Engines

When your engine goes out, trust Team Automotive to service and repair the issue. We’re a Sioux Falls, SD auto repair shop and it doesn’t matter how small or extensive that problem is, we’re here to ensure you’re driving a safe, reliable vehicle. Your engine is the heart of your car, and no one wants to drive around when there’s a chance your car’s heart could give out — especially if you’re traveling a long distance or are out of town.

We want your engine repair to be simple and painless, so call today and speak to one of our ASE-certified mechanics. They’re trained to take care of all your van, truck, car and SUV maintenance and repairs. Call today for a free quote or to book an appointment. We’re available to service your vehicle and pay close attention to all your engine maintenance, repair and replacement needs.

How do you know what’s going on with your engine if you don’t know how it works? Here’s a quick brief on what you need to know about the heart of your car, truck, van or SUV.

Your engine is composed of the camshaft, pistons, flywheel, connecting rod, camshaft drive belt, crankshaft and sump. Together, these components allow your engine to convert the heat from burning gas into the force that propels your vehicle forward or backward through a series of chain reactions. Here are the basics in how it all comes together:

Camshaft

The camshaft of your engine is a long rod that has cams along its length. It turns in accordance to the motion of the pistons and the firing of the spark plugs when your engine is running. When the shaft rotates, the cams along its body press spring-loaded valves to open or close, which controls the intake and exhaust for each of your vehicle’s cylinders. Whether your engine has one or more camshafts depends on the shape of your engine and the number of cylinders it contains.

Pistons

The pistons in your engine are solid metal pieces attached to the connecting rod. Part of the chain reaction that powers the engine is the expansion of gas, which pushes the pistons up and down into and out of a hallow cylinder in the engine block. Once a piston is inside the cylinder, a piston ring, which is attached to the piston, seals the hole shut.

Flywheel

The flywheel, in a manual transmission vehicle, or a flex plate in an automatic transmission car, is a heavy metal disc attached to the crankshaft at the rear of your engine. Its purpose is to store and release energy quickly. It helps start your engine, keep it running smoothly, controls vibrations and helps stabilize balance and can help limit wear and tear on other drivetrain parts.

Connecting Rod

The connecting rod is designed to be strong enough to handle the stress created from combustion and piston movements. The small end of the rod connects to the piston with help from a piston pin, while the other end is connected to the crankpin journal. These rods convert the up and down movement of the pistons into a rotary motion.

Camshaft Drive Belt

More commonly referred as a timing belt, the camshaft drive belt is notched and drives the camshaft from a sprocket on the end of the crankshaft. The camshaft rotates at half the engine speed and is responsible for the timing of the pistons’ motion. If this belt breaks, falls off or is damaged, the engine will immediately stop working.

Crankshaft

The crankshaft is the component responsible for converting the vertical movement of the pistons into a rotational one via the flywheel. These steel shafts also contain counterweights to make the movement of your engine feel smooth. Together, the camshaft and crankshaft start and end the engine cycle with help from the other engine components described above.

Sump

The sump is a metal oil pan at the bottom of your engine that collects all the engine oil that isn’t circulating through the engine. There is a tube that sucks up the oil when the engine is running, and returns the unused oil when the engine is off. But the sump is more than just a container; it cools oil as well. When your car is moving, the air flow cools the pan, which cools the oil. Some vehicles include cooling fins to help the sump increase its surface area, which in turn allows more oil to cool at a faster rate.

Regular maintenance and extra care for your car, van, SUV or truck is an excellent way to keep your engine running better and longer, but there are many reasons an engine might stop working properly. If you’re involved in a collision, if a part is defective or if there are unusual conditions that promote excessive wear and tear, your engine’s components can still break or suffer damage. The signs of such damage are as follows:

• Check engine light turns on
• Loud sounds come from under hood
• Unusual rattling or vibrations
• Doesn’t always start or hesitates after idling
• Performance drop

If your vehicle is displaying any of the symptoms listed above, call Team Automotive. Our certified mechanics can diagnose and repair the issue, or suggest a replacement of any parts that are beyond repair.

There are several ways to keep your engine healthy. Here are a few of the top maintenance methods you should follow to ensure your engine is living its best life:

• Regularly change engine oil
• Top off coolant
• Regularly check/replace air filter
• Gas up at 1/4 tank instead of empty
• Visually inspect belts for wear and tear
• Respond immediately when check engine light appears
• Regularly replace oil filter
• Regularly check/replace spark plugs and wires
• Stop speeding up just to slow down at red lights

By following the above rules, you can get several years out of your vehicle’s engine. But if you’re concerned about any unusual signs your vehicle is displaying, call Team Automotive to schedule an appointment. You shouldn’t wait until something bad happens — Team Automotive has ASE-certified technicians ready to check your vehicle inside and out, and we offer quick and easy solutions that don’t cost an arm and a leg. Call Sioux Falls’ trusted auto repair shop, Team Automotive, today to schedule a maintenance or repair appointment for your car, truck, van or SUV.