Engine work, small and large
Most engine work is not a rebuild. It is a gasket that has started leaking, a water pump that is seeping, ignition coils that are misfiring or a timing component that is due. Dealt with early, these are routine repairs.
Left alone, the same faults become the big ones. A coolant leak becomes an overheat, and an overheat warps the cylinder head. An oil leak becomes a low oil level. That is why we would rather see the car when the first drip or the first warning shows up.
Signs your engine needs attention
- Temperature gauge climbing or an overheat warning
- Oil or coolant spots under the car
- White, blue or black smoke from the exhaust
- Knocking, ticking or rattling from the engine
- Coolant or oil level keeps dropping
- Shaking at idle or under load
How we approach an engine repair
- 01
Find the cause
Pressure testing the cooling system, leak tracing, compression or leak-down testing, depending on the symptom.
- 02
Straight advice
Repair options, cost and how the repair compares with the value of the car.
- 03
The repair
Gaskets, seals, cooling parts, timing components or the engine itself.
- 04
Checked before it leaves
Run to temperature, checked for leaks and road tested.
From a customer
Najib took care of my timing chain for an incredible price, managed to take care of the oil pressure sensor and couple leaks at the same while he was there. Did a full overview of the car and health check/report.
Engine repair questions
My car is overheating. What should I do?
Pull over safely and switch the engine off. Let it cool completely, and do not open the coolant cap while it is hot, because the system is under pressure. Driving an overheating engine even a short distance can turn a small repair into a very large one.
Is a small oil leak a problem?
A slow seep is common on older engines and often just needs watching. It becomes a problem when the level drops between changes, when oil reaches the belts or the exhaust, or when it drips on rubber bushings and softens them.
Timing belt or timing chain: which do I have?
It depends on the engine. A belt is a scheduled replacement item with an interval in your maintenance schedule. A chain is meant to last much longer but can stretch, and a rattle on a cold start is the usual first sign.
Should I repair the engine or replace it?
It comes down to what failed, what a good replacement engine costs and what the rest of the car is worth. We lay out the options with numbers so you can decide.
Where to find us
GTS Auto Repair is at 133 Manville Rd, Unit 32, Scarborough, ON M1L 4J7. We look after drivers from Scarborough and east Toronto.
