Car Engine Repair Tips: Understanding your Car Engine

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Every car owner will encounter a few problems with the car engine every once in a while and this holds true for most pre owned or used cars. Buying brand new is preferred but in today's trying times, most people only have enough money to buy a used car.

Nothing wrong with buying a used car. This topic will be discussed in another time but for those with minor engine problems (such as sputtering, engine vibrations, inability to start, hesitation when accelerating, etc.) these few helpful tips might save you a lot of money and the hassles of being duped by an opportunist mechanic or repair shop.

ENGINE PROBLEM 1: CAR WOULD NOT START


If your car fails to start in the morning (or at random occurrences during the course of the day) it would be best to first check these 3 vital components:

• car battery
• ignition
• starter

If your car refuses to start, press the horn button on the steering wheel. If the horn sounds unusually weak, or if the car interior lights are dim then your car could have a weak battery. The battery connections could also be loose. Pop open the hood and check for looseness on the battery cables. Have the battery replaced in the event of a weak, old or dead battery.

The ignition components would also have to be checked. The would include the spark plugs, ignition cables and distributor. Most modern cars run on a distributor-less system and if this is the case, then the condition of the spark plugs would have to be determined. You would either have to replace or clean the existing spark plugs to eliminate engine problems. Worn out or dirty spark plugs will affect engine starting performance.

If an unusual sound is heard when cranking the engine, then the engine starter would have to be checked. Unfortunately, you will have to hire the services of an expert and trustworthy mechanic to properly determine the condition of the starter. Remember that the car engine starter is quite durable and could last the life of the car. It is not unusual, however, to replace the starter at least every 4 or 5 years on abused and neglected cars.

ENGINE PROBLEM 2: ENGINE HESITATION and POOR ACCELERATION


If you step on the gas pedal and feel a slight hesitation or poor acceleration, then special attention should be given regarding this matter. All things being normal, changing the spark plugs and the engine oil is usually enough to get the most performance from your car engine. But if the problem persists (especially on automatic transmission model cars) then the car would have to be checked by an authorized dealer or repair shop.

It could be the result of a sensor problem. Modern engines rely on various sensors to properly operate and one such sensor that is vital to engine performance is the crankshaft position sensor. It is then important to read more about the symptoms of a bad crankshaft position sensor to solve engine problems that lead to hesitation and poor acceleration.

Engine Problem 3: Engine Knocking


This sound is often referred to as the sound of "crashing bottles" and is often prevalent when climbing steep hills or when accelerating. The quality of fuel you put into your car is the leading cause of engine knocks. A dirty combustion chamber could also result to these annoying sounds. Changing the spark plugs and using the required type of fuel/petrol in your car will help eliminate knocking and pinging.

A dirty fuel injector, fuel filter and fuel line will also starve the engine of the right mix of fuel and air, leading to pre detonation or engine knocks. Commercially available additives will help solve the problem but remember to read the instructions on the bottle carefully. Check your owners manual regarding the use of car engine and fuel injector cleaners.

Car maintenance will play a crucial part in determining the life and performance of your car engine. Every car owner should practice diligent car maintenance not only to make the most out of your ownership experience but to preserve the environment as well. With proper maintenance, potential car engine problems could be avoided.