Kenvil & Lake Hopatcong Auto Repair

        Here we have a 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL in need of a new turbo assembly, which seems to be a common issue with these. The turbocharger is a system of two turbines connected by a shaft in the middle. Exhaust from the motor forces one of the two turbines to spin from the exhaust pressure which forces the other turbine to spin, pressurizing fresh air into the engine intake (cold side). This pressurized increase of air coming into the intake means the engine needs to burn more fuel to keep the air/fuel mixture just right. The results are an increase in engine power without having to change the displacement of the motor.  Unfortunately for us, New Jersey and most of the other states in the northeast have to deal with problematic rust on our vehicles. This can be challenging for technicians as bolts get seized or rot away and break sometimes. This Tiguan is a victim ... read more

Lauren Praino, a dynamic and compassionate individual, has recently joined the Automotive Magic team as our newest Service Consultant. Having studied psychology and criminal justice from Luzerne County Community College, Lauren's journey into the automotive industry is an intriguing fusion of expertise. Originally hailing from Matamoras, PA, Lauren's educational journey saw her graduate from Delaware Valley High School before embarking on her studies in psychology and criminal justice. Her academic pursuits reflect her deep-seated commitment to understanding human behavior and seeking solutions to intricate challenges. Lauren's dedication to helping people truly sets her apart. A natural "People Person," she thrives on connecting with others and uncovering their unique needs. Her remarkable ability to actively listen and empathize allows her to collaboratively devise solutions that resonate. With a keen affinity for problem-solving, Lauren excels in her role as a ... read more

Embrace the last rays of summer and make the most of these precious moments. We're here to share some news as August graces us with its presence: the back-to-school excitement is officially underway. If you, or your cherished ones, are gearing up for a return to school come September, consider this a gentle nudge to have your vehicle given a thorough check. Especially if your journeys take you beyond familiar horizons, rest assured that our steadfast commitment, backed by the Napa Nationwide warranty, stands ready to address any repairs you might need. Understanding the value of your time, we've tailored a comprehensive package to assist you in ticking off those tasks on your list. When you bring your vehicle to us, rest assured, we're not simply giving it a once-over – we're conducting an in-depth inspection to ensure your car is primed for the upcoming season. Our Back to School Check encompasses: Tire rotation and balance Alignment adjustmen ... read more

Our repair of the month this July is a 2008 Subaru Outback. This car came in making some unpleasant noises from under the hood. Just from the knocking and squealing noises coming from the bottom end, we were led to believe the bearings in the bottom of the engine had failed. After some diagnostics with a stethoscope, kind of like the one your doctor uses, we were able to confirm that the main and rod bearings have “spun”. Spun is a term used to describe when engine bearings fail. This normally only happens when an engine is starved of oil, or the oil loses too much viscosity and can no longer lubricate the engine properly.   You see engine bearings are never supposed to contact each other while the engine is running. They are separated by a thin film of pressurized oil, which at the correct viscosity keeps everything running smoothly with no metal to metal contact. Oil loses viscosity over time from wear and tear, heat, combustion gasses, fuel dilution and condensati ... read more

Ever felt like your mechanic's been running a marathon before they even get to your car? Like they're spread too thin, juggling work, life, and everything in between? Yeah, we've all been there. You know what it's like. The burnout is visible in their eyes as they explain your car's issues. And you can't help but think, "Man, they need a break." But remember - they're humans just like us, grappling with life’s demands, sweating the small stuff. What if I told you there's a place that's changing the game? An auto repair shop that values its team members’ well-being as much as they value your car's. A place that doesn't just fix vehicles but also works magic on its team's life. Intrigued? Get ready to discover the behind-the-scenes story of Automotive Magic, the auto repair shop trailblazer, turning industry norms on their head. Imagine ... read more

Our June Repair of the month features a 2005 Lexus GX470 4.7L V8, with an exhaust manifold leak. The exhaust manifold is the part of the exhaust system that comes directly off of the engine block. There is a gasket between the manifold and the block that seals the gap and keeps  any exhaust gasses from escaping. In this case, the gasket needed to be replaced. When the manifold is leaking like this one, it makes a ticking sound that can sometimes be confused with an engine misfire, tick or knock. The sound is apparent upon first startup of the vehicle when the engine is cold and sometimes may go away as the engine heats up, or may stay consistent.   A leaking manifold can cause serious problems if left untreated for too long. Besides the obvious health risks of exhaust leak making its way into the cabin for you to breathe in, the exhaust valves can get burned from the heat not being expelled efficiently from the cylinder. This can also cause  damage to the piston ri ... read more

When it comes to servicing our customers we strive to do the best we can possibly do and always want to go above and beyond. Our core values,  STRIVE (Service, Trust, Respect, Integrity, Value and Excellence), play an important role in how we are able to carry out our work and provide the best service possible. Working Magic under your hood is not just a slogan for us, it's our standard operating process.         Our best practice starts at the very beginning of our relationship with our clients.. Asking important questions and really listening and hearing you, this is nothing NEW to us.  NEW  Needs, Expectations, and Wants. Understanding these small but important details set us all up for success right from the start.        What are your Needs? How do you use your vehicle? Are you using your vehicle to commute to work and run light errands? Does your job require you to be on the road traveling from client to clien ... read more

Here we have a 2002 Audi A6 Quattro with a 2.7L V6 Bi-Turbo suited with a manual transmission with 260,000 miles on the clock. This car had a coolant leak between the engine and the transmission right above the rear main seal, both turbos leaking oil and one with a cracked wastegate seat, valve covers leaking, power steering fluid leaking, exhaust rotting away, and many other issues. This poor Audi was still going with the owner topping off fluids weekly as needed until the starter decided it was time. After putting it on the lift and seeing where the coolant leak was, the customer agreed with the technician that the starter would be easier to do with the engine removed, which was the only way to be able to change the bad turbos and fix the coolant leak.    After removing the engine we gained access to the rear main seal and the coolant jacket above it which was also leaking, as well as now being able to replace the bad turbo. Having the engine removed made refreshing this ... read more

Summer's Almost Here! Getting into the car on a warm day, only to find out that the air conditioning is blowing out air that is just as hot as what you were trying to escape isn't fun. Avoid this kind of situation by scheduling an A/C evaluation. Let our ASE-certified technicians help prepare you for a cool and comfortable ride this summer.  Our technicians will do a full-service evaluation and inject the system with dye, then evaluate it with UV light which allows the technician to see if there are any leaks in the system. If the system is leaking, they can pinpoint where the leak is and repair it accordingly.  Refrigerants for your air conditioning system are expensive. If you are simply filling it out over and over again, this is a strong indication that there’s a problem. There’s a strong possibility that there’s a leak in your system. By having one of our technicians perform an evaluation, they can find the leak and address ... read more

Do you ever get annoyed when you hear advertisements about new customer incentives and first time discount offers and then wonder, “What am I chopped liver? I’ve been coming here for years!” In the world of retail, and that includes automotive repair and services, every time someone new walks through the door, or calls our number, we want to assure them that they are making the right decision by choosing us and we nurture that trust. We essentially are being interviewed. We want our best light to shine. We want them to choose us because we are the best choice for them and their needs. If they do in fact choose us, we’re not stopping with a “we got you” attitude. We have just been given the opportunity to prove ourselves. We are on our best game, and we’re crossing our t’s and dotting our  i’s. We’re carrying that precious new egg to the nest to be nurtured until that little crack appears, then the beak, and hopefully, ca ... read more