4 Possible Reasons The Engine Has Stopped Running On Your Vehicle

4. Lack Of Fuel Pressure

Naturally, if fuel isn't making its way from the tank to the engine, the engine might have problems. The fuel pump delivers highly pressurized fuel to the engine's fuel injectors, which atomize the right amount of fuel into each cylinder once each combustion cycle. If the injectors become clogged or damaged, or the fuel pump wears out, the fuel pressure to the engine could be affected. If the fuel delivery is weak or inconsistent, the engine might die from lack of fuel as you drive.

3. Weak Alternator

If the fuel system is working okay, another reason your car might die on the road is a weak alternator. Spark plugs fire at the exact right moment in each cylinder to detonate the air/fuel mixture. If your spark plugs aren't firing correctly, the mixture might burn late or not at all, leading to sluggish performance and can even cause the engine to stall. Often, this is due to a bad alternator. As you drive, the alternator recharges your car's battery, so it has plenty of charge for starting up your car the next time you drive. But if the alternator stops working, the battery will eventually run out of charge, meaning the spark plugs will stop sparking and the engine won't start back up. Get your alternator tested and replaced if necessary.

2. Failed Sensors

Throughout the engine of a modern car, there are dozens of sensors that feed critical information about the vehicle's performance and condition to the engine's main computer. They detect things like the current air/fuel ratio, the level of oxygen in the exhaust gasses, the current position of the engine's crankshaft, the rate of air entering the engine and more. Over time, these sensors can become fouled with carbon build-up and stop working. If the engine's computer doesn't get all the information it needs from the sensors, or gets incorrect information from a sensor that's malfunctioning, the engine might stall. While repairs to the engine's computer itself can be costly, usually replacing something like an oxygen sensor is relatively affordable.

1. Bad Seals Or Gaskets

In many places where a metal component meets another metal component on your engine, a special seal is inserted where they mate. That's because the metal of the engine subtly swells and contracts as it heats up and cools down. Seals keep the engine airtight and ensure all the fluids like coolant and engine oil remain separate and don't leak out. A blown seal can prevent the engine from holding compression, leading to performance issues. A blown head gasket or valve cover gasket can allow the engine to overheat. These can both cause the engine to die completely. Find out about the condition of your engine's various gaskets and how we can replace them to restore your engine's performance to its former glory.