Your engine is a complicated piece of machinery crucial to transporting you from Point A to Point B. When properly maintained, an engine can last for hundreds of thousands of miles, but few of us ever see that happen.
Despite our best efforts, engines break down and require repairs, and some engines need more attention than others. If you believe your car may have been sold to you with a defect, reach out to us at 833.422.7529 for a free consultation and we will investigate the problem.
Warning Signs and Solutions to Engine Problems
To extend the lifespan of your vehicle, keep a close eye out for warning signs. Common issues include:
The engine won鈥檛 start.
If you hear clicking when you turn the key, you may actually have a battery problem. Try getting a jump or replacing the battery. If the engine still refuses to start, you likely have an ignition or fuel problem.
Possible solutions: There are a variety of issues your dealership will look for, including:
- a clogged fuel filter
- a defective fuel pump
- a starter motor relay failure
- An ignition switch failure
Resolving one of these issues may get your engine running again.
The engine keeps overheating.
Overheating generally means there鈥檚 an issue with the coolant. Though your temperature gauge will show you how hot your engine is, many of us don鈥檛 notice the change until it鈥檚 too late鈥攖ypically when there鈥檚 smoke or the engine begins to shut down.
Possible solutions: To prevent overheating, . If you notice a sudden drop, you may have a leak. Add more coolant and head to the dealership for repairs. Your dealership should also check for a blown gasket or a cracked heat鈥攂oth of which can lead to leaks and overheating.
The Check Engine light is on.
A check engine light doesn鈥檛 mean you need to go to the dealership immediately, but you should get it into your calendar sooner rather than later. Putting it off鈥攅ven if you aren鈥檛 noticing any symptoms鈥攃ould cause serious damage.
Possible solutions: The first thing you should do is check your gas cap. When properly screwed in, the cap maintains consistent pressure in your fuel system. Once that鈥檚 ruled out, you may have issues with:
- worn spark plugs
- the oxygen sensor
- the catalytic converter
- the air flow sensor
Smoke coming from the engine.
Smoke can come in a variety of colors, including white, blue, or black. Each one is bad. There is some good news, however: the . White smoke means a cracked cylinder head or a blown head gasket. Blue smoke means there鈥檚 an oil leak or worn valve. Black smoke isn鈥檛 very helpful, as it could have a number of sources.
Possible solutions: Your dealership will check for the above issues, depending on the color of your smoke. If you鈥檙e lucky, you鈥檒l only have a clogged air filter. Other problems could include a malfunctioning emissions system or an issue with the ignition timing.
Seek Legal Assistance for Your Engine Issues
If you have constant issues with your engine, you may have been sold a lemon. 糖心少女聽can help you navigate both the聽Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and lemon laws to ensure you receive the justice you deserve.