Category: Porsche Repair

What Does Porsche Engine Service Include in Los Angeles?

Posted on June 3, 2023 by Gary Kasbarian - Porsche Repair

As a Porsche owner, one crucial aspect of maintaining your car’s peak performance is ensuring that its engine is regularly serviced and maintained. Regular engine service ensures that all components are functioning optimally, helping to prevent potential issues and costly repairs in the future.

The process of engine servicing can be quite complex and involves various procedures and inspections. Knowing what a Porsche engine service typically includes can help you understand what you need to ensure that your car remains in top condition for years to come. Let us explore what a Porsche engine service typically includes and why it is crucial for maintaining the health of your vehicle.

Engine Diagnostics

Porsche cars and SUVs are equipped with advanced onboard diagnostic systems that can monitor various engine parameters. During service, these systems are scanned to check for any fault codes or potential issues. Skilled technicians can interpret these codes and diagnose any underlying problems, allowing for timely repairs or maintenance.

Spark Plug Replacement

Spark plugs play a crucial role in the process of combustion, igniting the fuel-air mixture in the cylinders. As time goes on, spark plugs wear out or become fouled, leading to misfires and reduced engine efficiency. During a Porsche engine service, the spark plugs are inspected, and if necessary, they are replaced to ensure optimal ignition and performance.

Fuel System Cleaning

The fuel system delivers fuel to the engine, and over time, deposits can accumulate on the fuel injectors, throttle body, and intake valves. These deposits can disrupt the fuel flow and affect engine performance. A comprehensive engine service may include a fuel system cleaning to remove these deposits and restore optimal fuel delivery and efficiency.

Timing Belt/Chain Inspection

Porsche engines may have timing belts or timing chains that ensure precise synchronization between the crankshaft and camshaft(s). These components are critical for proper engine operation. During a service, the timing belt or chain is inspected for signs of wear or damage. If necessary, it may be recommended to replace these components to prevent potential engine damage or failure.

Coolant System Check

The coolant system is responsible for regulating engine temperature and preventing overheating. During a service, the coolant level, condition, and overall system performance are checked. If needed, the coolant may be flushed and replaced to maintain proper engine temperature and prevent potential overheating issues.

Fluid Checks

Apart from oil and coolant, other fluids in the vehicle, such as transmission fluid, brake fluid, and power steering fluid, are also essential for optimal performance and safety. During an engine service, these fluids are inspected, and their levels and conditions are checked. The fluids are topped up or replaced to ensure the proper functioning of the respective systems.

Visual Inspection

A comprehensive engine service includes a visual inspection of the engine and its components. Skilled technicians will examine for any signs of leaks, damaged hoses or belts, loose connections, or unusual wear. Any potential issues identified during the inspection can be addressed promptly, preventing costly repairs down the line.

Exhaust System Inspection

The exhaust system plays a vital role in maintaining engine performance and reducing emissions. When servicing your engine, the exhaust system is inspected for any leaks, damage, or worn-out components. Addressing issues in the exhaust system can help maintain optimal engine efficiency and ensure compliance with emission regulations.

Engine Mount Inspection

Engine mounts secure the engine to the vehicle’s frame, providing stability and reducing vibrations. Over time, engine mounts can deteriorate, leading to excessive engine movement and increased vibrations. During an engine service, the engine mounts are inspected, and replacements are recommended to ensure smooth engine operation.

Engine Component Cleaning

To maintain peak performance, certain engine components may require cleaning during a service. This can include the intake manifold, throttle body, or intake valves. Cleaning these components helps remove carbon deposits and improve airflow, resulting in better engine response and efficiency.

The process of engine servicing can be quite complex and involve various procedures and inspections. It is recommended to seek professional help.

Come to Carotech Automotive for Your Porsche Engine Maintenance

If you are a Porsche owner in Los Angeles, CA, and you need help with your engine maintenance, we are here to help. At Carotech Automotive, our technicians are experienced in Porsche maintenance and offer comprehensive engine services tailored to your vehicle’s specific needs. Book an appointment with us today and entrust your Porsche to the care of our professional team.

The Trusted Porsche Specialist in Los Angeles to Remove Metal Shavings Out of the Oil

Posted on November 13, 2021 by Gary Kasbarian - Porsche Repair

When you think of Porsche, you probably think of its power engine and its unique designs, and while those words may be accurate, it doesn’t mean that you can’t still run into problems. One such problem that many Porsche owners encounter is metal shavings in the car’s oil pan. You may wonder why it happens and what you can do to fix the problem.

There are a lot of different possible reasons for why metal shavings may appear in your oil, but none of them are what you’d consider good. Over time, metal shavings building up in your engine’s oil can cause total engine failure or other issues.

