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Will Repair Auto, Spanaway, WA (2026)

03/06/2024

NOVEMBER 2023 Pt. 1

Busy month, started with swapping radiators due to this defective CSF radiator that was purchased new. There's always a chance new parts are bad out of the box.

Also dropped the transmission on this 2008 Mazdaspeed3 to address a slipping clutch and leaking rear main seal. Also decided to remove and reseal the oil pan. Unfortunately the aftermarket clutch kit that was in there was not compatible with the OEM style clutch kit so a different one had to be ordered.

Finally more servicing on a few Toyotas and an emergency alternator replacement on a 1997 Ford F150.

Contact me if you have any questions for your vehicle!

03/06/2024

OCTOBER 2023 PT. 2

Replaced failed air suspension and axle on this 2006 Ford Expedition. Truck had just over 200k miles and both the front and rear struts were collapsed due to leaks. Did a coil strut conversion all around and the truck drove so much better. Also did axle and spark plug/ coil to address a misfire issue. Finally I did routine servicing on a good customer's Toyotas.

Contact me for a quote for your automotive needs!

12/07/2023

End of year recap: OCTOBER 2023 Pt. 1

Started the month with replacing a fuel pressure sensor on a 2008 Mazdaspeed3. Had to wait almost two months to get the Bosche sensor in from Europe. Next was an Infiniti needed rear brakes and rotors. These were worn to the point of metal on metal contact so new replacements we in order.

Next up, you guessed it another Mazda Protege5 in for a timing job redo with the previous hack mechanic setting timing incorrectly. Did an initial diagnostic check and compression tested the engine, then determined timing was indeed off. We opted to also change timing covers since those were worn as well as the tensioner spring since the previous mechanic damaged it. Car ran great when correctly timed, go figure.

Finally was a 2009 Ford Focus with over heating issues. Again we first started with a mobile diagnostic check with compression testing the engine, looking for signs of blown head gasket etc. Luckily engine was still okay, we moved forward with a new radiator and hoses which fixed the issues.

Please send me a message if you need help with your vehicle!

12/06/2023

End of year recap: SEPTEMBER 2023

Started with first pulling the seized engine from the car picked up in July. Also finished refreshing the junkyard engine that included new cam and crank seals, water pump, timing belt, OEM tensioner, timing covers, valve clearance adjustment and valve stem seals, new valve cover gasket. The car then got new motor mounts all around, new suspension control arms and end links, plus new tires. All of this work paid off as the Protege5 runs great!

Also did a heater core replacement on an older volvo wagon which is apparently quite common with those cars. Did rear brakes and rotors a 2003 Toyota Sequoia that really needed them! Later I had a customer with a few check engine lights on their 2008 Toyota Sequoia, found a faulty sensor and got a genuine replacement through a local dealer. No issues since replacement.

Finally I had a good customer contact me with their Chevy Trailblazer having running issues. We found the old E3 brand spark plugs were very worn, one even missing the center electrode! I always recommend my customers avoid lesser brands like E3, autolite etc and go for NGK or Bosch.

If you'd like any servicing done on your vehicle please message me!

12/03/2023

End of year recap: AUGUST 2023

Helped a buddy put in a new clutch and flywheel for his Mazda protege, then replaced a rear bumper cover on a Mazda3.

Then worked on doing a valve clearance adjustment and valve stem seals on another Mazda protege. Unfortunately they got this remanufactured head online and it had unseen damage to a valve guide that wasn't discovered till the end of the service.. This required another head that we rebuilt locally, installed with new headgasket and the same servicing.

I then began reassembling the junkyard engine that was pulled last month. Removed the main bearing support plate to check bearings, cleaned and resealed with a new oil pan.

I also ended up doing about almost a dozen Pre-Purchase Inspections for a few of my customers who were in the market to buy vehicles. I'd didn't grab pictures of these but fortunately we were able to find red flags on a few of these vehicles before purchase which ultimately lead to finding a better vehicle for these customers.

Finally finished with some routine maintenance and a serpentine belt replacement on this Nissan Versa. Check out that belt!

If you need any servicing on your vehicle or would also be interested in an inspection, feel free to message the page!

12/03/2023

End of year recap: JULY 2023

Another crazy month that started with giving myself heat stroke pulling this engine at a junkyard. Check out the ratchet discovered after pulling the engine, who knows how long it's been there for.

I then loaded up my car with parts and tools and headed 6hrs south to Medford, OR to help a buddy turbo swap his Mazda Protege5. It was a wild and tight timeline that also overlapped with July 4th weekend but, we pulled engine resealed and swapped all the necessary parts in about 3 days. All during a 100+ degree heatwave!

Got home, found another 2003 Protege5 with a seized motor which would pair perfectly with the motor pulled earlier that month. Got it loaded up and towed to the shop to begin teardown.

Meanwhile I also helped a buddy try to figure out an Audi A3 that ended up needed more repair than it was worth. Also pulled the interior out of a mazda3 to do a deep clean and restore some questionable audio modifications.. Lots of Mazda fun in July.

Please message me for your automotive needs!

11/13/2023

End of year recap: JUNE 2023 pt2

2003 Subaru Forester in for the classic head gasket job. This one was a rollercoaster, from counterfeit Subaru parts and spark plugs to MORE shady mechanic work.

First, the owner agreed we wanted to do this job right. Naturally we went with OEM parts, except that the Subaru kit we purchased through Amazon turned out to be counterfeit. It had Subaru and made in Japan markings but, on closer inspection I found they were copies. Even the spark plugs purchased through Amazon were also counterfeit NGK plugs. Lesson learned, be careful with parts through Amazon!

