Top 4 Car Repair Problems And How To Recognize The Symptoms
If you don't know anything about car repair, common automotive problems can seem like a really big deal. It can be pretty scary when you're car won't start, or it overheats, or you've got strange lights and noises going on. But don't worry; these common problems don't require major car repair. Just be on the lookout for these warning signs, and take it to get looked at when you need to.
1. The Check Engine Light
It can be a little disturbing when you're driving and the check engine light keeps coming on and going off. It's supposed to give you an indication that something's wrong,
but more often than not it's an indication of faulty wiring and no car repair is necessary. The only trouble with that is, if there is a serious problem, you'll ignore the light when it comes on. In general, if it seems to have a mind of its own, it's probably bad wiring. If it comes on and you notice something else wrong with the car, then it's time to get it looked at. In either case, get it looked at next time you've got your car at the mechanic's.
2. Leaky Water Pump
If your vehicle is leaking some kind of fluid, it can be pretty scary. The most common leak you find in cars is the water pump. Water pumps just can't take the strain we put on our cars these days. One way to tell if it's the water pump is to put paper under the car overnight, and check in the morning. If the leaky stuff is green, this means that it's coolant that's leaking from your water pump. Water pumps have to be replaced occasionally, usually around every 100,000 miles, so expect to get yours replaced at some point.
3. Your Engine Won't Start
You crank it and just get a little clicking sound - This means you've got something wrong with your fuel or ignition. Unfortunately, there could be lots of different reasons why your vehicle won't start, including low batter, clogged fuel filter, defective fuel pump or an ignition switch that doesn't work. This is when you'll need somebody who knows about car repair to have a look and make an assessment. None of these things means the death of your vehicle; they're all problems that can be pretty easily fixed.
4. White Smoke And Overheating
Overheating is a common problem for many types of vehicles. The most common cause is low coolant level; make sure you've got enough coolant in there. You might also have trouble with a dirty air filter or a broken fan which isn't keeping everything cooled down like it's supposed to. The problem may even be a broken thermostat which doesn't tell you you're in danger until it's already blown its top. Check the coolant first, and if that's not a problem, see if the coolant might be leaking. This is another issue that can be solved with some simple car repair.
Look out for these problems and call the car repair specialists if you need to. Remember that all of these are minor problems so don't panic. Get them taken care of as soon as possible.
