Your car should be like a best friend - one you can always rely on. You must know everything about your car and have complete trust in it. In return, your car should always start when you need it to. If it doesn’t, it would be really annoying and inconvenient. Everyone who has a car relies on it, and in return, the car relies on its mechanical and electrical components.
Engine problems can be really frustrating, especially when they lead to big repair bills. That’s why it’s important to be informed about the issues and their severity, so you can make sure the garage focuses on the right things when you go for car engine repair & service.
If you don’t, you could end up facing even bigger problems down the road. But with some timely maintenance, you can safeguard yourself from all these issues and reduce the chance of a breakdown.
This article will guide you through some of the most common engine problems and help you to understand them better. This will also decrease the risk of expensive repairs, as you will be more knowledgeable about what can go wrong.
1. Engine Overheating
If your engine is overheating, there can be more than one potential reason. These reasons may include a failure in the cooling system or a low level of coolant. The best way to determine the cause of the overheating is to consult a mechanic. If the issue is simply a lack of coolant, you can fill up the coolant reservoir. However, there are many other potential causes of an overheating engine, so it is best to consult a professional if you are experiencing this issue.
If your car starts to overheat, it’s important to take action quickly to avoid potential engine damage. The best course of action is to stop driving and let the car cool down. However, if you need to keep driving, do so in short bursts and keep an eye on the temperature gauge. Regardless, it’s best to get your car checked out by a mechanic as soon as possible.
2. Poor Lubrication
Your engine needs oil to keep all of its parts moving smoothly. If there isn’t enough oil, the parts will start to grind against each other and create too much friction. This can cause the engine to overheat or even seize up. To avoid this, get your car serviced regularly. This includes changing the oil to make sure that there is enough lubrication.
3. Oil Deposits And Debris
Dirty oil can leave deposits and debris on engine fittings, which can eventually lead to problems with your vehicle’s bearings. As part of periodic service, your local garage will clean your engine’s oil filters to avoid debris becoming lodged within your vehicle’s bearings.
4. Prolonged Engine Detonation
If your engine is making knocking noise while you’re driving, it’s probably because there’s too much heat in its combustion chamber. When overheating and high pressures combine, they can cause engine detonation, also known as a spark knock. This can damage pistons, head gaskets, and piston rings over time.
5. Worn Spark Plugs
When it comes to engine performance, spark plugs are like the tiny yet mighty powerhouse that gets things moving. Their job is to create a spark that ignites the compressed gas within the engine, and when they’re dirty or worn out, it can cause all sorts of problems like engine misfire, stalling, hard starting, or engine start but won’t stay running. So be sure to regularly check in on your spark plugs and ensure that they’re in tip-top shape - your engine will thank you for it!
6. Engine Coolant Loss
A decrease in engine coolant is often the result of a leak. If you notice your coolant level is low, check your radiator and hoses for any signs of leaks.
It’s important to do regular coolant checks to ensure it is at the right level and healthy. A healthy coolant is typically orange or green in color. If your coolant is dirty, replace it. P.S. Engine overheating may lead to permanent engine damage.
7. Timing Chain Failure
Your engine’s timing chain is important for its performance. The timing chain needs to rotate smoothly around the gears for your engine to work effectively. If there is a problem with the timing chain, there are some clear signs, including:
- A rattling sound while the engine is running
- Misfiring or poor engine performance
- Lack of power and hesitation
- Metal shavings in the engine oil
If you notice any of these symptoms, take immediate steps to fix the problem.
8. Smoke From The Engine
When it comes to your car, blue or white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe is never a good sign. If you see this happening, you should take your car to an auto repair shop as soon as possible. There are various reasons why this might happen, but one cause of blue smoke is high oil consumption. Additionally, worn valve guide seals, damaged piston rings, or poor crankcase ventilation can also lead to blue smoke. White smoke, on the other hand, is typically a sign that the engine is burning coolant or that the head gasket is broken.
9. Engine Head Gasket Failure
A head gasket failure can cause extensive engine damage and be very costly to repair. It can be difficult to determine the cause of the failure, but it is usually the result of a problem with the cooling system. The best course of action is to find a professional mechanic to fix the problem.
10. Water In The Engine Oil
If you notice that the color of your motor oil has turned white, it’s a clear sign that water has mixed with the oil. This can be caused by a cracked engine head, faulty oil cooler, or cracked engine block. To resolve the issue, you must track down the cause of the problem and have an experienced mechanic take a look.
Conclusion
Trouble in your car engine is trouble in your mind. If you are facing any trouble with your car’s engine, the first thing to do is try to locate the origin of the issue. Then, if the problem is minor, like an oil change or oil refill, try to do it yourselves or visit a car engine repair & service garage for expert help.
