The engine fault lamp lights up, what should I do? Engine repair

The engine is the heart of the machine, and depending on the state in which it is located, the performance of the car depends. Far not always the motor works perfectly, to which there are many reasons both operational and technical. But today there are powerful diagnostic systems that allow to anticipate a breakdown and identify a weak link. Let's talk about what to do if the engine failure light comes on and how to repair it.

General information

Not every motorist faces the motor repair. If you operate the machine as required by that manufacturer, then it is unlikely that there will be any problems. But in time not changed oil, not passed TO can lead to the most unfortunate consequences. As a result, this will result at best in minor repairs, and at worst - capital repairs. In any case, if the engine failure light comes on, this is a clear signal that it's time to go to the "doctor", in our case for the service.

So, the reasons why the motor needed repairs, maybe a lot. But in most cases, the case is associated with increased wear of the piston group, which contributes to a reduction in power and an increase in fuel consumption. But we will talk about this moment a little later. The key point is that the repair of diesel engines and gasoline among themselves is different. This should be understood, because if you have experience with diesel, this does not mean that the petrol is restored exactly. Although the motors work on the same principle, they have several design differences. All this to the fact that before you start the repair, you need to understand a little with the design and understand how everything is arranged. After this, it is advisable to look for a defect that led to one or another breakdown. All these points will be described in this article. But we will begin with the most important and the simplest.

Basics of the basics

In most cases, everything starts with the fact that the driver does not fulfill the basic requirements. For the normal operation of any motor, no matter whether it is domestic or not, a permanent lubrication is necessary. To do this, in a certain amount, we pour oil, which periodically needs to be changed. During operation of the internal combustion engine, it lubricates pistons and other rubbing parts, thereby reducing friction, increasing productivity and reducing wear. But over time, the oil becomes dirty and ceases to fulfill its basic purpose. This leads to the fact that rubbing surfaces are subject to increased wear. As a result, the engine can jam, and here without overhaul can not do. In any case, the state of the oil should be monitored.

Most manufacturers recommend changing engine oil once a season or every 8-10 thousand kilometers. But another typical mistake is that an unsuitable oil is poured in. This also does not lead to anything good. It will be lucky if you notice a knock on the engine in time and ask for help. Oil is mixed, the engine is washed and new. After that you will carry out adjustments, and you can go again. Nevertheless, not only because of the oil problems appear. For example, repair of diesel engines may be required due to increased wear of engine parts, burnout of pistons, etc. Here an important role is played by the mode of operation of the car.

The main causes of failure of gasoline and diesel engines

As noted above, a huge number of factors affect the ICE resource. Among the main ones are dust and dirt, which through the filter element can get directly into the engine. For example, diesel engines are very sensitive to the quality of fuel. Such impurities as water and sulfur, lead to corrosion of injectors and pumps, as a result, it affects the supply of fuel. Of great importance is the mode of motion, constant braking and acceleration, stops and overtaking. If the motor for a long time functions in the same mode, then it will walk an order of magnitude longer. But the most important factor, which reduces the resource of the engine, is poor service at the service station. Unfortunately, it is rather difficult to reveal this, because immediately after repair everything seems to be fine, the first problems are encountered after several thousand kilometers of run.

If the engine failure light comes on, something needs to be done, and every driver understands this. But what to do in this case and where to look for a breakdown? Perhaps we are dealing with overheating of the engine, or maybe something has happened to the quality of the fuel-air mixture. In general, the problem can be found long enough. But there are a number of signs that can help us in this. In this article, we'll look at the main ones and find out how the most frequently encountered problems are eliminated with their own hands.

Insufficient lubrication

The so-called "oil starvation" is the main cause of engine malfunction. Practically all cases are connected with the fact that there is insufficient pressure in the system or it is absent altogether. After a few seconds of running the engine without lubrication, the sliding bearings warm up, then the infiltration of the acti- fricative layer of the inserts takes place. The most favorable outcome in this case is the motor stop, i.e. its jamming. If the liners in the beds have not turned, the connecting rods and crankshaft do not receive significant damage. If you try to crank the crankshaft lever or pusher, it will only get worse, you need to understand this. Even if the engine is successfully restored, "oil starvation" will affect somewhat later.

Often in sub-zero temperatures, drivers experience difficulties with starting the engine. This happens mostly due to the increase in the viscosity of the oil. Especially it concerns mineral compositions. Synthetics are better at both low and high temperatures. As for the diagnosis of such a malfunction ("oil starvation"), then it is necessary to check its level with the help of a feeler gauge. This is done on a "cold", that is, the car should not start for a while. In addition, the engine "Mercedes", VAZ and any other has an appropriate sensor, which under insufficient pressure lights up on the dashboard.

Overheating of the engine and everything connected with it

The motor can fail due to overheating for several reasons. Often the problem lies in the malfunction of the cooling system, which ceases to perform its task at full strength. But, in addition, the depressurization of the head of the block also leads to such a negative effect as overheating. As for the cooling system, the cracks on the hoses and the gap in the radiator lead to a leak of antifreeze. Often, such cases do not occur immediately, but after a prolonged operation of the car. Rubber is prone to aging, and metal - to corrosion. So it turns out that if you do not periodically check the cooling system, then there can be trouble. It does not matter if you have a Volkswagen or Porsche engine, without good cooling it will not work, and if it does, it will not take long.

