Engine Repair Services in El Paso
Without an engine, a car is just an empty vessel. When yours fails or is damaged in a collision, the certified technicians at Sergio Lewis Body Shop can help.
What Causes Engine Failure?
When your car’s engine fails, it can place a huge roadblock in your life. Some of the most common causes of engine failure include:
- Overheating
- Wear and tear from extensive use
- Lack of engine lubrication (such as a lack of oil or failure to change your oil regularly). This can also be caused by ignoring oil leaks and the check engine light.
- Detonation or abnormal combustion (though not as common as other causes)
- Driving through flooding or during heavy rains
- Not flushing the cooling system regularly
What Can Cause Engine Damage?
In addition to the threat of engine failure, drivers may also have to deal with engine damage from collisions. Collisions to the front of the car, whether a serious accident or a minor fender bender, can cause significant damage to your engine. You’ll want a trustworthy engine repair technician to take care of the damage for you.
What Does the Engine Repair Process and Timeline Look Like?
The engine repair process is pretty standard, though the specifics may differ depending on the brand of the engine (i.e. BMW, Ford, Chevy). The process, which often coincides with our collision repair process, may look a little like this:
- We’ll analyze the situation, diagnose the problem, and prepare an estimate (in terms of time and money).
- We’ll disassemble your vehicle to repair internal damage and order and replace any damaged parts.
- During this phase we’ll repair your engine. This could have us fixing any damages to the engine or replacing it altogether depending on the damage done.
- After, we’ll reassemble your vehicle and add finishing touches, such as paint repair and sanding.
- Your vehicle will be returned to you restored according to industry standards.
How to Know if You Have a Problem With Your Engine
Sometimes our cars make funny noises or do silly things and we think there’s something wrong, but this isn’t always the case. However, if you were recently in a collision and think your engine might have not been noticeably damaged, here are some of the most important telltale signs to look out for based on your senses:
Smell – Some smells to look out for include a continuous scent of sulfur, a sweet smell (which could indicate a coolant leak or that your car is overheating), a metallic smell, a chemical smell, and burnt toast, which is a strong indicator of an electrical short within your engine.
Sight – If your engine smokes while you’re driving, it’s important to pull over right away and call for a tow truck because this is a sign of overheating and continuing to drive your vehicle can not only damage your engine, but can be dangerous as well. If your car is leaking significantly, check the puddles. If you notice a bright orange, pastel blue, or yellow-green color, you may have an antifreeze leak. When the puddle is dark brown or black, it usually indicates an oil leak, and if it’s red, you may have a power steering leak. Lastly, if you notice a clear puddle, it’s usually nothing to worry about. This is typically a sign of excess condensation.
Sound – There are many sounds that indicate an issue with your engine as well. These include loud screeching, clanking, knocking, and pinging. You should also be wary of clicking and rumbling.
Touch – Some warning signs of engine trouble include loose brakes, poor acceleration, difficulty turning your car on, and excessive oil consumption.
If you suspect your engine needs to be repaired, don’t hesitate to call us. We specialize in engine repair, especially after a collision, and can help you today!
