Engine Dyno Tuning

Daedalus Automotive Repair is now offering custom engine dyno tuning.

If you can’t get rid of that off-idle stumble, or if your factory EFI computer can’t handle a cold air intake or new gears without a hiccup, look to the professionals at Daedalus Automotive Repair to assist you with custom dyno tuning services. Daedalus Automotive uses a Dyno Dynamics chassis dyno to help you get the most performance out of your engine after it is bolted in.

CHASSIS DYNO

Daedalus Automotive Repair has the experience with dynos and tuning vehicles, from carbureted cars, hot rods and race cars…to late-model cars and trucks with factory EFI or standalone engine management systems such as Nistune, Apexi SAFC, Apexi Power FC, MegaSquirt, GReddy Emanage, Holley Commander and Edelbrock Pro-Jection. Naturally aspirated, supercharged, turbo’d or nitrous-enhanced! Whether you just need to calibrate your speedometer, verify your horsepower and torque, or custom tune your ride for the best drivability and power, Daedalus Automotive Repair has got you covered.

For every power verification, you receive a color graph that charts your hp and torque curves, along with a printout that includes mph, rpm, hp, torque, ambient temp, air/fuel ratio and vacuum/boost readings throughout the rpm band.

Our technician has a lot of experience in two very different worlds. On the one hand, he has years of modifying carburetors and distributors to achieve optimum results, while on the other hand he must understand modern electronic fuel injection including its various sensors and strategies. Over the years, we’ve developed a number of procedures that we perform prior to beginning tuning.

The procedures vary depending on if the vehicle is carbureted, OBD-I or OBD-II, but generally includes items such as road test and evaluation for power and drivability, verification of engine oil level, engine compartment inspection and leak check, identification of diagnostic trouble codes if any, rear tire inspection and inflation verification, engine ignition timing and fuel pressure check, throttle position sensor adjustment, verifying proper supercharger installation, and the suitability of spark plug heat range and gap by application.

Ultimately, customer satisfaction is our number one goal. Contact one of our service writers at 702-421-5754 to schedule an appointment or for more information.

Introducing New Ways to Save

Daedalus Automotive Repair Introduces Budget Smart Car Care to help You Control your Costs
We’ve all felt the sense of dread when we realize out car needs repair. Will it be something major? How long will it take? And most of all, how much will it cost?
No one wants to spend more than they have to, and now, you don’t have to, with Daedalus Automotive Repair’s Budget Smart Car Care plan.

Not all automotive repair is expensive, nor does it have to be. Daedalus understands that you may not want to or be in a position to drop a lot of money on an unexpected repair. And in some cases, it may not be appropriate to. Perhaps you are holding onto an older car that doesn’t warrant a major investment. Or you don’t expect to keep the car much longer. You may have a fairly standard repair where after- market parts will perform just as well as higher priced parts. On the other hand, you may want to make sure your repair features factory parts if you’ve just purchased your car or your manufacturers warranty demands it.
Either way, Daedalus’ Budget Smart Car Care offers you the same professional repair by certified technicians, with your choice of Good, Better or Best quality parts and corresponding warranties. We’ll work with you to determine the best choice for your car and your situation. And you can rest assured, Daedalus has the utmost confidence in the work we do and the parts we use. But now, we can help you have some control over the cost of your repair.

We want to you and your family to drive vehicles that are in good repair at all times. Putting off repairs and regular maintenance can lead to bigger problems down the road. Don’t invite trouble. Call Us today at 480-205-1159 to plan the best repair solution for your vehicle. You’ll stay safe and on your way without blowing your budget.

Don't forget to stop by our website at www.daedalusautomotive.co.cc 

Winter Inspection and Maintenance Tips

Note to Reader: The following tips apply to “pre-winter” and ‘middle of the season’ winter maintenance. Now, just because winter has started, it doesn’t mean you should neglect your duties as a car owner. I was actually looking for a better word apart from “duties” to describe what you need to do to help keep your car in tiptop condition during these cold months, but I couldn’t find any. Yes, you have a duty to keep your car in great shape. While vehicle maintenance may not seem like a pressing duty these days, neglecting simple things like auto tune ups can eventually lead to costly reparations, or worse, expensive auto-part or entire-vehicle replacement.

Tip #8: Conduct a Tune-Up!

