Why Does My Engine Keep Cutting Out?
You’re driving along and your engine keeps cutting out. In fact, you’ve had problems lately with it stalling. Your idle is rough and you feel as if you can’t rely on your car, truck, CUV, or SUV anymore. Techway Automotive can help. We can get to the bottom of your engine performance problems so they can be fixed and you can drive away with plenty of power and performance. Here are reasons why your engine keeps cutting out.
Dirty Air Filter
Your automobile needs the right combination of air and fuel to create the combustion it needs to generate power. An air filter should be changed every 12,000 miles, and if it has been longer than that, your air filter is likely dirty and blocking the airflow into the engine. This starves the engine of air and, as a consequence, will make it cut out and stall when it’s idling.
Fuel Pressure Problems
If your engine cuts out when you drive up steep inclines, you likely have a problem with your fuel pressure. This can be caused by clogs in the fuel system, and it can also be caused by fuel system leaks. You can test your fuel pressure with a fuel pressure gauge purchased at an auto parts store, or we can test it for you if you prefer.
Lean Fuel Mix
We talked above about how your engine can be air-starved. It can also be fuel-starved, and this condition happens when you have too much air in the engine and not enough gasoline. As you can imagine, clogged fuel injectors, leaking fuel lines, or problems with the fuel pump (more on that below) can cause fuel starvation and make your engine cut out.
Malfunctioning Fuel Pump
Your fuel pump takes the gasoline out of the gas tank and pushes it through to the fuel injectors. If the fuel pump is overheating or malfunctioning, it may either push too much gas through or not enough. Either way, your engine will cut out. If it has too much gas, it’s flooded. If it isn’t getting enough gas, it will stall due to fuel starvation.
Weak Battery
Although not as common as the reasons mentioned above, if your battery is weak, your car may cut out. Your engine relies on air and gasoline to run, but many of the systems also rely on electricity. A weak battery or failing alternator can cause engine trouble, including cutting and stalling. Dim headlights and slow accessories are also a sign of these electrical problems.
Worn Spark Plugs
Finally, if you didn’t have your spark plugs changed when they needed it, chances are they are worn and not firing properly. Misfiring can cause your engine to cut out, and it can definitely cause your vehicle to stall. Generally, spark plugs should be changed every 30,000 miles. Today’s automobiles can last as long as 100,000 miles, however, so check your owner’s manual.
Techway Automotive is the best auto service shop in Dothan, AL, if you don’t mind us bragging, and we’re also the best auto service shop in Blakely, GA. Give us a call today to get your engine cutting problems fixed.