We’ve come to depend on our cars to the point that, in many places within the United States, they’re almost necessary to function in the world. That’s why it’s so frustrating, even scary, when something seems to be going wrong. Luckily, anything can be replaced in your vehicle, so long as the cost of the part doesn’t outweigh the cost of the car or truck.
A failing engine can seem like one of those scary things, but they, too, can be replaced, albeit for around $3,000-5,000. This is why maintenance is important because simple things like neglecting to change the air filter once in a while can snowball into big problems and even engine failure.
Many symptoms of engine failure overlap with other car troubles, so bear in mind that if you experience these problems, especially in isolation, it might be another problem. A mechanic can tell you for sure what your difficulties are.
Constant Overheating
If your truck or car is always overheating, this is an indicator of serious trouble, particularly if the cooling system is operating normally. The worst-case scenario is a cracked engine block, which can’t be repaired. The only thing to do in such a case is to replace the engine itself, especially since the damage could extend to the cylinders and pistons, which are crucial to keeping your vehicle running.
Excessive Exhaust Fumes
Speaking of cracked engine blocks, you may also have a lot of exhaust fumes flowing from the tailpipe in such a scenario. If the fume color is blue, this indicates that there’s oil leaking into the cylinders; white exhaust fumes indicate that the engine coolant is what’s being burned. Driving an automobile that’s hemorrhaging fuel is dangerous.
Frequent Knocking Sounds
A frequent or constant knocking noise can indicate a problem with your rods or rod bearings. Damage there can snowball into damage to the cylinders and pistons, rendering the engine completely dead. Engines can also become useless if you actually break a rod. If the engine isn’t severely damaged, it can be rebuilt, but if the damage is bad enough, the vehicle’s engine may need replacing.
Metal Shavings in the Oil
Finding metal shavings in the motor oil means that something has begun to disintegrate and your engine needs to be replaced. Driving in this scenario is also very dangerous, as damage to the engine will continue. Regardless, your engine is already past the point of repair if it’s disintegrating.
Decreased Fuel Efficiency
An increase in fuel consumption can have a number of causes, but when accompanied by the check engine light, it points to an engine problem. Depending on what’s causing the decrease in fuel efficiency, the engine may need to be repaired or replaced.
Power Loss
Sometimes your vehicle’s engine may simply be worn out, resulting in episodes of power loss. Normally, these engines cannot be repaired, as they have reached the end of their lives.
Protecting Your Engine
Bringing your car in for regular maintenance will keep all parts in working order, or at least allow you the option to replace parts before they compound small problems into major ones. The engine is one of the parts that will be benefited from routine maintenance.