A cracked block engine is not an often sight to see, but to those that it happens, it is a nightmare. For this to happen, a lot of processes need to happen, and you can prevent the worst. But if it is too late, you need to know for sure what you are dealing with.
So, what are the signs of the cracked engine block? If you often see that the engine temperature is going into the red, you see colored exhaust smoke, or there is a problem with oil leaks, you may have a cracked engine block.
But is that all? No, and from this article, you will learn what are all the signs of engine block crack and what can cause it. We will also cover all the questions that are often mixed with this major car problem. Keep reading!
What is an Engine Block?
An engine block is the largest and heaviest part of the engine. The main parts of an engine are cylinders, con rods, pistons, and a crankshaft. Materials used for making engine blocks are aluminum alloy or gray cast iron.
We don’t see it, but there is a lot of movement under the hood. The crankshaft spins, pistons move up and down in the cylinder bores, and that is fired up by the fuel combustion.
The first thing that you notice when you lift the hood is the heads of the cylinders. They are bolted on top of the engine block. The block is made of spark plugs, valves, inlets, and camshafts.
Underneath all this is the engine block. The head gasket is responsible for the seal between a cylinder and an engine block. An engine block and the cylinders have channels for lubricants, oils, and coolants to circulate. That way the whole system is kept clean and cool.
Symptoms of Cracked Engine Block
There are several signs of a cracked engine block. Most of them are easy to notice, but still, pay attention to any of these. Sometimes if you notice something, you can avoid a much bigger problem.
Visible Engine Smoke
If you notice a blueish or black smoke coming out of the engine, that is one of the cracked engine block signs. A crack that allows the release of combustion gasses out of the engine is a big problem.
When an engine is this much in trouble, a big downgrade in performance will follow the smoke. When this happens, you will know that you are in trouble. Stop the car immediately and seek help from a mechanic.
Low Oil Levels Or Dirty Oil
A cracked engine can cause an oil leak. If you notice a puddle of oil under your car, that can point out the problem with an oil filter, drain plug, or other parts of the oil flow system. Driving a car with low oil levels, in most cases, leads to engine overheating. You should check the oil level regularly.
If you, when checking oil levels, notice that the oil is dirty, that can be a symptom of larger problems. Dirty oil is attributed to oil that has contact with carbon or other particles inside the engine. If left unchecked, that will result in oil thickening and turning into sludge.
Oil and antifreeze mixing
There are channels for flowing both the oil and the antifreeze. If either of these channels is damaged, that will lead to the mixing of these two fluids.
If the antifreeze mixes with oil, that means that the crack is big enough for the antifreeze to get through to the oil channels. Oil contaminated with antifreeze has an odd smell, followed by visible smoke coming out of the exhaust.
ProTip: If you notice that there is an oil and coolant mix, that is usually the result of the blown head gasket.
Frozen Coolant in the Radiator
If the coolant mix is frozen inside the radiator, it will, in most cases, break the radiator. But in severe conditions, it can lead to engine block cracks. The cooling system of the engine is essential for the proper engine condition, so keep an eye on the coolant.
Poor Engine Performance
If the car has low oil and coolant levels and problems with overheating, that will lower the overall performance. A crack in the cylinder will also impact the performance. It will also trigger a check engine light on the dashboard.
Some of these problems would also put a car into a “limp mode”. That means that less important systems in the car will be turned off, and engine performance will be lowered.
Check Out How Do I Know If My Engine Block Is Cracked: Don’t Ignore These Signs:
What Causes an Engine Block to Crack
Engine Overeating
You may notice this information frequently, but there is an engine temperature gauge on your dashboard. That gauge is connected to the coolant temperature sensor. That way you can monitor the temperature of the engine in real-time.
The needle in the gauge rises with the temperature. The temperature itself rises differently depending on the outside conditions. Also, the driving style impacts how fast the engine will warm up. In winter, the needle may start to rise after 10 minutes or so. On long summer days, that happens after a minute or two.
The needle in normal conditions should not pass over 60% of the scale. If you notice that it is coming into the red zone too often, it is time to visit a mechanic.
Common problems attributed to engine overheating are problems with coolant, oil levels, or head gasket.
Not Enough Antifreeze
If there is not enough antifreeze in the system that can point to a coolant leak. If you notice a couple of drops of cooling liquid or even a puddle under your vehicle, you can be in trouble.
Driving with a low coolant level can cause creating hot spots in the engine. Those hot spots can make an engine block crack.
Leaking Oil or Coolant
If you notice oil or coolant leaks that will cause everyday problems for your engine. Without adequate levels of oil and coolant, the engine will not have enough lubricant and will overheat. Those problems will eventually lead to constant overheating and, in some cases, to cracked engine blocks.
