Engine Trouble

Major Engine Trouble: Five Problems That Can Cause a Bad Piston

Engine TroubleMajor Engine Trouble: Five Problems That Can Cause a Bad Piston

Pistons are among the most important parts of an engine. If they have issues, you will defiantly have engine trouble. In extreme cases, this could be justification for an engine replacement. They hold the responsibility of converting fuel into energy. When a piston goes bad, expect to experience a big drop in performance. In some instances, you could lose all engine power. Furthermore, here are five problems that can lead to a engine trouble and a damaged piston.

1. Broken Timing Belt

If you are having engine trouble, keep reading. Also, if your vehicle engine’s is designed with a timing belt, be sure to have it replaced at the recommended interval. Over time, this rubber component gradually begins to weaken. While some timing belts need to be replaced every 60,000 miles, others are rated to last for more than 100,000 miles.

You definitely don’t want a timing belt to suddenly snap while you’re driving. On an interference engine, this could cause the pistons and valves to collide. Catastrophic engine damage will be the probable outcome.

2. Engine Detonation

It’s important to fill your gas tank with the correct type of fuel. Typically, high-performance cars and luxury vehicles are tuned to use premium gasoline. Repeatedly using low octane fuel in these automobiles can cause engine detonation. Worn-out spark plugs and carbon buildup from excessive idling also make engine denotation more likely to occur.

When engine donation occurs, an excessive amount of internal heat is produced, which is engine trouble. Temperatures can become hot enough to melt an aluminum piston. To help counteract the effects of using a lower octane, automakers engineer vehicles with components called knock sensors. They signal the car’s computer to reduce ignition timing, which ultimately protects the engine. The bad news is that knock sensors can fail.

3. Low Oil Level

Routine maintenance is the ultimate key to keeping your vehicle running strong. Mechanics stress the importance off regularly checking the oil level. It’s a simple step that only takes a minute of your time. Once some vehicles surpass the 50,000-mile mark, they tend to consume motor oil at faster rate.

A piston is a moving part, which must be properly lubricated at all times. As the piston slides up, oil is sprayed on its undersides. Also, when the oil level becomes too low, friction becomes a serious issue. Poor lubrication could result in a stuck piston. However, the damage caused by metal-to-metal contact is even more detrimental.

4. Engine Overheating

Engine overheating is one of the most destructive car and engine troubles. To prevent severe engine damage, it’s important to pull your car over as soon as possible. Within seconds, temperatures can rise to dangerous levels.

As mentioned earlier, virtually all modern pistons are made from aluminum alloy. While aluminum is light and resistant to corrosion, it can warp when exposed to extreme heat. Also, if you allow the engine too get to hot, the pistons can bend and deform. Additionally, this means the engine won’t be able to maintain the proper compression, thus leading to a major power loss. The vehicle will not be drivable in some instances.

5. A Hydrolocked Engine

A hydrolocked engine is a very serious problem. It’s a condition where an excessive amount of water enters the engine at once. Also, this naturally prevents the pistons from fully compressing. As you know, certain streets in Asheville are prone to flooding after an intense rainstorm. Unfortunately, some hard-headed motorists choose to drive their car through the high water.

If you attempt to drive a vehicle with a hydrolocked engine, the piston rod can suddenly break and you could have some serious engine trouble. Lastly, your only option will be to either spend the money on the necessary repairs or buy another engine.

Get a Tune-Up & Keeping Her Running Strong: Five Signs It’s Time

Get a Tune-Up! Five Signs It’s Time

Many car owners fail to take the blame for their vehicle’s problems. They unfairly label their automobile as being unreliable. If you simply take good care of your ride and get a tune-up regularly, can make a big difference. Here are the key signs it’s time to get a tune-up.

If Your Check Engine Light Is On, It Could Just Be That Your Engine Would Like You To Get A Tune-Up…

Never make the mistake of ignoring your vehicle’s check engine light. If you see this light illuminated on your dash, don’t wait to take your car to a mechanic. It indicates that your vehicle has encountered a problem. While the issue could be something simple like a loose fuel cap, avoid taking any chances. You may need to get a tune-up.

Bad spark plugs and worn ignition wires can definitely trigger a check engine light. Although some modern spark plugs are designed to last for up 100,000 miles, some don’t even make it to the 25,000-mile mark. This is especially true for cheaply made aftermarket plugs. To ensure the reliability of your vehicle, the best approach is to have these components inspected every six months.

Your Vehicle is Slow to Crank

When experiencing a vehicle that’s slow to crank, many people immediately check their battery. While a weak battery will definitely make starting your vehicle more difficult, this may not be the problem. You could be dealing with an ignition problem.

Old spark plugs don’t fire nearly as well. As the electrodes start to wear down, it’ll take longer and longer for your vehicle to crank. A simple tune-up could be the answer to your troubles.

The Leading Cause Of Poor Gas Mileage Is Simply Neglecting To Get A Tune-Up…

Like so many other Asheville drivers, refueling your vehicle is probably one of your biggest car expenses. If you want to save more money at the pump, be sure to get a tune-up at the recommended interval.

When your spark plugs are in need of replacement, gas mileage tends to plummet. A dirty fuel filter will also have a negative impact on your vehicle’s efficiency.

Performance Issues Typically Point Back To A Poor Service History. Get A Tune-Up, It May Just Solve Your Performance Problem…

A vehicle in need of a tune-up won’t deliver optimum performance. When accelerating, you may experience some hesitation. Expect to notice a big drop in overall power. In severe cases, your vehicle could even stall at a traffic light.

Rough idling is another common performance issue. At times, it may feel as if your entire vehicle is shaking. If this occurs, be sure to visit your mechanic for an inspection.

Strange Noises and Smells…

You can use your nose to sniff out car problems. When a tune-up is needed, it’s not uncommon to notice a fuel smell. This is a definite red flag.

Also, keep your ears open for any strange noises. A knocking sound when climbing hills indicates a major problem. Continuing to drive your vehicle in this condition could lead to costly engine damage.

Your Car Hasn’t Been Serviced Lately…. GET A TUNE-UP… Your Car Will Thank You…

Ideally, you should get a tune-up at least once a year. If it’s been quite some time since your vehicle’s been serviced, now is probably a good time to schedule a visit to your local repair shop. Some of the key components that need to be checked during a tune-up include the filters, belts, spark plugs, and PCV valve.

 

Contact Cox Auto Service

Cox Auto Service is located in Asheville, NC, and covers the gamut on mechanical service for automobiles. Our highly qualified mechanics work on anything from minor repairs such as belts, oil changes, maintenance work to major repairs like engine and transmission work. We take pride in the auto repairs and services we provide. Rely on us to treat our customers’ vehicles as if they were our own.

Cox Auto Service