excluding oil services-expires 2/15/12

Start the year off right with a well maintained and properly running vehicle. Mention this ad or print it out and call us today!        

Here’s how it works:

 -Stop by and pick up your Punch-A-Deal™ Key Tag. It’s free!

 -Choose from these 3 value packages:

    Basic-High performance oil and standard oil filter.

    Silver- High performance oil and standard oil filter plus an oil additive package from BG Products, Inc., the world leader in              chemical additives.

    Gold-High performance oil, oil additive package from BG Products and a premium oil filter.

  -Earn one punch each time you come in for an oil change. After only three  punches, you will receive an oil change ,up to a $50,   absolutely FREE.

Call or come in to learn more. We are excited to help you choose the program that is right for you and that saves you money. Get punched today!

 Note: The free service is provided at the same level as the three purchased oil services. This offer is not available on high performance, custom or modified vehicles.

Colchin’s pre-purchase inspection was thorough and gave us a good idea of what we were getting in a 5 year old vehicle with just over 86,000 miles on it.  We felt confident in the deal and made the purchase.  Over the last 6 years, Colchin Automotive has helped us maintain the Tahoe for another 158,000 miles.  (And they have kept our ’97 F350 running well too)  Then Todd gave us the heads up last year about thinking in terms of getting another vehicle as the Tahoe neared 250,000 miles.  That time came this past month when the estimated maintenance and repair costs were more than the Tahoe was worth.  This was hard news to hear about a vehicle that had been so good for so long.  But after strategizing with Todd, we began our search. 

It was really nice knowing this time that as we looked at used SUV’s that we had the Colchin Team there to help us again. After we narrowed our preferences down to GM vehicles, Todd told me how to locate the code list in the vehicle so we could determine its engine and transmission.  I used the camera in my phone to take a picture of the list and email it directly to Todd.  Todd had already been researching some of the newer GM power trains for us, so when I emailed a particular vehicle’s code list, he could tell us if it had the better engine and transmission.  Also I determined quickly if a dealer was one we could work with when I asked them if they would allow me to take the vehicle to our mechanic for inspection.  And my husband was glad that I could go by myself to the dealers to look at a vehicle, get its code information to Todd, and then decide if my husband should see it. 

Looking online, I found a 2007 Yukon XL with over 86,000 miles that I really wanted to see at a dealership in Greeley.  I went up there and told the salesman upfront that before we would buy our mechanic in Arvada must inspect it.  He said “Not a problem.”  I photographed the code list and emailed it from my phone to Todd.  Then while I’m test driving the vehicle, Todd had a chance to look up the codes.  I liked the Yukon XL and I told the salesman that I needed to call my husband and our mechanic.  I called Todd and he let me know that it did have the better power train, so I set an inspection appointment for the next morning.  Then I called my husband to tell him that this one might be the right vehicle.  I arranged to have my husband come in that evening to test drive it, and the dealer allowed us to have the vehicle overnight for the inspection the next morning.  Todd and the guys checked it out for us, even allowing me in the bay area to discuss it with them as they inspected it.  After the inspection, I had print outs of Colchin’s findings and recommendations on the vehicle that I took back to the dealer, and that my husband could discuss with Todd.  We asked the dealer to take care of a few issues for us, and we took delivery of the Yukon XL two days later. 

We are so grateful for all the help from our friends (just like family) at Colchin Automotive!!

Cindy and Andrew Heydinger

Check out www.cellphones forsoldiers.com                            

“Killer Dowel Pin Syndrome”
Monday morning at the shop was busy with customers, phone calls and started like any normal day.  Then everything changed and I got a call from a new customer named Jim Hoy.  At Colchin’s, we have been repairing daily driven vehicles for the better part of a quarter century and one of the coolest parts of our job is learning to perform a new preventive repair.  That day Jim’s 1994 Dodge R3500 opened our eyes to a repair that this shop had not previously performed and it even has a grizzly name; “The Killer Dowel Pin Syndrome”!  To be honest, we were not familiar with the issue.  With a new challenge in front of us, we set out to scour the Internet and educate ourselves on this issue facing Cummins Diesel owners.

