Clackamas Auto Repair

Exhaust Smoke Color Meanings: A Detailed Resource for Vehicle Enthusiasts Introduction: Decoding the Messages in Your Vehicle's Exhaust The exhaust system of your car or truck is a complex network that expels the remnants of the combustion process while offering valuable clues about the engine's health. In an optimal scenario, the exhaust from your tailpipe is barely noticeable, consisting primarily of water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other innocuous gases that blend into the air. However, when internal imbalances or failures occur—ranging from fluid leaks and inefficient burning to component degradation—the exhaust can take on visible colors like white, blue, black, or gray. Each color acts as a diagnostic flag, signaling specific issues that, if heeded early, can avert more severe problems, enhance fuel efficiency, and prolong your vehicle's operational life. This expansive blog post, clocking in at over 4,000 words, provides a thorough exploration of exhau ... read more

Still Overheating After Replacing the Thermostat? Here’s What’s Really Going On At Tim’s Automotive in Clackamas, We Fix the Real Problem — Not Just the Obvious One You replaced the thermostat, expecting your truck to run cooler. But now it’s still overheating — or maybe it’s even worse than before. So, what gives? At Tim’s Automotive Repair and Sales, we’ve seen this story play out time and time again. A customer replaces the thermostat thinking it will solve the overheating issue, only to find that nothing has changed. That’s because your cooling system isn’t just a thermostat — it’s an entire network of components that must work in perfect balance. We don’t guess. We diagnose. And we solve what others overlook. If you’re driving through Clackamas, Happy Valley, Oregon City, or Damascus, here’s why your truck may still be overheating — and what we do differently to fix it for goo ... read more

What Happens If I Don’t Service My Car on Time? You’re busy. Your dashboard says “Service Due,” but the car still drives fine, so you put it off. Here’s the truth: “Still running fine” doesn’t mean your car is healthy — it means wear and damage are building quietly, where you can’t see them. At Tim’s Automotive Repair and Sales in Clackamas, OR, we’ve seen countless vehicles lose years of reliable life — and cost their owners thousands — all because maintenance was delayed.     Why We Don’t Just Follow Factory Maintenance Schedules Factory service schedules are written to get a vehicle through its warranty period. That’s the bare minimum. At Tim’s Automotive, we follow a Maximum Lifespan Maintenance Plan designed to: Catch problems before they turn into costly repairs   Replace fluids, filters, and components well before failure   Keep your car safe, reli ... read more

Can I Fix My Brakes Myself? Yes — But Should I?     Sure, You Can Try Fixing Your Brakes Yourself — But Is It Worth the Risk? Thanks to endless tutorials on YouTube and DIY parts websites, more people are attempting their own car repairs—brakes included. So let’s answer the question directly: Can you fix your brakes yourself? Yes. Should you? That’s where things get serious. Your brakes are the single most important safety system on your vehicle. When they fail, they don’t warn you in advance. They just don’t stop—and that’s a risk no tutorial can reverse. If you’re in Clackamas, OR, or nearby areas like Happy Valley, Damascus, Milwaukie, or Oregon City, this article will help you understand the real dangers of DIY brake jobs—and why trusting Tim’s Automotive Repair and Sales is the smarter move.     What You Can Do at Home With the right tools, a bit of mechanical experience, and a ... read more

Should I Change My Brake Fluid? The Forgotten Maintenance That Could Make or Break Your Safety on the Road You know to change your oil. You may even stay on top of your tire rotations. But what about your brake fluid? If you're like most drivers in Clackamas, Happy Valley, Oregon City, or Milwaukie, you’ve probably never had your brake fluid flushed—or even thought about it. That’s why we see so many brake issues at Tim’s Automotive Repair and Sales that could’ve been avoided with one simple service. Brake fluid doesn’t just affect your stopping power—it affects your safety, your wallet, and your entire brake system. And unlike oil, it doesn’t have a dashboard light or service sticker reminding you when it’s time. So let’s change that. Here’s everything you need to know about brake fluid—and why a flush might be the most important thing you do for your vehicle this year.     What Does Brake Flu ... read more