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!


Wednesday, November 12, 2014

A filter's just a filter.... right??

We were recently having a discussion about oil filter quality with some friends and customers. Since we place so much emphasis on educating our customer base, we decided to take a hands on approach and took apart 3 different oil filters for the same vehicle application and compare their construction and component quality.

We were very excited about being able to share the physical differences with our customers to help them better understand not only how this vital component works, but also the difference between the economy brands and the aftermarket and factory brands we are using in our services. 

The oil filter used on your vehicle is one of the most critical pieces of equipment and often gets over looked. The filter’s purpose is to do exactly what it’s called, filter the oil. As engine oil is circulated it runs through a filter element where any particulate is taken out of the oil and then returned to the engine. This is crucial to the longevity and performance of the engine. Internal engine clearances are set to the thousandth of an inch and even the tiniest of particles can cause excessive wear or even damage. It is important that quality filters are used to ensure the particulate is trapped and the filter will be able to work efficiently throughout the duration of the oil life cycle. With increased oil life cycles due to the now common use of synthetic oils, this is especially important.

Our comparison results:
Average Cost Increase: Quality aftermarket or OE filter vs an economy filter is $3.27

Packaging Quality: The aftermarket and OE filters are packaged to ensure filter remains clean during storage to lessen the risk of contaminate entering the filter and therefore the engine where the economy filter is not.

Exterior Construction: The aftermarket quality and OE filters have deeper and better thread engagement and better O-Ring construction to ensure more effective sealing, larger fill hole diameter to allow for better flow and therefore more oil can be filtered

Internal Construction: Aftermarket quality/OE filters allow for better separation of filtered and non-filtered due to its welded metal construction and better flow control valve construction. The economy filter using cardboard and glue for the top and bottom construction allows oil to pass between the cylinder and the sleeve. Oil will also promote the breakdown of the glue and cardboard over time.

Bottom Retainer/Bypass Valve: The aftermarket quality/OE filters provide better construction to prevent the filter from failing due to a potential sudden increase in oil pressure. The purpose of the bypass valve is to allow the filter to promote oil flow in the event of an oil pressure spike. It will bypass the oil filter and flow the oil back into the engine to prevent it from starving the engine of oil. Having a valve made of steel and being integrated into the filter cylinder is more stable than a plastic valve with plastic retainers. If one of the retainers were to fail, it would keep the valve open and allow the oil to continuously bypass the filter and therefore putting contaminated oil into the engine for an extended period of time.

Element Construction: The aftermarket quality/OE filters provide more pleating lowering the risk of clogging the clogging the filter. The aftermarket quality filter offers 48 pleats that are .16” larger than the OE filter and the OE filter offers 54 pleats that are smaller. Both provide a better construction to allow for longer filter life (vs. 45 pleats at .507 in the economy filter). 



Economy
Quality Aftermarket
Original Equipment
Retail Price
$4.99
Retail Price
$7.98
Retail Price
$8.53



Packaging
Packaging
Packaging
Filter is not covered
Filter comes with plastic shrink wrap over top to protect and keep it clean during storage
Filter comes with plastic shrink wrap over top to protect and keep it clean during storage

Exterior Construction
Exterior Construction
Exterior Construction
Thread depth:
.200
Thread depth:
.315
Thread depth:
.295
No. of threads:                  
4
No. of threads:
6
No. of threads:
5
Gasket used:
Flat O-Ring
Gasket used:
Factory Style Round O-Ring with locking lip
Gasket used:
Factory Style Round O-Ring with locking lip
No. of fill holes:
10
No. of fill holes:
6
No. of fill holes:
8
Fill hole diameter:
.180
Fill hole diameter:
.246
Fill hole diameter:
.195
Top seal type:
Crimp type top seal
Top seal type:
Spot welded top seal
Top seal type:
Spot welded top seal

Internal Construction
Internal Construction
Internal Construction
Cartridge Top Construction:
Cardboard
Cartridge Top Construction:
Coated Steel
Cartridge Top Construction:
Non-Coated Steel
Flow Control Valve:
Flow Control Valve:
Flow Control Valve:
Rubber, received into cardboard top directly into cylinder, creates poor seal, allows oil to pass between cylinder and sleeve
Neoprine Rubber received into outside metal collar for better sealing
Neoprine Rubber received into outside metal collar for better sealing
Element Attachment to Top and Bottom of Cartridge:
Glue
Element Attachment to Top and Bottom of Cartridge:
Epoxy
Element Attachment to Top and Bottom of Cartridge:
Epoxy
Center Cylinder Construction:
Perforated metal
Center Cylinder Construction:
Perforated steel welded to top and bottom
Center Cylinder Construction:
Directional perforated steel welded to top and bottom
Element Joint:
Metal Crimp
Element Joint:
Paper crimp with glue
Element Joint:
Paper crimp with glue
Element Thickness:
.030
Element Thickness:
.030
Element Thickness:
.030
Pleat Depth:
.507
Pleat Depth:
.580
Pleat Depth:
.420
Total Element Length:
45 inches
Total Element Length:
55 inches
Total Element Length:
45 inches
Total No. of Pleats:
45
Total No. of Pleats:
48
Total No. of Pleats:
54
Bottom Retainer:
Paper glued to element
Bottom Retainer:
Steel welded to center cylinder
Bottom Retainer:
Steel welded to center cylinder
Bypass Valve:
Hard plastic with plastic spring retainers attached to stand plate
Bypass Valve:
Steel welded to center of cylinder
Bypass Valve:
Steel welded to center of cylinder
Stand plate:
Attached to bypass plate
Stand plate:
Separate Spring
Stand plate:
Separate Spring Steel