Engine repair covers everything from a misfiring cylinder to a knocking noise, a loss of compression or a failed timing component. AutoTech Clinic diagnoses the cause first, then repairs it at our Dearborn shop on foreign and domestic vehicles. You get the finding, the options and the price before any work begins.
Not every engine problem needs a rebuild. A great many of the engines brought to us for a noise or a shake are repaired with coils, injectors, gaskets or a timing component, and we always look for that answer first.
- How Long
- From a few hours for coils and plugs to several days for internal work.
- Same Day
- Time frame confirmed before you leave the car.
- Vehicles
- Foreign and domestic, cars through trucks.
Signs You Need Engine Repair
- A shake at idle that smooths out above 2,000 rpm, or the reverse
- A knock, tick or tap that changes with engine speed
- A loss of power pulling onto Michigan Ave or climbing a ramp
- Blue smoke on startup or white smoke that never clears
- Coolant or oil disappearing with no visible leak
- The engine overheating under load
What We Do
- 01
Diagnose Before Dismantling
We start with scan data, fuel trims, a compression or leak down test and a cylinder balance test. That tells us which cylinder and which system before anything comes apart.
- 02
Separate Cause From Symptom
A misfire can come from spark, fuel, compression or a vacuum leak. We test each path rather than replacing coils and hoping.
- 03
Show You What We Found
We take photos of what we find, including the parts still in the car, so you are looking at evidence rather than taking our word for it.
- 04
Repair With the Right Parts
We use parts that match the original specification for the engine. On gaskets and timing components that matters more than on almost anything else.
- 05
Road Test and Recheck
After the repair we road test, recheck fuel trims and misfire counters, and look for leaks with the engine at full temperature.
Repair or Replace: How We Decide With You
We put three numbers in front of you: the cost to repair what failed, the cost to replace the engine, and the honest condition of the rest of the car. A ten year old vehicle with a sound body, good transmission and new tires is worth putting an engine in. The same engine in a rusted out car usually is not.
It is your decision and your money. Our job is to make sure you are making it with accurate information rather than a guess.
Noises and What They Usually Mean
A tick that follows engine speed is often a lifter, an exhaust manifold leak or an injector. A deeper knock that gets worse under load points toward a rod or main bearing and is far more serious. A rattle on startup that goes away in a few seconds frequently means a timing chain tensioner.
We listen with a stethoscope and a scope rather than guessing from the parking lot. The difference between a manifold leak and a rod knock is the difference between a morning and an engine.
What Affects the Cost
We quote your vehicle specifically after inspecting it, because these are the things that move the number up or down:
- Whether the fault is external (coils, injectors, gaskets) or internal
- Engine layout, since a V6 rear bank takes far longer to reach than an inline four
- Turbocharged and direct injection engines, which have more to remove
- Whether machine shop work is needed on a head or block
- Parts availability for older or less common vehicles
Call (313) 277-7200 with your year, make and model and we will tell you what to expect before you come in.
Why AutoTech Clinic
AAA Approved
An inspected facility that has to meet AAA standards for equipment and training.
Photos First
You see what we found and approve the price before anything is taken apart.
Same-Day Service
Parts on hand for the vehicles we see most, so you are not waiting on a delivery.