The engine is the heart of a car, and it needs to give a high performance every day. However, there comes a time when the engine eventually breaks down, and in this article, we will go through some common engine issues that you can easily fix at home.
Engine Issues you Can Fix at Home
While it is important to understand how an engine of a car operates, it is equally important to know about an engine’s issues. Here are some common issues and their solutions:
Engine Won’t Start
This is one of the most common engine problems that car owners encounter. There are many reasons why your engine may not start; however, usually, the reasons are battery-related. It could be that the car’s battery is dead or has discharged, and you need to jump-start it.
While trying to fix the battery, you will hear a clicking sound. Another reason why the engine may not start is that the starter is not working properly. However, the engine may not start because of a clogged filter.
If there is an issue with the fuel filter or pump, the combustion process will not start. If the issue is battery-related, then get a jumper cable and try to jump-start the car. If the car is not working for other reasons, you will need to go to a mechanic.
Clogged Radiator
A dry coolant can also create engine-related issues. The main purpose of the coolant is to maintain the right temperature of the engine so that it can function properly. When your car has a dirty coolant, the radiator’s efficiency drops, and it is unable to cool the engine.
This will cause the engine to overheat abruptly, which can damage different components of the engine. Please don’t use tap water as it can cause corrosion in the radiator. Use water to cool the engine down, and if the problem persists, you will need to take the vehicle to a mechanic.
Overheating
The engine will overheat from time to time, and there are many reasons behind it. In most cases, this happens because the coolant level is low. To increase the coolant level, you need to fill the water in the reservoir bottle.
However, if the overheating persists, it can seriously damage the car’s engine. It lets out vapors and steam through the bonnet when the car overheats. To fix this issue, you can try this:
- Kill the air conditioning system
- Crank up the heater
- Stop the vehicle
If none of these steps help, you should call a mechanic and get your car checked.
Faulty or Broken Ignition Switch
Sometimes, an engine may fail to start if the ignition switch has an issue. Turn the key in the ignition switch, and if nothing happens, you will need to investigate the problem further. This switch works in 3 stages, stage # 1 activates the electrics, stage # 2 activates the power for the car’s ignition system, and stage # 3, the ignition system turns the engine on.
The good news is that ignition switches are easy to replace, so replace the faulty switch with them if you have extra switches. If you have no switches, you can buy them from a mechanic.
Poorly Connected or Faulty Battery Terminals
Battery problems are often linked to poor connections on battery terminals, and you will need to clean them regularly. An effective and easy method of cleaning battery terminals is to mix a tablespoon of baking powder with water and then take a toothbrush, dip it in the water and clean the terminals.
Another good tip for cleaning the battery terminals is to grease them once they have been cleaned, as this will encourage good battery health. However, if the terminals remain dirty, this could be a sign that your battery is undercharging. Keep observing your battery, and clean the terminals every six months.
Fuel Pump Failure
The fuel pump is an important component of a car, as it takes fuel from the tank to the engine through a pump. If the fuel pump suddenly stops working or if there is an issue with it, it can lead to several symptoms such as:
- Rise in temperature
- Sudden power failure
- Surges in the engine
- Increase in consumption of fuel
These are just a few symptoms, and they indicate that there is something wrong with the fuel pump. Whenever the engine starts behaving erratically, you will need to get your fuel pump checked. You can replace the fuel pump yourself at home or take it to a mechanic and get it replaced.
Strange Engine Noises
Common engine noises are knocks and bangs. When there are unusual or strange noises coming from the engine’s bay, it is a sign of something wrong with the engine. These sounds can be classified into many categories, such as ticking, pinging, knocking, or squealing.
If you persistently hear these noises, you can examine the car’s engine. If you are an experienced driver, it won’t take much time to find the fault. If the problem is minor, such as a loose nut or bolt, you can tighten it with the help of a spanner.
However, if you are having problems diagnosing the source of the sound, then you might need to visit the mechanic. Remember that you cannot afford to ignore these sounds, as they most likely mean something is wrong with the engine. Which motor oil should you opt for? Do a short Royal Purple vs. Mobil 1 comparison before choosing a motor oil brand.
Conclusion
This article will help you understand the issues your car’s engine can face and how you can fix them at home. However, while you can fix most of these issues at home, it is always best to get the car examined by the mechanic.
Go through all the issues to have a complete understanding of what you need to do to fix these issues. Hopefully, these tips will ensure your engine regains strength as soon as possible and your vehicle starts working properly again.
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