One of the first signs that your car needs a new engine is hundreds of thousands of miles on the odometer. John Ellis & Son advises that a well-cared-for automobile may get upward of 300,000 to 400,000 miles before the engine needs to be replaced. Your engine will tell you that it needs to be rebuilt or replaced. Here are the signs that your car, truck, or C/SUV needs a new engine.
Constant Knocking Sound
If you hear a constant knocking sound coming from the engine, it’s possible that your rod bearings are worn and your pistons are damaging the cylinder block. Replacing the rod bearings requires a partial engine rebuild. If you break a rod, you will need to replace the engine. Do not drive your automobile if the engine is knocking constantly. Doing so will cause additional damage.
Excessive Flowing Exhaust
You may also need a new engine or a partial engine rebuilt if you have excessive exhaust flowing out of the tailpipe. When the engine burns a fluid, it releases a ton of exhaust. The color of the exhaust will reveal the fluid being burned in the engine. Black, blue, or white exhaust are caused by burning fuel, oil, or coolant, respectively. A fluid leak that creates excessive exhaust is a sign of serious engine damage.
Metal Shavings in the Oil
Your engine will die quickly if there are metal shavings being circulated in the motor oil. The oil ends up with metal in it because the engine parts are dissolving. Unfortunately, there is no way to fix a disintegrating engine. Rather, we will need to replace the engine. If you check your oil and see that there is metal in it, do not drive your automobile under any circumstance.
Overheating All the Time
It is also possible that your engine will need to be rebuilt or replaced if it overheats every time that you drive it. This can be a sign that the cooling system is corroded and needs to be replaced. Constant overheating can also indicate a problem with the catalytic converter or a cracked engine block. The latter requires an engine replacement to repair the problem.
Significant Power Reduction
Finally, your engine will lose significant power when it is ready to be replaced. Your engine is a machine that has a limited lifespan. When it is no longer able to produce power, it’s time to retire it and replace it with a new engine for your car, truck, or utility vehicle.
Call John Ellis & Son in Sacramento, CA, today to schedule an appointment for an engine inspection if you are having any of the problems listed above.
