Engine breakdown. Pay attention to these symptoms

Grilles coming from under the hood, leaks, an unusual smell in the car interior, or smoke from the exhaust pipe are often symptoms of serious engine problems that should not be underestimated. An annual technical inspection, especially in the case of older vehicles, is not enough to ensure that our vehicle is in good condition and safe. Therefore, it is worth paying special attention to the symptoms that may indicate failures.

The car engine is subjected to extreme loads every day. The four-cylinder design has about 30 ignitions of the fuel mixture in one second, and each ignition creates a temperature in excess of 2000 degrees Celsius. All this makes this complex mechanism vulnerable to all sorts of overheating, failures and failures.

Mysterious clicks

Scratches, squeaks or rattles in an engine are never a good sign and, unfortunately, are often a sign that we may be facing significant expenses in the near future. To avoid problems and high repair costs, the type of fault must be diagnosed as quickly as possible and responded to accordingly. Simply recognizing that the engine is faulty is not difficult - it is audible. However, the diagnosis should be carried out by an experienced mechanic. It is extremely important to remember the type of noise and the time it began to move, whether it was heard continuously or briefly. Such accurate information will allow the specialist to quickly identify the malfunction.

Mysterious Spots

Unfortunately, all leaks are also evidence of car breakdowns. Therefore, already at the entrance, in the parking lot or in the garage, we can determine whether our car is fully operational. A stain under the front of the car could be caused by a coolant leak. This is not to be taken lightly and you should immediately find out what is causing it. An engine oil leak is also a serious threat to drive and driving safety. Its loss can lead to engine jamming. Therefore, its level should be checked regularly. There can be many reasons for the appearance of grease spots under the car, usually the culprit is worn out or weakened lines that supply oil to elements such as a turbocharger. Rotten and leaking gaskets are also a common cause, less often a broken oil pan is to blame.

The editors recommend:

Does the price of the policy depend on the driving style of the driver?

Fuel and its types

Advantages and disadvantages of used Giulietta

smoke signs

Another common sign of an engine problem is smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. Black, smoky smoke can be caused by a faulty injector, faulty carburetor, dirty air filter, or bad fuel. The release of blue smoke is most likely a sign that the engine is burning oil. This may be due to damage to the rings, piston or cylinder. On the other hand, white smoke often means the combustion of coolant, which can only enter the engine in the event of a serious malfunction - a leaky cylinder head gasket, a crack in the cylinder head or cylinder wall. And this is most often associated with high repair costs.

fishy smell

Our vigilance should also be caused by a specific smell that lingers in the car. First of all, it is necessary to identify it and determine its source. A sweet smell may appear in the car as a result of overheating of the cooling system. The pungent smell of burnt plastic is usually an electrical system malfunction that can cause some components to melt. On the other hand, the smell of burnt rubber may indicate that the clutch or brakes are overheating. In each of these cases, it is best to contact a mechanic.

Better to prevent than to cure

The causes of engine failure and damage can be: due to design defects, age of the vehicle or the use of unsuitable lubricants. One way to keep your powertrain in good condition is to use the right engine oil.