Thursday, December 31, 2015

Our Year in Review 2015

2015 was year of growth and education for us. Much like 2014 we gained a lot of new friends and new customers. We drank many gallons of coffee, ate a lot of pizza and thoroughly enjoyed having a BBQ at the shop =)

Our year started off like all of you with bitter cold and an obscene amount of snow and ended with pleasant temperatures and endless rain. May was our best month for sales with September a close second. Our first job of 2015 was a brake caliper on a Chevy Blazer and ironically, our last job of the year, was a brake hose on a Nissan Altima. 

I consider this to be our most successful year yet. We've streamlined and improved our customer service and internal operations and grown our customer base while retaining our previous years customers. This was the year of 'teamwork' improvements with continued plans to continue improving our abilities to offer quality service and education for our customers. 

Our Highlights

January
Fun Job of the Month: Steering Overhaul on a 2004 Dodge Ram
Feel Good Job of the Month: Correcting a misfire condition on a mother of two's Nissan Murano

Did I mention we love cookies? What better way to forget about the single digit temperatures outside than Oatmeal cookies courtesy of a very special friend =)

February
Feel Good Job of the Month #1: Correcting a misfire condition on a mother-to-be's 2007 Honda Civic
Feel Good Job of the Month #2: Correcting a transmission computer failure in a young mother of 2's Grand Caravan. 

February featured our "Love Your Car Month of Discounts" which let us help our customers save 10% on their maintenance services for the whole month. 

We have arts and crafts time too
A prototype cardboard catch can ;)


Doesnt everyone spend Valentine's day having lunch on the tailgate of their truck?

March
Interesting Job of the Month: Intermittent No Start condition on a Town and Country resulting from a failed key. 
Feel Good Job of the Month: Corrected an overheat condition for a Navy Reservist on his way home to Maryland.

March is a big birthday month for us since both of our birthday's are at the end of the month. 
Bill of course asked for tools because well, he has a problem. Here he is having lots of fun with his new videoscope 


We had one day when it was warm enough to have the doors open and needless to say, Samson was thrilled!

April
Fun Job of the Month: Downpipe fabrication and install on a 2006 Mitsubishi Evo
Feel Good Job of the Month: A long overdue brake job on a family of 4's Toyota Sienna 

Enjoying a burrito filled lunch break in the sun 

May
Fun Job of the Month: Exhaust upgrade on a 2003 Infinity QX4
Feel Good Job of the Month: Aftermarket radio with bluetooth, install in a new driver's first car. Now her father can feel more comfortable about her long drives to college. 

Samson got a new bed for the shop, we bought a new P-Touch so our service reminder stickers are readable by all of our customers and White Castle released the Chicken Waffle - for which we were very grateful and a little sad it was only temporary. 
New Exhaust Tips on a QX4

New Magnaflow Muffler on a QX4

June
Fun Job of the Month: Fuel system upgrade in a 2009 Honda Civic and a whole bunch of goodies upgraded on a 1992 GVR
Feel Good Job of the Month: A/C repair on a very happy customer's 2003 Sable

Bill doing his welding thing
Getting good use out of our new BBQ


Samson got a gift from one of our customers! He loves cardboard
We took a little break and went to NHRA Supernationals with some friends.
Great day at the race track

July
Fun Job of the Month: Horn and differential repair on a 1971 LeMans
Feel Good Job of the Month: Brake line repair on a 1993 Maxima

We were able to enjoy the races at Englishtown in the luxury box courtesy of a good friend

Teamwork!

T-Rex selfie!














mmmm Munchkin delivery from a really awesome customer!

We are really lucky to have such thoughtful customers who not only deliver frappucino's when its insanely hot out, but they tip us with Starbucks giftcards!

August
Fun Job of the month: Pump rebuild on a house washer
Feel Good Job of the Month: Brake Line Repair on a mother of 4's Toyota Sienna
Perks of being short - you fit in the engine bay of most small SUV's

Apparently we had a major shortage of plates in August and we had to get a little creative 

Most exciting part of August - our favorite pizza place reopened!
September
Fun Job of the Month: High Pressure Oil Pump on a 2005 F350
Feel Good Job of the Month: Steering repairs and safety checks on a customer's Toyota Sienna so the family could enjoy and be safe on their road trip vacation

