The most expensive breakdowns

What likes to break in modern cars? Lots of stuff, but there are glitches that can bust many home budgets.

Timing belt break

Using a timing belt instead of a chain has its undeniable advantages. Firstly, this is a quieter solution, secondly, it is lighter, thirdly, and most importantly, it is easier and faster to replace it. The initial problem was the low wear resistance of the belts, which had to be changed even every 60 thousand. km. Currently, the periods between replacements have increased significantly and even amount to 240 thousand. km. It is also much less likely to prematurely break the belt. But if it does, the consequences can be dire.

The problem of a broken timing belt concerns the so-called collision of engines, in which the piston can meet the valves. Their collision, at best, will cause the valves to bend, at worst, it can lead to a complete breakdown of the engine.

The cost of repairs will depend primarily on the extent of the damage. Relatively inexpensive repair of the head will cost, where, in addition to bent valves, valve guides will be replaced (a few hundred zlotys + a new timing kit). But the camshaft can also be damaged. You may find that head replacement is the most cost effective. The crank-piston system is not always damaged when the pistons meet the valves, but it is not excluded. In extreme cases, it may turn out that the entire power unit should be replaced. Depending on the engine, the cost of repairs can range from about 2 to even several thousand. zloty.

How to avoid a costly failure due to a broken belt? First of all, always follow the recommendations for replacing the timing belt. This may be the limit of kilometers or years, after which replacement is necessary. When buying a used car without a documentary history, it is necessary to replace the timing belt drive. Secondly, the replacement should be entrusted to a service that is able to guarantee the timing replacement service. Third, avoid low-quality products. If the garage has experience servicing cars of this brand, we will rely on products recommended by mechanics. Fourth, avoid situations in which the timing belt may jump, such as starting a car out of pride.

Dual mass wheel

The popular "dual-mass" or dual-mass flywheel is an engine component that has affected thousands of diesel drivers. It is used primarily in modern diesel engines, but also in some gasoline engine designs. Why do we use them? Due to its design, the dual-mass flywheel reduces vibrations and vibrations transmitted further to the transmission while maintaining a low dead weight. Thus, it protects the gearbox from damage. On the other hand, the low weight of the wheel improves the reaction to the addition of gas, and therefore has a positive effect on the dynamics of the car.

The design of a "single-mass" flywheel is the simplest in the world - it is a piece of iron with a properly selected mass, bolted to the crankshaft. In the case of dual-mass flywheels, the design becomes much more complicated. Generally speaking, these are two masses separated by a set of springs arranged in a circle, and the number of elements increases significantly. The part responsible for failures is the vibration damper, that is, the aforementioned set of springs and interacting elements. It can fail after tens of thousands of kilometers, and its replacement is impossible. Symptoms include knocking at startup, vibration, shaking, and knocking when shifting gears. The dual-mass flywheel must be replaced completely, and this leads to additional costs. Depending on the engine model, the wheel itself costs between PLN 1500 and PLN 6000. Added to this was the replacement of the clutch and work.

Is it possible to extend the life of the flywheel? Yes, it is enough to refrain from sudden starting, jerking from the clutch or smooth gear changes. It's no secret that gentle driving over long distances on this component is much better than dynamic driving in urban conditions.

Nozzles

Today, diesel injectors are complex units that have to do very hard work. Depending on the design or manufacturer, they are sometimes impossible to repair. In such cases, the owner faces serious costs.

The vast majority of modern diesel engines use a Common-Rail power system. This is called the high pressure rail to which the injectors are connected. They can have electromagnetic or piezoelectric control. The former are relatively easy to repair, the latter even worse. Their breakdowns are especially acute, since manufacturers usually do not plan to repair them. Going for a set of new nozzles for ASO, sometimes you can meet the amount of up to 20. PLN. About two years ago, Denso, which produces piezoelectric injectors for Japanese diesel engines, changed its policy and now you can get remanufactured piezoelectric injectors from this company.

Symptoms of worn injectors can vary. Most often, difficult starting, uneven idling, black smoke or self-extinguishing are typical signs of upcoming expenses. The price of injector regeneration depends mainly on their design. The cheapest ones are those of the old type (spring), the restoration of which to their former glory costs about 200 zł per set. Pump injectors are clearly more expensive, prices start at about PLN 600 per set. Restoring the full functionality of Common-Rail injectors usually costs PLN 2,5-3 thousand. zloty. Remember, however, that not all buildings can be revived.

Turbocharger

Turbocharging is becoming the norm in modern car engines. Virtually all diesel engines produced today, and an increasing number of gasoline engines, will be equipped with at least one turbocharger.

A turbocharger allows more air to be pumped into the cylinder than is the case with a naturally aspirated engine, and therefore more fuel per cycle. The result is more power with less displacement. Modern engines are also tuned so that the torque curve is flat within a usable rpm range, resulting in even power delivery and low specific fuel consumption.

Turbochargers are extremely expensive engine components. This is influenced by their design. The parts are made very carefully so that the rotor can operate at very high rotational speeds, up to 200. rpm This requires the right lubrication. Any carelessness in this regard will lead to serious setbacks. Signs of wear are excessive engine oil consumption, blue smoke, loss of power, or a loud whistle when cranking.

The number of services involved in the repair and regeneration of turbochargers is quite large. Prices have also stabilized at a certain level, although they may vary depending on the design. The simplest turbocharger models with fixed blade geometry can be put into operation at prices ranging from PLN 600 to PLN 1200. We are talking about basic regeneration, which consists in disassembling the turbine, cleaning and using a repair kit. More serious breakdowns, including the replacement of a shaft or a turbine, cost between PLN 1000 and PLN 2000. In such cases, it is worth finding out whether it is better to buy a regenerated turbine (cost PLN 1200-2000). If we are dealing with variable geometry turbochargers (VGT), the cost may increase by an additional PLN 150-400. However, only specialized workshops equipped with the appropriate equipment should deal with their repair.

How to take care of a turbocharger so that it runs smoothly? The service life of a typical turbine is about 200. km. However, poor driving technique and neglect of maintenance can reduce this mileage to just 10 miles. km. First, remember that a turbocharger needs a constant supply of quality oil. Excessive aging of the oil should not be allowed, as this leads to the appearance of moisture in the lubrication system. Also remember to change the air and oil filters regularly. As for the operation itself, the most important thing is to let the turbine “cool down” after a hard ride and not turn off the engine immediately. If we intend to use all the capabilities of the power unit, and the car is equipped with a Start / Stop system, it is better to deactivate it.