Hands On Auto Tech

We are an Auto Repair Shop focused on quality repairs with a 3 year warranty.

[Hands On Auto Tech @HandsOnAutoTech]

Did you know? Hands On Auto Tech has moved to a new, bigger location. We now have our own in house brand new Hunter Hawkeye Elite alignment machine, and several brand new lifts. This means faster service, and better quality alignments. Our new location is conveniently located right off Highway I-25 and Highway 66 in Mead. Check us out at 4104 N Valley Dr. Mead, CO, 80504. Please like and share so others can find the trustworthy service we are known for.

[Hands On Auto Tech @HandsOnAutoTech]

Are you taking your car to the dealership because you think they provide the best service?

The best techs are getting sick of Dealership Politics, low pay for warranty work, and extended work hours that go into the weekends.

At the same time, private shops are offering $60 an hour or more, 4 day work weeks, and better perks.

Why would you not want the best technicians working on your car?

This is the kind of work leaving the dealership these days:

[Hands On Auto Tech @HandsOnAutoTech]

How much does it cost to save on a tow truck?
This person hired a mobile mechanic to replace their timing belt to save on the cost of towing the car to a shop. The mobile mechanic took the money, even replaced some of the parts, but then put an old timing belt back on! The belt lasted 30 minutes. There was Valve to Piston contact, and the cylinder heads may have to come off to replace valves. We are going to put a new belt on and say a prayer for the customer and the vehicle. I have seen this way to often. The last one was an A/C compressor that was installed so poorly that parts were ruined and all had to be scrapped, and the car was left stranded on car jacks in the owners driveway!
Folks, please, think about it this way, why would any quality, skilled mechanic want to work outside in the hot sun, cold snow, without the support of a shop, if they are truly good at what they do?
We are plenty busy, I am not saying this to try and get more work, I am saying this to try and protect the community from taking heavy losses they do not deserve and can not afford. It is just not worth it, save up, and get it done right.

[Hands On Auto Tech @HandsOnAutoTech]

Do you own a Chevrolet Colorado with the 2.8L Duramax Diesel Engine? We can service your head gasket, pricing starting at about $5500 out the door! We have options to upgrade to ARP head studs. We do have the ability to Evacuate and Re-Charge the R1234YF Refrigerant. Call or Text today to setup an appointment. Free courtesy vehicle while your truck is in for repairs.

[Hands On Auto Tech @HandsOnAutoTech]

How would you feel if you ordered a remanufactured engine and it arrived looking like this?

[Hands On Auto Tech @HandsOnAutoTech]

This looks like a slow seepage over a long time from the week hole of a Subaru Water Pump. Would you replace this now, or wait to see if it gets worse?

[Hands On Auto Tech @HandsOnAutoTech]

A/C question - Why do I need a condenser if only my Compressor has failed?

Replacing the condenser alongside an A/C compressor is a standard industry practice, particularly when the compressor suffers a catastrophic mechanical failure. This preventive measure protects your new compressor from circulating metal debris, acid, or sludge that inevitably gets trapped in the condenser and will cause the new unit to fail immediately.

The condenser and compressor are fundamentally different parts of the system; the compressor acts as a pump, while the condenser releases the heat absorbed by the refrigerant. Replacing both at the same time is crucial for several primary reasons:

1. Trapped Metal Debris and Contamination
When an A/C compressor fails mechanically, its internal parts grind together, creating metallic shavings. These shavings circulate through the closed A/C loop and get embedded in the tiny, microscopic tubes of your condenser.
You cannot flush the condenser: Because modern parallel-flow condensers have such tight channels, flushing fluid is unable to dislodge all of the metal debris.

2. Re-contamination: If you don't replace the condenser, those residual shavings will break loose when the new compressor turns on and immediately ruin the new, expensive part.
On many vehicle A/C systems and some modern residential units, the filter/dryer (which acts as a moisture and contaminant trap) is built directly into the condenser assembly. The dryer must be replaced anytime the refrigerant loop is exposed to air or when a compressor burns out. If it is part of the condenser, the entire unit must be swapped out.

3. Acid and Sludge Buildup
When an older compressor fails, the burning oil and moisture can cause a chemical breakdown in the refrigerant known as "Black Death". This turns into a thick, corrosive black sludge that coats the interior of the condenser. No flush can completely remove this sticky sludge, meaning your new compressor will immediately be exposed to corrosive acids and degraded oil.

4. Protecting Your Warranty
Many compressor manufacturers and reputable HVAC or automotive technicians will void the warranty on your new compressor if the condenser is not replaced at the same time. They do this because they know leftover debris from a previous failure is the number one cause of repeat compressor failures.

[Hands On Auto Tech @HandsOnAutoTech]

Stretched Chain or Faulty Camshaft Control Solenoid? 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer entered the shop with a P0017. Here are the Data results form the scanner. Do you think this is going to be a lazy or sticking camshaft timing control solenoid, or, is the timing chain stretched? Stay tuned to find out!

[Hands On Auto Tech @HandsOnAutoTech]

Part of running an Auto Repair Shop, or any business really, should include Safety! This year we reached out to the folks at Colorado State University for an OSHA safety inspection. They found a few violations and we made corrections as needed. If you own or run a business, they have a great program to help keep you, your employees, and your customer safe.

[Hands On Auto Tech @HandsOnAutoTech]

This Rod end cap had turned black from heat after a rod bearing failure. We found the oil pickup tube had become clogged with debris.

[Hands On Auto Tech @HandsOnAutoTech]

I hope everyone had a fun and safe weekend. Many of us have someone in our family who served and made the ultimate sacrifice so we can enjoy this beautiful country with our families. Thank you to all of our fallen heroes.

[Hands On Auto Tech @HandsOnAutoTech]

This offer can be combined with our in house coupons. Stop by to Apply for the Car Care Credit card today. Up to 12 months of deferred interest, and up to a $150 rebate on repairs.

[Hands On Auto Tech @HandsOnAutoTech]

2013 Ram 1500 came in this week with a broken axle. The axle sheared while they were driving about 70MPH. Luckily no one was hurt. I hope to find a cause once we get to work checking out the rear differential.

[Hands On Auto Tech @HandsOnAutoTech]

Having your suspension checked yearly by a shop that knows how to properly inspect can be critical! This Chevrolet truck had a catastrophic Ball Joint failure when the ball from the upper joint broke out of the socket. Luckily everyone involved made it out safely. This could have been much worse. Please make sure you get a proper inspection at least once a year from a shop that knows how to properly look for safety concerns.

[Hands On Auto Tech @HandsOnAutoTech]

2013 Suburban w/ 5.3L has a bad lifter. Note in this video how one rocker arm is not moving at all. When we took the engine apart, we found that one lifter had been installed improperly, leading to this issue.

[Hands On Auto Tech @HandsOnAutoTech]

Another Jeep 3.6L with Damaged Camshafts. I think this one should get an engine replacement. This is a lot of metal to have circulating through the engine.

[Hands On Auto Tech @HandsOnAutoTech]

Snow finally! I was waiting for a snow fall good enough to build a snow fort! Thank God for the much needed moisture.

[Hands On Auto Tech @HandsOnAutoTech]

We all have our own precious cargo. Keeping families safe is my biggest priority. Please be sure to have a safety inspection at least once a year to keep all of our roads safe for your precious cargo.

[Hands On Auto Tech @HandsOnAutoTech]

Beautiful 1967 Chevelle in for an Alignment today!