The engine is the heart of your car. It’s important to identify common engine problems and make sure they’re taken care of as soon as possible. At Finsanto Automotive we are engine repair experts in San Antonio, TX. Here are some of the most common problems that people have with their car’s engines and what you can do about them:
1. Engine is hard to start
If your engine is hard to start, there is a possibility that your battery may have died. You can jump-start it with another car to see if that solves the problem. If it does not, check the battery’s charge and replace it if necessary. Another reason your car may be difficult to start could be a weak fuel pump or clogged injectors. If you’ve just changed your fuel filter, then it could be clogged again because of dirt accumulation in the tank.
The only way you can check this out is by taking off the fuel filter and inspecting its condition. If it looks good, then you should try cleaning it with vinegar or diesel fuel before reinstalling it back into its place because dirt might be left trapped inside of the filter housing, causing your car’s hard starting problem again after replacing it with a new one.
2. Engine is misfiring
If your car is misfiring, it could be caused by several things. First, check for spark plugs that are not firing correctly. If you notice that one plug is not firing correctly, it might be time for a replacement. Next, check for vacuum leaks in the intake manifold or cylinder head gasket leaks on older models. While these problems are common in older cars, they can happen even with newer models as well. It’s best to take your car in to see what’s wrong as soon as possible before it causes serious damage to your engine or other components of your vehicle.
3. Engine making a ticking noise?
If your engine is making a ticking noise, it could be a sign that your car needs more oil. Oil lubricates the connecting rod bearings and other components in an engine, so if it’s low on oil, these parts can get damaged. A lack of oil can also cause excess wear on the cylinder walls and pistons.
To prevent this from happening, make sure you regularly check your car’s oil level using an oil dipstick or digital display. If you notice that there isn’t enough oil in your engine (if the dipstick shows a reading below “full”), top up with more until the level reaches where it should be—typically between “add” and “full.” You can find out how much to add based on how many miles have been driven since last checking; check your owner’s manual for specifics about how this works for your vehicle model.
4. Clogged radiator
The radiator is one of the most important components of your car’s engine, as it helps to keep your engine cool. And any time you have a problem with this component, it can lead to overheating and potentially more serious problems. The most common issue with radiators is debris buildup—such as leaves or mud—that clogs up the cooling fins and prevents the flow of air through them.
If your radiator gets too hot for too long, it will eventually fail completely and need replacement. To prevent this from happening, make sure you regularly clean out all debris from the radiator. You should also check that there are no leaks in its hoses or cap; if there are, replace them immediately before they lead to further damage down the line.
5. Malfunctioning oxygen sensor
The oxygen sensor measures the amount of oxygen that’s present in the exhaust gases and sends this information back to the engine control unit (ECU). This allows the ECU to adjust how much fuel should be added based on how much oxygen is available in the exhaust gases. A malfunctioning oxygen sensor can cause issues such as rough idling and poor acceleration.
6. Check engine light on
The check engine light is a warning light that shows a fault has been detected by the engine control unit (ECU). The ECU stores a fault code in memory if it senses something is wrong with the car. This is often done to protect the vehicle and ensure it’s safe to drive.
The faults stored can be read out with an OBD-II (on-board diagnostics) scanner, which can be purchased at most auto parts stores or mechanics’ shops. If you have an OBD-II scanner, you should be able to see what problems need fixing. Otherwise, take your car into a mechanic who knows how to use one and let them diagnose your problem for you.
7. Exhaust smoke and odor
There are many reasons you would notice exhaust smoke and odor, including:
Oil burning. If the color is blue and there is no other symptom, it may be an oil burning problem. When oil burns in a combustion engine, it creates particulate matter (PM) that will appear as dark smoke and can cause damage to the catalytic converter.
Water or coolant burning. Look for white or light-colored smoke to show water or antifreeze burning in your engine’s cylinders. This usually happens when coolant leaks into the combustion chamber through a damaged head gasket or cracked piston rings (a type of damage caused by worn-out cylinder walls).
These types of leaks often lead to excess white smoke but might not always be accompanied by other symptoms like overheating and loss of power; therefore, careful monitoring is necessary so you don’t ignore this issue until it becomes serious enough to cause major damage to your car’s engine components such as its pistons—which could result in costly repairs down the road.
Conclusion
Engines don’t just fail. They usually give you some indication of when they’re starting to deteriorate beforehand. If you notice any of these 7 engine problems, schedule your appointment with Finsanto Automotive, engine repair specialist in San Antonio, Texas, to avoid serious problems and expensive repairs down the road.
We have a team of highly trained technicians to ensure the best service, at the best prices in San Antonio! Call us at 210-684-2277 today to schedule an appointment !