Whether you just got your first car or you want to start saving money by taking care of your vehicle's maintenance yourself, this website is for you. Every article here is written to help everyday people understand the basics of vehicle ownership. As you read through our site, we hope you feel empowered to take simple repair projects into your own hands. For larger projects, we recommend following up with our professional resources so you can take the best possible care of your vehicle. With a little bit of time and support, you can get to know your vehicle and take excellent care of it.
Getting to Know Your Vehicle
3 Engine Parts that Require Repairs During a Car's Lifetime
Sofia Curtis
The condition of a car's engine determines how well it runs. It makes preventative engine maintenance crucial to a car's overall health. However, engines undergo wear and tear over time and require repairs. Most importantly, regular servicing is essential for preventing costly engine repairs and rebuilds. That said, a car engine relies on the optimal and synchronised of different components. This article highlights critical engine parts, which need special attention during maintenance and repairs.
Pistons
Pistons are vital components of a car engine, which receive significant attention from mechanics during servicing and repair work. Pistons continuously move up and down inside the cylinders; however, the constant movement generates heat from friction, causing piston rings to wear out. Eventually, worn-out piston rings fail, leading to oil leaks inside an engine and combustion chambers. It is the last thing you want while driving because oil leaks can start a fire in combustion chambers. Therefore, you must replace worn-out pistons to prevent an expensive engine rebuild. However, engine rebuilds are mandatory if one or more pistons break to avoid metal pieces from falling into a crankshaft.
Bearings
A piston's primary function is to rotate a crankshaft, which converts a straight-line movement to rotary motion. The rotary motion is made possible by lubricated bearings in a crankshaft. As a car gains speed, the pistons move faster, and a crankshaft rotates rapidly. Although the high speeds put a strain on the bearings, they are designed to withstand premature wear as long as they are lubricated using the right oil. However, poor maintenance leads to worn bearings, which damages a crankshaft. If you do not follow a manufacturer's instructions regarding the lubrication of bearings, you will experience regular crankshaft breakdowns and require repairs.
Cylinders
It is crucial to note that while pistons do not make contact with each other when an engine is running, they do so with the cylinder. In fact, a crankshaft, bearings, and rods also rub against cylinder walls. Thus, proper lubrication is crucial to reduce friction between a cylinder and other engine components. Unfortunately, metal filings from broken pistons, bearings, and a crankshaft can leave large score marks on cylinder walls. Large gorges often cause cracks and weaken an engine wall, which can only be repaired by welding, boring, or honing. If the cracks are significant, the only option you have is to rebuild a cylinder.
If you have issues with any of these parts, reach out to a professional who provides mechanical repairs.
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