Des Moines Auto Repair

The conversion to propane is less of big deal than you might think. The engine itself will run almost exactly the same and doesn’t need to be modified. The main change is the fuel delivery system, which brings fuel from the storage tank into the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber is where the force that runs the wheels is generated. Revolutions are created by the reciprocating (back-and-forth) motion of the motor’s pistons. This motion is powered by the carefully timed series of explosions that is your fuel igniting under heat and pressure. These explosions are controlled by the injection system, which carefully meters the amount of fuel being injected into the combustion chamber. An explosion that generates a precise amount of force results from the fuel being vaporized as it is injected. Converting to a propane-powered engine The conversion requires a new fuel tank, new fuel delivery lines, new fuel rails and injectors, and a computer designed to regulate the air-to-fuel rati ... read more

Propane is a fossil fuel from a group of fuels known as LP gas, or liquid petroleum. Propane is a by-product of petroleum and natural gas processing which takes the form of a gas under normal environmental conditions. For storage and transportation, it is compressed into liquid form. Most people are familiar with it as a fuel for gas grills, RV appliances and forklifts. But propane offers huge upside as an alternative fuel for vehicles, especially for commercial fleets. If that makes you wonder why its not used more commonly, realize that its low demand is part of what makes it more cost-effective. Savings As propane is a by-product of natural gas and crude, the price has a direct relation to the price of fuel. Propane usually hovers between 50-70% of the price of fuel (this could theoretically change if demand were to increase, but it will still be cheaper than gas). On top of a significant reduction in environmental impact, it affects your bottom line in a handful of ways. There’s an ... read more

How to test drive a used vehicle All of the things we recommend looking for, below, are important for three reasons: They may indicate a condition that needs work, thereby increasing the cost of ownership, and this might impact the price you’re willing to pay They help to paint an overall picture of the way the car has been treated and maintained They help to assess the reliability of what the seller tells you about the car. Does their story match up with what you can observe on your own This post only covers what to look for while driving the vehicle. For recommendations on what to look for while inspecting the vehicle, see this post. When you schedule your test drive, request that they don’t start the vehicle for an hour before you get there. Some used vehicles start with a much more reassuring sound and feel when they’re warmed up.Sellers might “get it out of the garage for ya” just before you ... read more

When inspecting a used vehicle, take your time. Expect the evaluation of each vehicle to take 1-2 hours, at least, and accept that you might have to go through it with multiple vehicles before you find the right deal. If you’re in a hurry to get through it, you could very well miss out on a something important. Make sure you schedule enough time when you set up the appointment, and don’t let the seller rush you by talking about needing to make an appointment. Simply schedule a time window IE 6pm to 7pm, rather than just a start time. Check the warranty (if the vehicle is still under warranty) and read the fine print. Inspect in broad daylight whenever possible. Even the brightest parking lot lights might hide defects in the paint and body, and might make the car look much shinier than it is. Request a report on the vehicle’s history ... read more

For a safe and comfortable daily driving experience in the winter months, we recommend having these items in your vehicle. Some of it, you’ll only have to purchase once. All of it, you’ll be glad you have. Every item on the list is available at your local auto parts store or a store like Walmart. Choose high performance windshield wipers. We know the winter months in the Greater Seattle are fraught with rain, water, moisture, mist, drizzle and precipitation. What you might not know is how much you’ll appreciate having high performance windshield wipers, known as beam style wipers. They make for a better and safer experience while driving in rain, because they’re designed to contour more tightly to your windshield, thoroughly squeaking away any water. Save money, too: they perform better, and for significantly longer. The overhead pays for itself. Cost: ~13-30 dollars per wiper, depending on length and quality Get a window scraper. The least favorite card in your walle ... read more