Success Stories

At Raise a Hood, our Telemechanic Jeremy received an urgent call from a customer Nick; his 2017 Suburban was suffering from a well-known issue with GM's Active Fuel Management (AFM) system, which deactivates certain cylinders to improve fuel efficiency. While beneficial for gas mileage, the system is notorious for causing premature wear on lifters and camshafts. Nick's engine now needed a costly camshaft and lifter replacement, and the dealership had quoted him an eye-watering $5000 for the repair.

Overwhelmed and unable to afford the dealership’s steep repair costs, Nick turned to Raise a Hood. Our Telemechanic got to work and guided Nick step-by-step through the entire repair process. From sourcing the right parts for around $800 to the key DIY steps such as aligning the timing marks. After a weekend of work, Nick completed the repair himself, saving over $4000 in costs. What had once seemed like an insurmountable expense turned into a DIY success story, all thanks to Raise a Hood's guidance. While DIY repair isn’t for everyone, for those who are mechanically inclined and have access to the right tools, it’s a viable and cost-saving option. For others, Raise a Hood is committed to helping customers find alternative solutions, including connecting them with vetted, trustworthy shops or arranging for a mobile mechanic to come to their home.Core lesson: With Raise a Hood, a quick phone call can make the difference between a financial headache and a manageable solution. Our expert Telemechanic advice not only helped Nick cut expenses but also boosted his confidence to tackle future repairs. It's a testament to how complex issues can be turned into straightforward solutions with the right support.

Sophia had always relied on her trusty 2013 Ford Edge for everything from road trips to daily errands. So, when her battery stopped charging, she took it to a local auto shop. The mechanic diagnosed a failing alternator and recommended replacing the harmonic balancer. 

Trusting their expertise, Sophia agreed to both repairs. After paying $2800 for the repairs, her SUV started stalling on the way home. Sophia returned to the shop, but the mechanics assured her nothing was wrong and wanted to charge even more for further diagnostics. 

Frustrated by repeated trips and no resolution, she turned to RaiseaHood.com for help. Using the Telemechanic service, Sophia found the real issue: the original shop had failed to properly time the engine’s crankshaft and camshafts before replacing the harmonic balancer, causing the engine to fall out of time. The Telemechanic connected her with a reputable local shop that fixed the timing issue promptly. Thanks to RaiseaHood.com, Sophia's SUV was back to running smoothly, and she felt confident knowing she had a reliable source for automotive advice.

Core lesson: Expertise matters; Sophia could have saved over $2000 and several trips by starting with RaiseaHood.com and getting it fixed right the first time.

John always took meticulous care of his 2020 Ford Ranger, proud of its pristine condition for his weekend adventures. Unfortunately, after a routine oil change at a local shop, he began noticing a persistent oil drip in his garage. Believing it to be just residual oil, he didn’t think much of it until it continued for weeks.

Determined to find the cause, John investigated one Saturday and was dismayed to discover that the engine oil filler cap was missing. Worried about potential engine damage, he rushed to the nearest Ford dealership. There, he learned his truck was only two quarts low on oil and thankfully had no internal damage. However, the cost to clean up the oil, change it, and replace the cap was a whopping $850.

It was then John remembered Raise a Hood and our free second opinions offered through Telemechanics. He reached out for advice. We reassured him that the likelihood of damage was minimal, but since the work had been done, there wasn't much we could do about the service charge. Had he contacted us first, he could have topped off the oil, replaced the cap himself, and used over-the-counter engine degreaser to clean up the mess—all for around $50.

Core lesson: Always get expert guidance before heading to the shop. John could have saved over $800 and avoided the shop entirely, and the unnecessary stress, by making Raise a Hood his first call.