December 2021 - Turning Wrenches

Warning Symptoms of an Exhaust Flex Pipe Leakage in a Sprinter

by turningwpuser | Dec 27, 2021 | Sprinter Repair

Your Sprinter’s exhaust pipe is a flexible tube that carries combustion products, including waste gases away from your Sprinter’s motor. When fully functional, it helps to reduce pollution and smoke emitted from your engine.

The Sprinter’s exhaust pipe also enables your vehicle to operate with less noise. In general, the exhaust pipe is essential to your Sprinter’s efficient and clean operation.

So, you may want to know what happens when your Sprinter suffers an exhaust flex pipe leakage? Driving with a leaking exhaust pipe is very bad, not just for your vehicle but for the environment. Below are the most obvious symptoms that may let you know that you have an exhaust pipe leakage.

Excessive noise from the engine

If you have a leakage in your Sprinter’s exhaust pipe, this may be among the first signs you may notice. A malfunctioning exhaust manifold gasket may cause an exhaust flex pipe leakage in your Sprinter. The exhaust leak may give a tapping or hissing sound. When you accelerate or start your Sprinter, you may hear this loud hissing sound.

Low fuel efficiency

Your Sprinter’s fuel efficiency may reduce with the acceleration and power reduction. What this means is that you may have to consume more fuel for your Sprinter to function optimally. When you compare the cost of buying gas constantly to fixing your exhaust flex pipe leakage, the latter would be the obvious choice.

Burning smell

A burning smell from your Sprinter’s engine bay is another sign of a leaking exhaust flex pipe. If your Sprinter’s gasket fails and causes leakage underneath the vehicle’s hood or close to the vehicle’s engine wiring, these parts may burn as a result of heat from your Sprinter’s exhaust gases.

You may perceive a burning smell similar to a burning engine. You may notice the emission of smoke from the exhaust pipe. It is critical to get your Sprinter checked to avoid exposure to any form of risk or danger.

Decreased acceleration and power

Your Sprinter’s performance may be affected if you have an exhaust flex pipe leakage. It may be difficult to accelerate quickly. Your Sprinter may also not provide the required power when you accelerate. Reduced acceleration and power issues in your Sprinter may worsen if you fail to get your vehicle exhaust pipe checked.

Gas smell

Another way you may tell that you have an exhaust pipe leakage in your Sprinter is if you perceive the smell of gas inside your vehicle as you drive. Your exhaust pipe, when damaged, can cause gasoline fumes to escape. When you perceive a gas smell in your Sprinter, getting your vehicle checked immediately is wise.

Your exhaust pipe is hanging or dragging as you drive

When your Sprinter’s exhaust pipe is broken, even without causing a leak, it may hang under your vehicle, and in time you may find it dragging on the road. A dragging or hanging exhaust pipe that isn’t leaking may start to leak with time as the pipe makes contact with the ground. It may pose a danger to you or other drivers if the exhaust pipe should fall off while driving or cause sparks while the metal grinds against the roadway.

Turning Wrenches: Your Ultimate Solution for an Exhaust Flex Pipe Leak

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of exhaust flex pipe leakage in your Sprinter, you shouldn’t wait for the problem to worsen before visiting our trusted and reliable automobile repair company. At Turning Wrenches, located in Louisville, KY, we can help fix the issue and ensure your Sprinter’s is running optimally so you can depend upon it each day for your needs.

We carry a variety of vehicle repair services on brands such as Mercedes, Audi, Mini, Sprinter, and BMW. Our shop is equipped with the latest tools and equipment available to handle everything your car needs, including AC repairs, batteries, brakes, wheel alignment, suspension replacement, transmission repair, oil changes, emission testing, engine repairs, and more.

We have a team of highly experienced automotive technicians who offer the best maintenance and repair services. Contact us today to give your Sprinter the upkeep and maintenance it deserves!

The Best Time to Replace the Belt and Hoses of Your Mini

by turningwpuser | Dec 10, 2021 | MINI Repair

The hoses and belt in your MINI model can face wear and tear naturally or as a response to damage, collisions, or exposure to usual weather conditions. These necessary parts can rarely be repaired, so they’re usually replaced with new ones when they get worn out.

The timing belt in your MINI is an integral part of the engine. This continuous loop is responsible for maintaining engine precision by syncing the rotation of the crankshaft and the camshaft. These control the movement of the engine’s valves and pistons which help create the energy needed for movement of your car.

Also, many of the hoses in the engine bay come from or go to the radiator in your engine compartment. The hoses help to transfer coolant to and from the engine. Over time, the belt and hoses can develop faults in the form of leaks, crack, or tears. When this occurs, they will need replacement by a professional who can also inspect your car to ensure more damage wasn’t done when the leak or crack occurred.

How often do the belts and hoses need replacement?

The belts found in Mini are made of different materials. If the belt in your Mini is a serpentine belt, then you should replace it every 4 to 5 years or 50,000 miles. If you drive a vintage car and it has a V belt, you should replace it every 3 years or 36,000 miles. The hoses of your Mini may need replacement every 4 years or 40,000 miles, depending on your driving conditions and if road debris is an issue where you drive, as this could cause damage to the hoses unexpectedly.

Signs of Belts Failure

The belts of cars are not something a car owner thinks about often. However, you must be aware of your engine belt and signs to indicate that it needs replacement:

One of the most obvious signs of a belt problem is the squealing or screeching sounds you will hear from the engine. When you hear this sound, call a Mini expert immediately to inspect and replace the belts before it causes damage to other parts.
Overall performance of your Mini will drop drastically due to constant overheating of the engine.
When you inspect your engine’s belts, you may find cracks and tears. Other times the belts will look slacked, loose, or even slick. The slack is usually a result of natural wear and tear and heat from the engine. This will simply need replacement by a MINI specialist.
The A/C and power steering may develop faults and might stop working if your belts are not functioning as designed.

When to Replace Your MINI’s Hoses

The hoses of your MINI are susceptible to corrosion. When the hoses corrode, tiny cracks will start forming on the insides, eventually weakening the hose fibers and causing a leak. The hose might also get soft or develop bubbles over time. It is important that your hoses, belts, and other components of your engine are inspected by a MINI expert technician on routine maintenance. By performing these visual inspections regularly, any problem can be caught early, saving you trouble, time, and money on more costly repairs down the line.

Turning Wrenches is the Ultimate Solution

Preserving the superior performance of your European vehicle for years means a commitment to service and maintenance. When you suspect that the hoses and belts of your Mini are failing, call us for help to have them replaced. If you don’t act proactively, the damaged hoses and belts can impair the functions of your engine and cause it to break down.

At Turning Wrenches, we help drivers throughout Louisville, KY take better care of their cars. Our experts are ASE-certified with an in-depth knowledge of repairing and maintaining European cars, including Audi, BMW, Mercedes, and Minis. We offer unique and top-notch quality services that set us apart from other auto repair shops.

Our experts utilize the best and latest factory-grade tools to carry out repairs and maintenance services. Our services are affordable, and we offer all our customers a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty on all repair services. Please call us today to schedule your MINI’s next appointment or learn more about our maintenance programs.