Engines

  • Coolant Leaks - What to Watch Out For, and How to Find Them

    technician smiling under the hood of the car

    Coolant leaks can be a pain - they’re elusive and have a lot of damage potential. Fortunately, at R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA, our technicians know exactly how to diagnose and repair a coolant leak, no matter where it is. Knowing more about where these coolant leaks appear and why they're a problem will help you to recognize a problem and get it repaired before it does further damage.

  • Do I Need A Heavy Duty Torque Converter?

    truck front end photo

    If you drive a lightweight car, truck, or SUV, the torque converter you have installed is probably just fine. For those of you with more heavy-duty applications, like high horsepower setups or towing rigs, the stock converter may not be enough. At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA, we can help you determine if your torque converter is right for the job you need to be done. 

  • How Do I Know Whether To Replace My Engine?

    image of a stock engine

    If your car, truck or SUV is experiencing major engine issues, the technicians at R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA have you covered. Do you hear the engine knocking when it decides to start? Is there smoke pouring from your truck’s exhaust pipe? Whether you’re burning oil, your engine is on its last leg, or has simply given up altogether, we can help. And if you’re not sure what you need, we can help with that too.

  • If you see steam, pull over!

    tow truck and guy calling on the phone by side of the road

    Something will go wrong with your car, truck, or SUV eventually. The important thing is knowing what to do, and how to deal with it. Just knowing what to do in a situation often means the difference between a quick repair and thousands of dollars worth of work. If you see steam coming from under the hood, it’s important to deal with it appropriately and quickly. Here’s what’s going on, and what to do, from R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA.

  • Is it time to replace your engine?

    new engine replacement image

    At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA, we know it isn’t always easy deciding what to do next when it comes to major engine repairs. Fortunately, that’s what we’re here for - to help you make the best decision for your situation.

  • Is It Wear and Tear or a Serious Problem?

    mechanic checking under hood of car

    It’s not always easy to recognize when your vehicle is suffering from a simple problem that requires a little maintenance and TLC or there is real engine damage as symptoms can be overlooked and seen as “normal.” While not all sounds and smells may threaten the life of your vehicle or truck engine, there are some obvious warning signs that require a vehicle inspection here at the shop right away.

  • Is our starter bad?

    Push Start Button on Vehicle

    When a vehicle has trouble starting, many people initially blame the starter. What is the starter, and how do you know if yours has called it quits? At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA, we want to keep you informed, and telling you what to look for will prevent further damage when issues arise. The starter is essentially just an electric motor; a gear at the end of that electric motor engages the flywheel, which turns the engine over, allowing it to start. How do you know if yours is failing?

  • JASPER Option for Medium-Duty On-Road Trucks

    Cummins 6.7L

    At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc we offer only the best products to our Lacombe drivers, that’s why we’re excited to announce the expanded availability of the Cummins 6.7L ISB/QSB Rear Gear Running Complete engine from our partner Jasper Engines & Transmissions. JASPER is the nation’s leader in remanufactured engines and drivetrain products.

    If you are experiencing issues with the current engine on your 2013-2018 medium-duty on-road trucks, agriculture, construction, and industrial applications you now have an affordable option for an engine replacement. This engine is available with and without head studs and is completely remanufactured using a standard set of new parts. At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc, we love JASPER products because we know that our customers can depend on the quality of the product while having peace of mind because of the warranty this great company offers.

  • JASPER Releases New Ford Engine Options

    Ford 6.2L Engine

    At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, we are always looking for ways to provide our drivers with the highest quality of service and products. That’s why we are proud to partner with the nation’s leader in remanufactured drivetrain products. Jasper Engines and Transmissions are consistently looking for ways to improve products. They recently announced that the Ford 6.2L engine would be available for the 2010-2014 Ford F150/Raptor, 2011-2019 Ford F250/F350, 2017-2020 Ford E350/E450, and the 2015-2020 Indmar Marine (Raptor Engine).

  • Know the Signs of Engine Failure

    mechanic

    Fleet cars, vans, and trucks see a lot of wear and tear. If your engine has already called it a day, then it’s obviously case closed - you need a new engine or a new vehicle. However, there are many times when an engine is about to go down, and you can get it taken care of before it kicks the bucket for good - saving you time and towing in the process.

