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Top 5 Car Engine Problems and Their Solutions

Troubleshooting the car engine problems is a large arena that requires special care and attention. Engine is the heart of the car and if the heart is not functioning properly, then the entire body will be plagued.

Car engine comprises of various components and systems that work in conjunction with each other to deliver the overall engine performance. Any fault in one of the components has a direct impact on the performance. This calls for an immediate understanding of various engine problems.
The following are the top 5 engine problems:

bullet Overheated Engine

India faces extreme weather condition. Excessive warm weather often overheats the car engine and hampers the performance. In such case, the complete engine functioning is dependent on car’s cooling system.

bullet Some of most common reasons of overheated car engines are:

  • When the level of coolant is very low, car’s cooling system may not work effectively.
  • When fan belt of car engine is broken or worn out.
  • Damaged radiator cap leads to inefficient cooling and is a common cause of overheated engine.
  • When there is a reported fault in the thermostat.
  • Improper functioning of the electric cooling fan also causes overheated engine.
  • Wrong ignition timing is another cause of overheated engine.
  • Any kind of leakage in the cooling system will also result in a faulty engine.
The best solution for overheated engine problems is good care and maintenance of the cooling system. Also replace the worn away parts if required.

bullet Engine Oil Consumption

Engine oil plays an integral role in the functioning of car engine. Low level of engine oil hampers the engine performance and the overall car effectiveness. Many times it is found that some amount of engine oil is lost between oil changes. This loss is mainly due to damaged or worn out engine components.

Some of the common problems associated with engine oil consumption are smoke in exhaust, brown and foamy coolant, and oil puddles or drips. Possible causes of these engine problems are as follows:
  • Damaged seals and valves is the major cause of engine oil consumption.
  • Faulty working of PVC may result in faulty engine.
  • Worn out engine gaskets may also cause troubles with the engine.
  • If the cylinder head is cracked, it will consume more oil.
  • Engine consumes more oil even if the oil filter is not tightened properly.
To troubleshoot the problem of engine oil consumption, make sure to replace the damaged parts and ensure proper working of the PVC.

bullet Engine Hesitation

There are situations when the car engine takes few second to respond ignition. This dictates engine’s hesitation or lack of power. Such a problem exists only if the engine is either too hot or too cold.

The most possible causes of engine hesitation are as follows:
  • Blocked or dirty air filters are the most cause of engine hesitation.
  • If the spark plugs are damaged or worn out, it will cause disconnection between combustion engine and ignition.
  • Damaged ignition wires will also cause trouble.
  • If there is moisture in the fuel tank, engine will take longer to respond.
  • Some fault with the rotor ignition may also cause the car engine to hesitate.
  • Clogged catalytic convertor may also be a possible cause of engine hesitation.
The best possible way to beat the troubles associated with engine hesitation is to ensure proper working of the ignition system and cleanliness of the air filter. Also replace any damaged part if possible.

bullet Engine Surges

While driving the car, if there is a sudden increase in car speed, this indicates a problem in the engine. Such kind of engine problem is known as engine surges.

The common factors contributing to engine surges are as follows:
  • Such a problem exists if the car engine is too hot.
  • If there is a trouble in the fuel pressure regulator, then the engine may face the problem of surging.
  • Wrong ignition timings also cause engine surges.
  • Damaged distributor cap, rotor, spark plugs and ignition wires also lead to surging.
  • Surging also occurs if the fuel filter is partially clogged.
To get rid of the problems linked to engine surging, it is good to maintain the overall engine condition including the ignition system. Make sure to replace the damaged spare parts like the spark plugs, rotor, distributor caps, and ignition wires.

bullet Engine Sounds

When the car engine is not functioning properly, it often makes strange and unique sounds. During driving, the driver may hear a hissing engine sound that attributes air or steam expelling out of the engine. Sometimes a loud exhaust sound is also heard. This kind of sound is heard from the front or rear of a vehicle.

Some of the possible causes of faulty engine sounds are:
  • Overheated engine is the key factor contributing to the hissing engine sound.
  • The engine makes strange sound also if the exhaust system and catalytic convertor are plugged.
  • A leakage in the vacuum lines also leads to hissing engine sound.
  • Damaged exhaust pipe also contributes to the faulty engine sounds.
If the engine is in well maintained condition, then it will not give any faulty sounds. So, take good care of the car engine and its components.

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