You don’t have to wait for your car to stop or smoke to come out of the hood, to realize that there is an engine problem.
To avoid these inconveniences we recommend these tips to detect problems in your engine.
Warning lights.
Every time we start our car, various lights on the dashboard come on for a few seconds and then go off. But if any of them stays lit, it may indicate that you have problems with your engine.
These lights are connected to sensors that monitor many systems in the car. As far as your car’s engine is concerned, these are part of a prevention system that tells you that something important or potentially harmful may be happening. They are between them:
- Check Oil / Oil Level Low, refers to the level of oil in your engine.
- Oil Pressure Low, refers to the oil pressure in your engine.
- Check Engine, this can mean several things, so it is recommended to take it to a mechanical check-up.
Erratic handling.
The engine should run smooth, with predictable handling and should not jerk, lurch, hesitate, over-rev or stall at any time.
If it does, then that is a great indication that there is a problem. Such behaviors can be indications of worn spark plugs, clogged fuel filter or fuel lines, among other things. In these cases, preventive maintenance such as tuning, oil change or timing belt at regular periods can help prevent it from behaving improperly.
Explodes, Hits, Vibrates and Grinds.
A popping sound may be the sign of detonation inside the engine cylinders. This happens when gasoline ignites prematurely in the combustion chamber and can result in costly piston damage.
In other cases, an explosion or knocking sound may be a lack of tuning to your engine. This usually happens on old or badly worn propellers.
On the other hand, a grinding sound can come when you try to start your car, this is a sign that the starting system needs attention or a possible change. Likewise, a knocking or vibration noise when making gear changes can be an indication of a problem either in the engine or perhaps in the transmission.
With the above does not mean that your engine should behave quiet and silent at all. There are “natural” noises that can be perceived in their daily operation. However, if you hear something strange, do not hesitate to review it and give it immediate attention.
Unusual odors.
If you are driving and inside the cabin you perceive a strange smell, surely there is something wrong with your engine.
The essence you perceive may be oil or refrigerant, which may be leaking through a hose. It can also be a smell of burning rubber, this is an indication that the timing belt or others are damaged, lack tension or are worn.
Another of the odors that can be filtered into the passenger compartment is that of exhaust gases. These are really toxic. If you notice them, do not leave it for later and have your unit checked, since breathing this type of emissions, in addition to damaging your health, can suffocate you.
Smoke.
If you notice a lot of smoke coming out of the exhaust or it’s an odd color, you may have an engine problem. Large amounts of smoke can be caused by some contaminant that has seeped into the air-fuel mixture and is burning along with the gasoline.
On the other hand, if you notice that the smoke that is coming out of the exhaust is blue, it means that the oil is leaking into the combustion chamber and is being consumed along with the gasoline.
If you want to know more about the various types of smoke that can come out of the exhaust, we invite you to consult this topic in our tips section.