  • Let Us Be Your Engine Specialists

    Vehicle engine image

    At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA, we specialize in engine maintenance, service, customization, and repair. All of our technicians are equipped with the best equipment and training in the industry to ensure they know exactly what your specific engine needs are, no matter what type of car, truck, or SUV you drive.

  • New Chrysler Engine Options from JASPER

    Pentastar Engine

    At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe we strive to provide only the best products to our customers and that’s why we are proud to partner with Jasper Engines and Transmissions. JASPER has recently announced the expanded availability of the Chrysler 3.6L Pentastar engine line. This engine is available for the 2011-2014 Volkswagen Routan.

  • New Engine Options Available for Chevrolet and GMC Vehicles!

    GM Gen V 5.3L GDI engine

    Here at R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA we offer only the best products for our Lacombe, LA drivers and the new GM Gen V 5.3L GDI engine from our partner Jasper Engines & Transmissions, who is the nation’s leader in remanufactured engines and drivetrain products, make no exception.

    When you experience issues with your Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, or Sierra (Hybrid) you now have an option to KEEP your vehicle and install a New JASPER GM Gen V 5.3L GDI engine which comes with their 3 yr | 100,000-mile Parts & Labor nationwide warranty which is fully-transferrable. That vehicle you love is now ready for lots of vacation trips and hard work.

    The JASPER way is to fix any issues with the engine and re-design any inherent problems in the original product which is why they have been a leader in the market since 1942! We love their products because we know our customers can depend on the quality as well as the warranty if there should be an issue which brings complete peace of mind.

  • New Ford Engine Options from JASPER

    Ford 3.5L EcoBoost Turbo GDI engine from JASPER

    At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe we provide only the best products to our customers and that’s why we are proud to partner with Jasper Engines and Transmissions. That’s why we are excited to announce the availability of the Ford 3.5L EcoBoost Turbo GDI engine from JASPER. This engine is available for the following applications: 2011 - 8/26/2015 F150, 2015 - 6/23/2016 Transit, and 2015 - 8/26/2015 Expedition and Navigator.

  • Own a Ford Truck? New Engine Options Available for You

    Ford 6.7L Scorpion Running Complete Diesel Engine

    At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc we offer only the best products to our Lacombe, LA drivers, that’s why we’re excited to announce the availability of the Ford 6.7L Scorpion Running Complete Diesel Engine from our partner Jasper Engines & Transmissions. JASPER is the nation’s leader in remanufactured engines and drivetrain products.

    If you are experiencing issues with the diesel engine on your Ford truck, you now have an affordable option that will allow you to keep the truck you love by installing a remanufactured Ford 6.7L Scorpion Running Complete Diesel Engine giving you more power to do the work you need your truck to do. At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc, we love JASPER products because we know that our customers can depend on the quality of the product while having peace of mind because of the warranty JASPER offers.

  • Remanufactured Engines...discover the value.

    Jasper 5.4 stock engine

    Has the day finally come to replace your engine? If your engine is tired, worn out, and problematic, we can help at R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc. First, let's take a look at remanufactured engines; what they are, what ‘remanufactured’ means and why they’re a great way to give your car a new life.

  • Spark Plug Maintenance is Essential

    spark plugs

    “Spark plug” is a word you are likely familiar with; it’s one of those car terms that you’ve heard your whole life. You know they’re important, you know sometimes they need to be changed. But how do you know when it’s time to replace them? What do they do, and where do they go wrong? R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe has the answers.

  • What Happens When You Don’t Change Your Oil?

    sludge in the engine image

    At R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc in Lacombe, LA, we recommend always making it a priority to change your oil on time. Here’s a look into why it’s so important, and what happens if you don’t keep up with oil changes.

    Sludge - If oil stays in an engine too long, sludge begins to build up anywhere oil can go. The oil absorbs tiny debris and contaminants, kind of like a liquid sponge - once it’s at capacity, that oil begins to stick, clog, and build up throughout the engine. Small veins that carry oil to components like actuators, turbos, and bearings will become blocked, starving critical components of oil and causing component or engine failure.

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R & D Automotive Specialists, Inc

31035 US-190
Lacombe, LA 70445
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location small (985) 882-6692
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Weekdays:   8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Weekends: CLOSED

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