Blown Engine – What Happens When a Car Engine Blows? A Blown Engine is an engine that is totally damaged and needs to be replaced or completely rebuilt. The damage is so extensive, thereby affecting the majority of the engine parts.
However, the damage can be that of a cracked block, destroyed pistons, or damaged intake and exhaust valves. What actually causes an engine to blow? What are the symptoms? How do I prevent, or Fix it? To find the answers to these questions, I encourage you to read to the end.
Blown Engine
A blown engine happens when a broken valve hits a hole through the top of a piston. Then, the pressurized oil will escape out through the top of the piston and gets out through an exhaust valve.
Also, it can happen when a connecting rod, a part that connects a piston punches a hole and leaves substantial damage to your car’s engine. However, It is one of the most expensive repairs one can deal with as a car owner.
Causes of Blown Engine
There are lots of factors out there that can cause an engine to blow.
For example, running an engine out of oil will cause it to blow. Running an engine at high speeds and excessive revolutions per minute (RPMs) for an extended period can also cause engine failure.
However, most times a blown engine is the result of overheating. You can also experience it if there is a serious coolant leak.
Symptoms of a Blown Engine
It is important to know the symptoms your car exhibits when engine problems start unfolding. Lots of issues can cause similar problems and because your vehicle may have one or more of these symptoms, it doesn’t mean that the engine is blown but you should still check out these signs when they land your way.
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Excessive Smoke
If your vehicle starts oozing out white, black, and blue smoke, then it is one of the signs of a blown engine. You need to get this fixed as soon as possible.
Blue smoke: blue exhaust smoke is a sign that natural engine oil is being released into the combustion chamber.
White exhaust smoke: this could be a sign that water or engine coolant is entering the combustion chamber.
Black Smoke: when you see black smoke that lingers in the air coming out of your car’s tailpipe when the engine warms up, then maybe the air filter is clogged up. The air filter should be replaced before it gets worse.
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Engine Won’t Start
If your car’s engine won’t start, then it could be a result of overheating or a physical deficiency in the engine that can lead to your car’s engine blowing.
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Suspicious noises
If you spend much time with your vehicle you will probably be attuned to the sound your car makes and will surely know when the vehicle sounds different. These noises will serve as a sign when your engine is blown.
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Check engine light
The warning light will always be triggered by your vehicle’s electronic control unit in case there is an issue involving the engine.
How to Prevent a Blown Engine
The best way to prevent your engine from blowing is to ensure proper maintenance of your car. Always operate your car within its recommended ranges and avoid high RPM revving and increased periods of high-speed driving.
However, servicing your car regularly and replacing your car’s engine oil, oil filter, air filter, coolant, and plugs are also key to your car’s engine longevity.
How to Fix a Blown Engine
Here are some guides to follow when fixing a blown engine.
- Run proper diagnosis, to know what’s to be fixed
- Check for any crack in many parts of the engine and don’t just assume your car’s engine is fine if you don’t see any broken parts. A professional technician in a workshop may be able to see the invisible cracks.
- Take out the rods, crankshaft, and pistons from the engine.
- Then, install the new piston ring on the pistons.
- Install the crankshaft bearings into the block
- Install the crankshaft, the rod bearing then the pistons on the connecting rods. Then fill the oil pump with petroleum jelly then install it and the oil pan.
- Next, insert the new head gasket and latch the head on the block.
- Slide the current camshaft lifter in place.
- Install the camshaft into the cylinder heads then install the valve train onto the head compartment.
- Make sure that everything is in place. Lastly, fill the engine with oil using a drill and priming shaft to pump the oil.
These are steps to fix a blown engine
Frequently Asked Questions on Blown Engine
Here are some FAQs on blown engines;
- What happens when an engine is blown?
A blown engine will cause a car from starting. It will not start but may run erratically, often making strange metallic or knocking noises. Also, a blown engine can produce excess noise, smoke, and vibration when it is revved.
- Can you fix a blown engine?
It mostly depends on the extent of the damage to the engine. For instance, a blown head gasket can be fixed, but the cost will be overwhelming to fix. The best thing to do if you have engine issues is to take it to a repair shop.
