Engine Maintenance in Columbia
Engine Repairs We Can Provide
Engine maintenance is vital to keep your car or truck operating at peak performance. It also impacts the longevity of your vehicle's engine. Trust the experts at Barnhill Automotive to help you protect your investment. Call us at 803-772-5144 or visit our shop in Columbia for expert engine maintenance.
Here is a comprehensive list of the engine maintenance services we offer:
Check Engine Light
No one likes to see their car's "Check Engine" light come on. The light could mean a costly problem, like a bad catalytic converter, or it could be something minor, like a loose gas cap. At Barnhill Automotive, we can pull the code and diagnose the problem for you. Give us a call at 803-772-5144 or stop by the shop for our expert assistance.
Diesel
Although diesel engines don't require tune-ups and tend to last longer than gasoline engines, they do require regular maintenance. Typical maintenance tasks include:
- Changing the oil & filter
- Changing the air filter
- Changing the fuel filter
- Bleeding the fuel system
- Draining the water separators
- Refilling the urea injection system
You can count on the experts at Barnhill Automotive to help your diesel engine last a long time.
Fuel Injection
Fuel injection is a system for admitting fuel into an engine. Since 1990, fuel injectors have completely replaced carburetors as the primary means of getting gasoline into the engine. A fuel injector atomizes the fuel by forcibly pumping it through a small nozzle (under high pressure). Failure of the fuel injection system means poor performance and ultimately destroys the engine.
Ignition
Your vehicle's ignition system is responsible for starting the engine by delivering an electrical spark that ignites the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. Issues can involve a worn ignition switch, a faulty ignition coil or broken or corroded wiring. These problems can lead to symptoms like the engine failing to start, intermittent stalling, dashboard warning lights, or even complete power loss while driving.
Ignition Wires & Cables
These vital parts transfer the spark from the ignition coil to spark plugs that ignite the mixture of fuel and air. The mixture starts the engine. Over time, ignition wires and cables get weak and break down. This makes it impossible for the spark to reach the engine cylinders. This results in the engine misfiring. Common symptoms of faulty ignition cables and wires are: poor gas mileage, engine misfires, engine light is on, and engine vibration.
Oil, Lube, and Filter
To keep running smoothly, your car highly relies on oil, lube, and oil filters. Oil helps in lubricating, cooling, and cleaning the internal engine components. With time, motor oil becomes contaminated. Your car needs an oil, lube, and filter change every three months (or 3,000 miles) in order to function optimally.
Spark Plugs
A spark plug delivers electric current to the combustion chamber from the ignition system. Spark plugs that haven't been changed for a long time can cause ignition problems. At Barnhill Automotive, we have automotive experts who will check and replace your spark plugs. For all your spark plug repair or replacement needs, call 803-772-5144 or visit Barnhill Automotive today.
Spark Plug Related FAQs
How do you know when a spark plug needs to be replaced?
The most common sign a spark plug needs replacing is the feeling that the car's engine is hesitating when accelerating, but other signs may include misfiring at start up, rough idling, sluggish acceleration, declining fuel economy and engine knocking.
What else should I replace when replacing spark plugs?
If you are considering having your vehicle's spark plugs replaced, there's a high probability that your spark plug wires need changing as well. Ignition wires become brittle over time. Old ignition wires can break and cause misfires or declining fuel economy.
Serpentine Belt Related FAQs
How do I know if I need to replace my car's serpentine belt?
If your serpentine belt is failing, you may notice performance issues with your vehicle. The vehicle may frequently overheat. Your air conditioning or power steering may fail to work or not work properly. You may notice your vehicle battery failing to recharge if the alternator is affected by a bad serpentine belt. If you start to notice any of these issues we encourage you to bring your vehicle to Barnhill Automotive as soon as possible to avoid bigger problems and breakdown.
Check Engine Light FAQs
What could cause a check engine light to come on?
