Make sure your cherished Chevy stays as more than just a conversation piece by maintaining the engine. There are several indicators that point towards potential or already happening damage to your engine. Keep your eye out for any of these signs, as catching an issue early can save on time, money, and the life of your vehicle in the long run. If you spot any of these 6 symptoms of engine damage, schedule an appointment at an authorized Chevy dealership right away and one of our skilled service technicians will be available to further investigate the issue.
6. A FLASHING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT
If you're like most people, you probably depend on your dashboard lights and alerts to let you know when something is amiss. Typically the problems alerted aren't a big deal, but there can be exceptions. If your Check Engine Light is blinking the problem could be serious. Problems might include the mass airflow sensor, the catalytic converter or spark plugs to name a few. We recommend for safety to pull to the side of the road as soon as you are able to and call a tow truck. Then call our Chevy certified dealership to schedule service and find out the source of the problem.
5. THE ENGINE SOUNDS "OFF"
Listening to your engine regularly can help you determine if something sounds "off". Anything from popping, stuttering, or knocking are cause for an immediate appointment. You're better safe than sorry; schedule an appointment if something doesn't sound right. As the driver of your vehicle, you know when something sounds normal versus something sounding a little bit wrong.
4. DECREASED PERFORMANCE
Your Chevy should be responsive to the gas pedal. If you push down on the pedal and it doesn't respond or takes a while, there could be trouble. Stalling could also happen a lot more frequently. If you happen to drive a standard transmission, check and make sure you haven't put your Chevy in too high a gear by mistake before assuming engine issues.
3. BAD CABIN SMELL
All the smells in your cabin might not be signs of instant alarm. Sometimes our daily snack falls between the seats, or mildew might be the source of the issue. Now if the stench is closer to gas or oil inside the vehicle, and you know it's not coming from outside, this could certainly be cause for concern. Not only are these signs of an engine issue, but breathing in hazardous emissions is bad for your health.
2. THE OIL IS LEAKING
Oil leaks do not exclusively mean engine damage, but can cause problems all their own. If you're spotting a few drops whenever you park, it is a good idea to have your car checked out, but it is not an immediate indication of engine issues. If you see a major leak via a puddle, or through inexplicably low oil levels, the engine is likely having problems.
1. YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
Anytime your engine overheats this is cause for concern. Your Chevy is equipped with a cooling system to keep the heat from your internal combustion engine away from the engine itself. You don't want the engine getting too hot or it could start to warp. You need to pull off immediately if your engine temperature light turns on or if you see the temperature gauge getting too high. Do not drive your vehicle again until it gets checked out. Driving it again could cause damage beyond repair, especially if you did not notice the overheating in time and the engine has started to warp.
Contact
2855 Maple Ave Ne
2855 Maple Ave Ne
Salem, OR 97301
- Contact: (503) 877-2943