BMW – Mercedes – Mini – Porsche Service & Repair

Lithium Ion Battery in Today’s Luxury Automobiles

Should have a title like beware of the LiFePO and lithium ion battery in your late model luxury automobile!

LiFePO Lithium Ion Battery.

Your newer modern high end luxury car has a weak point, called the lithium ion battery. Not in your electric car or not in your hybrid car only, in your conventional gas powered luxury automobile.

In this case, the luxury car is a Lamborghini Urus 2018, which is exactly the same car as the Porsche Cayenne GTS. This type of battery
is also in the new BMW as well.

Most people are not aware the fact their late model BMW, Porsche and other luxury cars equipped with a very expensive lithium ion battery.

Yes it’s lighter, yes it’s more powerful, yes it’s very – very expensive and inconvenient when it doesn’t work anymore.

Please let me explain: The fancy high tech battery has a thermal overload protection build in which is permanently sealed off to anyone. So if thing go wrong you will be on the hook for thousands of dollars in a hurry. No, you can’t convert it to traditional lead acid or AGM battery.

We just had a very expensive encounter with a late model Lamborghini Urus. It had the fancy LiFePO battery and wouldn’t start due to a dead LiFePO battery. The exact translation would be lithium ion sulfate battery. It retails at $5800.00 the battery that is only. Yes you red it right, it cost five thousand eight hundred Canadian dollar.

How this “marvel” of engineering does work and how could go bad in a 4 year old vehicle?

The vehicle had over one hundred thousand kilometers, so it was way out of warranty. This fancy batteries will “brick” themselves. Say install or make it part of the cable to arrest any voltage spikes prior to the battery if you so worried about over-voltage. Therefore the internal relay can be sealed internally and never need to be triggered unless it is charged or treated incorrectly outside of the vehicle by untrained personnel, or by the vehicle owner perhaps.

LiFePO Batteries Has An Internal Computer Built In

This batteries has an internal computer built in. It reports back to the vehicle energy management system. Therefore you can’t convert your vehicle to a conventional system, as it will not except anything else but a straight new replacement component.

LiFePO Lithium Ion Battery.

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The emergency relay can disconnect in 50 millisecond. If the battery voltage goes bellow 10 volt the system will disconnect and if you get lucky you may be able to resurrect it, but may require 20 hours of charging with a specific Li battery charger made by CTEK.

I’m not sure what is the main reason to go to extent of a poorly designed fancy battery like this, other than make sure the consumer will part with a bundle of money and the average garage will not be able help you whatsoever.

My question is: Why the manufacturer would not put a outboard voltage regulator before the battery pack? Say make it part of the cable assembly to arrest any voltage spikes coming at it prior so the fancy battery. The internal relay will only need to go into emergency disconnect if both regulators fail. The one in the alternator and one in line there after. This would just make proper sense.

This Technology Only Exist in High End Luxury Cars of Yet

This technology only exist in high end luxury cars, as Lamborghini, Porsche and some BMW of yet. Be assured, it will trickle down further on the “food chain” later.

Suffice to say, if you plucked down all that money to buy a new LiFePO battery, you potentially could buy a decent used car for it. Once you
buy a new LiFePO battery you will need to get the battery registered and programmed with the latest genuine software or it will not work at all.

BMW – Porsche – Mercedes Electrical System Testing

Additionally you better make sure your alternator is up to spec. Preferably with an oscilloscope to ensure your brand new pricey Li battery doesn’t get bricked again.

For your convenience we decided to do some research on the subject and even though it’s not recommended we took a dive into the said LiFePO battery pack to see what makes it work or not .

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Telephone: 905.795.0419

Hybrid BMW Repair

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COVID Effects on Internal Combustion Engines

The other victims of Covid less often recognized, are the damaged Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) engines.