Come by Barnhill Automotive and we can diagnose the reasons for a check engine light turning on. It can range from something serious like a faulty catalytic converter or potential engine failure to something simple like a loose gas cap or the need for a simple 50K or 100K mile manufacturer maintenance check.
Is it okay to drive with the engine light on?
The short answer, "No." The longer explanation is the light may indicate a serious engine failure and continuing to use your car as if nothing is wrong could result in a very expensive repair bill. The check engine light means you should stop driving and have your car looked at as soon as possible by a professional at Barnhill Automotive in Columbia.
What is the most common problem with my check engine light?
A loose gas cap is the most common cause of a check engine light coming on. But the best method to determine why the check engine light is on is to have a professional at Barnhill Automotive read the diagnostic code in the car's internal OBD computer.
What does a solid check engine light mean?
A steady check engine light indicates a non-emergency issue. Come by Barnhill Automotive and we can help.
What does an intermittent flashing check engine light mean?
Flashing check engine lights warn of severe situations requiring immediate attention. Get your vehicle to an auto repair shop as quickly as possible or get it safely parked and call a tow truck to take it to your preferred auto repair shop.
To learn more about our Engine Maintenance services, call us at 803-772-5144 or request a quote by clicking below:
Request Quote
A close friend referred me to Barnhill after I purchased a new Civic that deserved better service than Walmart's. I overslept my first appointment and even so, they happily rescheduled me for a time later that day and refused to accept any no show fee. The technician offered to let me watch, so I took him up on the offer and followed him into the back. Even though I only paid to get an oil/filter change, the tech topped off the wiper fluids, tested the battery, set the tire pressure, and answered all of my dumb questions. He even searched his inventory for one or two small clips that were broken/missing on the vehicle (though he wasn't able to find them, I have a lot a respect for someone who cares about other people's vehicles like that). The oil change only took about 10 minutes, but I stayed longer just to talk to the friendly receptionist. The total came out to $45.00 for a fully synthetic oil change. My experience here was absolutely outstanding and I'll definitely be back for my next servicing!
Ryan Wade
Discover More About Engine Repair Services At Barnhill Automotive in Columbia
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Contact Us Today!
Got questions? We've got answers! Drop us a line, give us a call, or even stop by. Our team is eager to help you with any auto repair needs you have. Let's get you back on the road safely and swiftly!
What Our Customers Are Saying
I've been very pleased with the service and the scheduling for getting regular maintenance as well as unscheduled repairs that need to be done. The owner, Tommy, is very personable and explains as well shows you what work needs to be done and gives you an option on when you need or want to pay for it to be done or if you want to wait until it really has to be done. He's very knowledgeable and tries to work with you on getting the best prices for your parts as well as overly considerable about service prices. I was recommended by my cousin and I was pleased, so I recommend him to others as well for Honda especially vehicles. He does have a lot of work, because he is very dependable. Sometimes I wish he would get a little more rest.
I have a really old car. 1998 Honda Civic 5 speed. Tommy & Ryan keep my car running like new. They recently replaced all my hoses for me to be sure my car was seaworthy to go out of town. Just got back Friday from a 3 day trip to Moncks Corner SC, including a day trip to Isle of Palms SC. My car did beautifully with no problem whatsoever. I trust them for all my maintenance & repair needs. They are awesome.
Car & Truck Care, near Columbia, South Carolina
I've been going to Tommy since I bought my first Honda Odyssey minivan. I later bought my wife a CRV and all 3 of my children Honda's. I've trusted him to keep their cars safe traveling back and forth from high school through college. Tommy and Ryan keeps me up to date on scheduled maintenance and tells me details on the health of my vehicle. He's upfront on all of the costs. He's very friendly and personable. If there were more people in the world like Tommy, the world would be a better place.
We have been taking our Hondas to Barnhill Automotive for many years,15 Years. Tommy and Ryan do an excellent job. They are thorough and reasonable with all of their work. I will only drive Hondas because of the peace of mind that I have with the top notch service at Barnhill Automotive. I would highly recommend this business.
