No matter what kind of vehicle you drive, the engine is the costliest component to repair. If you wait too long to take care of your engine, you could end up on the wrong end of a costly repair bill.
The best way to care for your engine is to pay careful attention to how it is operating and what is going on beneath the hood. You do not have to be a mechanic to stay vigilant, and you can spot the early warning signs just by driving with your full attention. If you notice any of these signs of poor engine compression, it’s time to call your mechanic right away.
Turning Over Quickly but Failing to Start
You can tell a lot about your engine by how well or poorly your vehicle starts. The engine should turn over right away when you press the button or turn the key, but if the engine has poor compression, the engine may turn over quickly but still fail to start.
Even if the engine eventually starts, you should check with your mechanic. Over time, this issue will get worse, and you do not want to wait for that to happen.
Misfiring
An engine with the proper amount of compression will run smoothly, with no rough idling or misfiring. If your engine is misfiring or backfiring, you should check with your mechanic right away.
Frequent misfires are among the most common signs of poor compression in the engine and often the first ones to appear. If you notice this issue, you should not ignore it, as doing so will make the problem worse.
Running Rough
When you are stopped at a red light, your engine should run smoothly, purring along as you wait for the signal to turn green. If your engine has poor compression, however, you will probably notice that it is running more roughly than it should.
You should never ignore an engine that is running rough, as this is often the first warning sign of poor compression and other pending problems. Over time, this issue will only worsen, so do yourself a favor and call your mechanic immediately.
The Check Engine Light Is On
The check engine light is there for a reason, and you should listen to what it has to say. While this warning light can illuminate for many different reasons, it could be a sign of poor compression in your engine.
If the check engine light is on, it is important to find out why. It could be nothing, or it could be the first warning sign of an imminent engine failure.
Poor compression in your engine is a symptom that should never be ignored. If you catch this problem early, you may be able to salvage the engine function you have left. If not, you could be looking at a costly rebuild or replacement.
