairs them for 50% or more below the BMW price with a 60 000km/1 year warranty. If you’d like info, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 021 200 7800. This offer is valid countrywide. If you have a MIWA accredited workshop,…

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