Wayne's Auto Repair has been keeping central Ohio's engines running since 1999. Whether your check-engine light just came on, the engine's running rough, or you're seeing steam from under the hood, our ASE-certified technicians handle the full spectrum of engine repair and cooling-system service — with up-front pricing and same-day diagnostics when we can. Looking for engine repair near you? You've found the right shop.
From check-engine-light diagnostics to full engine rebuilds and replacements, we cover every part of the engine and cooling system in-house: timing belts, head gaskets, oil leaks, coolant leaks, water pumps, radiators, hoses, thermostats, and major mechanical work. Every job starts with thorough diagnostics so we know exactly what your vehicle needs — and we walk you through the findings before any work begins. No surprises, no upsells you didn't ask for.
Find Wayne's at three convenient locations across central Ohio: Columbus, Westerville, and Powell. All three shops are part of the Alpha Automotive family — a network of trusted Ohio repair shops backed by decades of community service.
Engine problems usually start small and get expensive fast. Catching them early protects your engine's life and your wallet. If your vehicle is showing any of these signs, schedule an engine diagnostic right away:
The most common signs are a check-engine light, rough running or stalling, unfamiliar engine noises (knocking, ticking, hissing), loss of power, smoke from the exhaust, overheating, or visible coolant or oil leaks. Any one of those is worth an inspection. Engine issues rarely fix themselves, and waiting usually turns a small repair into a much bigger one.
The check-engine light is the vehicle's onboard diagnostic system telling you something is wrong — anywhere from a loose gas cap to a serious engine or emissions issue. The light itself doesn't tell you what's wrong, but the stored trouble codes do. We can read those codes, diagnose the actual cause, and walk you through what it'll take to fix.
We start by pulling any stored trouble codes and reviewing the symptoms you've described. From there it can include compression and leak-down tests, scope readings on sensors, inspection of timing components, and visual checks for leaks or damage. We don't quote repairs until we know what's actually wrong — and we walk you through the findings before any work begins.
Engine repair means fixing specific components — a sensor, a gasket, a water pump, an oil leak. Engine rebuild means disassembling the engine, replacing worn internals (rings, bearings, valves), and reassembling it. Engine replacement means installing a new, remanufactured, or used engine in place of the existing one. We help you understand which path makes sense for your vehicle, your mileage, and your budget — sometimes a repair makes sense, sometimes replacement is the better economic call.
Yes — the entire cooling system is part of what we do at Wayne's. That includes radiator repair and replacement, water pumps, thermostats, hoses, coolant flushes, and overheating diagnostics. The engine and the cooling system work together, so we treat them as one job.
Most manufacturers recommend a coolant flush every 30,000 to 50,000 miles or every 3 to 5 years — check your owner's manual for your vehicle's specific interval. Flushing the cooling system removes built-up debris and replaces coolant that's lost its corrosion protection.
The timing belt synchronizes the engine's crankshaft and camshaft so the valves open and close at exactly the right time. If it breaks, engine damage can be severe — especially on interference engines. Most manufacturers call for timing belt replacement every 60,000 to 100,000 miles. Check your owner's manual, and if you're approaching that range, bring it in for an inspection.
Diagnostics usually take 1 to 2 hours. Smaller repairs (sensors, gaskets, water pumps) typically run a few hours to a day. Engine rebuilds and replacements are multi-day jobs. We always give you a clear time estimate up-front when we quote the work, and we keep you posted as it progresses.
Appointments help us schedule diagnostics and repair time efficiently — request one online or call the shop nearest you. If your vehicle is overheating, won't start, or shouldn't be driven, let us know when you call and we'll work you in. We offer free local towing when the repair is done at Wayne's.
Wayne's Auto Repair has served Columbus and the surrounding northeast Columbus communities since 1999.
From our shop at 2375 Schrock Road — just off the I-71 and SR-161 interchange — we serve drivers across Columbus, Westerville, Worthington, Gahanna, New Albany, and Reynoldsburg, plus the broader northeast Columbus metro. We regularly see customers from ZIP codes 43229, 43081, 43082, 43085, 43054, 43230, and 43068.
2375 Schrock Road
Columbus, OH 43229
Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
Just off Schrock Road, minutes from the Polaris and Easton corridors. Easy access from I-71 (Exit 119, Morse Road) and SR-161 — convenient for commuters heading into downtown Columbus or out to the northern suburbs.
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