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Normal mileage, wear and tear, poor maintenance, lubrication problems, and overheating can all lead to engine problems that require repair.
The question is, how do you know when it's time to get your car's engine inspected or repaired? Here are some classic signs of engine trouble that you should look out for:
Excessive smoke from tailpipe
Increased exhaust
Excessive oil consumption
Knocking or tapping sounds
Low oil pressure
Low compression
Water mixing in oil
Oil getting into the air cleaner and/or radiator
Knocking noises
Decreased engine performance
A rough (shaking) idle or engine "choking"
Your check engine light is on
It's important that you don't hesitate when experiencing engine issues. There's often not a lot of room between needing a simple engine repair and total engine replacement.
Engine Block: The block is the main part of the engine. All other parts of the motor are essentially bolted to it. Inside the block is where the combustion happens.
Pistons: Pistons pump up and down as the spark plugs fire to compress the air/fuel mix. The energy produced by this process is converted to motion and transferred to the tires by the transmission, via the driveshaft.
Cylinder Head: The cylinder head is attached to the top of the block in order to seal the area to prevent the loss of gases. The spark plugs, valves and other parts are fitted to it.
Crankshaft: Located near the bottom of the engine block, this is the part that converts energy from reciprocating energy to rotary energy.
Camshaft: The camshaft opens and closes the valves in perfect timing with the rest of the engine's parts.
Intake & Exhaust Valves: The valves regulate the flow of air, fuel and exhaust fumes inside the cylinder head. There are both intake valves and exhaust valves.
Oil Pan: The oil pan, also known as the oil sump, is attached to the bottom of the engine and stores all the oil used in the lubrication of the engine. This is where an oil change happens.
Timing Belt/Chain: The camshaft and crankshafts are synchronized to ensure the precise timing in order for the engine to run properly. The belt is made of a heavy-duty rubber with cogs to grasp the pulleys from the camshaft and crankshaft.
Here are some of the most common engine problems and their associated symptoms:
Poor compression: You'll experience a loss of power, misfiring, or no-start.
Cracked engine block: You'll experience overheating, smoke coming from exhaust, or coolant leaks, usually identified on the side of the engine.
Damaged Pistons, Rings, and/or Cylinders: You'll experience rattling sounds, blue smoke coming from the exhaust, rough idle, or a failed emissions test.
Broken or worn Rods, Bearings, & Pins: You'll experience tapping or ticking sounds, low oil pressure, metal shavings found in engine oil, or rattling upon acceleration.
Our expert technicians and mechanics at AUTOVISION are well-equipped to tackle all types of engine repairs both large and small. Schedule an appointment today.