Bill giving a welding lesson to a very good friend of ours

We took a day off to enjoy the Diesel National event at Englishtown 


What do you do when your friend/parts guy bring you a crate of tomatoes? Make sauce!
October
Fun Job of the Month: Diagnosing a very intermittent transmission problem on a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500
Feel Good Job of the Month: Being able to tell a customer with an 05 Tiburon that he was missing a shifter bolt which is causing it to not shift and that he doesn't need a new transmission.
Yes. that is really how you get some control arm bushings out
November
Fun Job of the Month: Engine install and set-up for a customers 1995 Eclipse that has been off the road for a few years
Feel Good Job of the Month: Glow Plug replacement in a contractor's 2003 F350 

Showing off Bill's fabrication skills. The one on the right was made to replace the leaking pipe on the left

Our Thanksgiving Banner. We are thankful every day for the ability to do what we do. 
Replacing glow plugs with new harnesses. Making this truck and this customer very happy =)
December
Feel Good Job of the Month #1: Front and Rear brakes and steering components on a woman who makes long road trips regularly's GMC Envoy
Feel Good Job of the Month #2: Replacing a the alternator in a young mother's 2003 Honda Accord

Getting feedback like this really makes us feel good about what we do
Bill's silly Santa hat selfie Christmas morning

The annual tradition of handmade gifts from Bill continued with this adorable gift box

Because Bill looooooves glitter! Our holiday card feature for 2015

Thank you for following along while we reminisce all of the smiles and good times we had in 2015. We are forever grateful for all of you and the support you've shown in the past years. Thanks to your support, we are able to continue growing as owners and as a business. 


Looking forward to the good things 2016 has to offer!

~ Bill and Gail ~



Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Our Year in Review 2014

2014 was a great year for us. We made a lot of new friends, gained a lot of new customers, were able to be a part of a lot of cool projects and kept a lot of families safe. We had a lot of laughs and shoveled more snow than we want to remember. 

August was our busiest month (so happy it wasn't super hot this year!), followed by February as a close second (which was way too cold!). Our first job of 2014 was an oil change on a Hyundai Elantra. Our last job on the books for 2014 was a thermostat housing replacement on a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan.

In between we did brake pads, rotors, calipers, hoses, drums, shoes and fluid exchanges. We replaced spark plugs, spark plug wires and ignition coil. We performed timing belt services, replaced shocks, struts, tie rod ends, sway bar end links, ball joints, steering racks, power steering pumps, steering dampers, control arms, engine mounts, tires, light bulbs, light housings, clutches, flywheels, transmissions, transmission fluid and filters, exhaust pipes and mufflers, oxygen sensors, air flow meters, HVAC controls, A/C condensers, heater cores, batteries, water pumps, radiators, radiator hoses, drive belts, cup holders, window switches, driveshafts, axles, wheel bearings, wheel hubs, alternators, starters, catalytic converters, cylinder head gaskets, fuel pumps, fuel injectors, fuel tanks, injection pumps, oil pans, oil pan gaskets, valve cover gaskets, thermostats, horns, keys, power door lock actuators, accelerator pedals, water temperature sensors, window regulators, parking brake cables, windshield wipers, turbo chargers and oil dipstick tubes.
Just a few of the things we did this year.

Our highlights:
January: 
Fun job of the month: Install lowering module and exhaust on a 2008 Mercedes Benz E63 AMG
happy dance customer: mother of 3 and the owner of a 2007 Ford Explorer who's keyless entry now works again. 
January also marked the launch of our oil change rewards program! We are happy to say that many of our 'not so on-timer's' have seriously upped their game to take advantage of earned savings and of course, limited edition Bill Marino Auto Repair prizes!
Trick or Treat Winter 2014 Prizes
Trick or Treat Prizes


Trick or Treat Rewards Cards

Built Cylinder Head for 05 Mitsubishi Evo
February: 
Fun job of the month: Fuel system overhaul and injection pump on a 2001 Chevy K3500 courtesy of a rusting tank 
happy dance customer: a very sweet older couple who had their failed washer fluid pump on their 2010 Nissan Versa, replaced during the peak of the snow/salt season 

Valentine's Day Bill Marino Auto Repair Style

Yet another snow storm

March: 
Fun job of the month: Timing belt, water pump, engine seals, glow plugs and front fuel lines on a 2000 VW Golf TDI with 389,000 miles on it and still running like a champ!
happy dance customer: a contractor was able to keep his 2003 Ford E350 working for him during his busy season

