Allen Auto Repair

Hello LUCAS, let's talk about your often-unnoticed but extremely important PCV valve. The energy from exploding fuel is what powers your engine. But some of the vapors from the explosions escape into the lower part of the engine, called the crankcase. The crankcase is where your engine oil hangs out. These gases are about 70% unburned fuel. If the gases were allowed to stay in the crankcase, they would quickly contaminate the oil and turn it to sludge. LUCAS folks know that sludge is one of the biggest enemies of your engine, clogging it up and eventually leading to expensive failures. Also, the pressure buildup would cause seals and gaskets to blow out. Therefore, these gases need to be vented out.Pre-1963, gasoline engines had a hose that let the  fumes vent out into the air. In 1963, the federal government required gas engines to have a special one-way valve installed to help reduce dangerous emissions. (Can you imagi ... read more

Working up a sweat is a great thing to do in a gym around LUCAS, but not in your vehicle. When LUCAS residents' vehicle AC Systems have a problem, they'll often feel it right away. The question is, how long do you put up with it? You know, the old comfort versus cost dilemma. But a more comfortable drive around TX has a lot of benefits, and keeping the AC System well maintained can help prevent repairs.A common cause of AC failure is water and air in the system. The system does not work as well with air in it. And water can cause rust that leads to damage of the A/C components. Also refrigerant, the stuff that makes the air cold, can leak out, reducing the efficiency of the system and making it work harder to try to cool the air. That is why periodically evacuating the air conditioning system and recharging it keeps the proper amount of clean refrigerant in the system for LUCAS residents, so it cools better and lasts longer.LUCAS drivers should also run the air cond ... read more

Virtually all vehicles come with power steering, so many LUCAS drivers have never driven a car or truck without it. Power steering assists you when you turn your vehicle steering wheel. Without it, it would be very hard to steer. Now this power assist comes in a couple of forms. In recent years, a lot of vehicles have an electric motor that reduces steering effort and helps improve performance and handling. The other kind of power steering is hydraulic. This is the kind most older TX vehicles — and a lot of newer ones — have. Power steering fluid is pressurized by a pump and is used to assist steering. Of course, vehicles need the right amount of fluid in the system. If it's too low, your steering is affected and you could damage your vehicle pump. Also, power steering fluid can become corrosive over time and damage the pump, hoses and connectors, leading to leaks and repairs. Power steering ser ... read more

You know that little light on your dashboard that looks like a tire? Don’t ignore it.  It’s a lot more than a warning light.  It’s trying to tell you something that can protect your tires, improve your fuel economy and keep your vehicle traveling safely down the road. It’s called TPMS. The abbreviation stands for “tire pressure monitoring system.”  It continuously monitors the air pressure in your tires and alerts you when one or more of them are underinflated. Even having just one severely underinflated tire could have serious consequences.  Underinflated tires wear out faster than those properly inflated.  It can affect the outer edges and significantly shorten the lifespan of those tires.  That can also significantly increase the likelihood of a blowout.  At the same time, since underinflation can make your tires roll less easily, your engine will burn more fuel. When your tires are properly inflated, it helps yo ... read more