Note to Reader 4: Most of the time, we consider engine problems to be those that cause our rides to buck and stall. The thing is, sometimes engine problems can occur while you’re moving. It’s a bit more dangerous, especially if the engine trouble is severe, causing you to lose control over your vehicle. The moment you experience engine problems, do slow down until you get to your destination. Pull over to avoid risking complete vehicle breakdown if the problem is grave.
If while driving, your engine misfires or surges unexpectedly… These are examples of life’s not-so-great surprises. One moment your engine is completely fine-you start your car without glitches and accelerate well until a few miles later, maintaining a steady speed, your engine suddenly speeds up and bucks, jolting you almost out of your seat. If you experience this engine problem, it’s highly possible that you have…
Possible Cause: your engine is about to overheat. Now honestly, when was the last time you checked your radiator’s fluid levels? When was the last time you added coolant to your car? Failure to conduct tune ups usually lead to overheating. But you still experience this problem, your best recourse is to check your cooling system for malfunctioning auto parts, if you’ve recently added water and coolant mixture into your engine cooling system. The culprit could be a loose fan belt, a busted radiator, cracked radiator hoses, or a stuck thermostat.
Possible Solution: After identifying the “problematic part”, either repair or replace the component. I suggest replacing the component completely though. Especially if the part that’s in question is more than just a few years old.
Possible Cause: If you’re sporting an older ride, then your carburetor’s choke might not be working as well as it should be or it may not be positioned correctly. Remember, older vehicle models tend to foul up faster than newer models. Which is why it pays to conduct regular auto maintenance, increasing the frequency of your tune-ups as your car ages.
Possible Solution: Check your choke plate. Is it positioned correctly? Is it still working as it should? Does it open completely? You either replace it or repair it if not. I suggest you put down your repair tools and start looking around for a replacement choke plate to avoid a repeat of this nasty episode if the damage is quite severe.
Possible Cause: Malfunctioning ignition timing.
Possible Solution: Most of the time, you won’t really have to make any replacements when it comes to wacky ignition timing,. That’s the good news. All you have to do is make all the right adjustments, and you’ve got great ignition timing-hopefully for years!
Possible Cause: Too-Low fuel pressure. This problem could be caused by either a malfunctioning fuel pump or a bad fuel pressure regulator. Check your fuel pump and fuel pump regulator using a fuel pump gauge. Note where the fuel pressure is dipping.
Possible Solution: I suggest looking around for a replacement part and taking your car to your local mechanic for installation if the culprit is a poor fuel pressure regulator. You should be able to install a new fuel pressure regulator easily if you’re a skilled mechanic. But if you’re just starting out, it’s always best to have the professionals take care of this job. Believe me, the fuel pressure regulator is not an easy part to install.
Possible Cause: Problems with your engine computer or computerized engine control system. Remember my post on DTC (diagnostic trouble code)? You’ll need a DTC reader to interpret the codes coming from your engine computer. Look for a scan tool if you don’t have one already and plug it into your engine computer. There are some garages who would let you use their scan tools for a small price-some might even let you use a DTC reader for free, so long as you promise to come back to them for tune ups and repairs, if you don’t have one. Point is, get a reading. Don’t forget to test the circuits too!
Possible Solution: If there’s a part that needs repairing, leave it to the professionals. Unless of course, you’re confident that you can conduct all these repairs at home-you’ll need relatively expensive replacement equipment and tools for this though.
Possible Cause: This could be indication of an ignition problem, though i’d hate to sound rather vague. List down the parts of your ignition-starter, starter solenoid, ignition coil, distributor cap, distributor rotor, spark plug wires, and spark plugs, because your ignition system has numerous parts. Now, check each of these components starting with the spark plugs, ignition wires, distributor cap, and rotor.
Possible Solution: When you spot grave replace, replace and damage replace! If it’s just a matter of grime buildup or dirty plugs, simply clean these components, otherwise. Prevent arcing and damage caused by friction by using a spark plug wire loom or divider on your car if your wires are tangled. It basically organizes your wires and offer better insulation. In short, it keeps your wires organized, making it easier to access your spark plug wires for inspection and/or installation.
Possible Cause: Troublesome Torque Converter. If you’re driving a manual, since this component is only present in automatic transmission vehicles, skip this part. If it locks during pivotal moments, inspect your torque converter and try to determine. (Pun not intended). A slipping torque converter could also mean trouble, so make sure your current converter is properly installed and in place.
Possible Solution: Replace it as soon as possible if your torque converter is damaged. Again, this might not be a do-it-yourself (DIY) job. I suggest you let your local mechanic do the installing for you, even though you can still purchase this component at a great price online.
Possible Cause: Almost completely-clogged fuel filter. When your fuel filter becomes partially clogged, less fuel escapes into your engine system, making your engine run roughly and in some instances, not run at all, as I mentioned in my previous entry.
Possible Solution: By purchasing a new fuel filter and installing this component into your fuel system as soon as possible, increase fuel flow.
Possible Cause: Clogged injectors. It pays to inspect your fuel system as soon as you can if reduced fuel supply is taking its toll on your engine. Do check your fuel injectors for signs of clogging. When dirt builds up on your fuel injector’s nozzle, it naturally restricts the amount of fuel that makes its way to your engine.
Possible Solution: If dirt is your only problem, it’s nothing that a good cleaning can’t fix. If, however, the clogging has caused damage on your fuel injector’s nozzle, then there’s no way around it-you’ll need to replace this component.
Possible Cause: You’ve got a nasty vacuum leak. Naturally the leak occurs somewhere along your vacuum lines. Inspect your vacuum lines to determine where the leak is coming from.
Possible Solution: Replace the faulty vacuum line to put a stop to leaks.
Possible Cause: Perpetually-open EGR Valve. Your EGR Valve can stick open too! If it opens and closes properly, inspect this component to see.
Possible Solution: Replace this valve immediately if the damage is extensive.
Possible Cause: Internal Engine Trouble. Start checking the actual component for sings of problems first before replacing random ignition or transmission parts, when you’ve got engine trouble. Inspect compression to find out your engine’s condition.
Possible Solution: Determine where the problem is stemming from and repair or replace the damaged component/subcomponent accordingly.
Possible Cause: Loose or broken drive axles. There’s only one way to find out if your drive axles are the ones causing your engine to run awry. Check! Look at your CV joints for sings of damage.
Possible Solution: Replace and repair your universal joints or CV joints if necessary.
