Wilmington Auto Repair

Ford F-150 Engine Swap With the loud knocking noise coming from the left bank of this 2010 Ford F150 pick up truck, we knew that ultimately we would have to change out the engine. The owner elected to go with a cost effective, low mileage used motor that would fit their budget.  There are a few different ways to remove and engine from these units, but our tech, Ryan Craner, elected to use the "cab-off" method to save time. This involves separating the front cab and lifting it up and away from the engine and chassis, fully exposing the engine and transmission completely. Take a look at the video we've included in this blog post.  Removing and replacing an engine in a Ford F150 isn't so bad if you can take the cab off. Yes, it does require a lift (for safety and saving time) so I wouldn't recommend this particular procedure if you don't have one. You can take it out through the front (remove a/c condenser, radiator, etc) or via the hood area.  ... read more

  June through August are typically the hottest months of the year. We all know that hot weather can be a real problem if your car is not in the best of shape. And you need to keep yourself in check as well. Here's a quick clip highlighting some of the do's and don'ts during the heat spell like the one we have now.      Make sure that you take care of your own self, by hydrating properly. As for your car, make sure that it's fluids are in good shape and full as well.   You also want to make sure that no kids or pets are left in the vehicle. Temperatures can rise as high as 138°, even though the temperature outside reads 90°.   Just remember to play it safe, and you'll be okay even in the hottest of times. Let common sense rule. If you need a check up on your fluids, air pressure, etc. please give us a call or just stop in. We'll perform a quick under hood courtesy check just to make sure things are in good shape. &nb ... read more

What is a cabin air filter? Is it: A filter for a house in the middle of the woods? A fresh, piney scent? A filter for the passenger compartment of your car? Clever you, it’s 3. A cabin air filter cleans the outside air before it comes into the passenger compartment. It filters out dust, pollen, spores, bacteria, pollutants, sparrows, exhaust gas and odors. These high tech filters can block particles larger than 3 microns. By contrast, a grain of sand is about 200 microns. Now not all vehicles have cabin filters. They are fairly new on the scene. About forty percent of new vehicles come with cabin air filters, but the number is growing every year. Cabin air filters can make for a very nice driving environment. Your car can be a haven during allergy season with very little dust and pollen getting into the cabin. However, the filter eventually gets clogged. When this happens, your heating and air conditioning flow can become restricted. The filter can even get kind of smelly. Buc ... read more