Now if you’re a responsible vehicle owner, then you already know the importance of regular tune ups. I’ll give you two reasons why you should conduct regular auto tune ups: (1) It helps keep your car performing at its best by making sure your engine and ignition components are in great shape, and (2) it helps you catch small auto issues before they become full-blown, migraine-inducing, automotive problems—possibly saving you hundreds of dollars in the long run.

While a couple of auto breakdowns during the warmer seasons may seem like “petty issues” to some of us, it’s a completely different story when you find yourself stranded in the middle of nowhere in the dead of winter with a busted car. When you feel

every muscle in your body starting to freeze when you step out of your car, then you’ll know you’re in deep trouble. Avoid turning into a human popsicle by making sure your car is in great shape before, during, and even after the winter season.

Because broken fan belts, hoses-gone-bad, frozen water pumps, arcing ignition wires, and malfunctioning distributor rotors and caps, are the usual culprits when it comes to auto breakdowns, it’s better to make sure each one of these auto units are in good condition before embarking in any long winter trips.

I know that the word “tune-up” can encompass virtually anything and everything that has to do with repairs and replacements, that’s why we’re going to be tackling some of the most important steps you shouldn’t forget when conducting a tune-up. If you decide to do a little “extra” work on your car, then that’s good news for both you and your car! If you don’t have the time to go through every single component in your vehicle, then I suggest checking at least the following:

Misc. Tip

Its widely known that winter time brings with it more auto expenses. Auto accident rates skyrocket with snow and icy conditions. Proper maintenance will certainly help you and your auto be better prepared for these conditions.

Step #1: Check your tire pressure levels. If you don’t have the tools to check your tire pressure levels, then you can ask your local mechanic to do it for you—sometimes even for free! But since it’s Christmas, you might want to leave a nice tip for your mechanic.

If your vehicle has built-in tire pressure monitors, then you won’t have to worry about frequent tire checks, since these monitors should alert you when there are drastic changes in your car’s tire pressure levels. But if you notice one or all of your tires going soft gradually, then it’s best to still conduct a manual check once in a while.

Spark Plug Wires

Step #2: Pop open your hood and have a good look at your spark plug wires! Now, I would advise you to conduct this check at night, or with minimum light to be able to see arcing properly. If you see tiny lights or sparks coming from your wires, then you have some arcing going on—and you’re going to have to replace your ignition wires as soon as possible.

When replacing your ignition wires, that’s when you’re going to need more light. Remove each wire one at a time to make sure you can install your new wires in their correct order. If you have cracked or dried-up wires, it’s better to replace them now rather than later.

Oil Change

Step #3: Have a look at your engine oil to see if you need an oil change. Actually, you’re supposed to be doing this at least once a month, so whether you like it or not, you really can’t skip this step. Take note of your last oil change to gauge how often you need to repeat this process every year.

Step #4: Locate your battery and inspect it and its posts. If you’re having difficulties starting your car this season, then your ignition and your battery will have to be checked thoroughly for damage. Now when it comes to your battery, you can prevent damage from taking place by regularly cleaning your battery posts and removing grime, muck, and debris, which could affect your automobile’s performance.

Step #5: Check those brakes! If it takes a while for your brakes to bite during the rainy season, then you should know that it’s even more difficult to come to a full stop properly when there’s ice on the streets. Make sure your brakes are up to par, by inspecting your brake lines, brake shoes, and other braking components for signs of damage. If the damage on any of these components is extensive, then I suggest prompt replacing or repair.

Step #7: Replace your distributor cap and rotor. That goes without saying. When conducting an ignition tune up, you’ll need to check your cap and rotor for signs of damage—and most of the time; you’ll need to do some replacing as well. Also remember to clean out the area surrounding your distributor as well, to help prevent corrosion from starting and spreading.

Step #8: Lastly, look for leaks and plug ‘em up! Looking under your vehicle after parking for a few hours is an easy way to locate leaks. Find out where the dripping fluid is coming from and do the necessary plugging or replacing needed to eliminate leaks from your ride.

Always remember you can take your vehicle to Daedalus Automotive Repair for all of your maintenance and service needs.

Common Car Brake Problems

When car brake problems develop most often the driver will immediately investigate the issues. This is usually one condition a driver will not put off looking into. When you put your foot on the brake pedal and apply pressure you expect your vehicle to stop with authority. If this doesn’t happen a pleasant drive can turn into a safety nightmare.