Driving Ultra short Distances Effects Your Car’s Engine

Since people are more sedentary, staying home and or driving ultra short distances their car’s engines take a massive beating by water dilution. Today’s ICE engines are a refinement of an extraordinary effort to make them more efficient, therefore the piston rings are a shadow of their former selves literally.

Suffice to say the same principle applies to the entire internal architecture of the engine, therefore you need less energy to keep things in motion, hence their higher efficiency in generally speaking.

Unfortunately there are some negative aspects to this fine engineering marvel. The thin piston rings combined with the help of turbocharging, adds additional pressure to the combustion chamber, therefore the blow by volume is way more intensive than on a normally aspirated engine.

German Manufacturers Run Their Crankcase Ventilation System Under Negative Pressure

To make matters worse, most European (read German) manufacturers run their crankcase ventilation system under negative pressure to reduce pumping losses, to increase the efficiency even further. Unfortunately when you only drive ultra short distances the condensation from the blow by will accumulate inside the crankcase and since the skinny low tension rings can’t do much about it will reach a terminal point where water will get sucked up upon cold start and or the cappuccino alike frothy oil and water mix will destroy the fragile internal components.

German drivers use their car only if it is driven at a longer distance.

From my humble experience, there are no German drivers who will start their monster autobahn burner engine, if they could afford one per say as the fuel is so expensive at $2.50+ a liter. They use their car only if it is driven at a longer distance. Therefore the engine goes through a proper heat cycle, allowing the pistons to expand, the oil to get hot and allow the condensed water to be boiled off in the process.

It’s actually a simple chemistry where O2 burned with HC will form H2O in the process which by itself is harmless to the combustion process. Unfortunately if the same engine is driven ultra short distances the water accumulation will have detrimental, often fatal consequences to the engines delicate internal components.

Here are a few examples of a couple of COVID related BMW engine failures by the help of condensed water ingestion.

Picture #1: BMW M3 S65 piston rings with miniature oil scraper ring holes. How long do you think it takes to get them clogged up by infrequent oil changes?

Picture #2: Old 944 Turbo sizable piston rings.

Picture #3 #4: The piston ring tension difference between a N55 BMW and an S65 BMW engines. The later has way more tension due to performance oriented application versus low tension N55 piston rings which ones were designed for high efficiency by low tensions naturally making things worst due to turbocharging.

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BMW N20 Engine Repair

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German Combustion Engines

The internal combustion engines of German descent are designed differently.

Every country designs their vehicles for their own population or driving characteristics. Let me explain please.

The Germans are very good drivers for multiple reasons.

Reason #1: Driving in Germany is a privilege not a right. To get the privilege you have to get your driver license after finishing a grueling graduated licensing program, it’s a skill you build over years, not in a few hours like in here. Since they are highly educated about driving they’re allowed to drive fast on the autobahn naturally.

The direct relation to fast driving German cars has great brakes, you must have great brakes to bring a vehicle to a stop when you’re doing 200 plus kph. The chassis has to be made stiff and strong.

Reason #2; A loose chassis will kind of wadle at high speed no matter what. Additionally in case you crash at high speed you will have a much better chance to survive the crash, dead people do not buy cars .

The third asset is that if you drive fast especially in a standard transmission equipped car you’re more connected to the machine than an automatic transmission equipped vehicle. The additional benefit is their engines are built to survive the high speed driving therefore they’re built for the purpose.

German Cars’ Drive Ability Issues in North America

When these German Import Cars are shipped over to North America they develop multiple drive ability issues due to our vastly different driving habits. For instance in a manual gearbox equipped vehicle you the driver pick the shift points, so it’s up to you when you pick the next gear. On an automatic transmission equipped vehicle the computer decides to select the next gear.

Cars in North America are forced by the government regulatory agencies like EPA and CAFE standards will prevail to choose the most economical gear possible. Therefore selecting the highest gear at the lowest speed to have the best average fuel economy.

German cars are modified to north American driving standards with automatic transmission.

When you drive those cars as they are modified to North American standards inadvertently, you will end up with multiple engine issues.

