Engine & Drivetrain Service

Your engine and drivetrain are the heart and soul of your vehicle — and when something goes wrong, you need a team with the diagnostic precision and technical expertise to get it right. At Northstar Automotive, Master Mechanic Dawood Motala built his career on engine diagnostics, bringing a level of depth and accuracy to drivetrain repairs that most independent shops simply can't match. From compression testing and VVT service to turbocharger replacements and dual-clutch transmission service, we handle the full spectrum of engine and drivetrain repairs for every make and model. These are the most complex and costly repairs a vehicle can need — which is why we take the time to diagnose thoroughly, explain clearly, and repair with the precision your engine deserves.

Compression & Leak-Down Testing

We perform compression and leak-down tests to accurately measure the internal health of your engine's cylinders, identifying worn rings, leaking valves, or head gasket issues before they turn into full engine failures.

PCV Valve Replacement

We replace clogged or failing PCV valves that cause oil leaks, rough idling, increased oil consumption, and sludge buildup — a small and inexpensive component that plays a surprisingly important role in your engine's long-term health.

EGR Cooler Replacement

We diagnose and replace failing EGR coolers that cause coolant loss, white exhaust smoke, and overheating on diesel and some gasoline engines — a critical repair that protects your engine from the internal damage a leaking EGR cooler can cause.

Throttle Body Replacement

We replace faulty throttle bodies that cause rough idling, hesitation, poor throttle response, and check engine lights, restoring the precise airflow control your engine needs to run smoothly and efficiently.

Variable Valve Timing (VVT) Service

We service and repair variable valve timing systems including solenoids, actuators, and timing components, restoring the engine performance, fuel efficiency, and emissions compliance that VVT systems are designed to optimize.

Turbocharger Repair & Replacement

We diagnose, repair, and replace turbochargers with the precision and cleanliness required to protect your engine from oil contamination and ensure your boosted engine delivers the power and reliability it was built for.

Supercharger Service

We service supercharger systems including belt inspection, fluid changes, and seal replacements, keeping your forced induction system delivering consistent boost pressure and protecting the internal components that make it work.

Intercooler Replacement

We replace cracked, leaking, or damaged intercoolers that reduce boost efficiency and allow oil contamination into your intake system, restoring the charge air cooling performance your turbocharged engine depends on for power and longevity.

Oil Pan Gasket Replacement

We replace leaking oil pan gaskets that cause slow oil loss, burning oil smells, and driveway stains — a labour-intensive but essential repair that protects your engine from the low oil levels that cause premature wear and serious damage.

Valve Cover Gasket Replacement

We replace deteriorated valve cover gaskets that allow oil to leak onto your engine and exhaust components, causing burning smells, oil loss, and the potential for misfires when oil reaches your spark plug tubes.

Rear Main Seal Replacement

We replace leaking rear main seals that cause significant oil loss at the back of your engine — one of the more involved engine repairs, but essential to prevent the chronic oil consumption and contamination that a failed seal produces.

Front Main Seal Replacement

We replace worn front main seals that leak oil onto your timing components and drive belts, preventing the accelerated wear and potential timing failure that follows when oil contaminates components that depend on staying dry.

Crankshaft Pulley/Harmonic Balancer Replacement

We replace worn or separated harmonic balancers that cause vibration, belt misalignment, and potential crankshaft damage — a component that absorbs engine vibration and whose failure can have serious consequences for your entire engine.

Motor Mount Replacement

We replace worn or collapsed motor mounts that cause excessive engine movement, vibration through the cabin, clunking during acceleration, and accelerated wear on surrounding components and hoses.

Transmission Mount Replacement

We replace deteriorated transmission mounts that cause vibration, clunking, and drivetrain movement that puts stress on your driveshaft, axles, and transmission — a straightforward repair that makes a significant difference in how your vehicle feels to drive.

Transfer Case Replacement

We diagnose and replace failing transfer cases on 4WD and AWD vehicles that cause grinding, difficulty engaging four-wheel drive, or complete loss of power to one axle — restoring the full off-road and all-weather capability your vehicle was built for.

Limited Slip Differential Service

We service limited slip differentials with the correct friction-modified fluid and inspection procedures, maintaining the traction-enhancing performance that LSD systems provide and preventing the chatter and wear that comes from neglected differential service.

Axle Shaft Replacement

We replace worn or damaged axle shafts and CV axles that cause clicking during turns, vibration at speed, and eventually complete loss of drive — restoring smooth, reliable power delivery from your transmission to your wheels.

Torque Converter Replacement

We diagnose and replace failing torque converters that cause shuddering, slipping, overheating, and contaminated transmission fluid — addressing the root cause rather than just flushing the fluid and hoping the problem goes away.

Transmission Solenoid Replacement

We diagnose and replace faulty transmission solenoids that cause harsh shifting, slipping gears, and transmission fault codes — precise electrical components that control fluid flow and must be replaced with exact OEM or equivalent specifications.

Shift Cable & Linkage Repair

We repair or replace worn shift cables and linkage components that cause difficulty selecting gears, a loose or vague shifter feel, or a gear indicator that doesn't match the gear you're actually in.

Manual Transmission Synchro Replacement

We rebuild manual transmissions with worn synchronizers that cause grinding when shifting into specific gears, restoring the smooth, precise gear changes that a properly functioning manual transmission should deliver.

Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) Service

We service dual-clutch transmissions with the correct fluid, software updates, and clutch wear assessments that these complex and often misunderstood transmissions require to shift smoothly and last the life of the vehicle.