Interestingly, a clear sign of a malfunction of the cooling system is the lack of heat in the cabin in the winter season. True, there may be clogged pipes or broken radiator stove. As for the leakage of the system, this leads to a significant decrease in temperature, at which the cooling liquid boils. In the end, the lack of cooling leads to overheating. There are two options: either the automatics will work, which simply will not allow the engine to work further, or serious repairs will be required. For example, the engine "Volkswagen" operates at relatively low temperatures, and the motors of the company "Mercedes" - at a higher. Consequently, the maximum permissible temperature for them is also different.

Inadequately selected fuel

We have already figured out a little why the engine failure lamp is on. As it turns out, often the driver himself is to blame, but this is not 100% of the time. In some situations, the blame lies on the shoulders of the staff of the service station. But it also happens that it is quite difficult to identify the culprit. A vivid example of this is the insufficient quality of fuel. Why it has a low octane number is a separate conversation. In spark-ignition engines, this leads to detonation, which is not good, and this is a fact.

If VAZ engines allow you to manually adjust the lead angle and therefore use low octane fuel, then modern ICE, in particular foreign production, does not have this capability. A vivid example of this are the engines of Nissan, Volvo, etc. Another interesting point is that many drivers use flammable liquids to start the engine in a severe frost. In particular, this concerns diesel engines. This can not be done, since it is easy to spoil the piston group.

Main engine malfunctions: hydraulic shock in the cylinder

The key cause of the hammer is the ingress of various fluids into the cylinders. For example, getting water on the suction nozzle of the air filter. The liquid can easily reach the cylinders. For this simple reason, it makes sense to say that some models of cars are more prone to water hammering, and others - less, since the body structure and the location of the suction nozzle are different for all. So, to determine such a malfunction is simple enough. First, it's a sudden engine stop. This happens for the following reason. Water enters the cylinder, namely into the combustion chamber. There, the piston rests on it, and since the substance is fireproof, the pressure rises sharply, the rod deforms and the motor stops completely.

In general, the causes of the hydrostatic mass. But it is always getting some liquid into the cylinders. It can be oil as a result of the destruction of the turbocharger or something like that. Ironically, but the repair of the engine "Mercedes", "Audi", and any other in this case is very problematic. In some cases, the piston group is completely destroyed.

The engine fault lamp is on: the problem is diagnosed in appearance

It is unlikely that a beginner, looking into the engine compartment of the car, will understand that the engine went out of action, even if there are obvious signs. But an experienced specialist will easily identify the problem by visual inspection. The main signs that indicate a malfunction of ICE: extraneous sounds, color and composition of exhaust gases, oil consumption, etc. But there are a number of problems. The fact is that special algorithms are used to determine the malfunction. They are used by experienced specialists. But here you need to be careful, as not all engines have a classic design. For example, the engines "Nissan" and VAZ are very different among themselves, and with equal signs of failure, the malfunction may be hiding in different places.

In most cases, it is necessary to look for the cause rather than the cause of the failure. At the same time, visual diagnostics of this possibility does not give. For example, the master came to the conclusion that the repair of the "Mercedes" engine is necessary because of the knocking of the connecting rod bearings. Most likely, it will be decided to change them due to poor condition. But it can be not only in the bearings, but in the broken oil pump. In general, the method is good and simple, but not always reliable.

Troubleshooting of the engine's mechanical part

It can be safely said that at present the search for a malfunction is carried out in a huge number of ways. There is a mechanical part of the motor and electronic systems. So, in the first case, an experienced specialist is needed, who is well versed in ICE, and in the second - equipment for diagnosis.

As for the mechanical part, the faults of the VAZ engine are often determined by the master by ear. True, this is not an accurate method, but in most cases very effective. Any modern diagnostic method can not give complete information about the state of the motor, just like the method of visual inspection.

Many do not understand that VAZ sensors, and any other car, are needed for a reason. They show pressure, temperature and give other useful information. If the oil lamp caught fire, then this indicates its insufficient or no pressure in the system. There are various engine sensors, and they are all needed. Nevertheless, sometimes you still need to disassemble the motor and look for the malfunction yourself. The simplest and cheapest method is to check the compression of the cylinders. There is nothing complicated in these works. Take a pressure gauge with a special connector and screw it in place of a spark plug or incandescent. An excellent method, but often miss such important factors as mileage, the presence of risks on the cylinders. All this can mislead an inexperienced repairman. The methods of measuring compression in cylinders on diesel and gasoline engines differ. The first have a minimum mark. If the pressure falls below a certain level, then we can judge the apparent malfunction of the cylinders.

Conclusion

As you can see, the cause of the engine fault lamp is not always detected quickly and easily. Often the attention of an experienced specialist and the availability of equipment for diagnosis are required. But even at times it is difficult to get a complete picture of the events. As a rule, any serious failure requires a complete or partial disassembly of the motor. As a result, the repairman in his hands is a failed part or a whole assembly. But often even visible defects do not allow to determine with 100% accuracy a malfunction.

A very important and responsible node is the engine management system. Speech, as you already guessed, is about fuel injection and ignition. To diagnose these systems on modern cars you need to use powerful stands and additional equipment. If we are talking about the old "six" or "kopeck", then the diagnosis looks somewhat different. All work is done without any electronic equipment. Sometimes in the hands is the most common voltmeter. Nevertheless, the simplicity of the design and the extensive experience of the masters enable us to find faults with great accuracy, to eliminate them and to perform the adjustment of ignition and fuel injection.

Mercedes, Nissan, Audi and others have a very complicated design, which is why their repair is often very expensive.If you do this yourself, use only those oils recommended by the manufacturer, original parts and observe the rules of operation. Any motor is very durable and reliable even under the most extreme operating conditions, but with time the parts wear out, and the work becomes unstable, which is why timely diagnostics and repairs are so important. Now you know that Do this if the engine fault lamp comes on.