Engine failure is something you don't want to happen to your vehicle. It will not only inconvenience you but also cost you a lot of money. Luckily, you can prevent significant engine damage if you keep a close eye on what happens to your car while you are driving. Being informed regarding mechanical repairs and maintenance can be helpful. Here are four primary causes of mechanical engine failures and how you can ensure they don't occur.
A Hydrolocked Engine
Combustion engines are typically fitted with pistons that aid in compressing air and fuel inside the cylinders. Since air is easier to compress, such a system works incredibly well. However, water requires more effort to compress. If water ends up in your engine block, it can potentially cause internal component damage during compression.
Hydrolocking will commonly occur during heavy flood driving conditions. Furthermore, a blown head gasket can result in this problem. Watch out for this condition and have a certified mechanical expert fix it before it causes further issues in your engine.
Inadequate Engine Oil
Engine oil is undoubtedly vital to the proper functioning of your engine. Besides lubricating moving parts, it minimises overheating caused by friction in the engine compartment. Low oil levels inside the engine will lead to eventual engine failure.
You can avoid running low on oil by performing oil checks before driving. Furthermore, never overlook oil pressure warning lights on your dashboard as soon as they appear. It's more advisable to shut down the engine and top up your oil level. Doing so can be the difference between an engine that is beyond mechanical repair and one that can be fixed.
A Faulty Timing Belt
Most conventional vehicles come with interference engines. The valves and pistons take up most of the same space inside the cylinders, although not simultaneously. If the timing belts inside the engine fail, the pistons might impact the valves when opened, consequently destroying them. However, you can prevent this issue by having a mechanic replace the timing belt if your car manual allows you to.
Overheating in the Engine Compartment
Finally, gasoline engines can produce a lot of heat that can cause the melting or warping of metallic parts. Luckily, the vehicle's cooling system prevents that from happening by expelling excessive heat from the engine. One of the best ways to prevent an overheated engine is to stop the car for some time and let it idle.
If you notice some coolant leakage under the vehicle, shut down the engine completely. If your temperature gauge is in the red, there is a severe problem requires expert mechanical repair.