Deciding whether to rebuild your vehicle’s engine or throw in the towel and buy a new car or truck depends on several factors. This is a tough decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. There are three specific problems that can only be solved by rebuilding the vehicle’s engine or replacing it, and the reason why is that these issues cause significant and irreparable engine damage. Willoughby Hills Auto Repair can help if you’re facing major car repairs. Let’s talk about these issues and your options.
Abnormal Combustion
Also called detonation, your automobile uses combustion to start and run. As you can imagine, combustion, a mixture of air, fuel, and sparks, can be dangerous if it isn’t in a controlled environment such as your vehicle’s engine or if the air/fuel/spark mix is off. If you hear engine knocks when you start and drive your car, have it inspected as soon as possible. The combustion chamber could be getting too hot and the excess heat will melt internal chamber parts and can also crack the head gasket. Once this happens, you’re looking at an engine rebuild to replace the decimated engine parts.
Lubrication
Ignoring your oil changes can damage your engine to the point it will have to be rebuilt. It might seem strange that something as simple as an oil change can cause so much damage if you don’t stick to the schedule, but when you think about what motor oil does, it actually makes perfect sense. Whether synthetic or conventional, motor oil lubricates engine parts to protect them as they move with and, in some cases, against each other during their normal functionality. If the engine parts are not lubricated, they will overheat, seize, and damage engine bearings and the main rod.
Overheating
Finally, old and dirty motor oil can make your vehicle overheat as can cooling system problems. If you ignore the fact that your engine is overheating and you keep driving it, you’ll cause severe damage to the cooling system, the exhaust manifold, and the head gasket, to name a few problems. Blasting the heater to reduce the engine’s temperature is a temporary solution to a permanent problem that does not solve the reason why your engine is overheating in the first place. This won’t stop the engine from being damaged by the excess heat it was not designed to withstand.
Should you rebuild your engine or buy a new car? Willoughby Hills Auto Repair can help you answer that question. We’ll inspect your vehicle in our Willoughby Hills, OH, auto shop and let you know the extent of the damage. Call us to schedule an appointment today.