Dealership or Independent – Which one?

In a recent survey it was found that 70% of consumers use independent garages and the rest still use dealerships. This made us question why some people prefer to use the dealerships. What do they think they are getting, that we can’t provide. The facts are, nothing. So Dealership or Independent -Which one?

One of the most common reasons customers prefer to go to dealerships is because of their specialist knowledge about the make/model of the vehicle. We regain our custom because not only are we VW/Audi group specialists but customers are able to speak direct to a mechanic if needs be and can pass over information direct. We have a simple structure with our reception being in direct contact with the workshop. Coming to us will also NOT make your warranty invalid, because we use genuine parts therefore your warranty on the vehicle still applies!

Dealerships are perceived to have better knowledge, equipment and ability to fix vehicles. Independent garages like ours are just as qualified and we regularly update our equipment. Our technicians are frequently (When not in a pandemic) attending courses to make sure our knowledge is advancing with the times.

Other reasons are increased likelihood to stock car parts and offer courtesy cars. We use genuine and only OEM rated parts. We also have 4 courtesy cars available free of charge for our customers to use, to make life just that bit easier! So you can go about your day as normal!

Dealership or Independent – Which one?

We are a member of various associations including the Independent Garage Association http://www.independentgarageassociation.co.uk/. The Retail Motor Industry https://www.rmif.co.uk/ which is also approved by trading standards.

Where do you prefer to take your vehicle and why?

To book in your vehicle with our trusted technicians, call us or use our contact form here https://www.northeastautotech.com/contact/

Timing Chain Fault Audi A1

We’ve recently had this Audi A1 TSFI in with a Timing Chain fault.

Symptoms for issues with the timing chain will give 1 of 2 faults. The engine will either be rattly from cold start/just generally rattly or you will get an engine management fault code for cam crank coherent.

The issues arise as worn out oil can no longer lubricate the chain and will cause the rollers and links to wear against each other. As the chain runs around the gears of the camshafts and crankshaft, the movement between the rollers and links causes wear and elongation. Timing chain stretch is not the stretching of the timing chain, it is an elongation of the timing chain.This is caused by wear to the chain’s components. The most common cause of timing chain stretch is lack of maintenance and regular oil changes.

As the timing chain wears, this can change the timing of the camshaft and crankshaft. The change in timing is sensed by the camshaft and crankshaft position sensors. This can cause codes that indicate a correlation problem with the engine position sensors.

If the driver ignores the check engine light; Eventually the timing chain will elongate to the point that the engine may have a significant loss of power.

Chains were designed to last the lifetime of the engine. However, due to poor design, the chains stretch, tensioners fail therefore inevitably this causes severe engine damage.

This is a common problem in vehicles with 1.4 TFSI and 2.0 TSI engines.

In conclusion if you have any untoward noises on the engine please seek advise!

Contact us here to book your vehicle in if your car is experiencing any of the above faults. https://www.northeastautotech.com/contact/ 

https://www.vag-performance.co.uk/

Timing chain fault audi

REVO MQB Engine mount kit

A little information on a vehicle that was in for various repair work. Whilst we were there the customer decided to upgrade to the REVO MQB engine mount kit. This was due to the increased power in the vehicle.

We used REVO’s MQB engine mount kit to give stability to the engine. More power results in more movement during aggressive acceleration. The stock engine mounts, designed to favour comfort over performance. Fail to manage axle hop and torque effectively, requiring you to ease off in order to gain traction. Designed to significantly reduce this engine movement. Revo engine mounts use Powerflex polyurethane bushings to minimise noise, vibration and harshness levels (NVH). Whilst drastically improving traction and acceleration.

A little snipped from REVO themselves.

”The primary design goal of the engine and transmission mounts was to provide a management system for engine movement. During vehicle operation with increased power/torque, in order to retain vehicle acceleration and tyre contact during aggressive driving. To accomplish this, the bushing design of past Revo engine mounts were retained in the MQB engine and transmission mounts, allowing Revo engineers to focus their efforts on bushing stiffness/type to accomplish the task.”

You tube clips.

Here’s a link to REVO’s youtube channel which shows you exactly how much movement the engine gives when using significant power with stock mounts compared to the upgraded REVO mounts.

You can purchase the REVO MQB engine mount kit for yourself from our sister company  https://www.vag-performance.co.uk/product/mqb-engine-mount/

Gain more information from our performance page here https://www.northeastautotech.com/performance-and-tuning/

A little information on a vehicle that was in for various repair work. Whilst we were there the customer decided to upgrade to the REVO MQB engine mount kit. This was due to the increased power in the vehicle.

We used REVO’s MQB engine mount kit to give stability to the engine. More power results in more movement during aggressive acceleration. The stock engine mounts, designed to favour comfort over performance. Fail to manage axle hop and torque effectively, requiring you to ease off in order to gain traction. Designed to significantly reduce this engine movement. Revo engine mounts use Powerflex polyurethane bushings to minimise noise, vibration and harshness levels (NVH). Whilst drastically improving traction and acceleration.

DSG Mechatronic Testing

By carrying out DSG Mechatronic testing instead of replacing the whole unit we can save you money as well as not just getting rid of parts unnecessarily. DSG Gearbox repair work has become more and more common on Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT and Skoda vehicles.

If you go to the dealership for a DSG repair or S Tronic repair, you will only be offered a replacement option at thousands of pounds. We repair and pass on the savings of on average 40%.

The internal housing is common for cracking. Luckily we can carry out a repair procedure on this and not have to replace the whole mechatronic unit.

You’ll notice there is a fault if any of these things occur.

• It comes up on the display saying ‘Gearbox fault visit workshop’
• The ‘PRNDS’ lights are flashing.
• Loss of drive
• Missed gears on selection
• No reverse gear
• Clutch failure (struggling to engage gears or loss of drive)

If any of these things are happening with your VAG vehicle, get in touch with us via email or call the reception on 01642 613852. We can diagnose the fault, give you a price on the repair and save you £££ in doing so!

 https://www.northeastautotech.com/dsg-gearbox-repair/

https://www.vag-performance.co.uk/

Millers Oil Stockist in Teesside

Millers Oil Stockists in Teesside

We are now stocking a range of Millers Oil products to improve the service life of your vehicle, whether it be a daily driver or track monster!

Millers Oil NANODRIVE technology is renouned in the performance world. Especially for the EA888 and EA113 2.0Ltr TFSI and TSI engines fitted to the likes of Golf GTI and R models.

We have been listening to our customer needs and have regularly been asked to use there products during servicing and preparation for trackdays. With this in mind we approached millers to be a stockist.

CFS 5w40 NT+ is part of the Competition Fully Synthetic NT+ range of engine oils and incorporates Millers Oils second generation NANODRIVE low friction technology to achieve winning results for the professional race team.

If you maintain your own car please feel free to go to    https://www.vag-performance.co.uk/   or pop down to our site in Stockton on Tees to purchase the oil.

Millers Oil NANODRIVE 5w40

CRX LS 75w90 NT+

Racing Brake Fluid 300+