When properly maintained by an experienced mechanic, some engines are capable of lasting for more than 500,000 miles. On the other hand, poor upkeep can lead to premature failure. Here are the top problems that can destroy an engine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Lack of Oil<\/a><\/strong> To prevent this problem from ever occurring, develop a habit of checking your car\u2019s oil level at least once a month. Simply topping off the oil when needed can save you a lot of frustration and money in the long run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Overheating<\/strong> The biggest cause of overheating is a low level of coolant. Before the summer kicks into full gear, have a mechanic inspect your vehicle\u2019s cooling system. When driving around on a hot day, the last thing you want is for an old coolant hose to spring a leak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Broken Timing Belt<\/a><\/strong> If the timing belt suddenly breaks on a non-interference engine, no damage will occur. The engine will simply stop running. Unfortunately, this isn\u2019t the case with an interference engine. Several critical parts can be destroyed, including the valves and pistons. The best approach is to have the vehicle\u2019s timing belt changed at the recommended interval by an experienced mechanic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hydrolocking<\/strong> If you\u2019re lucky, a mechanic will be able to flush out the excess water by removing the spark plugs and cranking over the engine.<\/a> On the other hand, the excess water may have damaged the engine\u2019s connecting rods. Expect your bank account to take a big hit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s important to never allow your vehicle\u2019s oil level to get too low. When there\u2019s an insufficient amount of motor oil circulating throughout the engine, the internal parts can begin to scrape against each other. This could ultimately cause the engine to seize. At this point, you\u2019ll either need to have your engine professionally rebuilt by a mechanic or buy a new one. Neither of these options is inexpensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you notice your car\u2019s temperature gauge rising or see steam escaping from underneath the hood, be sure to pull over as soon as possible. There\u2019s a good chance your engine is beginning to overheat. If you aren\u2019t careful, temperatures can become hot enough to cause a blown head gasket or a cracked piston.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many vehicles built during the 1990s and early 2000s were engineered with a timing belt, which was designed to harmonize the engine\u2019s crankshaft and camshaft rotation. Unlike a timing chain, a rubber timing belt needs to be periodically replaced. It gradually begins to wear out over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After an intense rainstorm passes through, it\u2019s not uncommon for certain streets to flood. Think twice before attempting to drive your car through large puddles. The vehicle\u2019s air intake system could suck in water, thus putting the engine at risk of hydrolocking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n