What Happens When an Engine is Damaged?
2 Answers
Here are the situations that may occur when an engine is damaged: Sensor-related failures: such as coolant temperature sensor, crankshaft sensor, oxygen sensor, etc. Poor mixture combustion: engine spark plug failure, ignition coil failure, fuel pump failure, fuel line blockage, etc., can all cause poor mixture combustion in the engine. Air intake issues: when combustion occurs inside the engine, air intake is necessary. In this process, the air filter is very important. If the car's air filter is not clean and not regularly cleaned, it will affect the car's air intake. Over time, this can lead to blockages, and in severe cases, it can cause the engine fault light to come on. Turbocharging issues: intake turbocharging pipes and turbochargers can also cause the engine fault light to illuminate. The most common issue is turbocharger damage, accompanied by symptoms such as oil leaks, high oil consumption, reduced power, metallic noises, and blue or black smoke from the exhaust pipe.
When your engine fails, it can be really frustrating. I once experienced it myself—while driving, I clearly felt a lack of power. Pressing the accelerator felt like dragging the car through mud, with the RPM struggling to climb and severe shaking. The engine would make strange noises, like knocking or metal grinding sounds, especially louder during acceleration. The dashboard often lit up with warning lights, such as the engine icon or a red temperature gauge spike, urging you not to push it further. Even worse, smoke might appear—white or black smoke seeping from under the hood, carrying a burnt smell that raises concerns. Fuel consumption also skyrockets; what used to be a full tank lasting hundreds of kilometers now runs low in just a day or two. If ignored, the engine might stall on the road, making it hard to restart, disrupting work or travel plans and increasing accident risks. Get it to a repair shop immediately—hesitation will only lead to higher costs.
