Identifying Most Common Car Engine Problems

The inevitable part of car ownership irrespective of the age, make, mileage or model is occasional engine problems. Engine failure is never good news as it has the potential to put your car out of commission for an indefinite amount of time. It is very tricky to diagnose and the repair work involved can be complicated. While regular car servicing and maintenance may help reduce the need of car repairs, it does not guarantee that a car will not breakdown.

As the car amasses more miles, the likelihood of engine troubles also increases. However, not all engine issues will be so serious. The majority of the time the cause is something very simple, for instance — a dirty air filter. Whether the engine of your car is facing overheating issue or is emanating strange noises or misfiring, the reason could be arising from a multitude of issues.

How The Engine of Your Car Works?

• The blinking ‘check engine’ light can make any driver anxious. It could indicate anything from blockage, which is generally quick to diagnose, to the need for a major repair that is going to burn a big hole in your pocket.
• The engine works from the inside of your car and that’s why its referred to as the internal combustion engine. The engine’s core job is to convert gasoline into energy which helps your car propel forward. In case of hybrid cars, the source of energy is different but that does not make the outcome any different. The same is applicable to diesel engines. It’s the universal truth that everyone swears by — without a working engine, your car is nothing but a useless and heavy heap of metal.

Getting To The Bottom of the Problem

Consider the ‘check engine’ light not as the final nail in the coffin but rather as a sign that some component needs to be fixed. At In Town, our expert vehicular technicians commonly come across one of the following issues.

• Inadequate Lubrication — The moving parts of your vehicle need oil as this will not only reduce friction but will also eliminate heat. Therefore, getting regular oil change is essential to the overall functioning of a vehicle. If proper lubrication isn’t ensured, it can result in overheating of the car and its component are likely to seize up. So, it is best to maintain the oil at an appropriate level as low levels can indicate burning or leakage.
• Oil Pump Failure — Failure of the oil pump can result in what’s commonly known as oil starvation which is almost always lethal to any engine. Overhead cam engines are more at risk as the cam and the valve train are situated beyond the pump which means that it needs to be light enough to move quickly.
• Dirty Oil — The build-up of oil tends to leave behind deposits on spark plugs, combustion chambers and intake valves. It can disintegrate a car’s bearings by leaving behind debris which embed in the surface. In case you come across a clogged oil filter, this is certainly the root of the problem.
• Spark Knock — The type of combustion caused by the accumulation of too much heat and pressure in the engine’s combustion chamber is what is known as a spark knock or detonation. When this happens, you should be able to hear a metallic knocking or pinging noise. A small detonation will generally not cause major damage, but heavy knocks or prolonged detonation can pave way for serious damage to the car components. It has the potential to punch holes in your pistons, blow head gaskets, crush rod bearings, crack rings and pound piston ring grooves. Pinging noise at a stretch are a definite cause of concern.
• Broken or Defective Oxygen Sensor — The sensor is entitled to measure the amount of oxygen that hasn’t been consumed by the exhaust. It then communicates to the data system of the car regarding the amount of fuel available in the gas tank. Any problem with the oxygen sensor means communication of incorrect information by the car’s system. This often results in lower gas mileage.
• Poor Compression — The combustion process of the car’s engine will be interrupted if the fuel and air aren’t compressed properly. If the valves fail to seal properly, the cylinder of your vehicle has a hole in it or probably the piston rings are worn which results in leakage of air which results in lack of compression.
• Loss of Coolant — The most common cause for overheating is through loss of coolant. A quick glance on the coolant overflow reservoir will indicate if the coolant is leaking or not. If your engine repeatedly overheats, the constant high temperature can result in irreparable damage that can be troublesome to fix. Most cars are now equipped with temperature gauges or warning lights that will notify the driver of the overheating issue. Repeated overheating can potentially cause serious, not to mention expensive damage to the engine. Being cautious beforehand is the best option so make sure that you avoid this kind of damage by ensuring that the coolant is clean and the cooling system is in good operating condition. Additionally, overheating can be caused as a result of a cracked head or a blown gasket. Coolant loss and white exhaust smoke may indicate the dire need of getting your car engine repaired.

