I think it's really important to know a bit about the internals of a car, so that when you are getting your car serviced you can talk intelligently with the auto technician. As well, there are many easy DIY jobs you can do on your car to save your some money which can make all the difference when you are young and starting out. This site is where I am recording everything I am teaching my kids about auto servicing, and because I think it will be useful to many other families as well. I hope you find it useful for your family.
Teaching my kids abouts cars
4 Engine Problems And Their Repairs
Kenzi Jacobs
Does your car have an engine problem? Most car owners will panic when their vehicles develop engine problems. Below is a list of a few engine problems that your vehicle might develop and how you can conduct the car repairs.
1. Overheating
Overheating is probably the easiest problem to detect. Typically, you will notice a rise in your temperature gauge. Below are some causes of engine overheating:
A loose or worn-out radiator cap might be a cause. You will identify a hissing sound or coolant bubbles on your radiator cap. Purchase a new cap to fix this problem.
Loose or cracked hoses could also cause the engine to overheat. Tighten the clips or purchase new hoses if the current ones are damaged.
Radiator damage caused by rust and frontal damage could also cause overheating. A skilled mechanic can repair small radiator punctures. However, you will need to buy a new radiator if the damage is severe.
The water pump circulates coolant from the radiator to the engine and back. A worn-out water pump will lead to engine overheating.
2. Oil Leaks
Most car owners will ignore small oil patches on their driveway or parking lot. What they do not know is that an oil leak could ruin the vehicle's engine within a few months. Oil lubricates the engine parts. Without it, the components will wear out due to friction. Besides, the constant friction could cause the engine to overheat. Oil leaks occur when you have a punctured oil pan. Moreover, they could be caused by worn-out gaskets, oil seals, oil filler caps or drain plugs.
3. Poor Compression
Low engine compression occurs when the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber fails to produce sufficient pressure to ignite the vehicle. A vehicle with low engine compression could have misfires, low power, and poor fuel economy. The problem could be caused by head gasket failure or worn-out pistons, valves, camshafts or timing belts. Your mechanic will use a pressure gauge to determine the compression of each cylinder. Typically, you will need to repair the vehicle if the cylinders have less than 100psi.
4. Engine Sensors
Modern engines have various sensors, including the coolant sensor, manifold absolute pressure (MAP), mass airflow (MAF), manifold air temperature, crankshaft position and oxygen sensor. You will notice a check engine light when these sensors are dysfunctional. A computer diagnostic check will help you identify the faulty sensor.
Regular engine maintenance such as timely service, replacing worn-out spark plugs, air filters and fuel injectors can help prevent major engine problems. Besides, your car should be repaired by experienced and specialised mechanics.
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