This poor Volvo XC70 presented with an engine oil pressure light on. One quick look at the engine oil pan provided what we in the business call a "clue". A huge amount of RTV sealant oozing out of the oil pan to engine block area. The car had recently been at another repair facility... Once our Senior Service Technician Ryan removed the oil pan, it was quite clear what had happened...and it wasn't pretty. 1) The previous servicing shop had resealed the engine oil pan with the incorrect sealant. 2) Had used an excessive amount of sealant, to the point [...]

Tech Tip - Volvo Fuel Filter Changes, Prevent Problems See the photo? That's a electric fuel pump, you don't want to have to buy one, read on for a a quick way to save yourself some real money, and headache! Volvo has a 105K or 120K mile schedule for replacement of the engine fuel filter. Lately we've been seeing an increasing number of the electric fuel pumps failing. We feel that this problem is brought about by extended intervals between fuel filter replacement. In the past, fuel filters were often changed at 30k or 60K mile intervals...and we rarely had pump failures. A [...]

Just another day at the Atlantic Motorcar Center Planet Of Fun. Being serviced under the delicate ministrations of our Senior Service Technician Shaun. Lesson here, don't let your family member push up on the sunshade. Interior and headliner out of car, 10 hours later, new sunroof installed. Yes, BMW does build and ship in the wooden "coffin case". Problems with your BMW, or your BMW Panoramic Sunroof, we're the experts, and know these like the back of our hands, and feet, and... Anyway, you get the message, done right, the first time, warrantied for 2 Years Nationwide, exceptional service for [...]

Recently we were engaged to work with customer's insurance company on a problem with his BMW's glass sunroof. It was, to put it mildly, an interesting experience. Having done this for more than a few years, thought I might pass along some tips in the interest of helping our customers. 1) Get An Independent Estimate, Always - As far as much possible, have a trusted, independent professional service provider provide an estimate BEFORE the insurance "adjuster" shows up. You don't need to get the traditional "3 estimates", just a single, well written estimate, from a professional. Remember, the insurance "adjuster" [...]

Tech Tip - How's Your Sunroof? Important service tip, make sure your sunroof drains are clean and clear. Modern sunroofs are not designed to seal perfectly from water entry, some always gets through, especially in the large glass panoramic designs. Normally this water entry is not a problem, but when the drain tubes get clogged, all manner of havoc can break loose. These tubes are designed to take the water that makes it around the seal, and drain it down the front "A Pillars", the metal channels on either side of the front windshield. Once these tubes clog, they often [...]

From time to time we find Mickey Mouse has taken up residence in one of our customer's autos, this was a particularly egregious example. This auto presented with a number of warning lights on, after a winter of storage. Removing some of the interior trim allowed us to the follow the magic trail of bird seed, acorns and other debris. Damage has been done to the CAN BUS network wiring, Yaw sensor and Lateral Acceleration Sensor wiring, and of course the carpeting. It's repairable, and the car will live again, but quite a project.