ENGINE REPAIR SERVICE

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Engine Service — Complete Brake Service (preview)

Your engine is the most expensive part of your vehicle to ignore. Most engine problems start small — a rough idle, a check engine light, a slow coolant leak — and stay small if they're addressed early. At Complete Brake Service, engine work has been part of the comprehensive automotive care we've offered since 1986. We diagnose carefully, explain what's happening in plain language, and tell you whether the repair is worth making — or whether you should put your money elsewhere.

Engine Services for Cars & Light Trucks

From routine tune-ups to harder problems that have stumped other shops, we handle the work most general repair garages handle — and we're honest about the work we wouldn't take on.

Tune-Ups

Spark plugs, ignition components, air filters, fuel filters, throttle body cleaning. The maintenance items that keep an engine running smoothly and efficiently.

Cooling System

Radiator service and replacement, hoses, water pump, thermostat, coolant flush, fan and fan clutch. Overheating is one of the fastest ways to kill an engine — we catch issues before they become disasters.

Belts & Timing

Serpentine belt replacement, timing belt service on interval, idler and tensioner pulleys. Timing belt failure on the wrong engine is catastrophic — staying on schedule is far cheaper than the alternative.

Performance & Repair

Misfire diagnosis, rough idle, loss of power, oil leaks, valve cover and gasket service, sensor replacement, emissions issues. The "something's wrong" complaints that need a real diagnostic.

Trusted in Columbus Since 1986

580 W Town St, Columbus, OH 43215  ·  Mon–Fri 8a–6p  ·  Sat 9a–2p

Signs Your Engine Needs Attention

Engines rarely fail without warning. The earlier you catch a problem, the smaller the repair tends to be. Here's what to watch and listen for.

Check engine lightSolid means soon. Flashing means now — usually a misfire that can damage the catalytic converter quickly.
Rough idle or stallingThe engine is telling you something is off — vacuum leak, ignition issue, sensor problem, fuel delivery. Diagnosis isolates which.
Loss of powerHesitation under acceleration, sluggish merging, or a sudden drop in performance — usually fuel, ignition, or a clogged emissions component.
Knocking or pingingKnocking under load can mean low-octane fuel, ignition timing issues, carbon buildup, or worn internal components. Worth diagnosing promptly.
Steam, coolant smell, or overheatingCooling system issues — head gasket, radiator, water pump, thermostat. Drive carefully and bring it in. Overheating destroys engines.
Oil leaks or low oilSpots in the driveway, a low oil light, or burning oil smell. Small leaks usually have inexpensive fixes; ignored leaks become expensive ones.

Get a Real Diagnosis Before a Big Repair

Careful diagnostics, clear pricing, and a frank answer about whether the work is worth doing.

Schedule a Service Call (614) 221-4888

Why Columbus Drivers Choose CBS for Engine Work

Diagnose Before You Spend

Engine work is the most common place for parts-cannon repair — replacing components based on guesses instead of testing. We test, scan, and isolate the actual cause before any major work is recommended.

Decades of Pattern Recognition

Since 1986, we've worked through every common engine fault and a lot of uncommon ones. Pattern recognition saves you diagnostic time and gets the right repair the first time.

Frank Repair-or-Replace Conversations

Sometimes a major engine repair makes economic sense; sometimes it doesn't. We'll show you the math — repair cost versus vehicle value — and tell you what we'd do in your situation.

Comprehensive Care, One Shop

Engine work, brakes, oil changes, tires, alignments, suspension, electrical, and heavy-duty truck repair — all under one roof since 1986. One trusted relationship instead of five.

Engine Service Questions, Answered

The questions Columbus drivers ask us most about engine work.

How often should I get a tune-up?

Modern tune-ups are different from the carbureted-era versions. Most newer vehicles call for spark plug replacement every 60,000 to 100,000 miles, depending on the plug type and engine. Air filters are typically every 15,000 to 30,000 miles. Your owner's manual is the best source for your specific vehicle. We can also evaluate based on actual condition during a service inspection.

When should the timing belt be replaced?

Most timing belts have a manufacturer-specified replacement interval — commonly between 60,000 and 105,000 miles. The exact mileage depends on your specific vehicle. On "interference engines" (most modern cars), a broken timing belt causes catastrophic engine damage, so staying ahead of the interval is essential. Many newer engines use timing chains instead of belts, which generally last the life of the engine but aren't maintenance-free.

Why is my engine running rough?

Rough running has many possible causes: worn spark plugs, a vacuum leak, a failing oxygen sensor or mass airflow sensor, dirty fuel injectors, a bad ignition coil, or low fuel pressure. The check engine light usually has stored data that points to the cause. We start with a scan, then test from there. Replacing parts blindly almost always costs more than diagnosing first.

Is it worth fixing an older car with a major engine problem?

It depends on the vehicle's value, your relationship with it, and the actual repair cost. We'll give you an honest answer based on the numbers — sometimes a repair that costs more than the car's resale value still makes sense (you know the rest of the vehicle's history, and a comparable used car has unknowns). Other times, the math says move on. We'll tell you what we'd do in your shoes.

What's a coolant flush and do I really need one?

A coolant flush replaces the engine coolant and removes accumulated rust, scale, and degraded inhibitors. Most manufacturers recommend it every 30,000 to 60,000 miles or every 5 years, whichever comes first. Old coolant becomes acidic and stops protecting metal components, leading to corroded radiators, water pumps, and heater cores. Far cheaper to flush than to replace those parts.

Why is my engine making a knocking noise?

Knocking has multiple possible causes — some serious, some minor. Pinging or pre-ignition (a higher-pitched rattle under acceleration) often means low-octane fuel, ignition timing, or carbon buildup. A deeper knock from inside the engine, especially at idle, can indicate worn rod bearings, low oil, or internal damage. We diagnose by listening, scanning, and sometimes testing oil pressure. Don't keep driving on an unknown knock — bring it in.

Should I keep driving with the check engine light on?

A solid check engine light usually isn't an emergency — drive normally and have it scanned soon. A flashing check engine light means stop driving as soon as it's safe; flashing typically indicates a misfire severe enough to damage the catalytic converter, and continuing to drive turns a small repair into a much larger one. In either case, the codes stored in the computer give us a starting point for diagnosis.

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