ABS warning light

Some drivers are known for putting off car repairs like regular maintenance. Things like oil changes, coolant flushes and tune-ups can seem unimportant when the car is running good.
Often drivers even put off diagnosing warning light problems such as abs lights, airbag light and check engine lights but few will ignore car brake problems.  Let me use my sister as an example (sorry Sis).
I got into her car the other day and the check engine light was on. I asked her how long the light had been shinning in her face. She told me that it’s been about 10 days and she was meaning to talk to me about it. When this same young lady had a brake system problem she called me immediately so that I could diagnose it.

Some common car brake problems

Disc brake rotor

A lot of times drivers will complain about the way the brake pedal feels when they apply the brakes. A sinking brake pedal can give you the feeling that the vehicle may not stop. A common cause of brake pedal fade (but not the only cause) is a braking system that is overheating.
Any braking system must be able to effectively handle the heat created by friction within the system. This tremendous amount of heat created by the rubbing brake surfaces must be conducted away from the pad and rotor and be absorbed by the out side air.
Automotive brakes that do not effectively dissipate heat can experience brake pedal fade during hard or continuous breaking. The linings of the pad can become glazed as well from this heat buildup. The rotor can also become glazed. When you have a glazed rotor and pads the friction action is greatly reduced. To the driver this will feel like the vehicle does not want to stop.
The way I prefer to correct this condition is to disassemble the front brakes and physically sand the glaze off of the friction material. For auto repair safety reasons you always want to wear a dust mask when doing this. On the rotor side either they will need to be resurfaced on a brake lathe or if they are composite rotors they may need to be replaced.

Getting to the bottom of car braking issues

The root cause of the overheated brakes and glazing issue will still need to be addressed after the repairs mentioned above are completed. The cause of overheated brakes can be traced back to a few different things. For one thing it could be the habits of the driver.
A 2 foot driver that constantly hovers their foot on the brake pedal can actually be applying the brakes slightly while driving. This can cause overheating problems because the brakes are continuously applied and they are not allowed to dissipate their heat as they would during normal operation.
Another possible cause of overheated brakes could also be traced back to problems with the braking system. If a caliper is binding and not fully releasing when the brake pedal is released the same results could happen as in the 2 foot driver scenario. When people have a binding brake caliper it also in most cases will cause other problems such as a pulling condition.
When inspecting brake pads and binding calipers are suspected you can often find glazed pads and rotors on only one side of the automobile. Also common with this car brake problem would be uneven wear comparing the inboard pad to the outboard one. If this subject interests you I have built a repair module on the you fix cars website that talks about car brake problems in-depth. Or you can head back to the homepage for this blog for more auto repair information articles.

Don't forget to always have your brakes checked by a certified brake specialist like the ones at Daedalus Automotive Repair

Emergency Car Kit

Daedalus Automotive Repair - Las Vegas, Nevada

Everyone should have an Emergency Car Kit with them at all times, especially in the winter. Emergency Car Kits are available at most big box and online stores and are an essential part of winter preparedness. Once you have your kit, make sure you never have to use it by keeping your car well maintained and serviced. The friendly staff at Las Vegas, Nevada location will be happy to go over your vehicle. Emergency Car Kits make a great holiday gift. Speaking of great gifts, consider giving your loved ones a Daedalus Automotive gift card for all their maintenance needs.
If you want to assemble your own Emergency Car Kit, or just want to make sure you have everything, here are the essentials:

1. Jumper cables
2. Road flares or hazard markers
3. Reflective tape to increase your visibility at night
4. A flashlight and spare batteries
5. The phone number of an emergency tow service
6. A large blanket
7. Some non-perishable snacks
8. One gallon of water
9. A can of “fix-a-flat” spray to repair small leaks until you can get to a service station.
10. A well stocked first aid kit

Automotive Repair Shop in Las Vegas, Nevada

Emergency Car Kit

Daedalus Automotive Repair in Las Vegas, Nevada

Everyone should have an Emergency Car Kit with them at all times, especially in the winter. Emergency Car Kits are available at most big box and online stores and are an essential part of winter preparedness. Once you have your kit, make sure you never have to use it by keeping your car well maintained and serviced. The friendly staff at our Las Vegas, Nevada location will be happy to go over your vehicle. Emergency Car Kits make a great holiday gift. Speaking of great gifts, consider giving your loved ones a Daedalus Automotive Repair gift card for all their maintenance needs.
If you want to assemble your own Emergency Car Kit, or just want to make sure you have everything, here are the essentials:

