4 Engine Problems And Their Repairs

Posted on: 30 July 2020

Most people do not understand their car engines. As such, they will go into panic mode if their mechanic decides to open up the engine. Read this excerpt to learn common engine problems and their repairs.

1. Warped Cylinder Head

A cylinder head gets warped when the metal used to make the block (cast iron or aluminium) heats past its operating temperature. The problem is easy to fix when detected at an early stage. Your mechanic will rebore the cylinders to ensure they are of equal size. If you continue to drive with a warped cylinder head, the block will crack and will require a total replacement.  

2. Low Engine Compression

The air-fuel mixture in the engine must reach a specific pressure for the vehicle to ignite. If your car has low compression, it will have trouble starting. Besides, you will experience poor performance and increased oil consumption. Your mechanic will test the compression of each cylinder. Typically, the cylinders should have about 100 PSI. Poor engine compression can be caused by worn-out piston rings, pistons, valves or timing belts. If you are on a budget, you could opt for engine compression restoration treatment that will seal gaps caused by worn out rings.

3. Oil Leakage

Have you noticed an oil leak every time you park your vehicle? There is a myriad of reasons why your engine could be leaking. They include: 

  • A punctured oil pan. The oil pan gets damaged when your car's underneath gets hit by hard objects such as rocks.
  • A worn-out oil filter will also cause leakages. As such, do not forget to change the filter when servicing your car.
  • The oil pan could also leak due to a loose drain plug or worn out seals.
  • Worn out gaskets and oil seals will also cause oil leakage. Consequently, your car will produce white smoke.  

4. Clogged Fuel Injectors

Over time, carbon deposits in fuel will clog the fuel injectors. Clogged injectors will alter the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber, therefore, causing poor performance. Conversely, the worn-out injectors could spray too much fuel in the combustion chamber. As a result, your vehicle will produce black smoke. Clogged injectors can be cleaned. Alternatively, you could add fuel additives to get rid of carbon deposits in the fuel line.

Routine engine maintenance will help prevent most of these problems. Change the engine oil, spark plugs, air and oil filters on time. If you need engine repair, contact a mechanic near you.

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