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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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