Automotive Industry News & Information - Donnie Braun & Sons Auto Repair

In the diesel world, "blow-by" is a term you’re bound to run across at some point if your line of work involves diesel-powered vehicles of any kind. What is blow-by, what causes it, and how concerned should you be? At Donnie Braun & Sons Auto Repair in Jefferson City, MO, our fleet maintenance and diesel technicians see it on a regular basis. Here we’ll take a quick look at blow-by, correcting it, and preventing it.

One of the more annoying issues a car, truck, or SUV will develop is a grinding or scraping sound when you hit the brakes. What is it, and how do you make it stop? At Donnie Braun & Sons Auto Repair in Jefferson City, MO we have the answer.

Your vehicle's belts and hoses are essential to the cooling, air conditioning and charging systems, and the engine. Don’t take these routine replacement intervals for granted because they can break down and leave you stranded.

What is the purpose and importance of your belts and hoses? The timing belt keeps the crankshaft and camshaft mechanically synchronized to maintain engine timing. Whether serpentine, V-belt, or fan belt (the belts on the outside of the engine), they all transmit power from the front of the engine to accessories that need to be driven, such as the air conditioning, the charging system, and fans. Radiator and heater hoses carry coolant to and from the engine, radiator, and heater core.

Automatic transmissions are, to many, a mysterious aspect of automotive mechanics. Torque converters, on the same hand, are a mystery shrouded within a mystery. Here’s a basic rundown of how torque converters work, and how to know if yours is failing, from Donnie Braun & Sons Auto Repair in Jefferson City, MO.

Obviously, your fuel delivery system is an extremely important aspect of the running condition of your truck. At Donnie Braun & Sons Auto Repair in Jefferson City, our expert team of mechanics can treat and clean your fuel delivery system, ensuring you get the most out of your fleet. Keeping the fuel system clean is essential, particularly with high mileage diesel engines. Sediments and carbon buildup can dramatically affect pumps, filters, lines, and injectors. There are many important reasons to have your fuel system regularly checked and cleaned.

tow truck and guy calling on the phone by side of the road

Something will go wrong with your car, truck, or SUV eventually. The important thing is knowing what to do, and how to deal with it. Just knowing what to do in a situation often means the difference between a quick repair and thousands of dollars worth of work. If you see steam coming from under the hood, it’s important to deal with it appropriately and quickly. Here’s what’s going on, and what to do, from Donnie Braun & Sons Auto Repair in Jefferson City, MO.

If you're prepping to go on a road trip, you need to be sure that your vehicle is ready for the journey. An unmaintained vehicle could be the difference between a good trip and a trip that goes south really quickly. Here at Donnie Braun & Sons Auto Repair, we want to remind you of some things to do so you and your vehicle are ready for the road.

Is your diesel having issues starting up? Do you hear a knocking noise? Is there blue colored smoke coming from your engine? Don't ingore the signs, those could all be signs of engine failure. One of the leading issues that lead to diesel engine failure is fuel contamination. Fuel contamination comes in different forms, but always has the same result - engine trouble and fuel system failures. Here’s what you need to know about fuel contamination with diesel trucks, from Donnie Braun & Sons Auto Repair in Jefferson City, MO.