Engine repair is any service that pertains to the engine. As components wear out, they need to be replaced or may leak oil or coolant. As the vehicle operator, you may notice a new noise or a spot of fluid on the garage floor. These are indications that something is wrong, and you will need to have it checked by a technician. It would take a book to describe all the possible problems that can occur with an automobile engine. Below are two common problems with many cars. The engine timing belt is critical. Why! When it fails, it can damage the engine internally, and the repair cost is much higher.
In most cases, the engine will need to be replaced. The manufacturer sets mileage recommendations for changing the belt, which is around 90,000 miles in most vehicles.
The intake manifold gasket can leak engine oil and coolant. It can leak internally and externally. An internal coolant leak will cause the dipstick to over-full with oil. The oil will be a light brown, almost like coffee with creamer. If this is the case, park the vehicle until it is repaired. The chemicals in the coolant will damage the rod and main bearings. An external leak will cause the coolant or oil level to go low. The intake manifold gasket leak will also cause engine performance issues.
Engine Performance
Engine performance is a term used to describe problems related to a lack of performance. Several things can cause an engine performance issue. In most cases, the check engine or service engine light will illuminate when a problem exists.
Fuel pressure is critical for proper engine performance. Early warning signs of low fuel pressure may be a longer-than-normal cranking time to start the engine, hesitation when accelerating, and chugging at cruising speeds. Any of these symptoms warrant having a fuel pressure test performed. Every vehicle has a manufacturer’s specification for proper operating pressure.
The fuel filter is a device used to collect particles from the gas passing through it. It is in the fuel supply line between the fuel tank and the fuel injection system. It’s constructed from metal or plastic with a porous paper filter in the center of it. The gas fills the fuel filter chamber, and the impurities are filtered out as the gas moves to the inner chamber of the filter. The build-up of particles on the paper filter over time will restrict fuel flow. The reduction in fuel flow can cause engine performance issues.
A computer-controlled engine runs with such precision that the turn-up has become a 100,000-mile event in most cases. The quality of the parts has gone up. For example, the spark plugs now contain platinum and other precious metals. A good tune-up will increase fuel mileage and engine performance.
Engine Exchange
Engine exchange is a term for replacing the engine. At some point, a vehicle’s engine may wear out or have a mechanical breakdown that exceeds the repair cost. If this happens to you, there are some options.
The term re-manufactured engine means that the motor has been completely rebuilt. Rebuilt implies that all the major components have been replaced or reconditioned, including all gaskets and seals. These engines carry a warranty of three years and unlimited miles. When you replace an engine with a re- manufactured unit, you can expect to get many more years of use out of it.
The other option is a used engine—a used engine extracted from salvaged vehicles. The used engines are tested, and the odometer reading is recorded. Getting an engine with low mileage can replace your vehicle’s worn-out or defective engine. An example would be your vehicle, which has 198,652 miles on it, and the engine failed. A used engine has been located with 54,378 miles on it. The used engine is installed in your car, running great with much fewer miles. You will get several years of use out of the vehicle with proper maintenance.
Re-manufactured engines are more expensive than used engines, and the warranty on the re-manufactured engine is much more extended than that of the used engine. The decision is yours.