After a couple of hours researching this topic, it became very apparent that we had been in the dark about the dowel pin and its costly adventures.  Data shows the following Cummins Diesel engines maybe prone to this issue; ‘89-’93 12v, ‘94-’98 12v, ‘98.5-’02 24v.  There is a lot of information from vehicle owners if you do a quick search on the web.  The basics of the issue relate to a steel dowel pin installed in the engine during assembly to locate an aluminum inner timing cover to the engine block.  Intense vibration and expansion of metal parts cause this dowel pin to work its way out the engine block and become a hand grenade, this is where the real problem starts!  If the “dowel pin of death” shakes its way loose, it will fall into the metal timing gears and from here 1 of 3 options come into play.  1. The pin makes its way through the intense maze of gears and falls harmlessly into the engine oil pan, best of all.  2. The pin falls into the timing gears and get trapped against the inner timing cover.  This breaks the aluminum case because the steel pin is much harder than the soft aluminum case.  Replace the inner cover and move on.  3. The pin falls into the timing gears and destroys the gears and other expensive internal components.  This usually involves rebuilding or even replacing that big diesel engine!  This is what they call a huge bowl of not good!

As I read one gruesome account after another of Cummin’s owners who weren’t lucky enough to have the pin fall into the engine oil pan, I kept coming back to the same conclusion this is a very preventable situation.  There are many different repair kits available to avoid expensive engine damage and keep your rig on the road.  I would like to give a big thanks to Jim Hoy and his 1994 Dodge for allowing us the opportunity to perform a new repair and in the process start a new relationship.  Turns out Mr. Hoy is a pretty cool guy!  Just as Jim took the necessary steps to protect his Cummins, you can too.  If you have any questions about the repair or the process please give Josh a call 303-431-5421 or drop me an email at josh@colchinauto.com.  I will be happy to answer questions or provide an estimate for the work and discuss options with you.  Until next time, adios!

• There are parts warranties in force on your vehicle
• There are labor warranties in force
• Progressive damage can in some cases result from delayed attention to the issue
• You paid for a process or procedure, we owe it to you to make certain it is done correctly

 We understand that some are concerned about being confrontational or over reacting, this is not our perspective on the matter – we need to know what is happening with your vehicles. Remember the old adage? “The only stupid question is the one you didn’t ask”.

All of us at Colchin Automotive and Diesel, Inc. encourage our customers to communicate any and all questions – remember – it’s easier than ever!

We also accept compliments quite well and we will work for food.

A sincere thanks to everyone!

Todd Colchin

President, Colchin Automotive and Diesel, Inc.

Expires 6/30/11

The most obvious change when you call Colchin Automotive is that you’ll talk with Jason, and less often, Josh. Not to worry though because he is still very involved in our service advising and these guys like what they do. (These two guys eat, sleep and live for cars – they are very knowledgeable, service oriented people). Hiring Jason has had great positive impact on our operation and he continues to excel in what ever challenge he takes on. We can now stay on track with our schedule and get your vehicle back to you faster than ever!  Todd is now able to focus on developing other areas of the operation to provide better service to our customers.

Another big change for us this year was the “revamping” of our marketing plan.  We quickly realized we had the facility of our dreams and we want to share it with as many people as possible.  Acting upon that desire we started the Colchin Automotive Facebook Fan Page, we put some more bling on the website and a fancy new pic of the building.  We introduced the Colchin eVIP Club, it is an exclusive email club filled with members that receive email only specials and discounts, not to mention news updates and tech articles.  The best part of the eVIP Club is that you have the power to influence the content; you tell us what you want to know and what tech articles are relevant to you.

Clay Colchin and Cody Chapman continue to be the “technical heads” in the shop.  They are spending much of their time researching technological advances in the automotive industry.  Clay and Cody have been instrumental in maintaining quality at Colchin Automotive.  Our technicians have also started moving towards having a more environmentally friendly shop.  They are recycling the vast majority of our waste fluids and are utilizing reusable rags which help keep waste out of our landfills.

Thank you for taking the time to read this information, we will continue to educate you on the auto – scene and update you on changes at Colchin Automotive Inc.