INTRODUCTION :

The engine is a machine. Like any other machine, it wears out through normal use. But during its useful life between the time it is manufactured and the time it is scrapped an engine may have wide variety of troubles. An engine trouble is any disturbance or abnormal condition that affects the working of the engine. The cause of an engine trouble may be in mechanical parts of the engine itself. However, the cause is usually in one or more of the engine support systems or in other engine related systems. These include the exhaust, emissions, starting, and electronics engine control (EEC) systems. Determining the cause of a trouble is troubleshooting or trouble diagnosis. This is the detective work that answers the question what is wrong?, Accurately identifying the cause of a trouble is often the most difficult the part of the job. Sometimes the quickest way to locate cause of a trouble is to make a visual inspection or a simple quick check of the suspected part or the system. During the operation of an engine, its internal parts becomes worn out and the others deteriotates during the service period. It is quite necessary to tune up the engine periodically and bring back everything in the vehicle within its originial operating conditions. Engine tune-up is a procedure to keep an engine mechanically fit and enable it to operate at peak efficency and power.

BASIC RULES OF TROUBLE DIAGNOSIS :

There are basic rules of trouble diagnosis. In general they apply to the troubles in any automotive part of the system. Here are the rules: 1. Know the system . know the parts ,how they work together, and what happens if parts fail to work properly.

2. Learn the service history of the system. How old is it? What kind of treatment has it had?has it been serviced before for the same problem?

3. Learn the history of the complaint. Did the trouble start all at once, or did it come on gradually? Is it related to other conditions such as an accident or a previous service problem?

4. Know the problems. Some happen more often than others.

5. Do not cure the symptom and leave the cause. For example do not just recharge the battery. Find out what made the battery run down in the first place.

6.Get all information possible from the driver. This information may greatly simplify and direct the search for the cause of trouble .

VARIOUS ENGINE TROUBLES :

The troubles encountered in case of IC engines are laid as below : Engine fails to start. Engine cranks slowly but doesnot start. Engine cranks at normal speed but will not start. Engine runs but misses in one cylinder. Engine runs but misses in different cylinders. Engine lacks power, acceleration, or high-speed performance (hot or cold). Engine overheats. Engine idles roughly. Engine stalls cold or as it warms up. Engine stalls after idiling or slow speed driving. Engine stalls after high speed driving. Engine backfires. Engine run-on or dieseling. Excessive HC and CO in exhaust gas. Smoky exhaust. Excessive oil consumption. Low oil pressure. Excessive fuel consumption. Engine noises.

DESCRIPTION:

ENGINE WILL NOT CRANK: If the engine will not crank when starting is attempted, make sure that the automatic-transmission selector lever is in the neutral. With a manual transmission, depress the clutch pedal while trying to start. Check the battery and cables. Causes: Run-down battery. Starting circuit open. Either engine or starting motor jammed. Transmission not in neutral.

Corrections: Recharge or replace the battery. Check for any loose or dirty connections. Remove starting motor and repair.

ENGINE CRANKS SLOWLY BUT WILL NOT START : If the engine cranks slowly but not start then the battery is run-down or there may be some mechanical problems in the starting motor or the engine. Causes: Run-down battery. Defective starting motor. Loose or bad connections in the starting circuit. Defective ignition system and fuel system.

Corrections: Recharge or replace the battery. Check for any loose or dirty connections. Remove starting motor and repair. Replace defective ignition system and fuel system.

ENGINE CRANKS AT NORMAL SPEED BUT WILL NOT START : This trouble arises probably due to faulty fuel or ignition system. On a carburretor, the choke valve may not have closed. If the driver turns the ignition key ON and does not promptly try to start, the electric choke may open fully. Causes : Defective ignition system and fuel system. Air leakage into intake manifold. Defective or restricted exhaust system. Corrections : Repair or replace the defective ignition system. Repair or replace the defective fuel system. Check for any loose or bad connections. Check the defective or restricted exhaust system.

