Hello faithful readers and welcome to another week of adventures from the KAM team. We have been very busy this week as you continue to heed the call and more and more of your cars are being restored to perfect health. You can leave your comments, questions and queries at www.twitter.com/dr_kev.
This week our Bulwell depot was a hive of activity as the word spreads and our workshop gets busier. Cool Hand Luke was manning the phones when Mr C walked through the door in quite a rush and looking slightly annoyed. “Hi Kev I have been reading about your depot in the newspaper and I thought I would give you a try.” Mr C lived in the Bulwell but worked in the city and was worried about his car’s latest problems. “It’s my Audi A6 it was fine and recently I have noticed some problematic changes.” Mr C had noticed a lack of power in the car over the last few days and this morning the emergence of the Engine Management Light (EML) had made him anxious so here he was. “ I don’t know what’s wrong. Please say you can help,” he said earnestly. Mr C had come in on his day off but would need the car for work the next day. “I really do need my car fixed for tomorrow if that’s not too much to ask. But judging by your column I would say that is not a problem for you KAM boys.” Mr C’s car was not completely infested with gremlins and he had bought it in before any catastrophic problems could emerge. We took all the details and dispersed Mr C off in one of our new courtesy cars so that he could enjoy the rest of his day.
As I looked around the busy workshop I saw the boys admiring the pristine Audi and a sense of excitement resonated through the air. “I’ll take it Kev,” said Benjamin Button before the other boys had even opened their mouths. So Ben got to work, first testing the car with our new state of the art equipment and while we awaited the results, Ben had a theory of his own. “If I was to hazard a guess I would say it’s the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF).” A few minutes later Ben would be proved right as the machine showed that the DPF had in fact become blocked. But there was some bad news as the DPF on an Audi costs upwards of £1000. “I’ve got it Kev.” Ben proposed that we go with option 2, which was to carry out a forced regeneration. This is when the diagnostic machines are attached and the car is run at various revs and speeds. This is done to clear out the DPF and in this case it would be highly beneficial and just as effective. The forced regeneration was undertaken and a black cloud of soot could be seen leaving the DPF. However the job was not done as the reading on the machines indicated that there were still remnants of the soot left in the DPF. These were not a big concern but they could grow over time and lead to the same problem. For phase 2 we would need to remove the DPF, which is part of the exhaust system. After it was safely removed it was time for our steam cleaner to finish the job, the steam cleaner got through all those gaps that we could not reach and the remaining soot was quickly banished. The DPF was then reinstalled and all the parts were put back safely and securely. Ben then reset the computer system within the car and the car was as good as new. It was time for the road test and as Ben turned the key in the ignition the boys waited in anticipation. “The lights gone.” Shouted Ben through the workshop.”
Mr C arrived later and was ecstatic to see his car driving so well. “Wow thanks Kev. I feel like Sebastian Vettel in this car now.”
Remember faithful reader, our team of dedicated and hard working staff at the branches in Sutton and Long Eaton, Bulwell and Belper along with our bodywork shop are open ever day of the week, EXCLUDING Sunday’s, while the lads at our Sawley and Heanor workshops are at your service seven days a week, keeping your car where it belongs. ON THE ROAD.
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