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Repair Topics / Engine-1 / Engine-2
Car Engine Questions and Answers This
category contains featured questions as
examples. They relate to most vehicles.
Question:
2002 Ford F-150 Mileage: 33,408. My husband purchased our truck in March
of 2002. In 2003 the motor locked up on him with no warning
as he was driving down the road. We contacted our local dealer and
had the vehicle towed in. They looked in the motor and told us that
there was no oil on the timing chain or on the valves but there was oil
in the oil pan and it was black. The only thing they seen was a little
"sludge" on top of the valves. Other than that they have not gave us any
other indication as to what has happened. Do you have any ideas as to
what may have caused this to happen?
Answer:
The oil pump or oil pump drive may have failed or an oil
pressure relief valve may be stuck open. If the oil is not changed at
recommended intervals and/or poor quality oil is used sludge deposits in
the engine can develop.
Question: 1998 Jaguar XJ6 mileage: 97,400. I
just purchased this car. Most people I know have said that 97,000
miles on a Jaguar engine is not a lot. The car runs fine and looks
very good. Are they right?
Answer: In evaluating the condition of a used
car, the maintenance practices of the prior owner are very
important. If the normal recommended services were performed, your
car should have many miles left in it. However, if the engine has
ever been overheated, long-term damage could have occurred which
would shorten the life of the engine.
Question: 2003 Ford T-bird mileage: 79,000. Hello, I was
recently told that my car has a main bearings problem. It is still running, but
I was told to expect the engine to blow a rod anytime now. I have been diligent
in doing oil changes 3000-4000
miles, and also in other routine maintenance. The car has never run
low on coolant. Ford had a safety recall for head gasket problem
potential & did a fix on my car ~10,000 miles back. Before the
repair, the thermostat registered slightly above mid-mark. After the
repair, the gauge reads midway or slightly below. Is there any
significance to this? Could there be a connection between the
bearings problem & the head gasket defect?Answer: No, we do not see any connection with
the head gasket that was repaired 10,000 miles ago and your present
main bearing problem. Probably what is happening with the
temperature gauge is that before the repairs, there was a slight
seepage from the head-gasket that caused the engine to run warmer
than normal.
Question: 2002 Ford f150 mileage: 70,000. What
is the difference in a short block and a long block rebuilt engine?
Answer: A long block is an engine equipped with
rebuilt cylinder heads. A short block does not have cylinder heads.
Question: 2001
Chevy Corvette mileage: 56,000.
I replaced my motor with a 383.
It has a new 400 crank, a new computer chip, new comp cam and
rocker, and springs.
Heads have been slightly polished with new 1.6 exhaust valves.
The camshaft at .050 lift is 224 degrees and exhaust 230.
Lobe centers are 110 degrees.
Lift w/rocker arms intake .477, exhaust is .480.
My question is, it will not stay running.
I have to pump the gas to keep it going!
The guy who built it said it is dead on!
I have had it idling for a couple hours but when I try to rev
it, it was popping thru the plenum!
Got any answers?
I called Linginfelter and he said the injector should not need to be
replaced. What does
this sound like to you?
Answer: All the components for
your car were designed and engineered to work together.
Changing things like camshafts and displacement upsets the
synchronization of other parts.
You are probably experiencing a lean mixture.
To verify that; disconnect the vacuum hose to the fuel
pressure regulator to increase the fuel pressure.
Doing this should richen up the mixture and probably help
with the “popping” problem.
If this works, you are going to have to figure out a way to
richen the mixture up.
Question: 2003
Chevrolet Caviler mileage: 38,800.
Manual states that transaxle must be removed at same time
engine is pulled, when replacing engine.
Is this necessary, or can transaxle be disconnected and left
in car when pulling engine.
Answer:
On removing the engine from the car, we have found it is
easiest to leave the engine and the transaxle together and drop the
assembly out the bottom.
Question: 1999
Pontiac Grand Am 6 cyl mileage: 50,000.
I drove the car for 6-8 weeks with the coolant light on prior
to getting service. I checked the level and it seemed ok so I
thought it was nothing major.
The local Pontiac folks told me the head gasket had a leak and there
was anti-freeze in the engine.
They also said the problem was caused by not changing oil in 12K
miles. They said they cannot/will not repair the engine and that it
needs a new engine.
They are quoting $5,300 for a remanufactured GM engine with 3 yr -
50K warranty. Any
advice?