Common reasons of overheating are:

• Defective radiator cap
• Non-functioning cooling fan
• Faulty thermostat
• Dirty air filter
• Low or dirty coolant level
• Kinked or broken down radiator hose
• Internal or external coolant leak
• Clogged Radiator — Dirty coolant is a source of multiple problems. If the radiator fills with sediment from a dirty coolant, it will lead to overheating of the engine. There is also a possibility of the radiator becoming corroded if hard water is used.
• Worn Spark Plug — Although a spark plug is small, it is one of the most important components that makes a car move. A worn spark plug will give out a weak spark. It may event prevent ignition entirely or cause ignition at the wrong time. A misfire will affect the power of the engine and fuel economy and thus result in massive amounts of potential damage.
• Loose or Missing Gas Cap — One of the cheapest and easiest fixes your car will ever need over the course of its lifetime is the tightening or replacing of the gas cap. However, it is also an important one. A gas cap that is either loose or missing will result in evaporation of the gas from the car, reducing its gas mileage and potentially costing you hundreds of pounds.

Regular maintenance might seem costly but it is also important to keep your car in good working condition. If you want to make the most of your vehicle, ensure that you keep up with regular oil, tyre, clutch repairs and other maintenance that may crop up. Be sure to address any issue as and when they crop up.

Car Engine Study — How Reliable Are The Engines Of Your Car

Everyone is well aware of the most popular cars on roads today. It will be impossible for you to step out of your house without spotting a Ford Focus or a Vauxhall Corsa. As engines are at the core of a vehicle’s performance, we have to take a sneak a peek on cars that have the most reliable engines.

The Situation

The engine is arguably the most vital component of any car and also the most expensive part to replace. Hundreds of requests for second hand car engines is received by garages on a weekly basis. Upon closely analysing these requests it can be deduced which cars on the country’s roads have the most trustworthy and reliable engines, under the premises that the more reliable the car’s engine is, the fewer requests will be received for a replacement.

How Did We Work It Out?

By analysing a data set covering a certain period, the most frequently requested engines in the UK were perused with special emphasis on the make and model of the vehicle.

By simply looking at the number of requests received for each make and model’s engines does not give an accurate estimation of the whole picture. It involved a lot of work wherein a number of requests had to be compared against the number of cars to find out the genuine reliability rating. For example, if there are a million cars of the same type on the road and thousand requests pertaining to the car’s engine are received, it can be said to be more reliable than a make and model that receives two requests, but only has a hundred vehicles on the road.

Final Analysis

A number of positive assumptions can be made about the cars that are rated most efficient. These vehicles may have the most lucrative engines making it possible for the vehicle to run for several years. It is a fact that cars with computerised engines and high performance systems are more likely to need dealer assistance and a completely new unit. It is really important to ensure that your car is road worthy and thus going for regular MOT is suggested.

The hunt for the best and most reliable car engine reveals that only a fraction of a percentage of all cars require replacement engine and that there is enough supply in the market to cope up with the demand for second hand car engines, which helps keep the motoring prices down, making car repairs more available for anyone on a budget. Speaking of budget, In Town Automotive has finance options available for unexpected car repairs that cannot be delayed.

Diligently following the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule is vital for proper car maintenance. Regular services such as oil changes, fuel and oil filter replacement and tune ups are necessary to keep the car’s performance at its peak. Maintenance components such as the air filter are frequently overlooked but can have considerable impact on a car’s drivability and overall performance. Irrespective of the car’s age, proper upkeep and maintenance will help keep potential engine problems and breakdowns at bay.

Auto Repair Service From In Town Automotive

There could be numerous explanations for all these issues but the solution is the same for all of them. You have to schedule an appointment with repair specialists for diagnostic and maintenance services. When it comes to car repair, you can recieve comprehensive solutions from In Town Automotive at prices that you can afford.

Get in touch with us today and our experts will be happy to help you figure out the appropriate steps. At In Town Automotive we promise to provide the care and attention your car needs to get back on the track.

Originally published at http://blog.intownautomotive.co.uk/identifying-most-common-car-engine-problems/ on July 24, 2017.