Common Car Engine Problems and How to Solve Them

You rely on your car to get you to work and hang out with friends. So, you want to make sure all essential parts are running smoothly. Yet, sometimes age or improper maintenance can cause issues. Here are seven ​​common car engine problems you should know. 

1. There Is Poor Lubrication

You want to ensure there is enough oil between all the moving parts. A lack of lubrication can lead to excess friction within your engine. This can lead to overheating or your engine seizing up. It can also increase the clogging of oil pump screens and oil filters. 

Poor lubrication is caused by improper maintenance or low oil pressure. High mileage or a worn oil pump lead to signs of low oil pressure. Get your vehicle regularly serviced and keep up with oil changes to prevent this issue. 

2. Your Oil Pump Is Failing 

An oil pump is a vital part of your car. It helped to provide the necessary lubrication. Over time this can wear down the engine leading to a costly replacement. Common causes of oil pump failures are age and malfunctioning parts. Another source of the issue is improper preventive maintenance.

This includes skipping oil changes and not using the right oil type for your car. So, make sure you read your owner’s manual carefully. Also, to prevent a failed pump, ensure that the engine oil is light enough to flow fast through the system.

3. Built-up Oil Deposits and Debris

Older oil can leave a deposit on your engine parts, like intake valves and spark plugs. Another common cause is incomplete fuel combustion. Older engines rely on a system where the fuel is sprayed into the intake manifold and mixed with the air. The air-fuel combination moves in timed intervals through the engine’s cylinders. 

However, this system can lead to carbon buildup. These deposits can damage your engine over time. They can lead to stalling, engine knocking and overheating. To prevent this issue, take your car to your local garage. Make sure they clean your engine oil filters and add a vehicle barrier. 

4. Improper Fuel and Air Compression

Poor compression can cause issues for your vehicle. It can lead to engine misfires and poor performance. Plus, the engine turns over faster than usual but doesn’t start. Low compression is caused by broken valve seals, holes in your cylinders and overused piston rings, allowing air to leak out. 

Here are a few other common reasons this may occur:

• Blown head gasket 
• Splintered cylinder walls
• Weakened timing belt 
• Cracked chains
• Worn out camshaft

If you find your compression is low, you want to replace the leaking part. Suppose you don’t have the budget. Add an engine restoration treatment product, such as RESTORE Engine Restorer & Lubricant. 

5. Your Engine Coolant Is Leaking 

This is one of the most common car engine problems and is easy to detect. If your engine coolant is low even after refueling, there is an issue with the cooling system. Many things could be causing the problem, such as a blown radiator hose, a bad hose clamp or a warped head gasket. Also, a moving vehicle could kick an object into your radiator. 

Suppose you’re looking for a quick fix. Clean the house with a rag and wrap the broken area in duct tape. However, the long-term answer is to replace the damaged hose clips. To prevent this issue, add radiator and cooling system flushes to your maintenance checklist. 

6. Your Engine Is Misfiring

This is one of the common car engine problems caused by worn spark plugs. Other reasons are issues with the engine control unit or malfunctioning ignition coils. 

Here are a few more common causes:

• Air and fuel delivery malfunction
• Problems with the emission equipment
• Sensor and module problems 
• Control circuit Issues 

You want to fix these issues the right way to prevent long-term engine damage. Continual misfiring can warp your valves and the cylinders, causing them to crack. So, replace your spark plugs at least every 30,000 miles. This could vary depending on your type of vehicle, so review your manufacturer’s guide. 

7. The Oxygen Sensor Is Malfunctioning

This problem can lower your car’s performance and turn on your check engine light. Your oxygen sensor accumulates sulfur, lead and fuel additives from combustion over time. Then your sensor will lose its ability to send the right signals.

Lack of proper maintenance also leads to a malfunctioning oxygen sensor. This includes using the incorrect fuel type or skipping spark plug replacements. So, the safest solution is to buy a new oxygen sensor costing between $20-$85. Taking your vehicle into a mechanic’s shop ensures the part gets installed properly.

7 Common Car Engine Problems

Keeping up with proper maintenance ensures your vehicle is running smoothly. Yet, sometimes issues come up due to worn down or faulty parts. So, review this list of common car engine problems the next time your check engine light comes on.