The question of whether you should replace your car’s engine is a tough one. Would you do better buying a new car? Can you afford new car payments? Does your car have special meaning to you? These are some of the questions that must be answered when it’s time to decide whether you should replace your car’s engine or get a new car. There are specific signs that indicate that the engine is a goner. Hummel’s Automotive Diagnostic & Repair lists these signs below.
Excess Exhaust
Excess exhaust flowing out of the tailpipe indicates that you have a fluid breach in the engine that is serious. If the exhaust is black, the engine is hemorrhaging fuel. If the exhaust is blue, your engine is leaking oil, most likely into the combustion chamber. If the exhaust is white, you have a severe coolant leak that can make its way into the transmission and damage the transmission.
Knocking All the Time
If your vehicle knocks all the time, your rod bearings are probably worn down and need to be replaced. These bearings help the pistons move up and down inside the cylinders. If they are worn, the pistons will crash against the cylinder walls. This, obviously, damages both parts. Breaking a rod will render your engine useless; it won’t be able to run with a broken rod.
Metal Shavings in Oil
Metal shavings in your motor oil are an indication that your engine is literally disintegrating as the oil flows through it. This is definitely a sign that you need a new engine. In fact, your engine will stall out and die completely within 30 minutes to a few hours of the metal shavings being in the oil. The engine damage is so severe that there is no repairing it.
Overheating
Severe overheating can be a sign that you have a cracked head gasket or a cracked engine block. If the engine block has been compromised, you’ll need to replace your engine. A cracked head gasket can be replaced, but the work is intensive and expensive. Your car should always run at a temperature that is below 220 degrees Fahrenheit. Constant overheating is a sign of serious damage.
Power Loss
Finally, your engine’s life may extend into the hundreds of thousands of miles, but eventually, your engine will no longer be able to generate power. When this happens, it’s time to replace it because it has reached the end of its life.
Hummel’s Automotive Diagnostic & Repair in St. George, UT, would be happy to inspect your vehicle’s engine to advise whether it can be repaired or needs to be replaced. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
