‘Total engine failure’, mechanics warn about neglected parts that must be cleaned – only 1 in 5 drivers do this

A CAR specialist wants drivers to inspect and replace a part that is often overlooked but essential to keeping the car running properly.

After reading this, you should probably check your car part.

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Daniel Trock, writer for automotive content site SlashGear, says there’s one part that’s often overlooked in cars: the engine air filter.

The filter, as Trock explained, is responsible for filtering the air before it is taken to the engine’s combustion chamber to be mixed and burned with the fuel.

It is essential to prevent dirt, debris, pollen and even insects from entering the chambers.

A car’s fuel system has a computer that controls the amount of fuel mixed with clean air to run efficiently and effectively.

However, many people don’t know that the engine air filter exists, and over time, the engine will have to compensate for the lack of air as it becomes clogged.

“If your car’s air filter is clogged and not allowing oxygen into the car from outside, your car will start to draw more gasoline from the fuel tank to make up for the deficit in the engine’s air-fuel mixture,” he wrote Trock.

It sounds bad because it is – an engine that burns a lot of fuel is considered rich, which has its own set of disadvantages.

“Not only is it generally bad for your engine, it also means more gas mileage from your car, which means a drastic reduction in gas mileage,” he wrote.

“If your filter isn’t working properly, a full tank of gas won’t get you as far as it normally would.”

It can also be bad for the planet, as the raw fuel is then expelled from the exhaust gases into the environment.

During a long period of neglect, drivers can face thousands of damages as the engine tries harder to compensate for the lack of air.

An engine starved of oxygen will try harder to extract air from the environment, which pulls more debris into the filter, only increasing the pressure on the engine.

Over time, this can mean complete engine failure due to “flooding” caused by excess gasoline that cannot be burned.

“If the air filter is clogged and the air-to-fuel ratio in the air-fuel mixture gets out of control, your engine will begin to be flooded with greater amounts of fuel as it tries to compensate for the lack of oxygen,” he explained.

“Not only does all that extra gas flood the engine and make it harder for the pistons to pump, but the reduced oxygen makes it harder for the spark plug to fire. This results in an engine that basically swims on its own, unable to pump its pistons and provide power to the car.”

If maintenance is not carried out, the engine may be destroyed.

How long does an engine air filter typically last?

The exact lifespan of an engine air filter depends on the climate in which the vehicle is driven, typical humidity levels, and the season, but the general rule of thumb is that an engine air filter should be replaced every 19,000 at 15,000 miles, or once. one year.

Many manufacturers suggest that the air filter be inspected at every oil change, which is done every 5,000 to 10,000 miles, depending on the manufacturer.

The negative effects of a neglected air filter include:

1. Poor fuel consumption
2. Reduced engine performance (irregular running, loss of power, starting problems, etc.)
3. Reduced engine efficiency – increased emissions as a result of rich driving
4. Engine failure after long periods of overcompensation and lack of oxygen. This is rare, but it has happened and can happen with many years of neglect.

Source: SlashGear

“If the airflow stops completely and the fuel continues to flood, eventually the pistons in the engine block won’t even be able to move, much less pump,” Trock wrote.

In addition to the certainly expensive towing bill for the shop, the damage caused could be thousands of dollars to repair if the mechanic doesn’t suggest a new engine.

Most air filters are under the hood and are easily accessible in a large box attached to the air intake leading to the engine block.

The air filter can be removed from the housing after releasing a few clips.

Check your owner’s manual for the precise location of the air filter.

If you hold your air filter up to the sun and can’t see light through it, it’s time to change it — this can be done at home with a part that typically costs less than $30.

Most auto repair shops include an air filter inspection as part of an oil change service, although it never hurts to ask to have it inspected.