German Engine with dirty cappuccino look like motor oil inside. Click on the thumbnail to view bigger image.

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We see a lot of engine issues due to ultra short distance driving. It causes blow by condense water build up in the oil sump, diluting the motor oil with water and fuel. Therefore the cappuccino-like slur will cause premature engine wear, especially at the bottom end of the engine and the cylinder head.

The only cure is to drive your German car as originally intended, spirited if possible, mostly in sport mode if automatic and at least 30 to 40 minutes after starting to elevate the oil temperature. So the engine gets self clean and will perform well for many years to come.

Good Quality 100% Synthetic German Motor Oils

Plus good quality motor oil, preferable 100% synthetic, timely oil changes and good quality oil filter help to extend the lifespan of any German car‘s engine.

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Telephone: 905.795.0419

Changes to Modern Car Engines. Motor Oils Standard

Synthetic Motor Oil

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Mercedes Benz S450 4matic Differential Repair

Well maintained Mercedes Benz S450 4matic destroyed it’s own differential. The silly lifetime fill of any gearbox, differential and transfer cases has its consequences.

Please let me explain. You can see in the photo down below, a completely destroyed front differential on a well maintained Mercedes Benz S450 4matic. The differential literally locked up and cracked the differential assembly in 3 places.

Mercedes Benz Differential Repair

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According to the client while driving the front wheels locked up momentarily. I assume that was the point when the case cracked from the gears locked up and the vehicle’s momentum made it get to that point. This vehicle destroyed it’s own differential because of a minor axle seal leak, which if caught in time could be resolved with some effort.

Please keep one thing in mind: The front differential is a sealed unit with a lifetime fill supposedly. This would be just fine until all the gear oil leaked out and the gears ate themselves. Unfortunately this differential is so tucked away, the manufacturer deleted the fill and drain plug entirely. This could be still overcome by removing one axle shaft and sucking the oil out and refilling it from the same way, just saying. We find a lot of similar issues with transfer cases as well.

Late model BMW

For instance, late model BMW has no drain hole for the transfer case assembly nor the differentials. Therefore it takes some extra effort to suck the old tired fluid out and refill them the same way, but there is a will there’s a way.

Let’s face it, there is no fluid and no lubricant meant to last forever. Do yourself a favor and get your vehicle serviced every one hundred thousand kilometers at least, so it can last for decades without developing a lack of lubrication related problems.

Remember, we are European Import Car Specialist at Techmax Auto Inc. We fix BMW, Porsche, Mercedes, Mini, and have the expertise to fix yours too.

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Telephone: 905.795.0419

BMW 535 GT Repair | BMW 535 GT Maintenance

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BMW N20 Engine Repair

2013 BMW X3 with the popular, but troublesome BMW N20 engine.

Well maintained BMW X3 with BMW N20 Engine

Received this well maintained BMW X3 with a no start condition. We were told, it was diagnosed at a Toronto dealership as “may” need a timing chain, and they opted to replace the timing chain tensioner assembly.

We tried to start it after being towed in, we did not succeed, the car did not start. Got the owner permission to remove the valve cover, and oh boy the poor thing lost 80% of it’s timing chain guide. Therefore the timing chain jumped timing naturally, the computer was seeing the timing way out of specified position, and did not allow the engine to fire up. It cranked but did not start.

BMW N20 Engine Timing Chain Failure

Unfortunately we had to confirm a total timing chain failure. Honestly I’m not surprised for one moment as the car odometer had 229860 kms in it, it’s lasted much longer than average.

Timing Chain Replacement on BMW’s N20 Engine

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BMW’s N20 Engine Common Problem

When all said and done, she run like a charm albeit had a low boost fault. Its BMW’s N20 engine common problem. After some further testing we found a turbocharger error. The turbocharger wastegate was severely worn out.

The vehicle owner wanted this car to drive for a few more years, so we got a good quality used turbocharger to keep the costs down.

