How To Fix A Car With A Blown Engine
Imagine you’re about to leave for work, but when you are about to start your car, something is not quite right. Your vehicle doesn’t seem to want to start, and you see white exhaust fume filling your driveway. What a frustrating way to begin your day, right?
No need to remind you how important your engine is when it comes to getting your car to move and that a blown engine can lead to disastrous consequences. Luckily, it’s not the end of the world, and even a blown engine can be fixed. In this article, we will discuss how to fix a blown engine and provide some tips on how to keep your engine in excellent condition to prevent it from blowing in the first place.
What Is A Blown Engine?
Sure, dealing with engine problems can be a frustrating experience, especially if you are still beginning in the field — and a blown engine is probably the worst thing that can happen. This can indicate a range of issues but generally means there has been a significant failure within the engine that will require a replacement or an extensive overhaul.
That being said, two of the most common issues associated with a blown engine are a blown head gasket and a broken timing belt or timing chain (only in the case of an interference engine, though).
Can these problems be fixed? Absolutely!
Is it always worth fixing? Meh… that depends.
When it comes to broken timing system components like the timing belt or chain, the pistons may hit the valves, causing extensive damage. In such cases, replacing the engine is often recommended since replacing everything could cost you an arm and a leg.
On the other hand, a blown head gasket, while another major engine issue, is much easier to repair. It will take a lot of elbow grease but often requires only a few replacement parts. The head gasket’s main job is to maintain combustion pressure and prevent oil and coolant from mixing. When it fails (read that it cracks here), coolant and oil will mix, either reducing the lubricating properties of the engine oil or reducing the cooling properties of the coolant. In both cases, it’s never a good thing.
Of course, the head gasket can always be replaced, but depending on the damage, several other parts may need to be machined or replaced at the same time.
Anyway, these are just some of the main issues that a blown engine can refer to. And whether or not it can be fixed will really depend on what was damaged and how much it will cost to have those parts replaced versus the cost of replacing the engine as a whole, hence why several people choose to go with a vehicle disposal service and buy a new car instead. But if you are a bit handy, there’s no reason why you should go to such an extreme.
Signs Your Engine Is Blown
Most drivers can easily recognize the visual and auditory indications of a blown engine. The engine will make a lot of noise, a couple of lights will come up on your dashboard, and the engine will eventually stall. Attempting to restart the engine and drive the car will only make matters worse, so when in doubt, you are better off calling for a tow truck.
Another common sign that an engine is blown is white smoke coming out of the tailpipe, usually indicating that the engine is burning coolant, potentially pointing to, in the best-case scenario, a faulty head gasket or, in the worst scenario, a cracked engine block or cylinder head.
Blue exhaust smoke may also indicate that the engine is on the verge of blowing, as it may signal that raw engine oil is entering the combustion chamber, often due to faulty piston rings or a cracked head gasket.
Unusual noises coming from the engine, such as knocking or rattling sounds, can also be a sign of a blown engine. These noises are usually caused by broken internal engine components, and that’s really not good.
How To Fix A Blown Engine
If you suspect that your engine is blown, it’s important to determine whether it can be repaired or if you should just scrap the whole thing and get a new one instead.
Of course, when it comes to engine repairs, it’s important to have a solid understanding of what needs to be fixed and how to go about it. Never attempt any repairs without proper knowledge and preparation, or you could do more harm than good here.
1. Establish What Needs To Be Fixed
To diagnose the blown engine, it is recommended to start with a proper inspection. Check if your timing belt is broken or if the engine overheated before it eventually stalled. If the timing belt is gone, you should expect problems with the pistons and the valves; if the engine overheated, you might have a problem with your cooling system, or your head gasket could be damaged.
Once you have a good idea of what could be the culprit, you can start tearing things apart. Don’t forget that it’s crucial to take a methodical and organized approach while proceeding slowly. Remove the valve cover and intake manifold and check for debris or broken bits.
After that, it’s time to remove the cylinder heads and carefully examine the pistons and combustion chambers. Look for signs of oil or coolant leaks to determine the cause of the blown engine. No need to say that this step is essential since it’s useless to spend hours overhauling your engine only to see it fail again because the initial problem wasn’t fixed.
2. Check The Engine Thoroughly
To ensure that you have thoroughly checked the engine for any damage, it’s important to inspect for cracks in various areas, such as the cylinder head, combustion chambers, pistons, cylinders, and engine block.
While conducting the inspection, be meticulous and try not to overlook anything. Some cracks may not be visible to an untrained eye, and you may need to seek professional assistance at a machine shop, especially if overheating caused the problem (overheating will often warp surfaces, and a machining job will be necessary).
3. Remove the Engine
At this point, disassemble the engine further by removing the crankshaft, connecting rods, and pistons. During this process, it’s crucial to carefully inspect the bearing surfaces for any signs of damage or wear, but at this point, you are better replacing them anyway.
4. Send Damaged Components to a Machining Shop (If Needed)
If the cylinder head or the cylinders are warped, it’s essential to have them machined before re-installing anything. The machining shop hires specialized technicians that will be able to tell you what’s the next step to take and if you’ll need new pistons or valves.
5. Install New Piston Rings
Next, you can begin re-assembling your engine by installing new piston rings onto the pistons and placing the crankshaft bearings into the block. Follow this by adding the crankshaft, rod bearings, and then the pistons and connecting rods.
Don’t forget to follow the manufacturer’s recommended procedure here!
Once these are in place, it’s time to pack the oil pump with petroleum jelly and install it along with the oil pan.
6. Re-Assemble the Engine
This step is crucial in the engine rebuilding process. Begin by inserting the new head gaskets and securely bolting the cylinder heads onto the block. Next, install the camshafts and slide in the new camshaft lifters. Install the valve train, intake and exhaust manifolds, and valve cover.
Once all parts are in place, fill the engine with oil and use a drill and priming shaft to prime the oil pump, or if it’s not accessible, have someone assist you by turning the crankshaft with a wrench. Confirm that oil is pushing through the valve train, indicating that the engine is ready for installation.
After installation, start the engine and check that it’s working properly before using it at full capacity. Congratulations, your rebuilt engine is now ready to run smoothly and efficiently.
Last Words
While knowing how to fix a blown engine is important, preventing it from happening in the first place is even better — and for that, there is nothing better than staying on top of your car’s scheduled service intervals.
Check your oil regularly, especially as your car gets older. Make sure to replace worn-out components as required, and don’t wait until the last minute to fix weird noises. Replace your coolant when it looks dirty, and get your car on ramps every once in a while so you can inspect for leaks and fix problems before they get any worse.
By taking these preventative measures, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of experiencing a blown engine, saving you time and money in the long run. Still, blown engines can still happen, even on the best-maintained vehicle (can’t really tell when a head gasket is about to crack, right?).
Luckily, even a blown engine can be fixed. It won’t necessarily be easy, and it will definitely take a bit of elbow grease, but a blown engine isn’t the end of the world!