Just like last time, the team at Christian Brothers Automotive is here to break down three more of the most common engine problems and their possible causes.

1. Your Car’s Engine is Leaking

Have you been here before: you pull out of your driveway or parking space and notice some wet spots where your vehicle was once parked? While this can certainly be caused by using your AC at full blast on a hot day, darker, more permanent spots and other signs of leaking oil can be a cause of concern for your vehicle’s health.

While any car leak is bad, an engine leak is the worst. As oil begins to drain away, your engine will have difficulty staying lubricated and working efficiently.

Having a professional auto mechanic inspect and repair the problem as soon as possible is your best bet at getting back on the road sooner rather than later!

What Causes Engine Leaks?

More often than not, your car’s engine leak will be caused by degraded gaskets, seals, or bad connections related to the pan, filter, or lines.

While checking underneath your car can let you know the cause, the repairs are often a bit complicated. Our auto experts can identify and repair any leak they find.

2. Your Car’s Engine is Making Loud Noises

While humming, vibrating, and some noises are expected out of your engine during start-up, acceleration, and regular operation, any excessive whining, screeching, roaring, or excessive vibration coming from your vehicle’s engine needs to be inspected as soon as possible.

Some reasons why your car’s engine is being louder than normal include:

• Worn engine mounts, causing the engine to move more freely under the hood
• The engine is low on oil, possibly due to a leak (or even oil consumption in some makes)
• Transmission that is worn and needs to be serviced

Whenever your engine sounds off or louder than normal, be sure to bring it to a local auto mechanic for help identifying the cause and providing a long-lasting solution.

3. Your Car’s Engine is Smoking

If you see smoke coming from your engine, it’s most often when your car is overheating or when oil is leaking and dripping onto a component that is hot. Whether coming from the exhaust or directly under the hood, at the first sign of smoke it’s vital to pull over and turn off the engine. This can help cool the vehicle down, reduce conditions that lead to fire, and prevent continued damage.

Some reasons why your car’s engine may be smoking include:

• Cracked engine block, damaged head gasket, or other oil leak
• Faulty ignition
• Damaged radiator or faulty cooling system component
• Worn fuel injector
• Damaged fuel pressure regulator
• Worn spark plugs
• Burnt electrical wiring
• Damaged fuel pressure regulator
• Other fluid leak

While there are many reasons why your engine may be smoking, it’s always best to seek out professional help as soon as possible and limit the amount of driving done. The team at Christian Brothers Automotive can help you recover from this and the other common engine problems to get you back on the road!

Locate your nearest CBA shop and give them a call to schedule your next appointment.

This blog was written in February 2016, and updated in August 2023, to reflect current industry standards and best practices.