Car problems are unavoidable. The parts and systems that allow your vehicle to operate eventually fail as the result of normal wear and tear. Depending on their role, their failure may affect your engine's performance, increase your car's emissions, or leave you stranded by the side of the road. While problems are inevitable, there's plenty you can do to prolong the life of various parts, and postpone making a costly trip to the repair shop.
We'll describe four common car problems below, and explain some of the reasons they occur. We'll also offer suggestions to help you prevent them. Given that issues involving the engine and exhaust system are expensive to fix, the following details can help you save thousands of dollars over the long run.
1 - Lean Air-Fuel Mixture
Air and fuel enter the combustion chamber of each cylinder. Together, they are compressed and ignited by the cylinder's spark plug. The ratio of fuel to air is carefully measured and controlled by the powertrain control module (PCM). If the ratio is off, even slightly, the cylinder's performance - and that of the engine - will suffer.
A lean condition happens when too little fuel, or too much air, enters the chamber. This can occur for a number of reasons. For example, insufficient fuel may be due to a failing fuel pump, clogged fuel injector, or an extremely dirty fuel filter. Excess air may enter the chamber through a vacuum leak or an issue in the intake manifold.
Lean mixture conditions can be avoided by maintaining your vehicle. Check the fuel system periodically; clean the fuel injectors; and check for vacuum leaks in the lines. Catch these problems early when they are relatively inexpensive to fix.
2 - Misfiring Cylinder
One or more cylinders in your engine can misfire for numerous reasons, including a lean air-fuel mixture (described earlier). Leaks in the intake manifold, a failing exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve, fouled spark plugs, and fuel system problems are among the most common culprits.
Misfires generally worsen with time, and can lead to costly engine damage. For example, a bad EGR valve can cause spark knock (often called detonation), which may compromise the head gasket and damage the rod bearings.
Whenever problems that affect the engine occur, a diagnostic code is created and stored in your car's computer. Have a mechanic pull these codes on a regular basis. Address those that can potentially lead to larger problems down the road.
3 - Clogged Catalytic Converter
The catalytic converter helps to prevent pollutants in the exhaust gases from exiting through your car's tailpipe. Not only does it operate at high temperatures, but it can become clogged over an extended period. This causes it to overheat, and ultimately fail.
In most cases, clogging happens when the spark plugs become fouled from deposits. This prevents fuel inside the combustion chambers from burning efficiently. Unburned fuel passes into the exhaust system, and travels into the cat converter. This forces the component to work harder in order to clean the exhaust of emissions.
The best way to prevent the converter from failing is to make sure your engine is working properly. This includes checking the spark plugs periodically.
4 - Faulty Or Leaking EVAP
All passenger vehicles are required to have an evaporative emission control system (EVAP). Its purpose is to prevent vapors containing hydrocarbons from escaping the gas tank. When the EVAP system fails, the vapors leak out of the tank, and into the atmosphere. The most common problem with this system is corrosion. The lining of the canister used to trap the vapors corrodes, allowing them to escape.
When the EVAP develops a leak, a sensor that monitors hydrocarbon levels triggers a diagnostic fault code. If your mechanic pulls this code from the computer, have the problem addressed as soon as possible.
Many people neglect their car problems, hoping the issues will resolve themselves over time. Unfortunately, they rarely do. Instead, they lead to bigger problems that are more expensive to fix. When you notice issues with your engine, exhaust system, or other key components, avoid waiting to have them resolved.
We'll describe four common car problems below, and explain some of the reasons they occur. We'll also offer suggestions to help you prevent them. Given that issues involving the engine and exhaust system are expensive to fix, the following details can help you save thousands of dollars over the long run.
1 - Lean Air-Fuel Mixture
Air and fuel enter the combustion chamber of each cylinder. Together, they are compressed and ignited by the cylinder's spark plug. The ratio of fuel to air is carefully measured and controlled by the powertrain control module (PCM). If the ratio is off, even slightly, the cylinder's performance - and that of the engine - will suffer.
A lean condition happens when too little fuel, or too much air, enters the chamber. This can occur for a number of reasons. For example, insufficient fuel may be due to a failing fuel pump, clogged fuel injector, or an extremely dirty fuel filter. Excess air may enter the chamber through a vacuum leak or an issue in the intake manifold.
Lean mixture conditions can be avoided by maintaining your vehicle. Check the fuel system periodically; clean the fuel injectors; and check for vacuum leaks in the lines. Catch these problems early when they are relatively inexpensive to fix.
2 - Misfiring Cylinder
One or more cylinders in your engine can misfire for numerous reasons, including a lean air-fuel mixture (described earlier). Leaks in the intake manifold, a failing exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve, fouled spark plugs, and fuel system problems are among the most common culprits.
Misfires generally worsen with time, and can lead to costly engine damage. For example, a bad EGR valve can cause spark knock (often called detonation), which may compromise the head gasket and damage the rod bearings.
Whenever problems that affect the engine occur, a diagnostic code is created and stored in your car's computer. Have a mechanic pull these codes on a regular basis. Address those that can potentially lead to larger problems down the road.
3 - Clogged Catalytic Converter
The catalytic converter helps to prevent pollutants in the exhaust gases from exiting through your car's tailpipe. Not only does it operate at high temperatures, but it can become clogged over an extended period. This causes it to overheat, and ultimately fail.
In most cases, clogging happens when the spark plugs become fouled from deposits. This prevents fuel inside the combustion chambers from burning efficiently. Unburned fuel passes into the exhaust system, and travels into the cat converter. This forces the component to work harder in order to clean the exhaust of emissions.
The best way to prevent the converter from failing is to make sure your engine is working properly. This includes checking the spark plugs periodically.
4 - Faulty Or Leaking EVAP
All passenger vehicles are required to have an evaporative emission control system (EVAP). Its purpose is to prevent vapors containing hydrocarbons from escaping the gas tank. When the EVAP system fails, the vapors leak out of the tank, and into the atmosphere. The most common problem with this system is corrosion. The lining of the canister used to trap the vapors corrodes, allowing them to escape.
When the EVAP develops a leak, a sensor that monitors hydrocarbon levels triggers a diagnostic fault code. If your mechanic pulls this code from the computer, have the problem addressed as soon as possible.
Many people neglect their car problems, hoping the issues will resolve themselves over time. Unfortunately, they rarely do. Instead, they lead to bigger problems that are more expensive to fix. When you notice issues with your engine, exhaust system, or other key components, avoid waiting to have them resolved.
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