Bogged down engine

A good and strong running engine is the foundation to any solid piece of equipment or vehicle. Oftentimes running doesn’t necessarily guarantee your engine is feeling strong though. If you start to experience poor performance, hesitation or stalling it’s time to check out what might be ailing your vehicle or piece of machinery. Over time a bogged down engine can cause a number of issues as a result of longer term damage. Issues such as filters and spark plugs may be your simple answer to keeping your engine running at its peak performance.

Your time and money matter. Down time on a piece of equipment or having to get a loaner vehicle can cause some serious headaches in your day to day. That’s why we check the simplest solution first. The air filter. Here you learn why and how such a small part of the engine assembly can play a vital role in the performance and longevity of any engine powered machine small and large alike.

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WHAT IS AN AIR FILTER?

Designed specifically to prevent debris and impurities from entering the engine, they protect the overall flow of the engine itself. In that process the particles and contaminants that are brought in as the engine takes in air build up and block the filter from letting clean air come into the engine. This means while the engine isn’t taking in any contaminants it’s also not taking in enough air resulting in a fuel rich combustion and an overall weak engine performance.

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YOUR TIME, YOUR MONEY.

Different engines require varying levels of maintenance. Smaller engines are often more susceptible to air filter clogging due to the nature of their design and usage. Those machines used in lawn care or construction like a chainsaw or generator are more exposed to heavy debris and dusty environments during use. The simpler design of their engine assembly means they require more frequent maintenance in regard to checking and cleaning an air filter. Your larger engines such as those in vehicles and heavy machinery are often more equipped to handle filtering debris for longer intervals before being cleaned or replaced. This is partially due to their larger size and design intended to take in a higher volume of air on a regular basis These engines are also design to expect heavier run times and provide a bigger and more durable component to suit.

With any engine you should regularly check and clean all filters, especially the air filter to maintain optimal running conditions for your equipment or vehicle. Determined by the manufacturer, there should be designated intervals for this maintenance. Simple as this may be, neglecting to follow the guideline can have some big impacts such as poor fuel efficiency, performance issues and internal engine damage if left unchecked for too long. At a minimum, fuel economy can be greatly reduced when an engine is forced to compensate for the reduced airflow. To maintain power it requires more fuel and burns more of your money in the process.

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WARNING SIGNS

If you aren’t sure your engine has had its regular service within its designated maintenance schedule be sure to look out for signs that your engine could be struggling and schedule your routine service immediately. If you aren’t confident in what you should look out for, below are some quick checks you can make for extra peace of mind.

Reduced Power: Whether your engine is that of a car, truck, lawnmower or chainsaw- a decrease in power is a clear sign your engine is bogged down. This could look like poor acceleration or the inability to get up to typical speeds. This could also present as a engine struggling to perform its typical duty such as turn a blade or push out water.

Reduced Fuel Efficiency: Increased fuel consumption is a clear sign your engine is running rich with reduced air intake and more fuel.

Misfiring: If your engine is running rich this could cause the engine to misfire. This can lead to a rough idle, hesitation or a loss of power. Over time, engine misfires can cause internal damage and bigger engine issues.

Noise: An engine may make unusual noises like knocking or pinging. This could be a sign the engine is experiencing stress or running poorly which over time could result in additional internal damage.

Smoke: A rich running engine- low air/ high fuel- can create black smoke. Seeing smoke in your exhaust is a clear sign your engine is having combustion issues.

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WHEN TO GET HELP?

While a bogging engine is often caused by something as simple as an air filter, it’s important to be sure there’s nothing major affecting your engine as well. If you think the air-filter didn’t effectively solve your problem, be sure to check out other possible issues or call in a qualified mechanic. More intense and cumbersome repairs that you would want to bring in additional support could be from your fuel system, air intake, or ignition systems. These all involve in depth checks by comparison and often a more intense repair than just cleaning or swapping a more easily accessible filter. Issues like these can result in poor performance, leaks, reduced airflow, halted power and more.

Codes: If your engine is that of a vehicle- made from 1997 and on, it will have integrated diagnostics. This is what triggers your check engine light and what can help to point you in the direction of the issue without having to get “into” the engine just yet. The codes produced by the system can be used to identify your issue using an OBD-II reader.

Noise: Listen for new, abrupt or loud noises- this could sound like knocking, clunking, or grinding. These sounds, past the reduced power are a good clue that your experiencing subsequent damage from the original issue or your problems were larger than a filter to begin with. Consult a professional if you are unsure what you engines noise could be caused from.

Exhaust: Excessive or unusual smoke or smells could also be a sign you have larger underlying issues. These could indicate fuel or ignition issues and more. Any color or irregular behavior from your exhaust is an indicator you should have a engine checked out.

While a clogged air filter is a common cause of engine bogging, and cleaning or replacing it could solve your problem that might not be all. If you’ve ruled out the filter and aren’t sure what the underlying issue could be, it’s best to consult a professional for comprehensive diagnosis. Regular maintenance and early repairs can help keep your engine running strong and avoid additional costly repairs from the damage. If you’re unsure what to do next, call your local service shop or Wilson Acres at 859.916.2820!