Regular maintenance and check-ups are crucial for a car’s performance and efficiency. Unfortunately, it isn’t unusual for drivers to ignore car maintenance until it is too late. While there are many early signs, a fault in the engine is not always easy to detect and can be even harder to repair. It is important to keep a check on the car’s overall performance and see if you witness a dip in the efficiency or the overall driving experience. It may be a sign of a car’s engine problem.
Here is a roundup of common car engine problems that can lead to major malfunctions if not fixed on time.
Emission Issues
Emission issues are more common in older car’s engines compared to new ones. These higher levels of emissions can be hazardous for your car while adding up to environmental pollution. Many things can cause emissions and smoke in a car, including faulty wires, poor oxygen equipment, defective ignition coil, and rich fuel mixtures.
If the emission is simple because of a faulty air filter, replacing it would solve the issue. If you can’t diagnose the cause, take your car to the service centre or a trusted mechanic as soon as you can to avoid further damage. Always get your car engine air filter replaced after one year of use.
Transmission Issues
Grinding during gear changes, screeching or whistling sounds, lapses in gear, burning smell and gears slipping, car shaking at any speed are a few common signs that indicate your transmission isn’t working properly.
Once you have diagnosed the exact transmission problem, you can fix it accordingly. For instance, if your transmission is making screeching noise while driving, this means you’re low on transmission fluids. This can be fixed by adding transmission fluid and an additive that stops transmission fluid leaks.
For lapses in gear, check your clutch fluid. If you’re low on clutch fluid, refill it. Another problem that causes lapses in gear is the presence of air in the system. You can fix this bleeding the clutch. If you experience gear slipping, try putting in an anti-slipping additive. Grinding noises in your vehicle indicate a dragging clutch. It happens due to slack in the clutch pedal. In this case, you should take your car to the service centre.
Transmission Fluid Leakage
Transmission fluid leakage is equally common in both old and new cars. It can be due to a defective product or wear and tear in the transmission. Loose rocks that can damage the tires, broken transmission seals, and gasket fails are the most common reasons for this leakage. Moreover, it gets difficult to get car into gear with transmission fluid leaks as it decrease fluid level.
Drain all the old fluid and get it inspected by an expert for any leakage. Once refilled, shift the transmission fluid through all the gears to circulate it, and you’re good to go. However, if you’re still not aware of the exact issue, do not attempt to fix the leakage yourself.
Sputtering Starter Motor
This motor starts your vehicle when you turn the key in the ignition. Sometimes it happens that the starter motor fails to work, and the car does not start. Sputtering starter motors can happen due to a number of reasons including clogged spark plugs and sensors, weak battery, and destroyed fuel pump.
There is also a possibility that your ignition system needs maintenance while your motor is working fine. Check all the parts associated with the secondary ignition system, vacuum shoes, and fuel injectors. If damaged, get them replaced.
Thermostat Issues
A thermostat plays an essential part in the operation of your vehicle. It regulates the flow of coolant through the engine. Fault in the thermostat can lead to bigger issues down the road. You can diagnose thermostat issues within the first 15 minutes of your vehicle engine running. If the temperature gauge is giving high readings or it is fluctuating temperature erratically, this means that the thermostat is not functioning properly.
There are many reasons why your thermostat can malfunction. For instance, improper thermostat installation, non-compatible coolant, or contaminated coolant, etc. Try flushing the cooling system before installing the new thermostat. Inspect the pressure cap for damage or corrosion and replace it defective.
Leaking Radiator
The common cause of leaking radiators are corrosions. Radiators are capable of collecting rust and sediments that end up damaging the engine. If left unattended, this leakage can increase over time. A few other reasons for this leakage are weak coolant, bad car thermostat or a heater core, etc. Poor service practices like over-filling the radiator can also create excessive pressure on radiator causing it to leak.
An instant and short fix to treat this issue is to install a leakage stopper. This will instantaneously plug the radiator and stop the leakage. However, you still need to consult a mechanic for a permanent solution because these stoppers are not very reliable.
That concludes our list of common car problems that can lead to bigger issues. Car parts and components are prone to breakdowns over time. Only proper and timely maintenance can prevent major problems and keep your car up and running for a long time.
However, if the car engine is giving you irreparable or recurring issues, it’s a sign that you should change it. For affordable options, check out these used cars for sale in UAE.
Stay tuned to the UAE’s top auto blog for more information on market trends and automotive technology.
Related Posts
