TIMING BELTS: If your vehicle is at least five years old, or if you have 90,000 + miles on your car, you may be past due for a timing belt replacement. After so many miles or several years of usage, all belts are subject to dry rotting along with normal wear and tear. The timing belt keeps your engine's camshaft in proper time with your crankshaft. It is also responsible for turning other components like the water pump and oil pump depending on your model. If the timing belt breaks while the engine is running, which is usually the case, serious engine damage can occur. One or more of the pistons will usually come in contact with an open valve. Besides the inconvenience of being stranded and paying for a tow bill, this failure can become a very costly repair.

The great news is that all this can be avoided by replacing your belts in a timely matter. Shopping for your preventative belt replacement can be very tricky. Several shops and dealerships will try to lure you in over the phone with a very low price for a t-belt job, then explain the extras after they get your timing covers off. Here at HCS Automotive we perform a complete timing belt job based on our vast experience. For example, on a Honda Accord 4-cylinder, we replace the timing belt, balancer shaft belt, all outside drive belts, water pump, coolant, oil pump drive gasket, camshaft seal, balancer shaft seal and retainer. All these items get replaced because they can destroy your new timing belt if any of them fail after the belt is replaced, which we have seen happen too many times over the years.

So, when price shopping, be sure to compare what you're actually paying for, and ask how long they warranty their work for. Please don't be fooled by those low prices. We have always felt our best customer is an educated consumer.

SHUTTLE SERVICES: With an appointment and advance notice of your needs, full shuttle services are available at our Dunvale location, and locale drop offs can be arranged at our Kuykendahl location. Both locations have rental car companies close by, please call for details.

FLOOD CAR REPAIRS: If your automobile has unfortunately become a victim of one of Houston’s yearly floods, HCS Automotive can help you through this trying time. The first step is to call your insurance company to begin a claim, so that you will be near the top of the list as they assign adjusters to the claims that have been made. Try to remove all personal items and trash from the vehicle before having it towed to one of our shops.

It is best not to drive the car more than absolutely necessary, (if it runs at all) to minimize the amount of mechanical and electrical damage. We will need your permission to remove the seats and carpets to begin the drying process and to prepare an estimate before the insurance adjuster arrives. This is standard procedure with almost all insurance companies. For more info please read High Water on our Car Care Tips page.