Tips to Head off and Troubleshoot Car Repair in Marrickville

It's a mere fact that the more you know about your vehicle, the more likely you'll be able to head off repair problems. By simply using your senses like eyeballing the area around your vehicle, listening for strange noises, sensing a difference in the way your vehicle handles, or even noticing unusual odours you can sort out common vehicle problems in no time.

Eyeballing the Area

Ignore if you find small stains or occasional drop of fluid under your vehicle because it's common. But, if you come across any wet spots or puddles, then pay immediate attention to the problem. By the colour and consistency, you can identify the problematic fluids.

- An overheated engine or an antifreeze leak by a bad hose, water pump or leaking radiator is indicated by Yellowish green, pastel blue or florescent orange colours.
- A dark brown or black oily fluid is caused by a bad seal or gasket.
- A transmission or power-steering fluid leak is indicated by a red oily spot.
- If you notice a puddle of clear water usually is no problem because it is caused by normal condensation from your vehicles air-conditioner.

Smell the Trouble

- A light, sharp odour which resembles the smell of burnt toast often signals an electrical short and burning insulation. Avoid driving the vehicle until the problem is diagnosed.
- A continuous burning sulphur smell similar to the smell of smell of rotten eggs indicates a problem in the catalytic converter or other emission control devices. If you spot such issue call your car mechanic in Marrickville immediately.
- Burning oil is often identified by a thick acrid odor.
- If you have flooded the engine, there will be the smell of gasoline vapors after a failed start. This is a potentially dangerous problem that needs immediate attention.
- Overheated brakes or clutch is signaled by burning resin or an acrid chemical odor. In this case, allow your vehicle to cool after repeated hard braking on mountain roads and tow the vehicle for repair.
- A coolant leakage is easily diagnosed by a sweet, steamy odor.

Listen to Your Vehicle

Listen to squeaks, squeals, rattles, rumbles, and other sounds from your vehicle because it provides valuable clues about problems and maintenance needs.

- Loose or worn power steering is spotted by a shrill, sharp noise.
- Loose wheel cover or low engine oil is identified by a slight sharp noise, related to either engine speed or vehicle speed.
- A low-pitched rhythmic rumbling sound worn universal joint or other drive-line component
- A random thumping sound indicates loose exhaust pipe or muffler.

Troubleshooting Problems

Always keep in mind that car trouble doesn't always mean major repairs! We have listed a few common causes of trouble and techniques to help you and your technician find and fix problems:

- Ask your mechanic in Marrickville to check for loose connections and perform an output test to fix loose wiring in alternator.
- Clean the terminals and test battery function before replacing the battery.
- Follow the recommendations in your owner's manual while belts, spark plugs, hoses and filters.

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In this article, the author provides some useful tips on heading off and troubleshooting various car repair problems. He is a leading car mechanic in Marrickville with specialisation in technology and techniques evolving in the European automotive industry. Visit citygarage.com.au for more.