Made of aluminum or iron, your vehicle’s engine block houses the cylinders, pistons, oil pan, and crankshaft. A water jacket protects the engine block from becoming too hot, which it can easily do because there is a ton of heat generated by the moving pistons. A cracked engine block can be an external or internal breach, and the damage caused by this breach can be catastrophic. RB Auto Service discusses the signs and causes of cracked engine blocks below.
Signs of a Cracked Engine Block
There will be signs that your Cadillac or Corvette has a cracked engine block. One of the first signs is the vehicle’s age. If you drive a classic Cadillac or Corvette, you are more likely to end up with a cracked engine block than you will if you drive a newer one. As your vehicle ages, the metal wears down. This happens with any piece of machinery. You might have a cracked engine block if you notice
- Constant overheating caused by coolant leaks through the cracked engine block
- Low coolant levels and coolant puddles underneath your automobile
- Poor engine performance, sluggish acceleration, low fuel economy, and rough idling
- Gray or blue smoke pouring out from underneath your hood and possibly from the tailpipe
- Mixed fluids such as milky oil that indicates coolant has combined with it
- Fluid leaks, especially oil and coolant or a mixture of both
Any of these things can signal a cracked engine block or other automotive problem. If you do have frothy oil, this is definitely a sign that the engine block is cracked and the oil is mixing with your engine’s coolant. It’s important to have your automobile inspected and repaired right away. If you continue to drive with a cracked engine block, you will cause severe damage that will be irreparable.
Causes of a Cracked Engine Block
As we said above, age is a common cause of a cracked engine block. Classic cars oftentimes end up with cracked engine blocks and need to have new engines installed. Preventative maintenance helps ensure you never have to face the problem of a cracked engine block. These services replace fluids and parts once they are too old and keep your engine running like new. Cracked engine block causes include
- Low coolant levels that keep your engine’s temperature too hot consistently
- Excessive engine block stress by aftermarket superchargers and turbochargers
- Towing loads that are too heavy for your vehicle’s body and engine
- Water pump failure that causes your engine to overheat
- Manufacturing defects in the block itself or when your vehicle is assembled
- Extreme exterior temperatures from hot to cold
Naturally, we don’t need to worry about the latter here in Pinellas Park, Florida. If you live in an area that has subzero temperatures, however, the exterior cold air combined with the heat of a warmed-up engine can crack the engine block. Another thing that can cause severe engine block damage is a broken timing belt. If your vehicle has a timing belt, it’s important to replace it every 60,000 miles.
Call RB Auto Service in Pinellas Park, FL, to schedule an appointment if you suspect you have a cracked engine block.