BMW N20 Engine’s Turbo Charger Replacement

We replaced the turbocharger at the same time updated the pressure feed line with the newer revised version, to ensure proper operation and turbo longevity.

We reset the adaptations and than road tested it multiple times. She is back in business and runs really well, “purring like a kitten”.

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Telephone: 905.795.0419

The Famous N20 Engine Timing Chain Issue

BMW N20 engine failure

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BMW 535 GT Repair | BMW 535 GT Maintenance

BMW repair many occasions requires an inside knowledge and decades of experience. Knowing what are the weak spots of the BMW, comes whit knowledge and experience, hence we can prevent an expensive breakdown in the near future.

BMW 535-GT Front Propeller Shaft Failure

Here is a perfect example of a 535-GT front propeller shaft failure which is a typical issue on most BMW with accumulated kilometers on it.

This particular vehicle is maintained by its owner, we only see this vehicle when it’s broken. In this case not performing a preventative maintenance, cost almost an engine replacement, as the seized propeller shaft finally let go and punched a gigantic hole into the oil pan.

When We Service BMW 535 We Remove This Shafts

When we service BMW 535s we remove this shafts on the regular basis to check the U joint condition. In fact we even have replacement universal joint in house to repair this shafts as some of them cost some silly money from the manufacturer.

On this BMW we had a hard time to source a proper exact replacement oil pan and ditto for the front propeller shaft.

The owner got lucky, he managed to shut the engine down in a hurry, which saved his N55 engine. He said when the shaft broke he killed the engine instantly.

Either way we would not know if there is or has been any internal engine damage to the crankshaft or the bottom end bearings.

We had to come up with some clever solutions to test the engine, to be able to confirm the engine did survive the ordeal. Therefore we cleaned the broken oil pan with a de-greaser. Let it dry and remove any oily residue, applied windshield glue to the open area around the hole and glued a heavy plastic sheet over on it, and let it cure overnight .

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BMW N55 Engine Repair

Next day we removed the oil filter and filled up the channel with fresh motor oil quickly. When the engine had proper amount of oil in, we started her up instantly.

The engine run properly without any noise or sign of excessive wear. At this point we knew we can proceed with the proper repair and resurrect this vehicle to it’s former glory.

BMW N55 Engine Connecting Rod Bearings Replacement

Needless to say we will remove and replace the bottom end connecting rod bearings with new performance bearings, just in case. Additionally the new performance bearings are superior design made with improved materials compared to the genuine bearings design.

It just makes perfect sense to replace them while we have the bottom end open. It’s a simple procedure at this occasion.

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Telephone: 905.795.0419

Why does my car’s engine burn oil?

BMW or Mercedes Maintenance During COVID.

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Service, Repair Hybrid Vehicles

Service, repair hybrid vehicles requires a certain specific knowledge and many precautions due to high voltage in this case 380v electrical system.

The bright orange colored wires represent the “high voltage” circuit. Which upon repair must be treated with extreme caution, to prevent electrocution of the technician.

Hybrid’s High Voltage Electrical System

The factory repair procedure must be followed. The on board battery pack must be disconnected, to disable the high voltage electrical system while there is work performed on the vehicle within.

Orange Colored High Voltage Hybrid’s Cable

There are many additional precautions must be followed. For instance in case of an oil change the engine can start suddenly while the vehicle is being serviced if the gas pedal is touched or the 12v system charge level is too low. Therefore the vehicles key must be removed and stored at a considerable distance away to prevent an engine start while the vehicle is being serviced.

Hybrid Vehicles’ Electronic Engine Management System

We have heard horror stories, where unqualified service personnel drained the oil from the engine. While they were doing so, they realized they didn’t have the appropriate filter. They were also blasting away the music at high volume enjoying the high quality stereo system. Until to the point where the 12v system dropped to a low level and the electronic engine management system fired up started the engine to have the 12v battery replenished.

