Engine problems

ANSWER : Hi there. There are a lot of things that can cause this on your 2012 BMW M5. I usually start by scanning the computer for codes to see what comes up. If there are not codes then I load test the alternator and the battery to see if they are failing. Low voltage in the electrical system will cause this. If that is fine, then it is usually caused by a failing throttle body. I have seen a lot of these fail due to the motors in them hanging up. If the problem is only happening intermittently, this can make the issue hard to duplicate, but you can still have tests done on the car. If you are going to have this fixed, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to your home or office to test the vehicle and diagnose the Engine Malfunction Light.

ANSWER : Anything is possible with enough engineering. The changes you are looking at would take major structural changes and would definitely not be an easy job. You could possibly consult a manufacturing engineer to get more details on how this could actually be carried out and whether it would be feasible.

ANSWER : Hello there, you have a long series of issues going on with your 2013 Hyundai Sonata. If you keep getting a repeating oil light on than there is likely a fault in that system.

Since this fault has lasted after the engine was replaced it could be a oil pressure sensor, wiring harness fault, ECU fault, oil pump, oil strainer clogged, or low oil pressure.

To diagnose this issue properly you need a complete vehicle inspection to start from square one and identify the root cause of all this.

ANSWER : Hi there. Most of the time, reduced engine power is caused by a restriction of fuel, or the throttle body’s inability to efficiently mix air and fuel. This could be caused by a failing mass air flow sensor, EGR valve or other fuel system components. Since the check engine light is on, you should have a professional mechanic complete an inspection at your location to determine what codes are stored and which components require repair. This should resolve your issue.

ANSWER : It’s always a good idea to pull over and turn off your vehicle when the check engine light is blinking. A blinking check engine light usually means there is a severe misfire in one or more of the cylinders. Most of the time, a misfire symptom is the result of a fouled spark plug. Honda now recommends changing spark plugs at 110,000 miles, however it is a known fact that spark plugs are considered a wear item and they do indeed wear out. There are a lot of factors that go into a spark plug wearing out or prematurely wearing out. One thing to consider is the type of gasoline being used in the vehicle. A top tier gas is recommended in most newer vehicles. This is because top tier gas contains additives which keep the engine free of deposits that may cause spark plugs to foul prematurely.

Honda is aware of this concern and has issued a technical service bulletin to help reduce and, in some cases, eliminate this concern. This technical service bulletin advises the technician to update the vehicle’s engine computer. This update improves fuel injector and variable camshaft timing during cold starts and eliminates excessive fuel from fouling out the spark plugs. I recommend you have a certified mechanic inspect your ignition system to determine the exact cause of this misfire so the proper repairs and preventative maintenance can be performed and get you back on the road again.

ANSWER : Hello. If the oil level was low or if the wrong oil war previously used then that can cause these codes to come up. Most of the time though, on this engine, it is caused by a failure in the timing chain. The timing chain is the most common failure on this engine and when it is stretched enough the cam timing will be off enough to cause this. If you want to have this camshaft timing looked at, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to your home or office to diagnose why the check engine light is still on and address any issues that are found.

ANSWER : Hi…thank you for your questions. If required in the application, a portable engine support bar is used to support an engine during mount replacement. The support bar has lifting capability as well so that the mount can be unloaded and removed. If a particular repair application requires a "crane" (complete engine removal for instance), such are portable these days in any event. With regard to the exhaust system repair, mechanics use ramps to gain access. Six ton portable jack stands will safely support a car two feet into the air which provides more than enough access to repair or replace any exhaust system component. If you desire replacement of the mounts, please refer to YourMechanic’s motor mount replacement service page. For exhaust leaks, please use the exhaust system inspection/repair page page. Once on each of those service pages, if you click on "Get a Quote" and enter your vehicle information (year, make, model) you can obtain cost info and schedule the service. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

ANSWER : Hi, thanks for writing in. It is possible that your check engine light bulb could be out. I would recommend having a qualified professional remove your instrument cluster to determine if the bulb for the check engine light has failed. If the bulb has failed, I would recommend having it replaced and see if your results change. If the bulb is not faulty, it is possible that something was installed incorrectly during the most recent repair. I would recommend retracing your steps to determine if any steps were skipped over or done improperly. This will help to determine the cause of why the check engine light will not work. If you would like help, consider having an expert automotive technician from YourMechanic come to your home or office to inspect your electrical system for you, and make or suggest any repairs as needed.