Kenvil & Lake Hopatcong Auto Repair

Our Repair of the Month for October features a 2017 Jeep Wrangler 3.6L V6 with 85,000 miles the customer reported the vehicle was smoking and overheating, but there was no sign of coolant leakage, even though the coolant level was low. In light of this information, we conducted a chemical test to determine if there was an internal coolant leakage in the engine. The test confirmed the presence of exhaust gas in the coolant, which is typically an indication of a bad head gasket or a crack in one or both of the heads (top half of the motor). When the head gasket is damaged, exhaust gas leaks into the coolant system, and the coolant leaks into the motor, where it mixes with engine oil. We confirmed that the head gasket was defective and removed the motor and removed the heads. We advised the customer to replace the heads with new, fully loaded ones, to avoid future problems as other components such as camshafts, timing components, and lifters could also fail. A ... read more

At Automotive Magic, we prioritize delivering exceptional service and repairs to our clients. To achieve this, we have assembled a team of industry experts who are committed to using the latest technology and establishing strong relationships with our vendors to provide our clients with the best possible pricing. Being one of our current clients, you have likely met Jay, our talented technician who joined our team with an impressive list of certifications and a passion for solving problems. He graduated from Wyotech Automotive and Light Diesel Training and is licensed by the state of NJ and the Motor Vehicle Commission for vehicle inspection and emission repairs. Jay's dedication to his craft is admirable; he is always seeking to improve his knowledge and skills and has earned several certifications, including Master Certified Technician, Light Duty Diesel, L1, Gasoline-Powered Engines, and Advanced Level Sp ... 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

Spring training is when our favorite teams suit up and get their game on. Practice, as they say, makes perfect. We believe the same is true here at Automotive Magic. The Magic isn’t something that is gifted and then taken for granted. It’s earned, learned, nurtured, and matured. That is why we invest our time and financial resources into our team. The automotive industry is ever-changing and evolving, staying on top of the technology is critical to our success and providing the best possible care for your vehicle.  The ASE training is one avenue of source our techs use to learn and grow. The ASE certification is a level of excellence obtained through a series of classes, specific to repair and service consultants. We’ve supported our team members to take part in conferences where the seminars are intense and full of valuable information which we can use to better our services and actions for you.  This year is no different. Some of our team attended the ATI ... read more

If you feel like you’ve been burned by an auto repair shop in the past, you’re in good company.  Some surveys suggest that as many as 3 out of 4 people feel like they have been overcharged for auto repairs or worry about being overcharged for services they may not even need.  As with most things in life, knowledge is power, so the more you know the less likely you are to be targeted for overcharging.  Here’s a helpful guide to answer the question: how do you know if an auto shop is legit? Signs That an Auto Shop is Legit Honest, forthright auto shop owners and technicians tend to exhibit similar actions, accolades, and business practices. They include: Ethical Auto Repair Shops Will Provide Written Estimates Shops need time to properly inspect your car in order to provide a written estimate so steer clear of shops that resist quoting you an estimate. Trustworthy Shops Will Have the Receipts to Prove Dedication to Their Craft Trustworthy auto repai ... read more

2017 Ford Fusion with multiple different electronic issues, from lights and dashboard not working, radio acting weird, and many little random glitches that don't add up. Our technician was able to diagnose the issue and deemed it to be CAN bus-related. These issues are normally very difficult to diagnose or even impossible for some without proper training and experience.     These days, all modern vehicles, from conventional combustion-powered cars to the latest EVs, feature a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus. It's the electronic communication system that lets everything  be able to talk to each other including the engine, transmission, body control, and even brakes. It works the same way a computer communicates with its own parts, with 0's and 1's. Literally, multiple pulses or pauses  of electricity (0110101001) just like Morse code. Computers are ab ... read more

Our technicians work tirelessly behind the scenes every day and they certainly have their work cut out for them. Some days are more challenging and exciting than others, but they are always rewarding.  June's Repair of the month: Our super talented technician, Jay worked on this '08 Chevy Silverado 5.3 liter and the outcome was pretty spectacular. Here is a little overview. This '08 Chevy Silverado with 200k miles on it. The Client's complaint was that the check engine light was on and the vehicle was running rough at idle.   After a full health inspection, and code scan Jay was able to read that the PCM (powertrain control module) Had a Code   p0301-Cylinder 1 misfire only at idle. After swapping cylinder one and cylinder two spark plugs and swapping cylinder 1 and cylinder 3 spark plug wires, the misfire stayed in cylinder 1. He then swapped cylinder 1 coil and cylinder 3 coil, the misfire still stayed in cyl ... read more

Fuel Saving Tips: Here in New Jersey, we are no exception to the price of fuel rising every day. We know that making every gallon count is on everyone's minds. There are some services that we offer that can help you extend those fill-ups and possibly save you some money. When it comes to your tire inflation, nitrogen is a larger molecule than the molecules in the air which in turn makes it much less prone to leaking. Keeping the correct amount of PSI in your tires makes the vehicle roll effortlessly and efficiently. When the PSI is low the tires do not perform to their capacity and it's equivalent to trying to run in the sand.   A fuel injection cleaning is a vital part of vehicle maintenance, a clean injector atomizes the fuel into a fine mist which makes for complete combustion equaling maximum power and fuel mileage. Injectors easily get dirty from contaminants in the fuel and carbon build-up from combustion making poor atomization of the ... read more

In the winter of 2021 Automotive magic will begin a new apprenticeship program. This program combines online learning through the National Automotive Parts Association (NAPA) training center, Automotive Training Institute (ATI) and on the job learning at Automotive Magic.  Getting paid while learning at the same time is just one of the advantages of this program. This 18 to 24 month program has nine stages and occurs at no expense to the student. As the student progresses through the program at Automotive Magic, the student receives additional compensation as an incentive to progress from one stage to the next.      Automotive Magic’s apprentices will get tools needed to work in the trade in addition to getting paid. When the apprentice graduates from the program, they get to keep the provided tool kit that is required for any mechanic. This program is certified by the US Department of Labor and the graduate will receive a diploma-like certificate acknowled ... read more

What to do? There are so many deals going on right now for new vehicles it’s pretty tempting to go ahead and make the plunge into buying a new vehicle.           The cash for clunkers offer seems to have reinvented itself in our area. Trying to convince those of us driving older vehicles to get them off the road and put the new ones on it.  Getting some cash in your pocket in return for them removing what seems to be a headache now may seem like a win/win situation.       Buying New Committing yourself to nearly a decade of payments for a new vehicle could be an option you are willing to make. There can be an uncomfortable amount of stress tied to either of these options. Getting some professional guidance along your journey might take some of the weight off of your shoulders. There are a lot of things to consider when you are making these decisions. The new car smell of the interior, the shiny new paint job. It&rsq ... read more