5 reasons why modern engines break down more often than their predecessors
With the development of the automotive industry, engines should become more productive and reliable. However, statistics of engine repair at service stations «Master Service» and complaints of ordinary people of car forums indicate deterioration of quality and service life of units. Dealing with this problem, we tried to highlight the main causes of rapid wear of modern engines.
The main reasons for the rapid deterioration of modern engines.
- Modernisation
Environmentalists are fighting more aggressively every year with car companies imposing new rules to reduce pollution from exhaust gases and fuel products. This innovation allowed to reduce the amount of hazardous substances emission into the atmosphere and increase the reliability of engines. However, maintenance of these units has become more complex.
After that, all internal combustion engines were fitted with a variable valve timing system that allowed the opening/closing times of the intake and exhaust valves to be adjusted at different engine speeds. It improved engine power, but a number of manufacturers' cars developed new problems: knocking when starting a cold engine, system failures.
The subsequent introduction of turbocharging allowed to reduce the nameplate fuel consumption, significantly increasing the dynamic parameters of cars. The disadvantage of turbocharged engines was increased complexity in operation.
And finally, direct fuel injection. The technology has increased the engine's capabilities, but has also made it more difficult and expensive to repair.
Fuel injection is the only one of its kind in the world.
- Reduced friction losses
By reducing internal friction, manufacturers have reduced the size of the motor's plain bearings, crankshaft journals, balance shaft liners, piston pins, camshafts and chain links. This, in turn, reduced the engines' resistance to overloading.
The use of more fluid engine oils with less resistant films, as well as a controlled oil pump, has also reduced engine life.
- Enhanced engine operating temperature
To reduce emissions, engineers have increased the engine's operating temperature. To prevent power loss, controlled thermostats have been added to allow the engine to cool slightly under load. As a result, higher temperatures have a negative impact on oil wear, ageing of engine components and overall durability.
- Tight testing times for new engines
The rapid growth in engine performance requirements, enormous competition and the desire for innovation have forced automakers to accelerate the development and release of new units. At the same time, the number and timing of tests has shrunk. Relying to a greater extent on computer analysis, the software of which can also fail, the giants of the automotive industry offer consumers «raw» designs, the shortcomings of which are corrected «as they go along». And car owners have to pay for the deficiencies by visiting the car service centre more often.
- Difficulty of diagnostics
Saving engine compartment space often complicates the process of car maintenance at service stations, which, in turn, increases the cost of car mechanics' services. As a result, the car owner is less likely to go to specialists for diagnostics and repair of the internal combustion engine, rather than risking huge engine problems later on.
Saving engine compartment space often complicates the process of servicing the car at the service station, which in turn increases the costs of car mechanics.
All together 5 main reasons for the breakdown of modern engines, it begs the question: is it worth chasing advanced technology, or is it better to do «small blood»? Either way, we strongly recommend that you use only quality workshop equipment.
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