You really don’t want to mess around when you have something going awry with your engine. The engine is the heart of the vehicle and is critical to its overall operation. When you have a faulty engine, you have a major problem. Engine repairs can be costly, especially when an issue has been allowed to progress and hasn’t been attended to. You may find engine flaws over time that lead to necessary engine repairs with many European automobiles. It’s necessary to complete engine diagnostics and repairs as soon as you notice a problem.
Regardless of whether your automobile is primarily a family car or whether you are a weekend-at-the-track driver, you should spend some time to get to know engine-related issues for your specific brand and model. This way, you can be preemptive in addressing any issue with your engine before it becomes an expensive problem.
Experienced Technicians in Raleigh
Our professional, experienced technicians at Triangle Imports are prepared to work on your European auto when there are engine repairs needed, whether small or large. When it comes to engine maintenance and repairs, drivers have been able to count on our team for over 20 years. Our service is precise and detailed to ensure that you are safe and that your automobile performs at its optimum. Our team members have extensive dealership experience and are fully certified to industry standards so you are assured a quality repair.
European Automobiles Serviced at Triangle Imports
Here are the European automobiles that we service:
- Acura
- Audi
- BMW
- Jaguar
- Infiniti
- Lexus
- Mercedes-Benz
- Mini Cooper
- Porsche
- Range Rover
- Subaru
- Toyota
- Volkswagen
Six Common Symptoms
If you notice any of these six symptoms, you may need engine repair and should contact our specialists immediately:
Oil Leak
Oil is necessary for a healthy engine. Losing oil can be catastrophic to an engine because you then have metal-on-metal friction. If there is an increase in friction inside the engine, it results in a huge jump in the deterioration of the moving parts. This quickly leads to the need for engine service.
Metal in Oil
A clear indicator of internal engine trouble is metal flakes in the engine oil that can be seen as oil is drained during an oil change. This means that there is excessive friction occurring between the parts, which can cause extreme damage if not addressed quickly.
Oil Burning
Vehicles will usually consume engine oil as they get older, so burning oil can be a pretty common thing with a lot of cars that have some age and higher mileage. But, it becomes a bigger problem when the car isn’t very old or when it is ignored. Burning oil can do major damage to the car’s engine, resulting in perhaps the need to completely replace the engine. Some of the causes of burning oil can include worn valve stems, leaking valve guides and seals, leaking head gaskets, and piston rings that aren’t sealing. These issues allow oil to move into combustion chambers and then burn. When you suspect that your car is burning oil, take it to an experienced technician before you incur a very expensive fix.
Knocking Noise
A knocking noise underneath the hood that rises and falls in conjunction with RPMs can often be traced to failing engine bearings. Bearings support the motion of many of the moving parts in the engine. When the bearings fail, it’s usually due to either a lack of lubrication or general wear and tear. Failing bearings can cause the engine to seize, which equates to a major engine repair or rebuild.
Decreased Performance/MPG Drop
Decreased performance and/or a drop in the MPGs means there are performance issues under the hood. There are numerous things that can cause a drop in MPGs, such as a failed sensor, corroded spark plugs, or a clogged air filter. Other symptoms such as hard starting, a rough idle, or trouble accelerating also indicate there is a problem in the performance of the vehicle. Be sure to have an experienced technician check your systems out before a problem gets worse.
Check Engine Light
The check engine light is a clear indicator that your engine is having trouble. This light can represent many different problems–some are small when they start but grow into major problems if left unchecked. Don’t hesitate to make a trip to a professional technician for diagnosis!
Common Engine Problems
Generally speaking, there are some common engine problems that you might encounter with European vehicles. We wanted to highlight a few so you can be more educated about these engine issues. However, be aware that there can be specific engine issues with specific brands and models. Please refer to our pages for Audi and BMW engine repairs for more information on these two brands.
Failing cooling systems
A failing cooling system results from a faulty thermostat and water pumps. If you notice a “service engine” light, your car could be running too hot. A cooling system failure can result in a complete engine replacement if it isn’t dealt with in a timely manner.
Faulty fuel pumps
When your car has a fuel pump that needs to be replaced, you will experience poor engine performance, choppy idling, and decreased torque. This project requires several miscellaneous parts along with the pump itself.
Timing chains and belts
Some European cars, like the BMW F10 5 series models, have timing chains that can abruptly snap. When this happens, you are stranded. To avoid this inconvenience, we recommend that you have your timing chain inspected for any signs of wear.
Turbo failures
If you have an auto that came equipped with turbo options, you may experience failure at some point. Loss of power or rattling sounds can indicate that the turbo needs to be replaced.
Failing ignition coils
Some European brands can have the ignition coils fail when the spark plugs are not changed out frequently enough. If you notice decreased fuel efficiency, engine misfiring and stalling, difficulty starting, and engine vibration, your engine coils could be going bad. Avoid costly engine damage by having the vehicle inspected by an expert immediately.
Leaking valve cover gaskets
Leaking valve cover gaskets can produce a burning oil smell, cause your engine to run rough and misfire, and leak oil. When the valve cover gasket is cracked or worn out, compressed heat from beneath the valve cover escapes. When this happens while the engine is running, excessive oil can drip onto the cylinder head.
Failing water pumps
A water pump that is failing can cause your engine to overheat, coolant leaks, high-pitched whining sounds, or steam coming from the radiator. Flawed belt tensioners can cause water pump failure. Whatever the cause is, you should have your car inspected by an engine technician to avoid being stranded and a costly repair.
Catalytic converter failure
A failing catalytic converter can cause a foul odor to come from the engine, black smoke from the exhaust, or failure of an emissions test. Your catalytic converter should last for the lifetime of the vehicle if you maintain the engine properly.
Contact Us!
The team at Triangle Imports is experienced in diagnosing and working on engine repairs with your European automobile. Schedule a checkup at Triangle Imports in Raleigh by calling (919) 828-7900 or by completing the contact form.
