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Engine Failure 101 | Signs to watch out for before your engine breaks down


10 warning signs you must NEVER ignore!

When your vehicle starts to act up and is no longer reliable, it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly where the issue is coming from. Knowing the warning signals of an engine failure can help your mechanic choose where to check beneath the hood to swiftly and effectively fix the issue.

Your car's engine is a complex system, so maintaining it at peak performance necessitates routine engine servicing. In this post, we'll look at ten such indicators that might help you identify engine problems before they become costly.

  1. Engine Check Light Typically, this light turns on when an engine issue is discovered. It is essential to request that your mechanic do a diagnostic test on the vehicle to "read the code" that the sensor is reading and signaling probable vehicle issues.

  2. Exhaust Smoke: Modern vehicles are designed for cleaner emission levels, so if you see that your vehicle is emitting a trail of smoke from the exhaust, this may indicate an engine issue. While blue smoke indicates the combustion of oil, black smoke indicates the burning of too much fuel. On the other side, white smoke can indicate a cold start, but if it remains white after the engine has warmed up, it may indicate coolant seeping into the cylinders.

  3. Loss of Power: Fuel cars are built with an internal combustion engine that converts fuel into the power required to propel the vehicle using a four-stroke combustion cycle. The intake stroke, compression stroke, combustion stroke, and exhaust stroke are the four strokes. Any one of these four combustion-process stroke interruptions might be the cause of the power reduction you're feeling.

  4. Decrease in Fuel Efficiency: It may be a sign that there is a problem with your engine's compression stroke if you discover that you are not traveling as far on a tank of fuel. The problem could be fixed using a fuel cleaner or by having the fuel system serviced. As mentioned earlier, an engine diagnostic test could assist your mechanic in identifying the issue and fixing it.

  5. Irregular Engine Noises: Noises like knocking, backfiring, hissing, spitting, and popping can happen when the combustion flow is inconsistent. Schedule an engine servicing as soon as you can if the engine is making weird noises.

  6. Engine Overheating: It's time to have your engine examined if it frequently overheats. Running an overheated engine can result in a variety of issues, such as a bent cylinder that could leak coolant and produce the white exhaust smoke we previously described.

  7. The Engine Keeps Running After the Ignition is Turned Off: High-performance automobiles are most likely to experience this, which often occurs when the gas's octane is off. A malfunctioning solenoid or an overactive carburetor are possible additional offenders.

  8. Odd Smells/Odors: When the exhaust stroke of your internal combustion engine is starting to fail, it could give off a noxious odor from the exhaust. This odor is a tip-off that your vehicle needs attention from an engine repair specialist.

  9. Rough Idle: Rough idle refers to when an engine's RPM at idle is not constant. Even while not accelerating, you could see that the RPM is different. You should have your engine checked as soon as you can because this is a serious problem.

  10. Oil Leaks: It may be an oil pan leak or a gasket leak if you have your car parked and see oil stains on the ground. Because there won't be enough oil in the engine, the friction in the combustion chamber will increase, harming various engine components.

There are more signs that your engine may need your attention, but these are the top 10, and by addressing them before they cause significant harm, you can prevent engine failure.

Are You Currently Experiencing Car Engine Problems?

The last thing you want or imagine when driving, whether for pleasure or on your way to work, is for your engine to fail. Engine problems always occur when they are least expected. You're late or outside the range of your phone's coverage. You're either out of money or hours away from a tow truck. You just have a gut feeling that it won't be a simple or inexpensive remedy.

Engine issues may arise with any car, regardless of the brand and model you drive. Issues can still arise even with regular maintenance, such as oil changes. You must watch out for indicators of engine issue if there is any engine damage or trouble with the engine.


It's time to sell an automobile when an engine rebuild isn't worthwhile and you'd be investing more money in one that won't earn back its cost. An automobile with a faulty motor can nevertheless be sold for a respectable sum.


We are professionals that can assess the value of your automobile and provide you with the best possible options with affordable pricing.


Engine Problem Solutions?

You're having issues with your car's engine, but what are the fixes? There are two that stick out and have a high price tag: engine repair and engine replacement. You may simply sell a damaged automobile online if it is either too expensive to fix or would be deemed "totaled." Examine your alternatives and the value of your automobile in relation to the expense of an engine repair. Engine Diagnosis and Repairs

If your problem was one of the car engine difficulties we listed, you have a few options for fixing the problem. You may often ask our team at the gearbox to utilize their engine diagnosis tool for a free check engine light diagnosis. This will give you a quick overview of what is happening within, but to fully comprehend it, you probably need the help of an expert.

It is rather expensive to have your engine professionally diagnosed and fixed. To determine the precise source of the engine issue, you must have a professional examine your engine. The expense of fixing an engine problem is therefore substantially increased by replacing any damaged components.


Engine repairs have the downside that something else might potentially go wrong. Another component could be vulnerable, and a recent engine repair could put undue strain on it to the point of failure. You now have to endure the inconvenience of having that fixed as well. It takes a lot of money and time. Without the protection of a guarantee, the price may eventually approach that of an engine replacement.


Depending on the degree of the damage and the vehicle type you drive, engine repairs can cost anywhere from a few hundred dirhams to several thousand.


What Are the Average Engine Replacement Costs in Dubai?

If your engine is seriously damaged, you might decide to totally replace it rather than try to fix it. A replacement engine, which frequently comes with an excellent guarantee, can cut the repair time in half.

Beware that replacing an engine costs a lot of money. Although an old engine can be fitted, a new or remanufactured engine is a superior option. In the event that you have engine issues in the next years, it will offer coverage.

A used engine installation might cost up to 8,000 AED (much higher in some cases). For gas engines, you should budget 10,000 AED and above for a new or remanufactured engine. For instance, a Ford 5.4 L engine or a Dodge 4.7 L engine may cost up to 12,000 AED.



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