The head gaskets had been done previously a few years ago but were already failing. I found they used a single layer composite head gasket instead of the recommended multi-layer steel turbo gasket AND used a wire wheel to clean the surfaces of the head and block. Wire wheel being an absolute no go on an aluminum engine like this.

Got the heads sent to a machine shop and then did a valve job and valve stem seals. Went to clean the block and noticed the wire wheel marks (circled in yellow) and ultimately decided to get the whole block machined too. After the first few passes sure enough, you could see the low spots marked with yellow arrows. Again damage from the previous mechanic.

Once that was sorted we sourced Subaru head gaskets and water pump from local dealerships. Turns out the water pump was different than the one supplied with the Aisin timing kit. The hydrolic tensioner was bled (commonly missed when doing these Subaru engines) and everything assembled. Got the car running fine, did a final valve adjustment and set the car on its way.

Learned a lot with this car. I am glad the owner was so flexible and willing to do this job right with the correct parts and processes.

Message me if you need work for your Subaru too!

11/13/2023

End of year recap: JUNE 2023 Pt1

Besides regular maintenance jobs, two stood out in June. First this headgasket job on another 2003 Mazda Protege5.

After confirming no compression in 2 cylinders and gases out of the radiator I pulled off the head and began the rebuild. I sent the head to a machine shop to get cleaned and machined, then did a valve job with new valve stem seals, valve clearancing, and finally cleaned and assembled all the new parts. I didn't picture all of them but this car got a complete top end rebuild with new gaskets all around as well. Ran great!

Please send us a message for your automotive needs!

11/09/2023

End of year recap: MAY 2023

Story time.

Another Mazda Protege5 in the shop for an engine replacement. We originally went with a Tacoma based JDM engine importer that claimed this was a low milage engine from Japan (first three pictures) but we quickly discovered it was in poor condition. The importer company then became hostile on the phone when I explained to them this engine was not as advertised until I proved that there were parts on this engine that were US specific, not found in Japan along with US made parts. Reluctantly they took back the engine but not without charging a 30% restock fee that wasn't originally advertised in their ad. They even months later charged my customer's credit card again twice for the full amount and the bank had to intervene.

Enter Foreign Engines Inc. of Lynnwood, WA.

I went down to their facility and was met with nothing but professional and caring people. They allowed me to examine 5 or so engines for my customer and found all of them were is superior condition compared to that first company. We decided on an engine that they delivered to my shop in Spanaway for free. I then refreshed and installed that engine into my customers car and it's been absolutely stellar. I highly recommend them for used Japanese engines, I've bought 3 or so now with great experiences each time.

Contact me for your vehicle needs, be it big jobs like an engine swap or just maintenance for your car.

11/09/2023

End of year recap: APRIL 2023

A shady mechanics mess!

Started April with pulling the old engine and refreshing the one pulled for last month. All new gaskets, timing components, sensors, the works. Also got to install a modern radio which really updates the look and feel of older cars. Did new motor mounts all around on a vehicle, also did new OEM spark plugs and servicing with this Ram 1500.

Here's where the shady mechanic stuff comes in. There's a picture of a piston bearing with damage. This customers car claimed to have been recently rebuilt but after initial hesitation with concerns of a bad engine, disassembling it confirmed the short cuts and lies from the this previous mechanic. We were able to find a know good engine, did a top end rebuild and got the head machined, rebuilt the engine with new OEM everything and got it back on the road in less than a week. Talk about a tight timeline!

If you need any work done with your vehicle or have any automotive questions feel free to reach out!

11/09/2023

End of year recap: MARCH 2023

Busy March, here are some highlights:

Pulled Mazda engine and trans to use for another car, NB Miata engine-out reseal and service, upgraded axle on a lifted Dog Ram, Unfortunately determined a bad engine on a Mini Cooper S (check out the spark plug!), transmission service on 2016 Ram 1500, new brake and caliper on this Chrysler 300, new headlight and ballast on a Lincoln Navigator, hit a few local junkyards for parts and finally general inspections and oil servicing.

Please message me if you need anything done with your vehicles!

02/23/2023

Here's a long post, engine swap on a 2003 Camry V6 with 260k miles.

This is a good customers car, she had it since 2005 and sold it to a friend that unfortunately over heated it multiple times. Instead of doing just head gaskets we opted for a lower milage JDM engine. You could tell the original engine was still well cared for and likely would have lasted many more miles if it hadn't overheated.

After taking apart the lower milage JDM engine I verified it had no major or obvious issues. The oil pan and pickup tube were crushed so we replaced and sealed with a new one. I also installed a new Aisin timing belt and water pump kit that was fantastic. It's the same used in the OEM engine so very good quality. Also did valve cover gasket and spark plug tube seals.

After that it was time to pull the old engine to remove the Camry specific parts to swap onto the new engine. I opted to leave the transmission in the car and it was a nightmare. I think next time I'd drop the engine and transmission together through the top or possibly drop the whole subframe. It was a good challenge though.

While the engine was all taken apart it was also a good time to do the knock sensor harness since it is deep in the engine. Did new lower and upper intake manifold gaskets as well as exhaust manifold gaskets.

One of the original axles was also leaking grease but wasn't yet making noise. This is amazing considering the age and milage of the car. Replaced and also did new accessory belts when putting the car back together. There were a few broken connectors that I was able to depin and swap from the partial JDM harness.

Many many things had to be swapped from the Camry engine to the JDM engine but in the end I was relieved to start the engine and hear it sounded very healthy. We did all of the maintenance items and hopefully this Camry will run another 100k+ miles!

We do almost everything from basic maintenance to engine swaps. Message us for your automotive needs!

Will Repair Auto

03/06/2024

03/06/2024

12/07/2023

12/06/2023

12/03/2023

12/03/2023

11/13/2023

11/13/2023

11/09/2023

11/09/2023

11/09/2023

02/23/2023

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