What are the early indications of engine trouble? An engine trouble could indicate major problems. Here are the top five signs of engine trouble you should always be on the lookout for.
Heavy Smoke
One of the most common signs of internal engine trouble is too much exhaust smoke. It will generally come from the tailpipe tinted a certain color. Based on that color you'll be able to tell what the problem likely is that's occurring.
White Smoke: White smoke coming out of your tail pipe probably means a blown head gasket or damaged cylinder head. The color comes from coolant and water getting inside the combustion chamber.
Black Smoke: This comes from your engine having either too much fuel or too little air in the combustion chamber. It usually doesn?t require heavy repairs.
Blue Smoke: The cause of this is burning engine oil. It means something that was supposed to be sealed is leaking.
Unusual Odors
Any smell that is coming from your engine is probably not good. Car and truck exhaust contains toxic gases such as carbon monoxide. So, if you get a strong whiff of exhaust while sitting inside your car, make sure you have it checked out right away.
Strange Noises or Sounds
For most people the first sign of trouble that they experience in regard to engine failure is a loud knocking noise coming from under the hood of their vehicle as they drive down the street. If you encounter this noise, this is a sign of a serious problem. The noise is being created by worn out engine bearings, which are what all the moving parts of the engine rest on. To correct this issue there is a good chance that the bottom half of the engine will need to be rebuilt.
Erratic Driving
Your engine should deliver a relatively smooth, predictable driving experience; free of surges, jerking, hesitation or stalls. If your vehicle isn't running nicely that's a pretty strong sign of engine trouble. This can be many things, from a clogged fuel line to foul spark plugs or something else.
Preventive maintenance, including regular oil changes and belt replacements at recommended intervals help to keep you out of the danger zone.
Warning Lights
Your car is ideally made with dashboard warning lights. These lights will alert you to any major issues going on under your hood that you otherwise would not see or be concious of. If one of them is lit, call your mechanic. Three of the big ones include:
* Check Oil/Oil Level Low
* Oil Pressure Low
* Check Engine
