5 Engine Failure Warning Signs You Should Not Ignore

Failure of the engine is such a daunting experience, especially when you're traveling somewhere you can't get immediate help. This happens mostly because of a lack of routine check-ups and maintenance. Before the engine completely breaks down, rendering your vehicle immobile, it always gives some major or minor signs. All you have to do is monitor those. In this article, we'll discuss five important warning signs you should not ignore.

​Smoke leaves the exhaust

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Most modern cars have reduced their emissions to nil. However, if there's a lot of smoke coming out of your exhaust pipes, it's time to get your engine checked. Black smoke indicates some issue with the fuel tank. Gray smoke points toward a fault with the coolant of the car, while blue smoke is a sign that the oil in the vehicle is burning.

Check engine light

Every modern car has a button with an illustration of an engine on its dashboard. When the light turns on this button, it means something's going wrong with the engine. Immediately consult a mechanic to get your problem fixed.

​Oil patches below the parking

If you find patches of dripping oil whenever you park your vehicle anywhere, it means there's a leak in the oil tank. This will certainly cause an enormous problem in the engine, as it will not have enough oil to keep the machines working without friction. Get it checked as soon as you notice anything.

Sudden loss of mileage

Over time, as your vehicle gets older, it loses mileage slowly due to wear and tear. Nonetheless, if you ever see a sudden drop in the mileage of your car, it is most definitely a sign to get your engine checked. Sometimes it's paired with a lit-up engine light.

Knocking of the engine

When pockets of air-fuel mixture combust on their own without ignition, it's called "engine knocking." It's not heard loudly, but you can definitely hear a knocking sound coming from the engine while you drive. If ignored, it can cause some irreparable damage to the engine, which will lead to expensive expenses. 

Apart from these obvious signs, there are many that you might monitor. These include frequent overheating of the engine, a foul odour emitted from the engine, an excessive amount of vibration or noise, rough driving, frequent engine stalling, and poor performance. Most of these are minor damages that can be fixed easily. Only if they are left for long periods of time will they harm the vehicle entirely. Regular check-ups are the easiest way to avoid all problems that might come up.