Gasoline engine failure. 5 Signs of an Expensive Repair

Gasoline engines are considered less of a problem and many drivers choose them because they are cheaper to run in the city. True, they burn a little more on the road than their diesel counterparts, but short distances in the city do not impress them. However, it should be remembered that gasoline units are not without drawbacks and many elements can hit our wallet hard. What breaks most often and how to avoid costly breakdowns?

If in old gasoline units there is practically no particulate filter or “double mass”, then in modern engines this is quite common. Many elements are also common with diesel units, such as a turbocharger, which can empty the wallet of both a gasoline owner and a “smolderer”. What else could go wrong? What to pay special attention to?

Engine breakdown. Timing chain extension

According to many “specialists”, the timing chain is eternal and you should not look into it so as not to spoil anything. If your mechanic has these questions, it's worth looking for another one who hasn't taken lessons directly from the manufacturers. In principle, such a solution was supposed to reduce the resistance of the engine and ensure eternal durability, unfortunately, reality quickly confirmed the plans and promises of car and drive manufacturers. Yes, the timing on the chain will last longer than on the belt, but when it comes to an end and the driver neglects the service, sooner or later he says goodbye to the engine. In addition, in many cases, replacing a timing chain with a chain is very expensive and many drivers, wanting to get rid of the problem, sell the car as soon as they hear disturbing sounds. Therefore, when buying a used car with a timing chain, you should carefully check its condition in order to avoid a costly accident.

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In many engines, the most problematic is the chain tensioner. Its work, or rather a special piston that regulates its tension, depends on oil pressure. If there is not enough pressure, the tensioner tends to move backwards (mostly when stationary), thus weakening the chain. If a brief metallic noise is heard when starting the engine, the chain is not tensioned. If the car user does not correct the malfunction in time, the chain may break or the timing belt may jump, which in turn is associated with the meeting of valves and pistons.

The only recipe to avoid such serious consequences is not only a regular inspection, but also the replacement of all components if any violations are found. Naturally, the entire kit must be replaced, including tensioners, guides, gears, etc. Price? This largely depends on the engine and the difficulty of accessing the timing mechanism. Usually you have to factor in a cost of at least PLN 1500, although in many cases the costs can be as high as PLN 10.

Engine breakdown. Worn and defective rings

Another element that was supposed to increase the life of the drive units and make them practically "maintenance free", and as a result led to problems and headaches for the driver. We are talking about piston rings that are narrowed in order to reduce the internal resistance of the engine. Yes, the coefficient of friction was reduced, but this quickly turned out to be a side effect - a very high oil consumption. In addition, the small section and delicate structure caused improper oil suction, which, in turn, led to its depletion at an alarming rate - even a liter for every 1000 kilometers traveled. If the driver did not respond in time and did not regularly check the oil level and the condition of the pistons, cylinders and rings, this could lead to a quick jamming of the power unit.

Symptoms? This is obvious - rapid loss of oil in the absence of leaks, blue smoke from the exhaust pipe at a later stage, louder operation of the power unit and significantly higher fuel consumption. However, if these last symptoms occur, the engine seizure stage is likely to be quite severe. Therefore, it is worth reacting in advance. To get rid of the problem forever, for example, in TSI units, it is worth converting the pistons into larger rings that do not have problems with oil draining. Unfortunately, the cost of such an operation ranges from PLN 5000 to 10 thousand.

Engine breakdown. Deposition of carbonaceous deposits

Another side effect of improving engines from an environmental point of view. While there are quite a lot of these additives in diesel engines, they are kept to a minimum in older gasoline engines. However, intensive exhaust gas regeneration is used, for example by directing the exhaust gases back into the intake system to reduce their temperature and tar and soot emissions. Whereas in engines with indirect injection, pollutants are washed away by gasoline injected into the manifold, this is no longer possible with direct injection. The effect? Intake buildup and airflow restriction resulting in loss of engine compression, loss of power and loss of operating culture. Summing up: the engine quickly loses its original properties and works much worse in all respects.

The symptoms are easy to diagnose, because, as we have already mentioned, the engine runs worse - louder, has less power, vibrates, etc. To be sure, it is worth examining the inlet with an endoscope in a professional workshop, and then cleaning or replacing the inlet. The first option is simpler and consists in softening the soot with specialized chemicals, and then sucking out impurities. This is a cheaper method, but unreliable and rather risky. It is much better to dismantle the elements intended for cleaning, i.e. inlet, head, valves, etc. The cost of the first method is several hundred PLN, the second method is more reliable, but more expensive - up to 2000 PLN. .

Engine breakdown. Faulty electronics such as sensors, engine control unit, ignition coils

Numerous sensors are the scourge of drivers. There are a lot of them and each is responsible for different parameters, and if one of them fails, the power unit usually stops working normally, goes out, goes into emergency mode, etc. We are talking about crankshaft position sensors, camshaft position, detonation, air mass is usually called a flow meter or lambda probe. Unfortunately, sensors fail relatively often, especially if they are used in harsh environments.

If the sensor fails, do not underestimate it, remove errors, plugs, etc. A damaged sensor must be replaced, since regeneration and repair are impossible. In addition, the replacement cost is not excessive - it usually ranges from PLN 100 to PLN 300. The consequences of neglecting the failure of the sensor and trying to bypass it can be much more serious, which can lead to damage to other components of the engine and its equipment.

If we talk about electronics, then a much more serious and costly breakdown will be a breakdown of the motor controller. Symptoms usually come on suddenly and consist of problems starting the unit, not working properly, undulating, etc. There are many reasons: from a new installation of HBO, damage due to wear, exposure to harmful factors such as heat or moisture, etc. The driver can be regenerated if the problem is, for example, -1500 PLN.

Ignition coil failures are also costly, usually manifested by engine rough idle (rpm), power loss, engine light coming on, or problems starting the drive unit. If the coils are damaged, they should be replaced with new ones - the cost is about several hundred zł per piece.

Engine breakdown. Problems with turbochargers

You can write books about turbo problems. With proper operation and maintenance, they can last hundreds of thousands of kilometers, such inexperienced handling of a car, efforts with a modified program, lack of care for proper cooling and lubrication can “finish off” a turbocharger after several thousand kilometers. kilometers. How to properly operate a turbocharged car? Do not run the engine at high speeds, avoid immediately stopping the car after a long or dynamic trip, use the right lubricants, change the oil regularly, etc.

The first symptoms that can be recognized while driving are increased engine noise when it is turned on. Usually the sound appears at around 1500-2000 rpm. If it is clearly audible, metallic, it is worth checking the turbine in a professional workshop. Eliminating the initial gaps or restoring the turbine costs from 500 to 1500 PLN. If the turbine is to be replaced, the costs increase several times. However, if the turbine is damaged and its components get inside the drive, the engine can be completely damaged.

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