Venice Auto Repair

Do I Have to Replace my Timing Belt?    The simple answer is yes. Some vehicles have a Timing Belt, and others have a timing chain. These are necessary to keep the engine working properly and "in time". A Timing Belt is what keeps the engine valves and pistons "in time" with each other so that they don't collide. It is part of the internal engine system that creates a synchrony of movement between the Camshaft and Crankshaft to ensure that these engine valves open and close in unison during the Cylinder's in/out strokes.    The Timing Belt is rubber, so it does not last forever. In most cases, your manufacturer will recommend replacing as part of routine maintenance. This is about 70,000 miles, but every manufacturer is different. You can consult your owner's manual or come to our shop with trained professionals to ensure you are ... read more

What Happens When An A/C Actuator Goes Bad?   You might be thinking to yourself, what is an Actuator? We have had a few vehicles come in with this issue, that can range from a quite difficult job, to one not so intricate. Depending on your vehicle make and model this might be an extensive repair, in other cases, it could be a quick fix.    An Actuator or Blend Door Actuator, is a small electric motor in your vehicle that runs in forward and reverse motion to move the Blend Door/ Air Mix Door between fresh air and re-circulation modes, hot and cold air flow, and floor/defrost modes. The Actuator is what actually went out with one of these vehicles. So, the Blend Door was not swinging back and forth, causing the hot/cold airflow to be minimal. In another vehicle, we diagnosed a similar issue but the Actuator was working correctly. The ... read more

Why Are My Brakes Squeaking?Squeaking Brakes, American Import Auto, Inc.  In this post, we are going to discuss some of the reasons for squeaky brakes. Squeaking brakes are attributed to many different factors. At American Import Auto, Inc. we offer brake service and repair on ALL makes and models. Call us today to schedule an appointment to determine the cause of your squeaking brakes!    Brake Inspection First, we go into the brake system inspection. At  American Import Auto, Inc. we recommend changing front brakes at 3-4 millimeters in thickness. Rear Brakes at 3-4 millimeters in thickness, and a brake fluid flush every 24 months, or 24,000 miles. Our ASE-Certified mechanics will inspect all the major components of your vehicle's brake ... read more

Why is my Car A/C not blowing cold air?Why is the air conditioning running warm in my vehicle?Here in Florida, the summer days are quickly approaching and there is no greater need for Air Conditioning than during the summer months. With the humidity on the way to make its presence known as well, your A/C plays a major role in a comfortable ride.One reason your A/C is not blowing cool air is because of the compressor not functioning properly, or not doing its job effectively. The Compressor is also known as the heart of the A/C system. We call these pressures when the A/C starts and stops.What we do is hook up a set of gauges to see what these pressures are. You have a high pressure and a low pressure. Depending on what the pressures are doing, it will help to diagnose where the problem in the system may lay. Other ways besides testing pressures, is to test the amount of Freon, because too high or ... read more

Let's be honest here, there are many reasons why your vehicle nosedives when the brake is applied. You may think it's coming from the brakes themselves, or even the tires. Moral of the story is to get your vehicle to our shop for one of our technicians to diagnose! The reason for the nosedive while braking the vehicle is actually coming from the shocks and/or struts! For the most part, your vehicle should brake quick and centered. When the front-end jerks forward or nosedives, has longer braking, or continual bouncing over bumps, you have a problem with your shocks and/or struts. This is a sign that the Shocks and Struts cannot hold the weight of the vehicle, making it very hazardous. The main purpose of the shocks and struts is to keep the tires on the ground. They stay extended to keep the rubber in contact with the ground. Without fixing you can add wear to your front end system and cause uneven wear on your tires. When ... read more