Transfer Case Service

What is a transfer case? image of a car being serviced - auto repair service in Bedford PA

Most drivers don’t know much about transfer cases; however, if you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle, you’ve got one. This component is what ensures that you have power available for both the front and rear axles while you are driving around in the Bedford PA area.

For example, if you have a rear-wheel drive SUV, power will only go to the rear wheels until you need 4-wheel drive. That’s when the transfer case steps in and transfers some of the power to the front wheels as well. You might use a shift lever to go into 4-wheel drive, or it could be a button on the dash or it might even go into 4-wheel drive automatically, depending on your vehicle.

Why does my transfer case need serviced when it seems to be working great?

Transfer case fluid cools and lubricates the gears, chains, bearings, shafts and other parts for your vehicle. Over time, the additives in the fluid wear out, add to that the bits of metal and clutch material wear off and contaminate the fluid and you find that it doesn’t protect very well. There isn’t a filter in the transfer case, so if you allow the contamination to remain for too long, it’ll further accelerate wear. The transfer case is serviced at Town Hill Auto Service by periodically draining the fluid and replacing it with fresh fluid. Our technicians also check for leaks and damage.

How often should I get my fluid replaced?

Your owner’s manual may not have a recommended interval for when you should change your transfer case fluid – so ask your service advisor at Town Hill Auto Service in Bedford PA. There are several things that affect how often you should change the fluid, so let them know how often you use 4-wheel drive, if you drive in wet environments such as places where you cross streams or drive through mud and snow. That kind of stuff really shortens the drain interval.

Did you know that all of the service professionals at Town Hill Auto service in Bedford PA are ASE Master certified mechanics? These dealer trained technicians really know their cars. Certified in all makes and models these professionals can easily diagnose and repair anything; from the smallest leak to a major repair. Back that with being a Napa Certified Service Center you can have peace in mind that every repair uses the highest quality parts with industry-leading warranties.Transfer case parts will eventually wear out and you’ll have to make repairs. But properly servicing your transfer case at Town Hill Auto Service will keep that day as far in the future as possible.

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Simple Answers about your Water Pump

Image of a water pump  - Auto Repair Service in Bedford PAWater Pump Question:

I was driving on the freeway in PA when my vehicle engine started to get hot. I turned off my air conditioner and was able to drive the short distance to my meeting. After my meeting I drove my car the short distance to Townhill Auto Repair in Bedford PA. My technician informed me that that my water pump was leaking. It cost me many hundreds of dollars to get it fixed. What could I have done to avoid this?

Town Hill Auto Sales and Service in Bedford’s Answer:

This guy’s story really did have a happy ending. When you continue driving on an overheating engine you risk a catastrophic engine failure. It really is a good idea to pull over and let your vehicle engine cool down before driving again. If you add water or coolant, be sure your engine is cool or you risk serious burns.

Now there’s no way for Bedford PA drivers to predict when their water pump will fail – they just wear out. This fellow’s water pump replacement was more expensive because his water pump is driven by his timing belt. That requires a lot of hours to get to the water pump and then put everything back on the engine.

So what can I do?

A money saving tip from Town Hill Auto Sales and Service in Bedford PA: if your water pump is driven by your timing belt – replace the pump when you have your scheduled timing belt replacement. This may seem to be an unnecessary added cost; however, by doing it this way a technician already has most of the work done and you don’t have to pay for it twice, because the other part fails soon after the first one is replaced.

Did you know that all of the service professionals at Townhill Auto service in Bedford PA are ASE Master certified mechanics? These dealer trained technicians really know their cars. Certified in all makes and models these professionals can easily diagnose and repair anything; from the smallest leak to a major repair. Back that with being a Napa Certified Service Center you can have peace in mind that every repair uses the highest quality parts with industry-leading warranties. Check with your friendly and knowledgeable professionals at Town Hill Auto Sales and Service about when your timing belt and water pump should be replaced.

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Why does the location of the water pump affect the repair cost?

Image of a mechanic working on a water pump - Auto Repair Service in Bedford PA

My water pump went out and it cost me a lot more to replace it than ones I’ve had replaced on other cars. Max, my technician at Townhill Auto Service in Bedford PA said it’s because of where it’s located. Why does that make such a significant difference in the cost?

Town Hill Auto Sales and Service in Bedford’s Answer:

Some water pumps are driven by the serpentine belt and are bolted on out in the open with the alternator and air compressor. Replacing this type of pump is as simple as removing a couple of bolts and bolting a new pump in. Other water pumps are driven by the timing belt. These water pumps take a lot of labor to access and replace. I suspect your current vehicle has a water pump that is driven by the timing belt.
 
Water pumps are devices that circulate engine coolant/antifreeze around the engine and out to the radiator. Like any mechanical device, they eventually wear out. Although having a cooling system service done on schedule at Town Hill Auto Service in Bedford PA will extend the life of your water pump and its seals and gaskets – it will eventually fail and need to be replaced.

The water pumps that are driven by the timing belt (the belt that controls when your engine intake and exhaust valves open) are attached directly to the engine block. The timing belt system has protective cover. The serpentine belt and all the accessories are located over the timing belt cover. So getting to the water pump requires your technician to remove a lot of parts – which then need to be replaced.

Is there a way I can prevent problems to help save money in the future?

When the water pump must be replaced, it is a good idea for to go ahead and also replace the timing belt, timing belt tensioner and idler pulleys. There are a couple of reasons for this:
  • The timing belt may have been contaminated by leaking coolant;
  • There is a schedule for replacing your timing belt and you might as well make the modest additional added expenditure while everything is taken apart to avoid the same labor cost down the road.
By the way, the reverse is true as well: When you are replacing your timing belt on schedule go ahead and replace the water pump at the same time. It would be a shame to make the investment on one of these replacements only to have to do it all over again in a few months because the other part needs replacement. Do them at the same time and start the clock over for both.
 
Did you know that all of the service professionals at Townhill Auto service in Bedford PA are ASE Master certified mechanics? These dealer trained technicians really know their cars. Certified in all makes and models these professionals can easily diagnose and repair anything; from the smallest leak to a major repair. Back that with being a Napa Certified Service Center you can have peace in mind that every repair uses the highest quality parts with industry-leading warranties.
 
Panaramic of the garage at Town Hill Auto Service  - Auto Repair Service in Bedford PA

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