As of: February 29, 2024, 9:59 a.m
By: Sebastian Oppenheimer
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Replacing an engine is extremely expensive.
It is therefore important to avoid major engine damage at all costs.
What warning signs drivers should pay attention to.
If the battery in an electric car is broken, it is often a total economic loss.
It's similar with defective engines in combustion engines: If they can no longer be repaired and need to be replaced, it's often simply no longer worth it.
In order to prevent engine damage, maintenance is of course important: regular oil changes are a worthwhile investment, as is regularly checking the vehicle's oil level.
But there are also some signs that indicate impending engine failure.
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Warning lights in the car should be read like a traffic light
Basically, drivers should keep an eye on the illuminated symbols on the dashboard - and interpret them correctly.
In principle, these can be read like a traffic light: Green means everything is fine, no problems.
If it is yellow, you should be careful; you should usually have it checked quickly or go to a workshop as soon as possible.
When red, however, things become critical and action should be taken quickly.
Ultimately, it is the symbol in question that decides whether you should stop immediately.
In general, information about the problem indicated by a warning light can always be found in the car's operating instructions - the symbols do not have exactly the same meaning for every car.
Impending engine damage: What signs drivers should look out for
Action should be taken in good time - not just when the cockpit lights up “like a Christmas tree”, like a taxi stopped by the police some time ago.
But even if just one red warning light comes on, it may already be too late.
That's why drivers should pay attention to a few signs that could indicate potential engine damage - even without illuminated symbols:
1. Loss of Power:
One of the most obvious signs of engine failure is a noticeable loss of power from the vehicle.
If your car suddenly loses acceleration and power, it could indicate problems in the engine area.
This can be caused by a variety of problems including bad spark plugs, fuel delivery problems, or loss of compression in one or more cylinders.
It is important to get to the bottom of the cause.
2. Abnormal noises:
Irregular or loud noises from the engine compartment should be taken seriously.
Rattling, knocking, rattling or scraping noises could indicate various problems such as loose parts, worn bearings, defective valves or piston rings.
It is advisable to go to a workshop quickly to avoid major damage.
3. Smoke development:
Visible smoke from the exhaust can also be a warning sign of engine damage.
Different colors of smoke can indicate different problems.
Blue smoke often indicates oil combustion, which could indicate leaking valve stem seals or faulty piston rings.
White smoke may indicate cooling water or coolant contamination in the combustion chamber, while black smoke may indicate excessive fuel consumption or inadequate combustion.
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In some cases, when red warning lights come on in the cockpit, it may already be too late.
To avoid engine damage, drivers should also pay attention to other warning signals (symbolic image) © Pond5 Images/Imago
4. Overheating:
A common cause of engine damage is overheating.
If your temperature gauge reads in the red or you see warning lights that indicate overheating, you should stop immediately and let the engine cool down.
Overheating can be caused by problems with the cooling system and should be addressed immediately to avoid more serious damage to the engine.
5. Oil Loss:
A sudden or progressive loss of oil can indicate sealing problems in the engine.
If you notice that your vehicle is regularly leaking oil or notice oil stains under the car, you should visit a repair shop to locate and repair possible leaks.
Insufficient oil level can lead to inadequate lubrication of moving parts in the engine and cause serious damage.
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6. Abnormal engine smells:
An unusual smell coming from the engine compartment can also be a sign of problems.
A burning smell could indicate overheated oil or a broken seal.
It is important to take such smells seriously and act immediately to prevent further damage.
7. Shaking or irregular engine running:
A jerking or irregular engine running can indicate a variety of problems, including ignition problems, fuel supply problems, improper air supply, or engine timing problems.
These symptoms can lead to rough driving and should not be ignored.
Other risks of engine damage: incorrect fueling and water hammer
If you pay attention to these signs and have your vehicle serviced regularly, you will significantly reduce the chance of major engine damage.
You should also avoid misfueling your car, which can quickly lead to engine damage.
Great caution is also required when driving through water: If the water is too high, a so-called “water hammer” can occur, which usually also results in major engine damage.
The editor wrote this article and then used an AI language model for optimization at his own discretion. All information has been carefully checked. Find out more about our AI principles here.