The Cylinder Head Gasket or Head Gasket is the main seal between the Engine Block and the Cylinder Head. It ensures that the engine can run properly and build enough pressure to fire each cylinder. The most common cause of a Cylinder Head Gasket leak is vehicle Overheating. When the engine begins to overheat it can cause the cylinder head and engine block to warp. This creates the Head Gasket Leak. A head gasket can leak internally or externally. In an internal leak the coolant leaks into the combustion chamber. This can cause Misfires, Poor Running, and even further Overheating. This is the mating surface of the Cylinder head.

It takes several Air Conditioning Components for you AC System to blow cold air. If any one of them is not working you get hot air or no air at all. There are two very common issues for AC system failure. The first is that the AC System is low on Refrigerant. The AC system in a car uses controls the refrigerant pressure to create a cold. Air blows across the Evaporator Core which cools the air before it enters the cab. If there is not enough refrigerant in the system the system cannot cool properly. Below you can see a vehicle being evacuated of refrigerant to repair a leak at the Drier.

A timing belt, one of the most crucial components under a vehicle's hood, ensures smooth operation and longevity of an engine. This belt synchronizes the rotation of the crankshaft and camshaft. This is critical because it ensures that the engine's valves open and close at the right time. This ensure that the engine can run normally.

Tires are a very important component because they help the car grip the road, make turns, and stop safely. Usually, tires can last for a long time, but it depends on a few things. The way a tire is made, what it's made of, the kind of car it's on, and how it's used can affect the life of the tire. Also, where and how you drive can make a big difference. In Oklahoma we have Rough Roads as well as Extreme Heat and Cold. This can really cause tires to wear quickly. You will also see a much shorter Tire life if you are an aggressive Driver. Accelerating and Stopping Quickly are hard on tires.

No one wants to get caught without Air Conditioning in the Oklahoma Heat. Not only is it uncomfortable but it can also be dangerous. AC Repairs are one of the most common repairs we do during the Summer Heat. The AC System in your car is made of three separate systems that work together to make sure you Cold Air is delivered into the vehicle. First the AC System itself. This is the system under the hood that includes the Compressor, Condenser, and other main AC Components.

Does Your Timing Chain Need to be Replaced? That depends. Unlike a Timing Belt, a Timing Chain usually is not recommended to be replaced by mileage. This means that the Timing Chain is not a normal Maintenance Item like a Timing Belt. However, there are several other reasons that a Timing Chain may require service. Some of these can cause other issues in your vehicle as well. The Chain itself can stretch or get damaged. As a chain stretches it allows the timing of your engine to be slightly off. This can cause issues such as Misfire, Low Compression, or the engine not to run at all. A Timing Chain Tensioner can also go bad. If the Chain is not under the proper tension, the same issues as a stretched chain can occur. Below is a picture of the timing chain tensioner holding the chain at the proper tension

Leaks are one of the most common problems with today’s vehicles. Most modern cars have at least five different fluid and as many as eight to ten. Some of these fluid flow throughout the vehicle is pipes and hoses. Other stay contained in the same component for most of their lives. These fluids are contained by Hoses, Pipes, Seals, and Gaskets. Many times, we find that leaks occur in places where one or more part are connected. A Gasket, the sealing material between the two parts, can fail allowing the fluid to leak out. Here is photo of a clean gasket surface where the oil pan connects to the engine.

The Suspension in your vehicle is made to Keep Ride Comfortable, Keep Tires in Contact with The Road, and Absorb Shock. As our Suspension ages one of the signs that there is an issue is noise. The most common noises are a Rattle, Clunk, or a Squeak. Today we will be talking about the most common Squeaks from your Suspension. We Find that one of the most common squeaks in suspension systems is a failing Shock Absorber or Strut. When a shock or strut begins to leak it loses the Hydraulic Fluid from inside. This can also cause it to lose lubrication. Once the shock loses lubrication it can start to squeak as it extends and is compressed. The next most common is a failed or dry Ball Joint. This usually cause a creaky sound from the front suspension.

Every year more and more people are Purchasing Hybrid Vehicles. Hybrid and Electric Vehicles made up over 17% of total vehicle sales last year. The problem is not all shops are trained or qualified to work on Hybrid Vehicles. At Priebe’s Auto Clinic and Tire Center we work on Hybrids as well as many other types of vehicles. We understand the Special Systems that it takes to Operate a Hybrid Vehicle.