What To Know About Engines

How do engine diagnostics work?

Since 1996, every vehicle that is built to be sold in the United States must have the OBD-II System. The OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) System is a device that detects problems in your engine. The system was put in place to help control vehicle emissions. Basically, this system can detect and inform the driver of malfunctions in the engine. It will send a message to your engine’s ECM (Engine Control Module) computer system. The ECM is in charge of controlling many of your engine’s processes including air/fuel mixture and emissions. The ECM System keeps your engine running efficiently while keeping emissions low. The ECM uses sensors to monitor your engine, adjust emissions, and/or engine timing when necessary; it will inform the driver when something is wrong with the vehicle by triggering your “check engine” light on your dashboard. If your OBD-II System detects a problem, it will record and store the corresponding code for the problem, which can be accessed by a technician. A trained technician can hook up his/her computer to your ECM System to receive the error code and diagnose the problem. The OBD System makes it much easier for a technician to determine what is actually wrong with your engine.

Why do engine diagnostics need to be performed?

Engine diagnostics keep your engine running efficiently. The OBD-II System can detect problems before they damage your engine or hurt its performance. These diagnostics will detect problems and turn on your “check engine” light. If your “check engine” light stays on, you have a problem with your engine, and it should be checked. These diagnostics will let you take care of problems early and help you save money. The diagnostics will also keep your vehicle running efficiently and keep your vehicle’s emissions low. If you ignore your “check engine” light, you can be damaging your engine. Also, your vehicle may not pass emissions tests when this light is on.

When do engine diagnostics need to be per formed?

Again, since 1996, all vehicles built to be sold in the United States have on-board diagnostics that monitor engine’s performance and inform drivers of problems. Your vehicle basically monitors and diagnoses its own performance. However, you can purchase your own computer or scanner to check for problems with your engine. These are the same scanners that technicians use to receive and diagnose problems stored by your OBD-II System. You can purchase one of these scanners and periodically check your engine’s performance, or you can rely on your OBD-II System and have your vehicle inspected by a trained technician whenever your “check engine” light comes on.

What is an engine tune-up?

As our engines have changed over time, so have our engine tune-ups. In the past, it was necessary to check and change many more parts. Today, engine tune-ups include checking, diagnosing, and replacing bad spark plugs, spark plug wires, distributor caps, fuel filters, air filters, and oil filters. Tune-ups can also include checking emission levels, fuel lines, wiring, coolant hoses, and serpentine belts. Checking items such as ignition contact points, ignition timing, carburetors, and condensers aren’t included anymore because today’s vehicles include electronic ignitions as well as computers that automatically adjust engine timing when necessary. These tune-ups keep your engine running as efficiently as possible and prevent early breakdown. Regular tune-ups will also extend the life of your vehicle.

Why do I need an engine tune-up?

If regular maintenance and inspection isn’t performed on your engine, your vehicle may not be operating as reliably or efficiently as it should. A well-tuned engine operates at maximum performance levels. During a tune-up, engine parts that affect performance are checked and replaced. Spark plugs create an electrical spark that ignites the gasoline/air mixture in your engine. They create, and must be able to withstand, a tremendous amount of voltage and heat. If your engine’s spark plugs aren’t working properly, your engine can stall and may not even start. Spark plug wires are also very important. They have to be able to transfer and withstand the voltage created by the spark plug. If they are old, they can burn out and cause a misfire. Fuel and air filters are two more items that are checked during an engine tune-up. These two items affect engine performance and gas mileage. Fuel filters help protect your engine’s fuel system. They trap dirt and other debris in your fuel and don’t allow them to reach your engine. Over time, a fuel filter will clog and won’t allow fuel to flow freely. This can lead to poor acceleration and poor engine performance. Engines also require a free flow of clean air to operate. Outside air travels through the air filter and mixes with your vehicle’s fuel to power your engine. Air filters trap the dirt and other debris from the outside air. As with fuel filters, air filters can clog over time. A dirty air filter can cause your vehicle to lose up to 20 horsepower, while making your engine work harder, since it restricts airflow. A dirty air filter will also reduce your gas mileage. Your engine requires the exact amount of air and fuel, but with decreased airflow there is less air mixing with your vehicle’s fuel; therefore, your engine uses more fuel to compensate.

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