What are the causes of engine failure?
3 Answers
Engine failure causes: 1. Half of engine failures are caused by irregular maintenance, which prevents timely detection of hidden problems. Faults should be identified and resolved early; 2. Abnormal cooling system operation prevents proper engine heat dissipation, leading to engine overheating and affecting normal operation. Main causes of cooling system malfunction include thermostat failure, radiator issues, fan not working, and radiator blockage; 3. Air filters and fuel filters generally need replacement every year or 40,000 kilometers. The replacement interval can be adjusted based on fuel grade and usage environment; 4. Ignition coil and spark plug failures can also cause cylinder misfires, resulting in poor acceleration. If the dashboard shows a warning light, check the fault code for targeted analysis.
Having worked on cars for so many years, I've encountered quite a few engine failures. The most common causes include fuel system issues, like a faulty fuel pump that stops working, making it difficult to deliver fuel to the engine for ignition. Then there are ignition system problems, such as spark plugs aging and getting carbon buildup, failing to ignite, or high-voltage coil failures that also affect starting. Cooling system failures are also quite frequent, like water pump leaks or radiator holes causing the engine to overheat, which is bad news if smoke appears. Insufficient lubrication with low oil pressure, lack of oil, or clogged oil passages can lead to rapid wear of parts. Sensor failures, such as a faulty oxygen sensor or throttle position sensor, can disrupt computer control, causing shaking or stalling. Once, I worked on a car that stalled after the owner floored the accelerator—turned out to be clogged fuel injectors, which worked fine after cleaning. My advice is to get it checked at a professional shop immediately if you notice any issues, and regularly change the oil and check the coolant to prevent accidents.
Last weekend, I was in a hurry to run errands when the car's engine suddenly stalled, which was really scary. After towing it to the repair shop, I found out the root cause might be an issue with the ignition system—either the spark plugs were too old and failed, or the ignition coil burned out, affecting combustion. Fuel supply problems also played a big role, such as the fuel pump not working or the filter being clogged, causing fuel supply interruption. Another key issue was coolant leakage or a broken water pump leading to overheating protection shutdown. Insufficient lubrication and low oil pressure can also accelerate wear. In my case, it was a sensor malfunction, like an ECU error triggering a false alarm. It was finally fixed, and the lesson is not to ignore dashboard warning lights—address them promptly to ensure safe driving and prevent small issues from turning into disasters. Regular maintenance is essential, including checking basic fluids and oils.
