Classic’s Gearhead Guru Guide to Common Engine Problems and How to Prevent Them

Apr 9, 2024

We understand that not all of our followers are able to devote hours into researching everything there is to know about cars, but that’s where we come in! We’re launching our new topical blog guide, the Gearhead Guru Guide, in order to help you learn more about your vehicle and talk shop with the best of ‘em.

Learn about common car issues and how to prevent them, and as a result extend the life of your vehicle for years to come. We’ll help you gain more confidence in knowing when it’s time to take your car in for service. You’ll also gain some insights on what to expect as a possible diagnosis from the professionals at said service appointment. So stick around and soon you’ll learn everything there is to know in a mere flash!

Spring is finally here and we’re so excited! While we enjoy the lengthening sunlight and warmer air, many of us are inspired into daydreaming and planning about our Summer vacation plans. But are you making plans to take your car in for its regular Spring service? If not, you should be scheduling that now! Keeping up with your maintenance this season will help you better prepare for vacation season, and may also decrease the risk of having engine troubles due to long drives or the sweltering Summer sun! Today, we’re talking about common car engine problems and what causes them, so you can head them off before they start and make the most of your vacation time!

Flush and change that Dirty/Old Coolant and avoid overheating!

For vehicles that are 5+ Years old or have 100,000+ miles on them, bring your vehicle in to a service center for a radiator flush and refilled with fresh coolant. Dirty coolant is rendered no longer effective, leading to rust, corrosion, reduced flow and clogs. If your dirty coolant clogs the radiator, your vehicle is likely to overheat and cause serious damage.

Avoid engine misfires, rough idle, and low gas mileage by replacing spark plugs at recommended intervals.

Vehicle spark plugs should be swapped every 30,000 to 100,000 miles, depending on the make/model/year of your vehicle. You can consult your vehicle owner’s manual for the proper timeline of replacements. Continuing to drive with a faulty spark plug reduces power to the engine, tanks your fuel economy, and can put a heavy load on vehicles with a catalytic converter. You can do a visual inspection to check if your spark plugs are worn; a normal spark plug will have brown or gray or tan deposits. If the sparkplug is bad, you may notice white deposits and residue, melted electrodes, black dry soot, or even black and oily deposits, which each have their own issues. Bring your vehicle in for a spark plug change and diagnostic to stay ahead of any other related troubles brewing.

Don’t ignore any signs of coolant leaks!

If your vehicle loses too much coolant, the engine could overheat, resulting in poor performance levels, a significant drop in power, and potentially catastrophic engine damage. You should bring your vehicle in ASAP for a service repair if you notice any coolant leaking. If it happens while driving, the damage could happen very quickly depending on the temperature, speed at which you’re driving, and how little coolant remains – you could have minutes before it overheats. You can check for signs of a coolant leak around the radiator cap, the hoses in the engine compartment, and also on the actual radiator itself. Sometimes, a leaking hose or hole in the radiator may be a slow leak, and may not overheat quickly. Additionally, there is a significant environmental safety issue with leaking coolant, as the sweet smell often attracts household pets, wildlife, and sometimes even children, who may ingest it and face toxicity issue. So if you notice or suspect a leak in the collant, bring it in ASAP!

Don’t skip those oil changes and remember to regularly check your vehicle’s oil!

Proper lubrication is key to ensuring your engine works properly by reducing friction and preventing overheating. Skipping engine oil changes can lead to increased emissions, overheating, poor fuel economy, increased wear on the engine, and potentially catastrophic engine failures. The average oil change should be performed every 3,000-6,000 miles, but you’ll want to consult your owners’ manual for specifics on your make/model and year vehicle. (Some synthetic oils allow up to 10,000-15,000 miles between changes in specific cases.) Check your oil regularly to make sure it is clean and clear; if it looks dirty and dark or sludgy, bring it in for an oil change and inspection ASAP to ensure no further damage is occurring meanwhile.

Other common culprits of engine troubles your mechanic may bring up include (but are not limited to) damaged oxygen sensors, lean or rich air and fuel mixtures, worn combustion parts, bad fuel injectors,and more.

If you suspect any engine issues may be affecting your vehicle, you can call Classic Auto Body Shop of Waukegan and we’ll help you get your vehicle in tip-top shape.