ENGINE RUNS BUT MISSES IN ONE OR ANOTHER CYLINDER : When engine runs but misses one or another cylinder then it is called misfiring or missing. It causes loss of power and engine roughness. A misfiring cylinder may cause steady pulsation or jerking. It is usually noticeable as the engine load increases and less noticeable at higher speeds. An oscilloscope , exhaust gas analyzer and a dynamometer may help to locate the misfiring cylinder. On a carburreted engine, fuel system troubles usually do not causes specific cylinders to miss. However, misfiring will occur if air leaks into an intake port through a leaking gasket, porous casting, loose intake manifold, or leaking vacuum hose. Causes : Defective ignition and fuel system. Defective spark plug, piston or rings. Broken valve spring. Burned valve.

Corrections : Repair or replace the defective ignition system or fuel system. Replace defective spark plug, piston or rings. Replace broken valve spring or burned valve.

ENGINE LACKING POWER, ACCELERATION, OR HIGH SPEED PERFORMANCE :

1. LACKS POWER, HOT OR COLD : This could be due to the fuel system feeding an excessively rich or an excessively lean mixture. A lean mixture could be due to adefective fuel pump, clogged fuel filter, and air leakage into the intake manifold. A rich mixture could be due to worn carburretor jets or leaking fuel injectors. On a carburreted engine, a faukty accelerator pump, main metering system, or power system may be the cause of the trouble. Find out if the engine hesitates or stumbles when the accelerator pedal is depressed, and then runs normally. This indicates that the trouble is probably in the accelerator pump. Carbon deposits , loss of compression, and defective bearings in the engine can rob power from the engine. Also, a restricted exhaust system can prevent normal exahust and intake so the engine lacks performance. In addition, excessive rolling resistance can absorb engine power hold down acceleration and speed.

Causes : Defective ignition system and fuel system. Carbon build up in engine. Worn piston or rings. Restristed exhaust system. Excessive rolling resistance. Poor quality fuel.

Corrections : Repair or replace the defective ignition system or fuel system. Service the engine. Check catalytic converter, muffler, and tail pipe. Replace restricted exhaust system. Use specified quality fuel (correct octane fuel) and oils. 2. ENGINE LACKS POWER ONLY WHEN HOT : This problem occurs mainly when the engine is overheating. The carburretor choke may not be opening. This feeds the engine an excessively rich mixture which burns poorly, causing poor performance. Causes : Overheated engine. Stucking of carburretor choke. Stucking of manifold heat-control valve. Vapour lock.

Corrections : Check cooling system. Repair or replace stucking carburretor choke. Use specified quality fuel to avoid vapour lock.

3. ENGINE LACKS POWER ONLY WHEN COLD : This trouble occurs when the engine reaches the operating temperature slowly which inturn is due to the fact that the carburretor choke may be stuck open. Also it occurs when the manifold heat control valve is not closed, so too little heat enters the intake manifold. The cooling system thermostat may remain open which allows the circulation of coolant between the engine and the radiator even when the engine is cold. This delay engine warmup. Causes : Open stucking of carburretor choke. Open stucking of manifold heat-control valve. Circulation of coolant when engine is cold. Corrections : Check cooling system. Repair or replace stucking carburretor choke. Repair or replace stucking mainfold heat control valve.

ENGINE IDLES ROUGHLY : Rough idle but normal running above idle means the idle speed and mixture may be incorrect. Adjust the idle speed if possible. Causes : Incorrect idle adjustment. Defective fuel injector. PCV or EGR valve stuck open.

Correction : Correct adjustment of idle. Replace defective PCV and EGR valve. Replace defective fuel injector.

ENGINE OVERHEATS : Most overheating is caused by loss of coolant due to leaks in the cooling system. Other includes an inoperative electric fan or loose or broken fan belt and a defective water pump. Late ignition or valve timing, lack of engine oil, and hot climate operation also lead to engine overheating. Causes : Lack of coolant. Late ignition timing. Loose or broken fan belt. Clogged water jackets or radiator core. Defective water pump or radiator hose. Hot climate.

Corrections : Check for leakage of coolant and add coolant if less. Adjust ignition timing. Replace loose or broken fan belt. Flush and clean clogged water jacket or radiator core. Replace defective water pump or radiator hose. In hot climate operation, keep radiator filled.