Bill's Birthday Cake!
Birthday Pizza and Uno with friends

April: 
Fun job of the month: Turbo replacement on a 2002 VW Golf TDI and complete engine overhaul on a 2001 Honda CRV 
happy dance customer: the owner of a 2005 Hyundai Elantra who is back to getting great fuel mileage after having her oxygen sensor replaced
Engine Rebuild for a 2001 CRV

AN fittings welded by Bil



Late Dinner at All American
Burger in Gail's Talon
(#fastcarfastfood)

May: 

Fun job of the month: Shocks all around and suspension compressor on a 2002 Yukon Denali
happy dance customer: The father of the recent grad who is newly driving a 2003 Acura TL after we gave the car new brakes and full inspection to ensure he is good and safe.
Bill explaining a transmission fluid exchange procedure
to a customer



June:
Fun job of the month: Custom Turbo Install on a 1987 Ford Mustang
happy dance customer: the owner of a 2009 Mini Cooper S who got his new Magnaflow mufflers installed - sounds great!
June unofficially became 'oil filter awareness month' where we put together a really great visual of how an oil filter works and the differences between lower quality and high quality oil filters. It has become a great conversational piece and we've gotten so many thank you's for putting it together. Missed it? have a read right here =)

Reviewing data logs from the Mustang's first trip after the turbo install

Intake Manifold Gasket replacement on a 1993 Mercury Sable

Nap Time
July: 
Fun job of the month:  Front Case Gasket replacement on a 2006 Dodge Ram 2500HD
happy dance customer: the owner of a 2002 Ford Excursion who had his front end steering and suspension components replaced, front brakes and fuel sender replaced. No worries to be had as he went out on a very long road trip with his grandkids!
Bill welding

New flanges attached

Gail hates this view (yes, she's up in the car on a raised lift)
We were diagnosing a brake issue on a 2005 Hyundai Elantra
Camshaft finally removed on a 2006 Dodge Ram 2500HD, now to replace that leaking gasket

Emergency Paper Shredder repair
August: 
Fun job of the month: Turbo Kit Install on a 2009 Honda Civic SI
happy dance customer: the owner of a 2005 545i who no longer has to worry about oil stains on his pavers after we replaced his oil pan. 
Turbo Kit installed on a 2009 Honda Civic SI, now to program

Looks great
Magnus Tubular Subframe for a 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Gail having a little too much fun with the bubble wrap that came with the subframe
September: 
Fun job of the month: Brakes all around and Suspension on a 2006 Ford XL Super Duty
happy dance customer: the owner of a 2005 Chevy Malibu (her first car) that no longer has to worry about whether or not there is gas in her car because of a faulty gauge. 

Replacing a faulty driver's side seatbelt in a 2002 Mercedes Benz CL500
October: 
Fun job of the month: Suspension/Power Steering Pump on a 2002 Mercedes Benz CL500
happy dance customer: the owner of a 2007 Honda Accord who no long has to worry about poorly performing brakes and floaty steering after we replaced a failing caliper, front brakes and steering links. And he won a Starbucks gift card during our annual Trick or Treat!
Samson enjoying the sun on one of the last warm open door days of the year

Trick or Treat 2014!
November: 
Fun job of the month: Drive Shaft Support Bearings and Suspension on a 2002 Mercedes Benz C32
happy dance customer: the owner of a 2007 Honda Civic who now has fully operating power windows after months without them
Who doesnt love new socks!

Change of scenery for Gail

This customer's engine failed in his 1999 VW Jetta TDI around 350,000 miles.
We decided to take it apart to see what happened.
The lifter bucket failed and broke the valve

The valve embedded in the piston top.
December: 
Fun job of the month: Engine Replacement on a 2008 Mercedes Benz C350 and Fuel Injector replacement and valve cover gaskets on a 1994 300ZX
happy dance customer: the owners of a 1998 Lexus GS300 who no longer has to worry about his car trying to stall in traffic on his way to work
Swapping the known good components (mainly electrical components)
and installing new pulleys and tensioner, belt, spark plugs and gaskets on the replacement engine. 

Happy Holidays!
This was this years winner on our holiday card

It's only fitting that the boy elf made a mess of things for the girl elf to clean up =)

We would like to sincerely thank every single one of you for making our 2014 so special and for your constant encouragement and support. 
We are very excited for 2015 and look forward to being able to continue to work with you.

Here's to wishing each and every one of you a very happy and prosperous New Year!


Cheers!