1. Jumper cables
2. Road flares or hazard markers
3. Reflective tape to increase your visibility at night
4. A flashlight and spare batteries
5. The phone number of an emergency tow service
6. A large blanket
7. Some non-perishable snacks
8. One gallon of water
9. A can of “fix-a-flat” spray to repair small leaks until you can get to a service station.
10. A well stocked first aid kit

Automotive Repair Shop - Las Vegas, NV

Transmission Fluid

Daedalus Automotive Repair - Las Vegas, NV
Transmission fluid is a slippery liquid that acts as a lubricant for all of the moving parts inside your transmission. In an automatic transmission, this fluid also serves as a coolant and a viscous fluid that transmits power from the engine to the transmission.

Changing automatic transmission fluid is best left to a qualified mechanic.

A variety of fluids are used for different transmissions. Automatic transmissions use something called — shockingly — automatic transmission fluid. Manual transmissions use a variety of oils: regular motor oil, heavyweight hypoid gear oil or even automatic transmission fluid in some cases. Your owner's manual will tell you what your transmission calls for.

Should I do this service when it's recommended?

Yes, definitely, regardless of whether you have a manual or an automatic transmission.
Manual: Most manufacturers recommend that manual transmission fluid be changed every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. Under heavy-duty use, some manufacturers suggest changing transmission fluid every 15,000 miles.
Automatic: Service intervals for an automatic transmission vary from every 30,000 miles ... to never. The typical service interval is 60,000 to 100,000 miles. Changing it more often does no harm.

Why do I have to do this?

Manual: In a manual transmission, the problem is not so much the fluid degradation, but rather fluid contamination. This contamination occurs over time as the synchronizers, bearings and gears in the transmission wear out. The resulting metal particles then float around in the lubricant. And we all know that oil with microscopic particles of metal in it does not lubricate as well as clean oil. So if these contaminants are not drained out, they will shorten the life of your transmission.
Automatic: Because more heat is generated in an automatic transmission, automatic transmission fluid actually degrades and breaks down with use.
In addition, like in a manual transmission, automatic transmission fluid will also become contaminated with worn bits of the transmission. If these contaminants are not drained out, they will shorten the life of your transmission.

What happens if I don't do this?

If you don't change the transmission fluid on schedule, you'll be lubricating your transmission with metal shavings and other contaminants. This will shorten the transmission's life. The result could be a hefty boat payment to your mechanic. In other words, changing your transmission fluid at the correct interval is a good investment.

Is there any maintenance required between intervals?

Automakers have gotten better in recent years about labeling or color-coding dipsticks. The ring on the right is red to match the automatic transmission fluid, the level of which this dipstick measures. The yellow ring is clearly marked "engine oil."

Yes. It's important to regularly check the transmission fluid level between service intervals. Letting your car run low on transmission fluid can cause the transmission to shift improperly — or not at all. It also can harm the internal parts of your transmission, which will not be properly lubricated. Unfortunately, you may not hear any noises or have other clues that your transmission is low on fluid, until it's too late. So it's important to get it checked.
Here's how you can check your transmission fluid level:
Manual: Checking the transmission fluid in a manual transmission can be difficult. A few thoughtful manufacturers have included a dipstick, but that's the exception rather than the rule. If you own a car with a manual transmission, we suggest that you ask your mechanic to check the fluid level when your car is up on the lift during an oil change. It takes just a minute.
Automatic: If you own a car with an automatic transmission, your car will have a dipstick for this purpose. Be careful not to make the common mistake of confusing the transmission dipstick with the crankcase dipstick.

For most cars, checking the automatic transmission fluid consists of pulling the transmission dipstick out while the engine is warmed up and running and with the transmission in park. We suggest that you check your owner's manual, however, since some manufacturers may have a different procedure.
Of course, always check your fluid level if you notice a leak of any kind.
Car Talk Tip: Unlike engine oil, transmission oil doesn't burn up. So if you're low on transmission fluid, you almost certainly have a leak and should have a qualified mechanic inspect your vehicle.

If you have any questions feel free to contact Daedalus Automotive Repair by visiting their website:
Daedalus Automotive Repair - Las Vegas, NV