Whatever path you choose, it’s important to identify the underlying reasons your engine failed in the first place. Otherwise, a replacement may develop the same problems. Below, we’ll take a look at the most common causes of failure: overheating, spark knock, and insufficient motor oil.

Overheating

Most people fail to realize how delicate their car’s engine is. There are many factors that can cause it to overheat. For example, if your radiator lacks coolant due to a leaking hose or radiator cap, pockets of steam can develop. If a thermostat fails, a cooling fan might fail to turn on. Or, the bad thermostat may fail while closed, which will prevent coolant from reaching the radiator.

Another factor that can cause your engine to overheat is your radiator developing a clog from accumulated sediment and corrosion. Or, the air-fuel mix might lean out, causing the operating temperature of your engine to rise.

When the assembly overheats, a number of secondary problems can occur. Because metal expands in higher temperatures, overheating can cause valves to stick, pistons to freeze up, and the cylinder heads to warp. These are the reasons an overheating engine usually represents a large repair bill.

Spark Knock

Spark knock is also referred to as detonation. This occurs when excess heat builds within the combustion chamber and forces an abnormal ignition of the compressed air-fuel mixture. It sounds like a knock. Over time, detonation can lead to cracked rings, blown out head gaskets, and even holes in the pistons (the knocking sound is caused by a blow sustained by the piston).

There are a few factors that can cause spark knock. For example, if the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system fails, the air-fuel mixture can become too rich while the temperature in the combustion chamber rises. Other causes include a too-lean mixture, poor ignition timing, and consistent use of low-octane gasoline.

Insufficient Oil

As you know, your engine requires oil for the lubrication of its moving parts. Without oil, the friction created between those parts can quickly lead to failure. Sometimes, this is caused by neglect. Many people simply forget to check the oil level in their engines. Other times, the level can decline due to a leak in a seal or gasket, or a failing oil pump. If you notice oil leaks, have them fixed as soon as possible.

Because engine failure is so expensive, it’s worthwhile to have a mechanic perform routine checks. In doing so, you may be able to avoid having to overhaul or replace the assembly before its time.

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When you’re waiting at a traffic light, stop sign, or any circumstance in which your car idles, that is when the engine produces the lowest level of emissions it ever will. Idling is critical for your vehicle’s engine to remain in operation without requiring fuel. Unfortunately, problems manifest; engines can die while idling. The challenge is determining the root cause.

There are several steps you can take to help diagnose the issue, which I’ll explain below. It’s worth noting you’ll need a few diagnostic tools. If you’re not willing to purchase them and spend some time exploring your car’s engine, you may be better served by having a mechanic look at it.

#1 – Test The Fuses

Follow the easiest and least expensive path first. In this case, that involves testing the fuses. To do so properly, you’ll need a test light. There’s a rod with a bulb attached on one end and a clamp on the other end. If the fuses are sound, the bulb will light up.

#2 – Scan For Codes

When anything goes wrong inside your car’s engine, your vehicle will generate and store a diagnostic code. That code will provide a valuable clue regarding why your engine is stalling out. You’ll need to use a special scanner or reader to access the code. If you don’t own a scanner, you can usually purchase one for under $100 at your local auto supply store.

#3 – Check The Hoses

In order to continue idling properly, your car’s engine relies on the vacuum supplied by a number of hoses. For example, a hose provides vacuum to the intake manifold. If there are any leakage or breaks in that hose, it can cause your engine to stall.

Check for any splits or ruptures that might be affecting the vacuum. If possible, have someone lightly place pressure on the gas pedal while you’re looking under the hood. The reason is because the leaks will often be difficult to see, especially if they’re on the underside of the hoses. Pressing on the gas pedal often produces a whistle that makes finding – and fixing – leaks easier.

Start With The Easiest Factors

There are a number of other tests you can perform to figure out why your engine may be stalling. For example, you may want to check the idle air control motor, look for tar build-up, and test whether the EGR valve is failing. The culprit might even be a malfunctioning torque converter that is preventing the clutch shoes from disengaging properly.

Having said that, the three items above are the easiest to check and least expensive to fix. Test the fuses, scan for diagnostic codes, and check the hoses for leaks. Unless you have a significant amount of auto repair experience, the other potential issues should be handled by a trained mechanic.

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In past articles, we’ve taken a look at reasons why your car’s engine may not start properly (or at all). The fact is, there are several parts that contribute to cranking it. If it doesn’t turn over, there may be one or more root causes. They can include insufficient charge, poor cranking speed, lack of fuel, or a lack of adequate compression. If your car doesn’t start, there’s a good chance the culprit is one of those factors.

In this article, I’ll explain how the above factors can prevent your engine from turning over. While your vehicle may not be delicate, its smooth operation relies upon a seamless collaboration of various parts.

Diagnosing The Problem

The easiest place to start is with your battery and starter. If there’s a cranking problem, those two parts are the most common offenders. The challenge is figuring out which one is causing the issue.

First, check your battery’s voltage. If it’s low, recharge it. If it won’t hold the charge, replace it. The reason to start here is because your starter might not operate if it doesn’t receive enough voltage. Keep in mind that if your battery is low, it may be due to your attempts at starting your car. Or, the low voltage may be due to an issue within your vehicle’s charging system. Swap the battery with another and try starting your car again. If it cranks and comes to life, that was most likely the problem.

Let’s suppose your battery is fully charged, yet your engine still won’t crank. It’s time to take a closer look at your starter. Begin by turning on your car’s headlights. If they don’t dim when you turn the key in the ignition, your starter is not receiving a sufficient charge. Because we already know the battery is fully charged, the issue may be the ignition switch or the solenoid. If you notice dimming in the headlights, but little else, the starter may be bad.

Let’s suppose the starter is fine, your engine cranks, but your car still doesn’t start. The next step is to take a look at the fuel and level of compression. The issue may lie with the fuel pump or the fuel injection system. Assuming you have gas in the tank, the easiest thing to check is the line pressure. No pressure, no fuel.

If fuel is reaching the engine, but your vehicle still refuses to start, the problem may be a broken timing belt. That would impact the amount of compression available. If you have ever driven a car and had the timing belt break while you were on the road, you’ll have noticed the engine stopped completely. That’s because the break eliminated the necessary compression.

Obviously, diagnosing the factors that might be preventing your vehicle from starting can be a long and frustrating experience. If you have the tools (i.e. voltmeter, compression gauge, etc.) and experience, you can perform the necessary tests within a couple of hours. Otherwise, you would be better served by taking your vehicle into a trained mechanic.

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• 3 Easy Tips To Troubleshoot A Stalled Engine (0)