What Causes a Car Motor to Fail?

[TeaganLee]

There are several reasons why a car motor may fail: 1. Severe wear of the starter carbon brushes: The carbon brushes are responsible for delivering current to the rotor, causing it to rotate. Although the starter only operates during startup and works for just a few seconds, the current during operation can reach several hundred amperes. 2. Carbon brushes pressing against the rotor: Under the preload force of the spring, the carbon brushes press tightly against the rotor. At the moment of startup, strong electrical sparks are generated at the contact points between the carbon brushes and the rotor, leading to carbon brush erosion. 3. Severe belt wear: Through the belt and pulley, it is evident that the crankshaft rotates very slowly. When the wear is extremely severe, the starter may not be able to drive the crankshaft to rotate at all, producing only a humming current sound.

[VonAnna]

A broken engine is really annoying. Last time I encountered this issue, I found that the main cause was insufficient oil. The car had run over 100,000 kilometers without timely oil changes, leading to an aging oil pump that couldn’t supply enough oil, causing piston friction, overheating, deformation, and eventually a loud knocking sound before the engine stalled. Poor lubrication system flow can increase bearing wear, lead to poor heat dissipation, severe carbon buildup, and even affect the spark plugs. Additionally, poor contact in the battery or starter motor wiring can also cause issues, such as difficulty starting the engine in cold winter mornings. Daily driving habits, like aggressive acceleration, can accelerate wear and worsen the problem. It’s recommended to regularly check the oil level, clean the oil passages, and extend the engine’s lifespan for peace of mind. Paying attention to these details can help avoid breakdowns on the road—safety first!

[AdrianaAnn]

Motor issues often stem from inadequate maintenance. Through multiple experiences, I've found that timely oil changes are crucial, especially after prolonged high-speed driving in harsh weather conditions, which accelerates oil degradation and causes bearing seizure. Additionally, coolant system leaks or fan failures can lead to overheating, resulting in cylinder head deformation, poor sealing, and loss of compression pressure, thereby reducing power. Short circuits in the starting circuit or relay failures can cause unstable sparking, accelerating component fatigue and breakage. A clogged air filter restricts airflow, leading to incomplete combustion and further complications. Developing a habit of monthly self-checks for fluid levels and listening for unusual engine noises, along with seasonal professional maintenance, can prevent problems before they occur.

[MalachiAnn]

I have encountered cases where engine failure often stems from cooling system malfunctions – water pump leaks, clogged coolant passages causing temperature spikes and unrelieved pressure, cylinder head gasket erosion leading to power loss and sudden shutdown. Spark plug carbon buildup causes ignition failure and accelerated wear, while prolonged idling or overloaded hill climbing easily leads to overheating. Oil starvation worsens with poor lubrication causing piston ring scuffing. These minor issues accumulating into major failures require prompt attention to prevent greater damage.