Coughlin Nissan of Heath

Oct 30, 2023

Engine problems can develop due to worn or damaged components. If a problem develops in the engine, it will grow worse as time passes and can lead to damage to other engine systems. As your Nissan dealer, we can repair any potential problem for you. These are a few examples of issues that we can fix.

Blocked Catalytic Converter

Check Engine Light

Catalytic converters have been a part of every vehicle in the US for almost fifty years. The converter’s function is to change dangerous and toxic chemicals produced by combustion into harmless ones to reduce air pollution. A converter uses chemical reactions, extreme pressure, and high temperatures to change dangerous chemicals.

The conversion process in the converter produces carbon. Carbon gradually accumulates and can block the exit from the converter into the exhaust system. If this happens, engine gasses are forced back into your engine. These gases increase pressure in the engine and can cause the engine to stall. We can fix this problem by cleaning the converter to remove the blockage.

Engine Knocking

A strange knocking sound from your engine is a sign of trouble, as it can lead to permanent engine damage. The sound is caused by high pressure in the engine and excessive engine heat. There are several causes of this problem, including a blockage in the converter, electrical issues, or a high fuel-to-air ratio in the engine.

We saw above how a blocked converter can increase pressure in the engine. Electrical problems like damaged spark plugs or the wrong octane fuel cause the fuel-air mixture in a cylinder to burn unevenly. Uneven burning generates small shockwaves at the wrong time, which produce a knocking sound. Our technicians will identify the cause of the knocking and fix it, and your engine sounds will return to normal.

Leaking Coolant

Coolant plays an essential role in your Nissan’s cooling system. It is a mixture of antifreeze and water and can absorb heat. Liquid coolant is pumped through your engine and flows over the hot engine components. It absorbs the heat radiating off these components and transports the heat to the radiator. Once inside the radiator, the hot coolant enters the radiator tubes, where the heat is removed by heat exchange.

A coolant leak can be caused by worn seals, a hole in the radiator, or a worn radiator hose. As coolant leaks out of the system, the pressure in the cooling system drops. The pressure drop also serves to slow the movement of the remaining coolant. As the cooling system slows down, your engine will start to overheat. We can fix this problem by tracing and sealing the leak, then we’ll refill the coolant.
If you have a problem with your engine, our Nissan-trained technicians can repair it. Call us today at Coughlin Nissan of Heath.