Common Cause of Metal Shavings in Oil

Dirty Oil: There is a reason why mechanics recommend getting your oil changed on a regular basis. It’s because it prevents dust and other particles from building up inside the oil and causing it to gum up. However, if your car’s oil is dirty, it won’t be able to lubricate the gears of the engine as well, and even worse, the dust and other things inside the oil can increase friction, leading to metal flaking off and getting into the oil. In turn, the oil’s ability to do its job decreases even more. It’s a continual downward spiral.
Using the Wrong Kind of Oil: As you can imagine, because Porsche is a luxury brand, it requires high-quality materials to run properly. Some Porsche drivers try to save a little money by filling their cars with less expensive oil, but in most cases, this just means that the oil will deteriorate faster and need to be changed out more. It can also cause problems like metal shavings much sooner.
Improper Technique When Changing the Oil: You may think that changing out your car’s oil is a simple process that can be done by anyone, and while that may be true with other car brands, because of the unique properties of a Porsche model, they require specialized knowledge and equipment to be able to accomplish most maintenance tasks. If done incorrectly, an oil change can lead to the metal shavings problem, which you will then need another technician to fix. That’s why it’s better to allow our professionals to handle it from the beginning.
Lack of Upkeep: Owning any car, but especially a Porsche, requires that you follow a regular maintenance routine to keep the vehicle in the best condition for as long as possible. If you are being lax on this routine, it can lead to problems.
Normal Wear and Tear: Last but not least, over time and with a lot of use, the metal shavings may appear even if you seem to be doing everything right. This is because as the vehicle ages, the stress on its internal components increases and things start to crumble and break on their own. This can lead to metal shavings in the oil, among other things.

Carotech Automotive Will Fix the Problem

If there are metal shavings in your car’s oil, the best thing to do is to take your Porsche to a knowledgeable mechanic who has ample experience working with Porsches. They will be able to determine exactly what the problem is and know how to fix it correctly. Once they’ve done that, they will probably change the oil and may flush out the engine to get all of the metal shavings out.

If you are wondering where the best place to go for this service is in Los Angeles, California, look no further than Carotech Automotive. With our extensive experience with luxury car brands such as Porsche, and our commitment to our customers, you will find that we have all the knowledge and skills necessary to fix this issue and many others.

Call us today or stop by our shop and learn more about the services we offer or to schedule a convenient appointment. We are certain that our service will be above and beyond dealership alternatives, and more affordable, too. We are eager to prove our commitment to our principles of excellent customer service and the highest-quality workmanship to keep you coming back to our shop for future maintenance and repairs.

* Porsche Car image credit goes to: tomeng.

How to Diagnose a Failing O2 Sensor in a Porsche

Posted on July 21, 2021 by Gary Kasbarian - Porsche Repair

Cars become more reliant on technological advancements versus being entirely mechanical. These advancements in the automotive industry can be quite helpful for your drive and by alerting you to potential issues in your vehicle and aiding in high engine performance.

There are numerous sensors that can help diagnose and prevent failures in the mechanisms of your Porsche. One sensor that can prove vital to maintaining the overall health of your vehicle is the O2 sensor. This sensor is a vital component involved in the combustion process that keeps your engine running happily and reliably.

Combustion isn’t possible without oxygen, so your O2 sensor makes sure your engine has a healthy oxygen-to-fuel ratio. This important sensor also monitors the emissions the engine puts out and makes sure there are no harmful gases entering the environment.

If your vehicle begins to show signs of a failing O2 sensor, this is a severe issue that can negatively affect your engine’s performance and cause other problems if left to damage your components in your Porsche. You must take your vehicle to a trusted technician as soon as possible to get a diagnostic test and proper repair.

There are several symptoms that will indicate a failing O2 sensor in your Porsche. Below we’ve listed the most common signs of a failing O2 sensor:

Illuminated Check Engine Light

Modern vehicles are very good at giving you a heads up when there’s trouble under the hood. A failing O2 sensor will often trigger the check engine light to illuminate on the dashboard of your car. When this indicator lights up or any other dashboard indicator, you should have your vehicle serviced by a qualified technician. Never drive a vehicle for long after the check engine light illuminates without ensuring your engine’s health to ensure the longevity of your Porsche.

Increased Exhaust Emissions

One of the functions of the O2 sensor is to monitor your car’s emissions. When an O2 sensor starts to malfunction, it may affect the amount of exhaust produced by your vehicle. You may notice increased emissions from your Porsche’s exhaust when idling. There may even be a noticeable bad smell while driving. While this might seem like a purely cosmetic concern, an increase in exhaust emissions indicates a severe problem with your engine and it should be checked out by a Porsche expert.

Irregular Engine Sounds

When your engine fails to function as intended, your car’s overall health and performance may suffer. You may be able to notice this kind of issue by listening to the sounds produced by your vehicle’s engine. If you begin to hear abnormal sounds from your Porsche, this is a clear sign that you should bring your vehicle to a qualified automotive technician.

Poor Vehicle Performance

Intricately-designed vehicles like your Porsche run well because of all the parts working together in sync. So when one part fails to perform its function, the whole system begins to struggle. An O2 sensor that fails to function may also be unable to maintain the correct oxygen/fuel ratio. This ratio is necessary for the combustion process.

A disruption to the air-to-fuel ratio may cause your engine to perform suboptimally. It goes without saying that poor engine performance causes your vehicle to struggle in its overall performance.

If you notice your vehicle struggling to accelerate at its regular rate, it could be a sign of a failing O2 sensor. If your Porsche is in any way deviating from its usual performance, bring it into a trusted automotive shop for a diagnostic test. You know how your Porsche is supposed to perform. Trust your instincts and have it checked out if you suspect a problem.

Find Skilled, Honest Help At Carotech Automotive

Regardless of what problems your vehicle might have, our ASE-certified technicians can find solutions for you. Rest assured that at Carotech Automotive, your Porsche will be in skilled and qualified hands.

We have proudly serviced cars all over the Los Angeles, CA area for over 50 years. We are eager to help you with your Porsche’s problems, too. Bring your vehicle in for service today and allow us to prove what makes us the #1 trusted garage for Imports in the L.A. area.