Tag Archives: Dependable Auto Repair Mechanics

Car Repair Blaine MN

Tuesday, 05 July 2016 19:44

Written by Clark Automotive

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Auto Repair Blaine MN If you are like most Americans, you rely on your vehicle every single day. It is your primary mode of transportation, allowing to you to get to and from work, school, home and any other errands that you have. When your car is in need of repair, you probably cringe, worried about the cost and how long the repairs will take. If you live in the Blaine, MN area, Clark Automotive is your trusted, full service car repair shop in the area. Our team can complete a wide variety of car repairs and treat every customer with respect and open communication, so that your experience is a positive one.

Car Repair Services Blaine MN

Clark Automotive can complete all types of auto maintenance and repair including the following common services:

Replacing an alternator
Starter replacement
Routine maintenance and tune-up services
Battery testing and replacement
Brake repair and replacement
Computer and electrical problem diagnosis and repair
Engine repair
Timing belt replacement
Vehicle alignment, tire rotation
HVAC
Radiator repair and replacement
Exhaust system repair

Trusted Auto Mechanic in Blaine

The professional automotive mechanics at Clark Automotive have years of experience in full service car repair. Our shop has been operating for more than 17 years and has developed a reputation for being a trusted and reliable local car repair shop in the Blaine, MN area. Many of our customers trust their cars only to Clark Automotive and refer other customers as well. Our team can repair and perform routine maintenance for all makes and models of cars, whether they are new or have been around for years. We understand how important your vehicle is to you and will get you back on the road in no time.

When You Need Car Repair Blaine MN

The need for car repair is completely unpredictable and when you need it, you REALLY need it. Clark Automotive can be your local car repair company to handle any and all car repairs that you may have. We strive to get your car in and out as fast as possible and will communicate clearly about pricing and length of time needed for the repair. Our trained and experienced technicians are extremely professional and courteous and provide the highest quality repairs in the entire area. You no longer have to jump from shop to shop searching for a mechanic that is efficient, affordable and fast. Call Clark Automotive at (763)-784-7944 to learn more or schedule a time to bring your vehicle to our Blaine shop.

Automobile Pre-Purchase Inspection Services Blaine MN Part -2

Thursday, 11 December 2014 23:02

Written by Clark Automotive

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What should the Auto Pre-Purchase Inspection cover?

A test drive is an extremely important factor of a Pre-Purchase Inspection. Either as a tool causing additional focus of some particular automotive systems or to build your confidence in the car your considering. So a comprehensive review of all the auto’s systems, verify the functionality of the car’s options and features, confirm or disprove what you as the potential buyer deem the car’s condition to be. The inspection must expose hidden problems, if any, such as frame damage or prior and poor quality repairs and major crash repairs. Some companies do a 100 or 150 point inspection. What you should inquire about is what those checks cover. They should cover all operational systems of the car, such as:

Ignition System
Brake system
Cooling system
Suspension system
Starting system
Charging system
Computerized controls
Engine mechanical system
Transmission
Drive Train
Lighting system
Heating and Air Conditioning systems
Window system
And much more.

The Inspection results compared to the price being considered for the car?

We at Clark Automotive Clinic enter this area with a great caution, but with the ability to compare the considered pricing relative to what the various car lots or individual parties are asking. It is not the inspections goal to tell you what the car is worth, but rather to gauge if the price being considered is reflective of the cars condition and operational status together with market pricing influences. If you are paying $4000 dollars for a car deemed at that value, it would be expected you would not need to accomplish very many repairs. On the other hand if you’re getting that preverbal great bargain, you need to know at what cost in future repairs. Why is it a bargain?

How to coordinate the Pre-Purchase Inspection?

Clark Automotive Clinic will work with you to coordinate the inspection. If needed, we will speak with the seller so that they know whom you are taking the car to. We will strive to work around yours and the seller’s time constraints. We will need approximately 90 minutes to accomplish the inspection. We generally have to stay late to accomplish these inspections to work around everyone’s scheduling difficulties.

Other items to be accomplished during the inspection:

We prefer to have some time with you the buyer during the car inspection. The goal for that time is to go over any questions or concerns you may have about the auto you are considering. It is also good for you to be on part of test drive with us to review the operation characteristics of the car you are considering.

