Tampa Auto Repair

You don't have to be a trained automotive expert to know when something is going wrong with your vehicle. With the simple use of your eyes and nose, you can infer that you may need to take a trip to a mechanic. When it comes to your exhaust system, a thick cloud of emissions is typically a bad sign. Under normal conditions, a light cloud is fine. However, if the smoke is thick and unusual in color, it can mean trouble. Bad exhaust smoke usually appears as black, white, or blue depending on the nature of the problem. Black Smoke Black smoke means that there's an imbalance of fuel and air burning in the engine. Some examples of issues that can cause excess black fumes include failing fuel injectors, a clogged air filter, or even a bad pump. White Smoke White smoke is a sign that your head gasket is leaking and trickling coolant into the combustion chamber of the engine. Other ways coolant can drip into the chamber is a cracked engine block and faulty cylinder head. Blue Smok ... read more

You probably have experienced the awful moment when your car fails to start. Although you may equate these experiences to a dead battery to the chilly winter temperatures, the summer months are tougher. The life expectancy of batteries in cold climates is 51 months, but those in warm temperatures are 30 months. Your car battery starts discharging on its own within 24 hours, something that takes many days in cold winter. Therefore, you may wake up to a dead battery in scorching conditions. Below are tips for helping you protect your battery during summer: Tips for Ensuring Your Car Battery Stays Safe this summer Keeping the Battery Cool It will help to park your car in a cool or shaded area because heat drains the battery. Also, putting your vehicle in a cool place will ensure the interior is cooler when you enter. Increasing Driving Time Driving short distances slowly kills your car's battery because the alternator requires time to recharge the battery after it is started. W ... read more

Air conditioning is a must when it comes to spring and summer driving in Tampa, FL. And most of us take it for granted until we can't feel the cool air blowing anymore. With spring in full swing, now is the perfect time to have your A/C checked by professional mechanics. Otherwise, it could suffer from one of these problems later on this season.   Common A/C Problems Refrigerant Leak - Refrigerant, also known as freon, is the cooling factor for the air. A leak of this stuff is one of the most common ways a car A/C stops working. Often, it bleeds out of seals or hoses that have worn down over time. The experts at our shop can pinpoint the leak, patch it up, and top you off on freon so that you can be on your way. Broken Compressor - The compressor in your car's air conditioning system makes sure the air and freon are circulated. A common reason for this component to go bad is going too long without using the A/C.  Blocked Condenser - The condenser is what allows t ... read more

While everyone knows the basics of an oil change, most drivers have no idea what a brake fluid flush is. If your vehicle has a hydraulic braking system, it relies on brake fluid to facilitate the entire braking mechanism. Therefore, a brake fluid flush is a mechanical service provided by Brazzeal Automotive to remove dirty brake fluid from your vehicle's system and replenish it with clean brake fluid. The secret to getting the best and most effective braking is by having a brake fluid flush, using high-quality brake fluid. Why Is Brake Fluid Flush Necessary for My Car? The brake system is the most crucial system in your vehicle when it comes to safety. Brake fluid is used for the brake system because it will not easily break down under high pressure or temperatures. However, brake fluid is hygroscopic, meaning it has a water weakness. If water contaminates and dilutes your brake fluid, it will ultimately lower the brake fluid's boiling point and overall effectiveness. To pre ... read more

Your vehicle's axles are rods or shafts that rotate the wheels and support the car's weight. Additionally, they can impact your driving, steering, and braking. Traditionally, car axles are intended to last a very long time; some will last the vehicle's entire life. However, the previous statement only holds true if the axle remains undamaged. Because your axles are constantly moving and flexing to accommodate you and the road conditions, they are put under a lot of stress from their strenuous activity.   Below are some ways to tell whether your vehicle's axles are giving out: Loud sounds: Often, drivers will hear clicking sounds when turning their vehicle. Clunking and growling sounds may also be a sign of weak axles. Leaking oil: You may see a greasy substance near the vehicle's tires, steering parts, or suspension components due to a fractured or damaged CV boot. Please take your car to the repair shop immediately if this is the case. Car vibrations: A d ... read more