Essay on Petrol Engine Problems and Solutions: Detailed Analysis

This essay comprehensively examines the prevalent issues encountered in petrol engines, focusing on three primary problems: engine overheating, failure to start, and the presence of engine smoke. It explores the causes behind each issue, such as low coolant levels leading to overheating, which can be exacerbated by factors like dirty air filters and faulty thermostats. The essay also delves into starting failures, attributing them to issues like clogged fuel filters, defective fuel pumps, and battery problems. Furthermore, it analyzes the different colors of engine smoke (white, black, grey, and blue), linking them to specific underlying problems like coolant leaks, faulty fuel pressure regulators, or turbocharger issues. The solutions provided include turning off the air conditioning and turning the heater up to full to address overheating; checking the battery and ignition or fuel systems for starting failures; and identifying the specific cause of engine smoke based on its color. The essay emphasizes the importance of proper maintenance and timely intervention to prevent and resolve these common petrol engine problems, ultimately promoting better car performance and longevity.

Running Head: ESSAY ON PETROL ENGINE
Problems and Solutions Essay on Petrol Engine
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PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS ESSAY ON PETROL ENGINE 2
Problems and Solutions Essay on Petrol Engine
Regardless of the model, make, mileage, or age, occasional petrol engine problems are an
inevitable part of the car ownership. Despite frequent and proper maintenance may help in
reducing the need for car engine repairs, it is not guaranteed that a car will not break down are a
result of problems with the petrol engine (Zhao, 2010). As a car accumulates miles the
probability of engine problems increases. The three problems facing the petrol engine include
overheating of the engine, failure of the engine to start, and engine smoke (AURT201170A,
2017).
One of the major problem faced by the car engine is the overheating which is caused by a
low coolant level. Some of the common causes of overheating in petrol engine include dirty air
filter, defective radiator cap, internal or external coolant leak, kinked or broken radiator hose,
non-functioning cooling fan, and also faulty thermostat. Majority of cars are equipped with
warning lights or temperature gauges which will alert the driver in case there is an overheating
problem (KUMAR, 2011). Proper maintenance of the cooling system is critical so as to maintain
the coolant quality and also to ensure that the system of cooling is a proper condition of
operation. The maintenance of some parts such as air filter is normally disregarded but can have
a critical impact on the performance and drivability of the car entirely (Singh, 2014).
Failure of the engine to start is also another problem that is normally faced in many cars
that use petrol engine. Some of the common reasons why a petrol engine may fail to start include
clogged fuel filter, defective fuel pump, ignition switch failure, starter motor relay failure,
corroded or lose battery, and also low or discharged battery. This is one of the most common
types of engine problems and the majority of the car owners have experienced the sinking feeling

PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS ESSAY ON PETROL ENGINE 3
of the petrol engine not responding as expected on startup (Isermann, 2011). When the petrol
engine clicks but fails to crack, there is a need to check the battery problem. However, in case
there is a crack and still no start, this indicates that the problem is likely to be caused by ignition
or fuel issue. Some of the reasons why the spark may be weak or nonexistence include if the
spark occurs either too early or too late in the cycle, if the wire is missing or is cur or if the spark
plug of the wire leading to it is worn out (Rakopoulos, 2009).
The last problem faced by the petrol engine is the engine smoke. A smoky engine
portrays something about the petrol engine. In case the engine begins to smoke, there is
something that not quite right and this needs to be investigated further. Engine smoke can be
white, black, grey, or blue depending on the cause of the problem. Dirty black smoke could be as
a result clogged air filter (Hiereth, 2013). This may indicate faulty fuel pressure regulators,
sensor, or some problem with the fuel ejectors. Thicker plumes of white smoke are menacing
compared to wispy vapours or white smoke are must be investigated as soon as possible. The
engine is likely to be burning coolant caused by a damage to the cylinder head, a brow head
gasket, or a cracked engine block. Grey engine smoke can be a sign of the car having a faulty
turbocharger or burning oil. There could be a fault with the transmission vacuum modulator or
transmission fluid burning up indie the petrol engine (Dange, 2014).
Ross Hoag stated that “Almost all UAV development programs have gone through episodes of
“mysterious” in-flight engine failures. Many of these engines are recovered and put on the test
bench where they start and run perfectly. Typically the problem is related to an inadequate fuel
delivery (pump/pickup/header) system and in many of those instances the root of the problem is
the fuel pump itself.” (Fayette, 2014)

PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS ESSAY ON PETROL ENGINE 4
The problem of overheating of petrol engine can be solved by first killing the air
conditioning since the air conditioners function by the means of a compressor which in turn takes
its power from the engine. When the air conditioning is turned off, the additional load is taken
off so as to reduce the workload of the engine. The next step is to turn the heater up to full. The
heater possesses a core with its own fan, and this will draw heat away from the engine and into
the primary car cabin (Ganesan, 2009). Finally, the car should be pulled over and the engine shut
down completely and then opening the bonnet to enable further cooling. The operator should not
attempt to remove the radiator cap when the engine is still hot. This is a pressurized system and
scolding hot water may erupt from the radiator and provide a very nasty burn (Dhillon, 2012)
The problem of the engine not starting can be solved by first checking the battery.
This problem is normally caused by discharged or low battery, loose or corroded battery cables.
The battery can be recharged of jump-starting the discharged battery using another car battery by
connecting the two battery is parallel by booster cables attached to another car. Loose or
corroded battery cables can be solved by replacing them with new ones or tightening the loose
contacts of the cables (GUPTA, 2012). Some of the signs of the faulty battery include engine not
firing, clicking of battery, and dim interior lights. Older batteries can also have the signs of
corrosion on the terminals of the battery, and they may need some cleaning. This can be done by
mixing a tablespoon of baking soda with a pint of water and then using the mixture to clean the
terminals by the use of the toothbrush. In case there is a crack and still no start, then the problem
is not caused by the battery but rather the ignition or fuel problem (Faiz, 2011)
In the book (AURT201170A, 2017), “Engine knocking (also called detonation) is a sudden blow
on the piston just like a hammering. Knocking occurs due to localized ignition inside the

PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS ESSAY ON PETROL ENGINE 5
combustion chamber. This can be explained thus: at the end of the compression stroke the
sparkplug gives electric spark to initiate ignition of the air fuel charge” (AURT201170A, 2017).
The last problem faced by the petrol engine which is engine smoke can be solved
depending on the colour of the engine smoke produced. The blue engine smoke normally
indicates the turbo requires attention, and there is a need of replacing of repairing it (Yan, 2015).
The grey engine smoke indicates that there is a problem with the transmission vacuum modulator
or transmission fluid burning inside the engine, or the crankcase ventilation valve has stuck.
There is need of taking the car to the mechanic for replacement of these components. The white
engine smoke in the exhaust system with thicker plumes can be solved by avoiding overfilling
the engine with oil which can result in white smoke which the fuel pours out of the tailpipe
(Fayette, 2014)
Conclusion
The three problems facing the petrol engine include overheating of the engine, failure of the
engine to start, and engine smoke. The problem of overheating of petrol engine can be solved by
first killing the air conditioning since the air conditioners function by the means of a compressor
which in turn takes its power from the engine. The problem of the engine not starting can be
solved by first checking the battery. This problem is normally caused by discharged or low
battery, loose or corroded battery cables.

PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS ESSAY ON PETROL ENGINE 6
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