Peninsula Automotive Clinic ...more info
Pablo FonsecaCo-owner
317 7th Avenue
San Mateo, CA 94401 (20 miles away)
Main: +1-650-401-8860Main: +1-650-401-8860
FAX: +1-650-458-3177
FAX: +1-650-458-3177
| Claim Review |
5.0
1 Review
Peninsula Automotive Clinic ...more info
Pablo FonsecaCo-owner
317 7th Avenue
San Mateo, CA 94401 (20 miles away)
Main: +1-650-401-8860Main: +1-650-401-8860
FAX: +1-650-458-3177
FAX: +1-650-458-3177
http://www.pacsanmateo.com/
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Map
peninsulaautomotiveclinic@gmail.com
Client Reviews
- 2016-12-23
Hillsborough, CA
Succeeded where others failed
Owners Pablo and David are passionate about excellence, dogged when it comes to a challenge, and most of all, they figured out the timing problem with my 1986 Toyota 4x4 EFI truck with the 2.4L 22RE engine (manual transmission).
I was having problems passing the visual timing part of the smog inspection. Although my truck passed tailpipe without a problem, it was showing 30 degrees BTDC with the timing light (with the engine computer shorted, per smog instructions). Yet it ran perfectly.
It's getting harder to find mechanics who have expertise and direct experience with an all-original 30-year old truck. Even with an engine as common and popular as the Toyota 22RE. For the benefit of other 22RE owners, I'll share my story in hope that this helps someone else with the same problem.
This problem - the 30-degree BTDC while passing the emissions portion of the smog test - had baffled prior mechanics. Prior mechanics (not Peninsula Automotive Clinic) investigated harmonic balancer slip, timing chain slip, and potential distributor issues, none of which ended up being the problem. Another mechanic thought the problem was the TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) and replaced it and adjusted the distributor to its limit for 12 degrees BTDC. Still not good enough to pass smog (no more than 5 BTDC required). And after these changes, the truck would barely start or do more than 50 MPH on the freeway at full throttle. I immediately readjusted the distributor just so the truck would run and not spew unburned fuel into the catalytic converter.
My smog guy, Norman at Golden State Smog Center in San Carlos, suggested I give Peninsula Automotive Clinic a try. I was at wits end and I really trust Norman. So off to Peninsula Automotive Clinic I went...
David at Peninsula Automotive Clinic carefully went through the 22RE motor testing each part of the timing system. He finally pinpointed the problem - indeed it was the TPS. There was nothing wrong with the new TPS, rather the previous mechanic had failed to adjust the TPS after replacing it. David found the spec for the TPS voltage should be 0.5 volts, but it was reading 0.7 volts. After readjusting the TPS, everything fell into line - timing was 5 degrees BTDC with the distributor in the middle of its range. Now the truck passed tailpipe and visual inspection with ease.
Peninsula Automotive Clinic earned my business by solving a problem that had stumped others. They have a smaller shop, so I had to make an appointment and wait a few days before they could look at my truck. It was well worth the wait. Thank you, David and Pablo.
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