3 Engine Problems You Should Always Fix at Your Ford Dealership

Damaged Sensors

Your Ford engine has numerous sensors, each of which is connected to an important component. These sensors relay information to your car’s computer on their attached component’s health and performance. The computer uses this information to make essential decisions that allow your engine to operate efficiently.

Sensors can become damaged or wear out, and a failing sensor will report either wrong information or no information to the computer. Without information from the sensors, the computer is forced to guess what decision to make. For example, a wrong decision on oxygen content in the exhaust can lead to damaged spark plugs or a failed catalytic convertor. We can test your sensors and quickly install replacements if needed.

Worn Alternator

The alternator produces electricity for all your car’s systems and devices. It’s a relatively simple component that converts mechanical energy from the crankshaft into DC for your car. The alternator will age, and as it does so, the level of electricity it produces will slowly decrease. This drop in electricity production isn’t immediately noticeable, as the alternator usually produces more power than your systems require.

Eventually, the alternator will reach a point where it can’t supply enough power for all your car’s systems. This shortfall in production forces your car’s computer to allocate the limited power available to the systems that need it most. This situation can result in other systems slowing down or failing, for example, your radio might suddenly stop working. We can test the alternator, and we will install a new one if it’s failing.

Blocked Converter

Catalytic converters have been installed on every vehicle in the US since 1975. The converter changes dangerous chemicals produced by the combustion process into less harmful ones and water. It does this using a combination of extreme pressure, chemical reactions, and great heat. The conversion process produces carbon, which can cause a blockage in the converter.

If the converter is blocked, engine gasses that enter the convertor will be forced back into the engine. These chemicals increase pressure in the engine and will alter the fuel-air mixture. A high fuel-to-air ratio turns your engine fuel-rich, which causes damage to engine components and increases fuel consumption. We can fix a blocked converter by removing it and clearing the blockage.

If your engine has a problem, we’ll fix it. Call our service department today at Coughlin Ford of Heath.

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