How Do I Know If I Blew My Engine? Signs Of A Blown Motor Explained

A complicated device known as an engine uses the force generated by the burning of fuel to turn the wheels. The machine—the most crucial component of the machinery—is most likely essential to your car.

The engine governs the functionality of your vehicle and is the beating heart of its motion. It gives life to your car. The alarm should be raised if the engine is blown or not functioning correctly because it can be harmful.

What Is A Blown Engine?

An engine that has blown must be rebuilt or replaced due to severe damage. Dealing with blown engines is always complex. It denotes the number of issues, but mainly that the machine has suffered a painful failure.

An engine blows when a broken valve pierces a hole through the top of a piston. If this occurs, pressurized oil will leak out via an exhaust valve and the top of the piston. It can also happen when a connecting rod, a component that joins a piston, punches a hole and seriously harms your car’s engine.

One of the most expensive repairs a car owner can encounter is this one. In most cases, if the engine blows, the entire machine may need to be replaced. This can be expensive, and with a secondhand car, the cost may be more than the value. An engine blowout can be a nightmare. You can pay for the repairs out of pocket and have your car break down.

How Do I Know If My Engine Is Blown?

It’s critical to pay attention to the signs your car displays when engine issues first appear. Although having one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily signal that the engine is blown, you should still check out these symptoms when they come your way because many different problems might lead to similar difficulties.

Calling roadside assistance.

You should always be on the lookout for issues and signs when operating your car, especially if it has been some time since you had it serviced. If something looks weird with your vehicle, pull over to a safe location and investigate the issue.

Always seek the advice of a qualified mechanic as soon as you observe the initial warning signs and symptoms of an engine blowout. The symptoms of a blown engine include excessive smoke, low oil pressure, unusual engine noises, your engine not starting, etc. If you detect any of these symptoms in your automobile, it must be checked immediately.

What Happens When An Engine Blows?

Numerous things can lead to blown engines. An engine will blow if it is operated with insufficient oil. Engine failure can also result from running an engine at excessively high speeds and RPMs over an extended time.

Overheating frequently results in a blown engine. The machine could explode if there is a significant coolant leak.

What Does A Blown Engine Sound Like?

If there is a loud noise, your motor has likely blown. It can make a loud banging or pounding noise. It has also blown if the engine is fully seized up or you notice smoke coming from it.

Will A Blown Engine Still Run?

This could indicate that the engine blew a gasket, the block is fractured, the pistons are wrecked, the valves are damaged, or a variety of other things. A blown engine is a dead or unable-to-run engine that cannot be repaired.

Causes

Your car’s engine may malfunction due to several factors. To stop these problems from occurring, you should always give your vehicle the necessary maintenance. You are significantly increasing the likelihood that your engine will stall if you don’t address these issues as soon as they arise.

A mechanic checks for any oil leaks underneath a car.

1.     Overheating

The engine of your car overheats, breaking down components as a result. It occurs due to a coolant leak from the radiator or a hose attached to the coolant system. A defective electric cooling fan, a broken thermostat, or a subpar water pump can also bring it on.

2.     Improper lubrication

One of the most frequent reasons for a blown engine is not ensuring the machine receives the necessary oil. Even if you frequently change the oil in your automobile but neglect to examine other wear and tear components, you will eventually need to replace the engine.

High mileage wear and tear may also contribute to oil starvation. Usually, this happens between the rod bearing and the main bearing.

3.     Timing belt snap

The crankshafts and camshafts of an automobile are connected by a steel chain or rubber belt, which controls the engine’s timing. The valves in your car’s cylinder head and pistons sustain significant damage if the timing chain snaps.

The damage may result in piston pieces entering the oil pan and harming the engine’s internals. Repairs might be prohibitively expensive. Thus replacement is typically advised.

4.     Seized engine

The engine seizes primarily due to a lack of lubrication. A stuck engine can also be caused by moving metal surfaces or oil starvation on bearings, which produces a lot of friction and heat. A seized engine prevents your car’s engine from turning.

5.     An engine block with a hole

This could result in severe internal or external engine damage. Hole-filled engine blocks are typically frequent in high-performance engines. It can be brought on by a connecting rod breaking in the engine block and being launched through it.

Prevention

The easiest way to avoid having your engine blow is to maintain your car correctly. Avoid excessively high RPM revving and extended periods of high-speed driving, and always drive within your car’s suggested ranges.

Regular maintenance and replacing your car’s plugs, oil, oil filter, and air filter are also essential for maintaining the engine’s longevity.

Auto mechanic with customer.

1.     Always check your oil engine

The engine oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle. Always take care of your automobile and get the engine oil changed regularly, especially if you have an older car.

2.     Replace worn-out belts

The drive belts on a car deteriorate over time. It’s time to change the belts if your vehicle’s engine is making squeaking noises. Attend to these problems to ensure the health of your engine.

3.     Keep your engine from overheating

Always keep an eye on the coolant level in your engine. Additionally, it would help if you kept an eye on your engine’s temperature because the heat produced by the burned fuel inside your engine runs the risk of overheating.

Fixing

Your car’s engine needs to be maintained because it is intricate and essential to the machine. The next question that will cross your mind after confirming that your car’s engine has unquestionably blown up is whether it can be fixed, and if so, how.

It would help if you thought about disassembling your car’s engine to find the source of the issue. The steps for fixing a blown engine are listed below.

1.     Determine what needs to fix

Make an effort to diagnose the issue when disassembling your engine. Since it’s vital, you should always take an organized and deliberate approach. After that, you should remove the valve covers and the intake manifold and check for any oil-related debris and valve train parts.

2.     Always check the engine

Several engine components should be rechecked for cracks; do not presume your car’s engine is in good shape just because there are no visible signs of damage. The unseen fissures may be evident to a skilled mechanic in a shop.

3.     Remove other components

Remove the engine’s pistons, crankshaft, and rods. When removing the engine’s parts, it is crucial to pay attention to the bearing surfaces, look for any obvious evidence of carving, and modify your method as necessary.

4.     Replacement of piston ring

The replacement piston ring should then be attached to the pistons. Incorporate the crankshaft bearings into the block as well. Next, attach the crankshaft to the connecting rods, followed by the rod bearing. The oil pump should then be installed along with the oil pan after being filled with petroleum jelly.

5.     Fill the engine

After installing the replacement head gasket, you ought to secure the head to the block. Insert the existing camshaft lifter. The valve train should then be mounted to the head compartment once the camshaft has been installed into the cylinder heads.

You should install the intake manifold, valve cover gasket, and exhaust manifold gasket and ensure everything is placed correctly. Afterward, a drill and priming shaft pump oil into the engine.

6.     Take care of the car’s engine

You should constantly take proper care of your engine to avoid a blowout. Since it is so crucial, check the oil periodically. Replace worn-out belts and get them adjusted regularly. Always check that the coolant is functioning correctly to avoid problems like overheating that can seriously harm your engine.

Conclusion

The greatest thing you can do if you have engine issues is to have your automobile checked out as soon as possible before you start noticing the symptoms of a blown engine. More engine damage can occur if you wait a long time before getting your car checked out.

Always be aware of the warning indicators your car sends out, and never think everything is fine. The longer you wait for other hands, the more difficulty your engine is in. The longevity of a vehicle is determined by proper maintenance, so maintain your engine and check it out frequently.

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About Matthew Webb

Hi, I am Matthew! I am a dedicated car nerd! During the day, I am a journalist, at night I enjoy working on my 2 project cars. I have been a car nerd all my life, and am excited to share my knowledge with you!

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