
Frequently Asked Questions
Got a question? We’ve got answers! Listed below are some of the questions we hear most frequently from customers. Not seeing the answer you’re looking for? Give us a call today and we will be happy to help!









Questions about B&R Repair and our services:
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To help us keep our schedule straight and make sure repairs are completed in a timely manner, we request that all customers make an appointment for regular service. However, if you are experiencing an emergency, we are equipped to help and make sure every day’s schedule has enough flexibility to accommodate for emergency calls.
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Yep! Diesel engines of all shapes and sizes are our specialty. We’ve got the space, tools, and techs to keep your diesel running like it should. We work on light, medium, and heavy-duty vehicles, including semi-tractors and trailers. Check out the list of our diesel services to get a better idea of the services we offer!
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Nope! While diesel trucks are our specialty here at B&R Repair, we work on all kinds of vehicles, both classic and modern. From routine maintenence like oil changes, brakes, or filter replacement, to larger issues like engine replacement, we’ve got the tools and techs to work on your daily driver. Check out the list of our automotive services to see a more comprehensive list of everything we offer!
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Maybe! Check out our additional services to see if the repair your looking for is listed. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, give us a call at (815) 699-2641 and we will be able to give you a firm answer over the phone. We work on most things with an engine, so don’t be afraid to ask!
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Of course! Just because you drive an older car doesn’t mean that you should struggle to find someone who will work on it. We’re also happy to work on antique and classic vehicles. You can check out our gallery to see some of the beautiful classics that we’ve been honored to work on!
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Sorry, but we can’t put on parts that you have purchased yourself. We cannot guarantee that you got them from a reliable vendor or any type of warranty that may be associated with the part itself. For our protection and yours, we only install parts we get from our vendors.
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Well, we don’t really know. Before we can quote you a price to fix your vehicle, we have to physically see it and diagnose the root issue. Once we complete our inspection and testing, we will get you an estimate of the final cost, understanding that we might run into more issues. We promise to communicate with you every step of the way and will never complete any unauthorized repairs.
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Yes! We know vehicle repairs can be expensive and understand that living in a rural area like we do makes having a reliable vehicle non-negotiable. To help ease the burden of costly repairs, we’re happy to offer customers Buy Now, Pay Later and financing services using Klarna, Affirm, or Sunbit to pay their bills over $250. We also accept all major credit cards, debit cards, cash, and local checks. Contactless text-to-pay using Google Pay and Apple Pay is available as well. We offer digital quotes and invoices, so you know what’s needed to fix your car as soon as we do.
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If you’re not available to drop your car off at your exact appointment time, that’s ok! Drop it off whenever it works in your schedule, even if it’s outside of our normal business hours which are Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. We offer a secure key drop for after hours drop-offs, so just grab an envelope from the box next to our door, fill out your information, place your keys inside and drop them into the drop box. If your car is done and you can’t get to us when we’re open, we can arrange for contactless payment and after-hours pickup. Our shop is monitored by 24/7 video surveillance, so you can feel secure leaving your vehicle with us. If you’re in need of a ride, feel free to arrange it with us when you set up your appointment and we can help you get where you need to be. And if we’re around when you drop your vehicle off, please pop in and say hi!
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Sure! We know our location out in the country is a little odd, but we think it gives us some extra charm! Our location allows us to bring in vehicles of all shapes and sizes, from little cars to the largest semi tractors. Plus, we’re right in the middle of everything and are happy to serve Manlius, Walnut, Wyanet, Sheffield, Buda, Princeton and everyone in between. We love living and working in rural Bureau County, so stop out and see us today.
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We promise we haven’t forgotten about you! Repairs take time and we want to make sure every job is completed correctly the first time. As soon as we have information for you, we will give you a call or send you an estimate. If there is something you don’t understand, please let us know! We’re here to help.
Questions about vehicle care and maintenance:
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Always following your vehicle’s manufacturer instructions is always the best policy. But every 3,000 miles is a good rule of thumb for a gas engine. Getting your oil changed regularly by a professional mechanic, like our techs at B&R Repair, allows them to check for other potential issues while the car is in the shop. Every oil change we do includes a vehicle inspection so we can alert you before a complete failure.
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Oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle. It circulates through the engine, lubricating the moving parts to reduce friction and help prevent overheating. Even the best motor oil won’t last forever and has to be changed regularly to prevent damage to your engine. Some things that can happen if you don’t change you oil are:
Accelerated engine wear. As the oil breaks down, it loses its ability to lubricate which can lead to increased friction, heat, and wear.
Overheating. Clean oil helps dissipate the heat generated by the engine. As the oil ages, it gets dirty, which is why it turns black, and loses its ability to dissipate heat.
Sludge accumulation. As the oil accumulates impurities, it starts to get thicker. This can eventually turn to sludge which can clog important passages and decrease oil flow.
Engine failure. Running your vehicle with low or no oil can completely ruin your engine. Changing the oil regularly helps you keep an eye on the oil level and make sure it’s where it needs to be.
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Preventative maintenance really just means regular maintenance. Your vehicle has lots of moving parts and it’s important to make sure everything is functioning as it should to keep you safe when you’re on the road. Some examples of preventative maintenance we can help you with are:
Regular oil changes
Battery inspection
Power steering service
Brake inspection and service
Coolant system inspection
Tire rotation
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If it’s just the check engine light and you don’t notice any other major issues, don’t panic! The check engine light is your car’s way of telling you that something isn’t quite right. Bring it into B&R Repair and we will get to the bottom of what is causing that light to come on.
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Until you bring your vehicle in, we can’t say for sure. Part of vehicle repairs is visually inspecting the vehicle to see if something is worn, broken, or missing. Sometimes that requires us to remove other parts of the vehicle so we can get a better look. But in most cases, it normally just means your brake pads are worn out and need to be replaced. Getting the brake pads replaced as soon as you notice an issue can help prevent larger repairs to your brake system like caliper or rotor replacement.
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While you should never completely ignore your tire pressure light, cold weather can cause the TPMS light to come on. Tire pressure can decrease about 1 PSI for every 10 degree drop in temperature. The light will probably go off after you have driven for a bit and warmed the tires back up. But it’s always best to visually inspect your tires or manually check the tire pressure before you take off just in case you do have an issue!
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Rotating your tires causes wear to be redistributed to other parts of the tire, which can extend the overall life of the tires. If you don’t rotate them, all of the wear will be centralized to one spot forcing the tire to be replaced sooner. Tire maintenance is key to both fuel efficiency and tire longevity, so make sure you don’t neglect your tire rotations!
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Many things can cause your car not to start. First is to make sure the battery isn’t dead or failing. Check the battery terminals for corrosion or a loose connection. Signs of a failing battery can be slow engine cranking, dim headlights, flickering dash lights, or other electrical issues can be signs of a failing battery. There could also be an issue with your starter or fuel system. If you can’t get your vehicle started, give us a call and we will tow it back to the shop, diagnose the issue, and get you running again.
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An overheating vehicle is normally caused by an issue with the cooling system. Common causes may be low coolant, faulty thermostat, or radiator issues. Overheating can also be caused by a malfunctioning water pump or blocked cooling system. If you see the temperature gauge climb or notice steam from under the hood, pull over immediately and let the engine cool down. While you’re waiting, give us a call and we will give you the next steps you should take!
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It’s always a great idea to keep some basics in your car emergency kit! Some good essentials are:
Flashlight
Jumper cables
Tire repair kit
First aid kit
Blanket
Water and other non-perishable snacks
It’s a good idea to periodically check your spare tire as well to make sure it still holds air and is in good condition.