Tinker's Dam Automotive

11/24/2025

08/03/2025

Don’t gamble with your safety on the road! Letting brakes grind for weeks and tire treads run this low is already dangerous to you and others on the road. The brake pad and caliper piston falling out drastically increases that level of dangerous.

07/11/2025

Metal shavings in a VVT solenoid. These things are extremely sensitive. Even just low or dirty oil will cause poor performance. Metal shavings will do the same while also an indicator of worn internal parts.

Timely maintenance is a great way to prevent or prolong issues like this.

07/01/2025

Dye can be a wonderful thing. Made finding this evaporator leak much easier.

06/14/2025

Bad input shaft seal on a 2013 F350 with only 47k miles.

06/07/2025

This week's scheduled timing job on a 2007 Honda. Turns out weighted sockets are pretty nice for loosening crank bolts.

05/30/2025

2016 Kia Sorento 2.4l
P0010 Issue
Damage to the sensor and the VVT Assembly. (Pictures of VVT assembly are dirty and clean, not new and old) Clean picture shows the damage better.
There isn’t supposed to be oil in there either.

12/24/2024

Happy Holidays! Reminder we are closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

11/11/2024

So I've been asked a lot "How was SEMA?"

The answer is, it was good. I enjoyed the show, saw amazing vehicles, cool tools and at least three of my favorite car show stars...

However...it isn't great. Why not?

First it's astounding how many of the booths have reps that have no clue about the products they offer.

Second, Vegas sucks. It smells like a skunks ass everywhere you go. Crime is so bad they literally lock up deodorant at Wal Mart and you have to ask for a clerk to get it for you. Believe me when I say it would be a service to the State of Nevada to offer deodorant as complimentary in Las Vegas. Las Vegas no longer has inexpensive venues, the airport is a wreck...its time to find a more conducive venue.

I will say again it was a good show. Some of the highlight vendors for us:
-Launch USA
-AllData
-Hyperax
-Mastercool
-Harbor Freight (never thought I'd say this)
-Amp Probe

All of these knew their products, took time to demo and talk to us and really understand the needs of our small shop.

Will I go again? Probably. With so many amazing cars, knowledgeable people and the ability to compare products it's just hard to beat.