Common Symptoms of Engine Failure You Shouldn’t Ignore

Posted on | 7 Apr 2018 By Anita Gaal

Our cars must remain reliable and consistent so that we can depend on them for daily travel. Unfortunately, there are many things that can go wrong with our car’s engines over time—especially if they’re not properly cared-for and maintained. Preventing engine failure is perhaps the number one reason why we perform maintenance tasks at all, but the costs associated with fixing engine failure aren’t pretty, so the alternative sounds pretty nice!

Engine failure comes with a laundry list of symptoms, often that build up over time. It’s important to be able to recognize these symptoms so that we can take the necessary measures to prevent the issue from worsening, or even to reverse any damages that might have previously been sustained. In this article, we’ll talk about the most common symptoms of engine failure that you absolutely shouldn’t ignore, as well as what steps you can take to remedy the issue and ensure your car’s reliability for the foreseeable future.

Decrease in Power

Depending on what kind of car you drive, you might not notice a huge shift in engine difference in power capability alone. In fact, you might just notice that in certain circumstances your car performs differently. For instance, if you travel up the same hill every day, but have recently noticed your car struggling to get up the same hill, it couldn’t hurt to bring it in for an inspection. Slight shifts in performance can indicate the beginnings of early engine failure that can worsen over time.

Changes in Fuel Efficiency

The rate at which your car burns fuel is a very telling symptom of how your engine is running. The projected fuel efficiency in most cars is simply an estimate based on average driving conditions and driving habits; however, it is also a guideline for what to expect out of your car. If you notice that your car’s fuel efficiency is significantly lower than projected, or it recently began requiring fill-ups more often, it’s a good idea to begin monitoring this activity more closely.

Rough Running, Stalling, or Misfiring

These are perhaps the most severe signs of engine failure, and might be indicators that your engine is in serious danger of being rendered irreparable. However, that’s not to say that they’re not reversible or fixable with skilled automotive repair. Rough running, stalling, or engine misfiring should be taken to an automotive specialize who has specific knowledge in working with your particular type of vehicle.

Concerning Smells

Noticing the smells that your car emits might be challenging depending on how severe an issue is, but never underestimate the power of the nose—after all, it “knows.” If you can detect the smell of fuel or a burning smell inside your cabin or coming from your exhaust, the next step is to follow up on the issue. Your engine could be running rich or running lean, or it could be leaking a fluid.

Concerning Noises

Besides performance-related symptoms and changes in power, concerning noises are one of the number one symptoms that drivers report to automotive shops. Engine failure doesn’t necessarily coincide with specific noises, as there are many different avenues for engine failure. The critical takeaway is to pay attention to any different sounds you notice while driving your car—they could indicate that there’s a problem with one or more of the systems.

Check-Engine Light Is On

The check-engine light can be extremely helpful for automotive professionals to properly diagnose your car’s performance problems. Engine failure issues are usually detected by your car’s computer, and then relayed to the driver via an alert symbol that illuminates in the dashboard. The computer code that is assigned to the specific issue can then be read by a professional auto technician with the right equipment and properly treated.

How We Can Help

The automotive specialists here at Euro Automotive service European import cars for residents of Dallas, Garland, Arlington, and Fort Worth, TX. It is our mission to provide dealership-alternative services at affordable rates to our community, as we believe that every driver deserves to save money while still keeping their cars in reliable condition. Engine failure is preventable. if you’re experiencing any of the aforementioned, concerning symptoms in your European import, please contact us right away to check it out.