You grab your keys, head out the door, and start up your car. Everything seems ok, but once you hit the road, lights come on your dashboard, or the vehicle sounds/smells strange.
There’s nothing worse than fearing that your car will fail, especially if you’re in a rush to get somewhere. And while it’s always a good idea to take your car into the shop, learning about issues beforehand can give you more peace of mind. Plus, it’ll help you keep your cool while on the road.
Keep reading for four common engine problems and how to fix them.
Table of Contents
1. Engine Misfire
Is your vehicle stuttering or shuddering? Does it feel less powerful, and is it tougher to accelerate?
Then chances are, you’ve got an engine misfire. Engine misfiring happens when there are spark plug issues, a faulty ignition coil, or fuel injector problems.
To fix these problems, you’ll have to replace the spark plugs, ignition coils, or fuel injectors, which you can get on the Diesel Logic website. If you’re not handy, then you’ll have to go to an auto shop.
In addition, ensure proper fuel and air mixture whenever you’re driving.
2. Overheating
If you live somewhere hot and/or your car’s on the older side, then it may be prone to overheating. This can occur due to low coolant, a faulty thermostat, radiator issues, or a cooling fan failure.
Before you go for engine repair services, check the coolant levels and top up if needed. You should also check that the cooling fan is indeed working.
Otherwise, make an appointment with your mechanic to replace the thermostat or repair the radiator or cooling fan.
3. Excessive Smoke
It’s alarming to see smoke come out of your car, but don’t panic. Remember the information in this section to determine what’s wrong and how to rectify it.
If there’s blue smoke, it’s caused by oil burning. White smoke means there’s coolant entering the combustion chamber, and black smoke means there’s too much fuel.
You can address the specific issue by replacing worn seals, fixing coolant leaks, or adjusting the fuel system. Going in for an engine tuneup may be a smart move.
4. Knocking or Pinging Noise
This can be another issue that can be terrifying when you’re driving around. If you hear knocking or pinging, then you’ll want to pull over, as worn engine components may be the culprit. Other possible causes include poor fuel quality or incorrect ignition timing.
One solution is to use higher-quality fuel. If this doesn’t help, then you’ll need to adjust the ignition timing or replace worn engine parts, like bearings or pistons.
Take Care of These Common Engine Problems
Finding out your vehicle’s not in great shape is never fun. But now that you’ve learned about common engine problems, you can think of these the next time you run into issues on the road.
To prevent these problems from happening in the first place, make sure you schedule regular maintenance. It’ll definitely keep you safe while behind the wheel.
To learn more about vehicle repair topics, keep browsing our blog page now.