We will review the expectations you have for the car you’re looking to purchase. I recall a younger customer whom purchased a sporty car without an inspection and then brought it over for diagnostics. The issue being he had already paid for the car. The driver’s door hinge was worn, the car had a salvage title, and the super charger was not set up properly. Further the customer intended to drive the car in the winter. The wheels and tires, though new, would not offer any traction due to being so oversized.

If appropriate, we may advise that you the buyer review what the car will cost to insure. It is too late after you have purchased the car to find out you cannot afford to pay for the insurance.

Contact Clark Automotive today for an honest answer to your vehicle!

Blaine, MN Vehicle Repair Shop

Shop Location
9985 Davenport St. NE
Blaine, MN 55449

Phone: (763) 784-7944
Email: info@clarkautomotiveblaine.com

Shop Hours
MON – FRI 8:00 – A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
SAT (BY APPOINTMENT ONLY)

Automobile Pre-Purchase Inspection Services Blaine MN Part 1

Tuesday, 09 December 2014 22:45

Written by Clark Automotive

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What is an Automotive Pre-Purchase Inspection?

What is the first step regarding a car pre-purchase inspection?

To find an unbiased car repair shop that is well versed in the inspection of a car that you are considering the purchase of. The average automotive repair facility can accomplish the inspection, but they are out to sell you services. That means they are not unbiased. That same auto repair shop doing the inspection has a conflict of interest. They are fearful of leaving you with the impression that the car is any good. The reason being, if you end up purchasing the car and need to fix something right away they don’t what to have said the car was in great condition. The unbiased car inspection will rather key in on preventing you from being surprised by the first upcoming repairs.

Is a Pre-Purchase Automobile Inspection worth spending money on?

The need for this inspection is highly recommended. We at Clark Automotive Clinic offer this service for a nominal charge ($60.00) to our clients. The list we use may not be as long as some out in the market place, but remember the goal of the pre-purchase inspection? The Pre-purchase inspection will/should allow you to buy the car without any surprises for the near term. The inspection should list immediate safety issues and near term repairs. The estimate of those repairs, though important, is not needed till you start to evaluate if this is the car for you. We started providing this service after a very good customer purchased a used car with much more wrong with it than he thought, given the price paid for the car.

What happens with free or biased car pre-purchase inspections?

Most shops use the pre-purchase inspection, some being free, to sell work. What they do is scare the heck out of you the buyer, and then you return the car. I explain it this way, if you pay $5,500 for a $5,000 car it had better be in perfect repair and offer the features you are looking for. It should not require any safety repairs and few repairs when looking at the foreseeable next few months. If on the other hand, you pay $4,000 dollars for that $5,000 car you might expect to need to fix something. The question then becomes honestly and with some integrity what are those repairs? So a free pre-purchase inspection showing $2,500 in repairs could be questioned as to correctness. We certainly have been called upon to offer second opinions when it comes to estimates. A customer once put it this way, “They are offering to make my potential used car new”; this is not an inspection, but rather an overstated repair sales estimate.

What should you expect as results of an Automobile pre-purchase inspection?

Those results of the inspection should identify deficiencies as safety, needed near term repairs, and pending future repairs and maintenance. Of course, “safety repairs” are needed immediately. Those repairs identified as, “Needed near term” should be budgeted for, and should be accomplished soon and not be left to pile up and cause other problems or break downs. Finally a pending repair is an identifiable repair or recommended maintenance item that you should also be installed into the budget equation. An example would be the timing belt and water pump repair needed in 15,000 miles.

What is the goal of the Car Pre-purchase Inspection?

The goal for the pre-purchase inspection is no surprises. We had a new customer inquire about an older and marginally collectable car he had just paid $2800 for. He had not had it inspected, thinking it drove real nice! He was having the car towed in after owning it three weeks with an engine problem. The engine developed a catastrophic failure estimated to cost over $3,500. This development may not have been discovered by a pre-purchase inspection, but the poor brakes, front drive axles, and two bad wheel bearings, would have made the $2800 dollar purchase of this $1,800 car questionable. The engine failure problem may have shown up on our internet research. The engine failure was a very common problem area for that particular model vehicle. The customer than not only had an expensive new repair, but also some seriously priced deferred maintenance repairs as well. To repair this car was not fiscally prudent and the car was junked out. Again, the bottom lines no surprises.

We have even more to share with you on Pre-Purchase Automobile Inspection, look for our next blog….Or just call us and we can discuss it further and set up a convenient time for you to drop by with your possible new vehicle purchase.