Needless to say their oversight cost a complete internal combustion engine failure.

Technicians Must Be Properly Trained To Service & Repair Hybrids

Hybrid vehicles are special. The hybrid technician must be trained and educated with specialized training from qualified sources. Having the right tools and safety equipment is essential to service and repair hybrid vehicles specifically. It is a must, not an option.

BMW 330 E Machine Repair

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Telephone: 905.795.0419

BMW Hybrid Repair – Hybrid Maintenance

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BMW Hybrid Repair – Hybrid Maintenance

In case you are wondering, do we repair and maintain BMW hybrids? The simple answer is absolutely yes.

BMW i3s with REX and a BMW i8

Personally I’m a big fan of hybrids as they provide a quick and very efficient transportation, in most cases without the inconvenience of range anxiety. Actually I’m driving (when I’m not riding my bicycle) a hybrid BMW for 7 years plus. Therefore I have first hand experience about BMW hybrids.

I own and drive a BMW i3s with REX and a BMW i8. I love both cars, but they’re built for 2 different purpose.

The BMW i3 is a city car, quick agile and traditionally rear wheel drive, hence you still have the BMW driving dynamics with the weight all at the bottom of the car. It’s like a little go kart if you will.

The BMW i8 is a purpose built performance hybrid to give you an astonishing light agile performance hybrid with the gas mileage of a Prius.

BMW Hybrid Repair | Software Update

We repaired few BMW i8 early 2014’s versions recently. As they accumulate the kilometers over the years, they require some maintenance and repairs. There can be some pattern problems, like the thin aluminum water pipe cracked beside the battery pack, where the owner was quoted some astronomical repair cost elsewhere.

BMW i8 Hybrid Repair

BMW Hybrid Replacement Parts

The replacement parts were back ordered for months, therefore we decided to repair the defective component, instead of replacing it with a new one. We got the pipe repaired, weld and reinforced at a very reasonable cost. More like into the hundreds versus the thousands as it was quoted prior to us.

We also had an A/C compressor replaced on a BMW i8 recently due to noisy compressor. That particular i8 had the entire system flushed out and cleaned and new A/C condenser with dryer installed to ensure reliability for many years to come.

BMW Hybrid Air Conditioning Service

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The pictures are from the i8 ac compressor and condenser replacement. The dark stuff that leaking out is the metal soup from the worn/ broken compressor assembly.

Did you know the BMW i3 and the BMW i8 both use the electronically operated and controlled air conditioning system to aid in the temperature management of the lithium ion battery pack? For that reason the the air conditioning system should be serviced every 3 to 4 years to ensure there is plenty of refrigerant within the system as it carries the lubricant within the refrigerant. It’s absolutely detrimental to have it serviced or it will cause a premature compressor failure due to lack of lubrication within the closed circuit.

BMW Hybrid Software Update

We look after other BMW hybrids as well like a recent E machine replacement on a 2018 530E which was unfortunately out of warranty due to driven distance. In this case we used the factory BMW ISTA diagnostic equipment and software for proper diagnostics with timely software update, re-flash if required, as per the manufacturers recommendations for the best possible results.

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Telephone: 905.795.0419

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Environmentally Friendly Brake Pads

For BMW, Mercedes, Porsche and Mini.

Today we live in sensitive times, environmentally sensitive times. Therefore we have numerous areas of the modern car and its components gone through multiple environmental revisions.

Car Tires and Brake Pads Are Going Through a Complete Change.

Two major changes come to mind: tires and brake pads are going through a complete change for a more environmentally friendly revisions. The framework for the copper and heavy metal free (more environmentally friendly) brake pads initiative has been laid down many years ago. In particular 2021 January was an important deadline for the brake pads’ friction material revisions.

Read the related document here. Your web browser going to open the document in a new tab. You need to close that tab to return to this page.

Please note, this is a voluntary agreement by all the major manufacturers but they all signed up and agreed to a binding process initiated by the state of California and Washington. Lately I started monitoring the brake pads environmentally friendly initiative by each respective manufacturer.

