If you’re driving with the music blasting to drown out the noise under your hood, it’s beyond time to buy a new car engine. Strange engine noises are not something you ignore hoping they go away. They’re warning signs to prevent you from ending up on the side of the road.
Regular vehicle maintenance includes recognizing when you need to have your engine serviced. But repairing engine damage isn’t always an option. Here are 4 signs it’s time to buy a new car engine.
Engine Light Comes On
This one seems obvious but some people look at their “Check Engine” light as if it’s no big deal. Well, it is a very big deal. The illumination of this dashboard light is one of the first signs it’s time to buy a new car engine.
Your engine light tells you something is wrong. You may not be able to identify the problem by looking under the hood. It’s best to take the car in for a service diagnostic to pinpoint the root cause of the problem.
Strange Noise
Hearing foreign sounds from under your hood comes from your car engine trying to get your attention. The more you continue to drive the worse the condition of your car engine becomes. Take your car for service when you hear knocking, tapping, or squealing, or any other unusual noises coming from the engine.
Strange car noises could indicate worn engine bearings, a faulty fan belt, or any number of issues with your engine. Don’t allow the noise to become louder or faster. Waiting for the noise to stop may mean waiting for your engine to fail.
Diminishing Fuel Economy
High gas prices put a lot of attention on a vehicle’s fuel efficiency. How many miles a car travels per gallon is based on several factors, one of which is the type of engine in the car. But even the mileage of a Ford truck with a 6.7L Powerstroke engine should maintain consistent gas mileage.
Monitor fuel efficiency if your vehicle starts to accelerate slowly or you notice a reduction in mileage. Have your car looked at by a professional mechanic sooner rather than later. These may not necessarily be signs of a troubled engine but if so, you’ve been warned.
You See or Smell Smoke
Neither engine nor exhaust smoke makes for a good situation. When you see colorful exhaust smoke pull of the road, stop, and turn off the car so it cools down. Then call to have your car towed to the nearest auto shop.
Engine and exhaust smoke should never take a back seat during regular car maintenance. Smoke from your tailpipe indicates a problem that could affect your engine. Smoke under your hood means your car engine overheated.
Do I Really Need a New Car Engine?
If you take care of your car engines your cars will take care of you. Buying new car engines is never fun and could be expensive. But it could turn out replacing old engines is the best-case scenario.
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