Clark Automotive Repair Shop Blaine MN

Shop Location
9985 Davenport St. NE
Blaine, MN 55449

Phone: (763) 784-7944
Email: info@clarkautomotiveblaine.com

Shop Hours
MON – FRI 8:00 – A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
SAT (BY APPOINTMENT ONLY)

Car and Auto Brake Mechanic Blaine MN

Monday, 08 December 2014 22:24

Written by Clark Automotive

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Brake Repair Blaine MN Cars, trucks and SUV’s all have brakes and the braking system is a vital aspect to any vehicle. Clark Automotive Clinic, located in Blaine, MN is a full services automobile repair shop, with years of knowledge and experience. We offer Brake Repairs and Maintenance Services, as well as Second Opinions, Engine Diagnostics, Electrical Repairs and just about any other repair a vehicle owner could need.

Honest Blaine Auto Repairs

We want to inform our clients and potential clients, so they can have knowledge on their side when seeking repairs, either at our shop or another. Below you will find that we put together common brake issues we have seen and our professional opinion. This is no way the ‘exact answer’ to your problems but it might give you some insight and help direct you towards the correct solution or help you recognize when the exact issue your seeking fixed is not being address by another mechanic.

Common Vehicle Brake Issues:

You notice a strong, hot odor and or smoke coming off the brakes:

You will generally have to have the car towed in. The brakes are locked up and great damage will be caused or you will become stranded. There are a number of causes, but generally will be the brake calipers being stuck on or rear drum brakes frozen or stuck.

You step on the brakes and the brake pedal seems to move very little, it is firm, and the braking force is low:

This can be the brake master cylinder or brake booster not working correctly. This is difficult to diagnose and can also be a mechanical issue with the brakes. Immediate attention is required and may even be serious enough consider having the car towed in.

The Red brake light is on:

The first thing to check is to make sure the emergency brakes are not on. The emergency brake sensor switch can also be out of adjustment or defective. The second thing to check is the brake fluid level in the master cylinder. As the brakes wear the fluid level drops and should have fresh brake fluid added. The next thing to review is there any other brake performance observations that need to be considered. Even if the brakes are working fine a visit to your mechanic should be planned.

The Orange ABS light is on:

This means the Anti-Lock brakes are not operating. The regular brakes are still working and will not be a safety issue during normal braking. This issue is generally caused by defective speed sensors or electronic controllers. It can be very easy to fix or quite expensive, but will require that the fault codes in the ABS controlled be retrieved and perhaps some diagnostic time.

I bet you were wondering if I forgot about; when you step on the brakes there is a grinding noise:

Well it is time to get the brakes fixed. In Minnesota we are generally going to be replacing the rotors anyway, so it needs to get fixed, but you do have time to make an appointment and get it in. That does not mean you can go for two more weeks as you will ruin the calipers given long enough. If the scraping only occurs at bumps or when turning it can be a wheel bearing. Again Clark Automotive will provide you a free estimate and review your options with you.

We offer free advice and affordable vehicle repairs, contact Clark Automotive Repair Clinic today and we can repair your vehicle: efficiently, honestly and correctly.

Shop Location
9985 Davenport St. NE
Blaine, MN 55449

Phone: (763) 784-7944
Email: info@clarkautomotiveblaine.com

Shop Hours
MON – FRI 8:00 – A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
SAT (BY APPOINTMENT ONLY)

Car and Auto Braking System Repairs Blaine MN

Tuesday, 18 November 2014 20:14

Written by Clark Automotive

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Car, Truck, SUV and Auto Brake Services and Repairs Blaine, MN

Brake Repair Blaine MN Our Blaine, MN Car, Truck, SUV and Auto Repair Shop deals with many clients that have experienced brake problems. In our previous blogs we have talked about the mechanics side of Brake Repair Services for your vehicle. Today we switch to the roll of the driver and what is important to notice when you suspect vehicle brake issues. If you have concerns about your brake and are in the Blaine, MN area drop by or call Clark Automotive Clinic and will not charge a fee to go on a test drive with you and discuss your options. In this article we will discuss specifically what the owner or operator of the car should be knowledgeable or observant of. Please review previous blogs for answers on vehicle issues we have already addressed, as it will add to your ability to use the following information. The earlier articles are as follows, click on the links for answers: