family auto mechanics - helping you find the problem

Signs You Need To Have Your Engine Repaired

25 January 2017 by Herman Mills

Your engine is the central component of your vehicle. Without your engine, you wouldn't be able to do anything besides sit in your car, which means that engine problems and damage are perhaps the most serious types of automotive problems that you can experience. Thankfully, there are a number of warning signs that you can look out for to help determine if your engine is experiencing difficulties and needs to be looked at by a professional, such as Car And Truck Services Inc.

Loud or Irregular Noises

One of the most common indications of engine trouble is an audible one. Increased engine noise while driving, or an irregular rough idling or acceleration speed means that something is likely wrong with the moving parts of your engine. Knocking or bumping sounds can also be a symptom of serious engine trouble. However, it can be hard to pinpoint exactly what's wrong with an engine off of the noise alone: loud and odd noises can be created by anything from low oil levels to worn out engine bearings, and so it's a good idea to head to a mechanic to have your engine looked at before any of these problems can progress.

Increased Exhaust

If you notice that your vehicle is putting out much more exhaust smoke than it would otherwise, there is usually some sort of leak within your engine. In general, you can tell the type of leak by the color of the smoke. Black smoke points to too much gasoline being burnt by the engine, while white smoke can point to a coolant leak. Both of these pose the risk of engine overheating, so it's a good idea to keep an eye on your temperature gauge to ensure that you don't burn out your engine. Finally, blue smoke coming out of your exhaust can point to an oil leak, which can leave your engine unlubricated and greatly increase the wear of the pistons and other moving parts of your engine.

Reduced Power

Finally, the most obvious and most general sign that there is something wrong with your car's engine is if there is a sudden reduction in the power of your vehicle. This manifests itself in slower acceleration and lower top speeds. It can be hard to figure out what, exactly, is causing this reduction, but the issue is usually something within your engine. If you suffer reduced power, especially with either or both of the above red flags, you should head to a mechanic straight away.

Share