Answer: From what you have told us,
Antifreeze in the oil would indicate that you have severe
internal engine damage.
Question: 1995
Buick Century mileage: 61,497.
What causes an engine to burn or blowhole in top of piston #6
cylinder to have zero compression?
No oil in water, no water in oil, but air cleaner has a lot
of oil and blew oil out the dipstick tube and oil fill.
This is the total miles on the car and the motor has 12,000
on last rebuild. First
had a spun bearing.
Answer: The reason for piston failure is normally a lean fuel mixture
possibly caused by a vacuum leak.
There is a remote chance it might be ignition timing and
pre-ignition.
Question: 1998
Chevy 1500 ton mileage: 80,000.
I blew an intake gasket and dumped half my radiator right
into the oil pan. Have replaced all gaskets from the heads up and
replaced oil and filter but now engine won't start.
The engine turns slowly (if at all) and the starter solenoid
will not disengage until manually cranking engine with a socket and
breaker bar. Have
loosened rocker arms 360 degrees that helps but its not enough.
Any suggestions besides tearing engine apart?
Answer: Remove all spark plugs and crank over.
This will pump out any coolant in the cylinders.
If, after doing this it is still very slow cranking, assuming
the battery is okay, then you may have engine bearing problems.
Question: 1999
Chevy Blazer mileage: 75,000.
My mechanic says I need a new engine.
I have always changed the oil every 3000 miles and completed
the recommended service items listed in the owner's manual.
Furthermore, I have never red-lined the truck.
I thought engines were supposed to last at least 100-150k
with the regular maintenance I have done.
Do you know of any major problems with the Chevy blazer '93,
specifically with the engine?
Recall?
Any recommendations?Answer:
We agree with you.
Your engine should last longer than 75,000 miles, especially
with the maintenance done.
Why did the mechanic say it needed to be replaced:
Engine Knock?
High oil use? Low
compression? Other?
Question: 1998 Chevrolet Astro Van mileage:
247,000. It's time to replace the engine in my 1988 Astro. I bought
a 4.3 V6 that has come out of a 1991 S-10. When I dismantled it to
get it ready to be rebuilt, I found it has a balance shaft in it. Is
it true this motor cannot be used? I've been told that the computer
will read the engine wrong or something to that effect? Please tell
me if this is true or what will have to be done to make it accept
the change.
Answer: You should be able to use the 1991 S-10 Engine.
One thing that must be done is to remove casting "bumps" on the
bottom of the intake manifold of the 1988 engine. They hit inside
the 91-lifter gallery. All of the sensors and accessories, etc.,
will fit. The computer system should work okay.
Question: 1997 Isuzu Rodeo mileage:
135,000. I am wanting to replace the engine in my Isuzu Rodeo. I
have seen many different types of redo's but I would like to put a
305 V8 and change the trans also. I have had trouble finding some
one who can help or who has knowledge about doing something like
this. My wife likes the body style and is not too interested in
buying a newer sport utility. The V6 while being a very dependable
engine does not cruise very well (maintain its speed) on the
highway. My job makes me travel a lot through a lot of states; I
would really like to change this engine out. If you know anyone that
can help me, please let me know.
Answer: The amount of work of changing and
adapting to do this engine swap is overwhelming. The challenge is to
have a dependable car when you are done. I do not know the smog laws
in your area but that should be considered too. Give some thought to
leaving it stock and just rebuilding your current engine.
Question: 1999 Olds Cutlass mileage:
125,000. I am having non-ignition of the fuel. I have replaced, cap
and rotor, HEI Coil, Ignition Module and I still am not getting any
combustion. I can smell raw fuel likes it is flooding and I hear no
attempts of the car trying to combust the fuel. Are there any other
reasons that would cause this? I also have an ECM fuse that pops. I
have been running the care with out the ECM fuse in place and I have
the check engine light on when the motor is running. I have
purchased and installed a new ECM and I replaced the PROM chip in
doors without exposure to the sun. I also put a new starter motor on
the car 1-week previous to these problems. New catalytic converter
and exhaust 1 month ago. In addition, the Chilton manual that I have
does not tell me the proper Plug firing order for my car. I numbered
my plugs before I removed them.
Answer: Three things are needed for an
engine to run: (1). Proper amount of fuel, (2). Compression, (3)
Spark at the proper time.
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