Coolant Issues
Coolant issues are almost always connected to a coolant leak. Antifreeze can leak from several weak spots in the system. Usually, the problems are with the rubber hose, the water pump, the radiator, or on the clamps.
It is important to check the coolant level, and if you notice that it is low, visit a mechanic as soon as possible. That way, you can prevent further damage and very expensive engine repairs. Also, always keep an eye on the engine temperature. High engine temperature can warn you of low coolant levels.
How Does an Engine Block Work
The engine block contains major components of the engine, such as cylinders, pistons, and a crankshaft. There is a lot of friction going on inside the engine, which produces heat. An engine block transfers the heat into the atmosphere and onto the coolant.
When the engine is on, a lot of movement is needed to keep the car going. The pistons are moving up and down the cylinder bores, and the crankshaft constantly spins. Those spins can go from 400 revolutions per minute (RPM) to more than 1,000 RPM.
To be able to support all that heat and friction, there are channels for coolant and oil fluids. Those fluids keep engine heat under control and allow the whole system to be lubricated.
Check Out How a Car Engine Works:
How to Fix a Cracked Engine Block
There are several ways to fix a cracked engine block, and we will point out those that showed the best results:
- Welding – an engine block is made from one piece. When it cracks, it splits into several parts. One of the most successful ways to make it whole again is by welding. Welding is a skill hard to master, so when choosing a laborer, employ one with skill. A badly welded block is susceptible to more new cracks.
- Sealants – when a crack is small and is the result of a bad coolant system, a sealant can be a good option for repair. Sealant is added to the coolant, and with time it fills the cracks forming a long-lasting seal.
- Patching – patches are made of epoxies and adhesives and usually have glue in them. This is only a short-term solution because long-term exposure to high temperatures will dissolve the patch and even make new cracks.
- Cold metal stitching – In this process, cracked parts of the metal are stitched back together, similar to fabric. This process is expensive and can show good results only on smaller cracks.
Check Out How to Repair a Cracked Engine Block:
Cracked Engine Block Repair Cost
The final price depends on the severity of the damage done to the block. The price of the parts alone can go up to $1,500, and the mechanic can work on it anywhere between 10 and 40 hours. A mechanic per hour costs around $100, so the costs can go up to $4,000.
So when we add all the costs, repairing an engine block can cost between $2,000 and $5,500.
Can You Drive With a Cracked Engine Block
A cracked engine usually causes a coolant leak which eventually leads to engine overheating. Before overheating, other symptoms will become visible, such as poor engine performance and black smoke coming out of the exhaust.
All those problems will eventually leave the car undrivable. But driving a car with a cracked engine is a bad decision because it will lead to even bigger problems for the engine itself.
So, when you notice coolant or oil coming out in puddles under your car, consult your mechanic. Also if you notice any strange smells in your cabin that can be the result of bad combustion pay a visit to the mechanic shop.
FAQs
How Do You Know if an Engine Block Is Cracked?
If you notice any significant symptoms that we mentioned, then you can be sure that the engine block is cracked. Low oil and coolant levels are common signs that the canals for oil and coolant are damaged.
Also, strange smoke coming out of the exhaust or from under the hood can be signs of a cracked engine. Smoke coming from under the hood is the result of overheating.
How Big Can a Crack Be Repaired?
Most of the engine cracks can be repaired. It all depends on the skill of the mechanic. If you hire a trained auto mechanic, it can take care of almost all engine block cracks.
How Do I Know If I Need a New Engine?
Most engine cracks can be manageable, but in some cases, it is easier and cheaper to replace an engine. A cracked engine block is a major problem for an engine, and it can be a reason to get a new engine.
Sometimes the engine can be repaired, and it has a lot of good mileage in front of him. And also, sometimes repairing a major crack in a block is just too much, and it is not worth it.
Will Check Engine Light Come on if Block Is Cracked?
Yes, it should come on.
Why Is My Car Knocking and Shaking?
That can be a result of bad fuel injectors. Another common cause can be misfiring. Fuel injectors spray fuel into the cylinder. For each cylinder, there is an injector. It is enough for one injector to be working badly, to throw all others off balance.
Final Considerations
A cracked engine block is a major engine problem. You can repair the engine, but its life will be shorter. Always look out for coolant leaks, and check if there is an oil and coolant mix because that way you can avoid an engine block disaster.
The easiest way to avoid an engine block crack is to pay attention to the engine temperature gauge. Keeping an engine temperature in check will help avoid overheating which is the main cracked engine block sign.
If you want to keep your car in check, stay with us and learn!
