O'Fallon Auto Repair

Hey O'Fallon drivers! Let's talk about one of the most critical, yet often overlooked, components of your vehicle's suspension system: the ball joint. If you’re cruising down Bryan Road or navigating the roundabouts here in O'Fallon, the last thing you want is a sudden, catastrophic failure that leaves you stranded. Understanding what a ball joint is, recognizing the symptoms of failure, and knowing the replacement cost can save you from a world of trouble, and a hefty repair bill. What is a Ball Joint, Anyway? Think of a ball joint as the hip socket of your car. It’s a pivotal bearing that connects your vehicle's steering knuckles to the control arms. This ingenious little component has a spherical bearing that rotates and swivels within a socket, allowing for two essential movements: Up and Down: It lets your suspension absorb bumps on roads like the I-64 expansion or the occasional pothole on Market Street ... read more

The Dangers of Valve Float and How to Avoid an Engine Disaster Here in O'Fallon, Missouri, we appreciate power and performance. Whether you're cruising down the scenic Bryan Road or feeling the thrill of acceleration on a wide-open stretch near I-64, a smooth-running engine is the heart of the experience. But what happens when you push that engine a little too hard? There’s a hidden danger that lurks at high RPMs, a phenomenon known as valve float. It’s a critical issue that can turn a moment of high-performance excitement into a catastrophic,and expensive, engine failure. As your trusted local experts at Hillside Auto Repair, we’re diving deep into your engine’s valve train to explain what valve float is, why it’s so destructive, and how you can prevent it from turning your drive into a disaster. The Heartbeat of Your Engine: A Quick Refresher on Valves Before we understand the problem, we need to know the ... read more

The Silent Engine Killer: Unmasking Carbon Coking and How to Stop It If you’re a driver in O'Fallon, Missouri, you know our roads can be a mix of scenic country drives and the stop-and-go hustle on I-64. Your vehicle’s engine works hard through it all, but there’s a silent, sneaky threat that can rob it of power, efficiency, and its long-term health: carbon coking. You might have heard the term, especially if you own a direct-injection engine (which is most modern vehicles). But what exactly is it, and why should you care? As your local automotive experts at Hillside Auto Repair, we’re pulling back the curtain on this common issue to help you protect your investment. What in the World is Carbon Coking? Imagine the inside of your engine’s combustion chamber. It’s a place of extreme heat and pressure where fuel and air mix and ignite thousands of times every minute. Over time, this process can leave behind h ... read more

Lifter Tick: The Annoying Click That Demands Your Attention You're sitting in your driveway in O'Fallon, the engine is idling, and you hear it: a persistent, rapid tick-tick-tick-tick coming from under the hood. It's not a loud knock, but it's too rhythmic to be normal. Your first thought might be, "Is this serious?" Welcome to the world of lifter tick, one of the most common, and often misunderstood, engine noises. Before you imagine your engine scattering itself across I-70, take a deep breath. At Hillside Auto Repair, we diagnose lifter tick on a regular basis. Sometimes it's a minor issue; other times, it's a warning sign. Let's demystify this annoying sound, explain what's happening inside your engine, and what you should do about it. What Are Lifters and What Do They Do? To understand the tick, you need to know the lifter's role. Think of your engine’s valve train as a com ... read more

The Rise and Fall of the Air-Cooled Engine: A Nostalgic Look at a Simpler Time There’s a distinct, mechanical symphony that car enthusiasts can recognize instantly—the distinctive clatter and whir of an air-cooled engine. For decades, this was the sound of innovation, from the humble Volkswagen Beetle puttering down a street to the roar of a Porsche 911 on the racetrack. The air-cooled engine was a marvel of simplicity, but like many great technologies, its time eventually passed. At Hillside Auto Repair in O’Fallon, we have a deep appreciation for the entire history of the automobile. Understanding where we’ve come from helps us better service the vehicles of today and tomorrow. Let’s take a journey through the rise and fall of the air-cooled engine, a true icon of automotive engineering. The Technology: Simplicity Itself The core principle of an air-cooled engine is brilliantly straightforward: use air, not ... read more