As they say, the engine is the heart of your vehicle. When an engine works well, you experience smooth usage and excellent performance. When it doesn’t, you face engine problems.
As car guys, we can tell you that there are many problems that can appear on an engine. Small problems start to appear at first, and then they become serious.
Knowing the common engine problems is crucial for you as a car owner in order to avoid costly repairs down the line.
What Are Common Engine Problems?
The health of the engine is key when it comes to good car performance and a comfy ride. When the engine is healthy, it delivers power and good efficiency.
However, when things get bad, this performance drops. You get loss of acceleration, poor fuel economy, and engine misfires, and also, strange noises start to creep up.
These are the key signs of engine problems that should alarm you. You shouldn’t ignore them because if you do, the problem will become worse.
If you catch these symptoms early on, you will avoid potentially expensive problems in the future. This is why if you notice something strange, don’t delay the visit to the shop!
Top Engine Problems and What Causes Them
We learned what car engine problems are and what happens when things go bad. Now let’s take a look at what causes engine problems.
Engine Overheating
One of the most common engine problems is the situation with engine overheating. Some engines are prone to overheating because of their poor design. They easily overheat when overloaded.
Also, problems with cooling system components like a faulty thermostat and a bad water pump can cause your engine to overheat.
The temperature gauge is your best friend as a car owner!
Oil Leaks and Low Oil Pressure
Engines also love to leak oil after a few years of use. There are gaskets and seals that can degrade and allow engine oil to sip.
If you have a leak, you need to top off the engine oil regularly in order to prevent oil starvation and heat spots from developing in the engine.
Engine Misfiring
Engine misfires are small engine problems that can really drive you insane. These misfires are represented as small ticks coming from the engine.
A misfire is basically an uneven cycle of ignition. Fuel ignites prematurely or is delayed. Common causes are bad spark plugs, bad injectors, or poorly sealing valves.
Knocking or Tapping Sounds
When you hear knocking or tapping noises, you are probably in deep trouble. Especially when it comes to knocking.
In this case, probably the rod bearings are finished and need to be replaced. If you continue driving, your engine will probably seize and completely fail.
Tapping sounds, on the other hand, often appear because of low grade fuel. If your car requires premium, add premium gas to avoid these symptoms.
Rough Idling or Stalling
Rough idle or engine stalls are closely connected to ignition components like spark plugs and coils. Also, these common engine problems can appear because of vacuum leaks and clogged fuel injectors.
It is best to fix this problem early because it will worsen your fuel economy.
Check Engine Light Activation
Check engine light is also very common in cars. It is one of the driver’s worst nightmares. The reason behind it can be simple, such as a loose gas cap.
But in many cases, this light appears because of a bad sensor. Whether this is a bad MAF or O2 sensor. Sometimes crankshaft or camshaft sensors can cause it. The way to investigate is with an OBD2 scanner.
Excessive Exhaust Smoke
Some cars love to smoke. Here is what the color wants to tell you:
- Blue smoke: The car burns oil, probably due to bad piston O-rings.
- White smoke: Blown head gasket is one common cause of this problem.
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Black smoke: The engine is running rich. It burns too much fuel.
Timing Belt or Chain Failure
When it comes to common car engine problems, timing belt or chain failures are also very common. If the belt is missing a tooth, it can result in poor timing. The engine will be out of sync and there will be a check engine light.
The chain can also fail and become loose. Usually, a rattling noise is associated with this situation.
Fuel Delivery Issues
The engine can also suffer from fuel delivery issues. For example, a bad fuel pump will deem the engine inoperable. Clogged fuel filters or injectors can make it run poorly.
Always replace filters and clean injectors to avoid these engine problems.
Small Engine Problems That Escalate
There are also small engine problems that can escalate. They start with a small leak or strange noise. But if ignored, they can grow into something more serious.
For example, a timing belt can tick, but if you push it too hard, it will snap and ruin your engine. So, don’t ignore these small symptoms.
Common Engine Issues by Brand
Some car brands are prone to certain engine problems. Here are some of them and their common issues:
BMW: BMWs love to leak oil from every gasket and seal. They also have issues with the water pump.
Dodge: Dodge has the HEMI engine that when it reaches high miles develops the HEMI “Tick” sound.
Chrysler: Chrysler models like their oil to be changed in a timely manner, or they can develop engine sludge. Timing chain wear is also very common in older V6 engines.
Cadillac: Northstar engines made by Cadillac have head gasket failures. The engine is prone to overheating and coolant loss. Regular checks are mandatory to avoid these common engine problems.
In general, each brand has its fair share of issues. Knowing them in advance will help you detect the issue if it appears in your model.
How to Prevent Engine Problems
Stick to Your Maintenance Schedule
Routine maintenance is very important in order to avoid these common engine problems. Always follow the schedule in your owner’s manual. Regular maintenance includes:
- Oil changes
- Filter replacements
- Timing belt or chain checks
Use Quality Fluids and Parts
Always ensure that you use quality fluids and parts. Most importantly, the correct spec for your engine. Avoid using aftermarket components of low quality that do not meet the manufacturer’s requirements.
Follow Your Factory Service Manual
Following the factory service manual is crucial. If you don’t have one, it is the right time to get one. This tool will save you thousands of dollars in the years to come.
In these manuals, you have the right maintenance schedules, the right part numbers, fluid specs, and most importantly, step-by-step tutorials on how every maintenance procedure is done as the manufacturer wants!
Conclusion
In general, most of the engine problems start small and then develop. Catching these problems on time will save you a lot of money.
If you have a check engine light, make sure that you have an OBD2 scanner by your side to see what is causing the light. If it's something serious, it is the right time to fix it.
Audible symptoms like ticking, knocking, and rough idle are also important. Don’t ignore them and make sure that you perform a visual inspection to estimate where the sound comes from.
Also, keep your car maintained the right way. Use high-end fluids and parts. With preventive maintenance, you will avoid many of these common engine problems in the first place.