The engine is the heart of the car. It generates the power to move your vehicle from one place to another. When there is a problem with your engine, it is important to take care of the issue before it progresses. Here are five common engine problems that you may encounter.
Oil Starvation
Oil is essential to your engine. It keeps all the moving parts inside your engine lubricated and reduces heat. With use, engine oil loses its viscosity, making it less efficient. If you drive with low oil levels, that oil loses its viscosity much faster, causing your engine parts to wear against each other and begin to fail.
Oil Buildup
As oil ages, it begins to leave sludge throughout your engine. This thick sludge will slow the oil flow in your engine and cause your parts to stick together. Avoiding sludge buildup is the main reason to change your oil and filter every 3,000 miles or every six months.
Misfiring Spark Plugs
Your engine produces power by igniting a fuel mixture with a spark, causing your pistons to move. While there could be other reasons for an engine misfiring, it is often caused by failing spark plugs. Depending on your vehicle, you should have your spark plugs changed every 30,000 to 100,000 miles.
Bad Fuel Mixture
Fire requires oxygen, so your engine combines air with fuel in order to ignite it. If that mixture’s ratio has too much air, your engine’s power will be decreased. If there is too much fuel, the mixture won’t be able to ignite and will flood your engine.
Contaminated Coolant
Engines become hot as they run, so they need a cooling system. Coolant cycles throughout your engine and then runs through the radiator where it is cooled by the air flowing through your car’s grille. If your coolant becomes dirty, it can cause your engine to overheat. In rare cases, a superheated piston could weld itself in place, destroying your engine.
The best way to avoid engine problems is to adhere to a maintenance schedule. Regular oil and filter changes do a lot to protect your car and keep it running as long as possible. Schedule an appointment with the team at North Roswell Automotive Repair today for your next preventative maintenance.
Our ASE-certified technicians will service your vehicle and have you safely back on the road in a flash.