We do install a lot of brakes and have been interested in how manufacturers of cars and or the aftermarket brands take charge in this important matter. I mentioned at above, originally it started in California and Washington state, but has been more or less voluntary in Canada.

Aftermarket Break Parts for BMW, Mercedes, Porsche and Mini.

To my surprise the aftermarket break parts manufacturers has been taking the lead so far. We’ll see how it goes later, as I collect more data and keep an eye on the progress.

Please check the next photos out: 1st picture is BMW brake pad with a leaf symbol on. On the second photo is Textar brake pad from Germany, it has 3 leaf symbols on. The 3 is a Brembo Italian brake pad with 2 leaf symbol on. The 4-th brake pad is for Mercedes Benz with only a single leaf symbol on.

Environmentally Friendly Tire Technology – ECO Friendly Green Tires

Additionally the tire manufacturers are also taking charge in making more environmentally friendly tires, by using a blend of raw materials from more natural derivatives like dandelions, by Continental Tire. Orange peel by Yokohama Tire, Guayule by Bridgestone tire, and walnut shell in Toyo tires. It’s quite interesting as these companies are taking the lead to provide a more sustainable product for the better.

I compiled a few interesting links for you if you’re interested in the subject , please enjoy.

https://www.yokohama.com.au/site-resources/news/2018/08/27/00/58/orange-oil-technology-gives-tyres-powerful-performance
https://www.michelin.com/en/press-releases/in-2050-michelin-tires-will-be-100-sustainable/
https://www.bridgestone.com/technology_innovation/natural_rubber/guayule/
https://www.tirebuyer.com/education/eco-friendly-tire-technology-old

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Telephone: 905.795.0419

Winter Tire Replacement

Brake Sets for BMW, Porsche, Mercedes and Mini.

Brake Maintenance – BRAKE Fluid Flush

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Motor Work On BMW

The right tool for the right job. Correct? This sentence apply for motor work on BMW Merced, Porsche, and on MINI to.

Motor work on BMW, Porsche, Audi, Mini.

Having the right tool for the right job is essential in most cases. No shiny toolbox will ever fix any BMW if doesn’t have the right tools within.

The another day we had a persistent tank ventilation system leak on a newly acquired 2011 BMW 3 series. First we had the vent test pump failed and the fault kept returning. After pumping a lot of smoke into the system we found someone hammered on the tightening ring onto the fuel pump assembly.

Unfortunately there was a chunk of the pump housing missing so we had to replace the pump assembly with a new ring and secured it with the proper tool.

Work on BMW 3 Series

Check out the next photos for details.
The first picture is a BMW 3 series fuel sending unit with a missing piece from the housing.

Second picture is the proper tool, that we used during the engine repair on this BMW. The new ring sitting on the tool.

The 3rd photos show the old rusty locking ring.

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BMW X5 N55 Engine Repair

Today, one of our clients BMW with an N55 engine required a special repair. We had to fabricate a special tool to extract the seized, severely corroded fuel injector from the cylinder head.

In this case, the factory injector puller is not adequate to make the injectors budge from their hole. This is a common issue on BMW X5 trucks with the N55 engine. In this case I had to solve the issue by fabricating a custom puller to extract the fused injectors from the cylinder head, without the removal of the cylinder head assembly.

Needless to say we were successful to resolve the issue at hand, and we saved a lot of time and $$$$ for our client.

Custom Made BMW Injector Puller

On the photo is our custom made BMW injector puller, attached to a injector, next to a already extracted BMW’s injector.

The above 2 examples are just a glance of the actual times we need to use our extensive list of specialty tools during motor work on BMW, MINI, Mercedes or Porsche. At times we need to fabricate one to come around complicated problems.

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Telephone: 905.795.0419

My car’s engine burns a lot of oil

Engine Work on Porsche Carrera

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