by Mark S. Taylor | Jun 2, 2026 | Engine Problems
You turn on the heat and something smells sweet — almost like candy or maple syrup, but with a slightly chemical edge. Or you notice a faint film on the inside of the windshield that keeps coming back no matter how many times you clean it. Or the passenger floor...
by Mark S. Taylor | May 31, 2026 | Engine Problems
When your engine misfires in the rain, moisture is creating a shortcut for high-voltage electricity. Your ignition system generates 20,000 to 40,000 volts to fire each spark plug. When water seeps into a cracked coil boot, worn plug wire, or distributor cap, it gives...
by Mark S. Taylor | May 30, 2026 | Engine Problems
If your engine started ticking right after an oil change, it’s usually caused by the wrong oil viscosity, a faulty oil filter, low oil level, or — and this is the one nobody talks about — the fresh oil washed away sludge that was silencing a pre-existing valve...
by Mark S. Taylor | May 29, 2026 | Engine Problems
You reach for the AC button on a hot day. The moment you press it — before the cabin even starts to cool — the engine stumbles. It might recover after a second. It might keep running rough. In bad cases, it almost stalls. The timing isn’t coincidence. The...
by Mark S. Taylor | May 26, 2026 | Engine Problems
If your engine knocks when cold, the most important thing to know is this: if the knock goes away within 30–60 seconds of starting and disappears completely once the engine is warm, you’re almost certainly dealing with piston slap — annoying, but not immediately...
by Mark S. Taylor | May 19, 2026 | Engine Problems
That loud bang from your engine or exhaust is called a backfire — and no, your car is not about to explode. But it is telling you something is wrong with the way your engine is burning fuel. The cause could be a $12 spark plug or a $1,500 timing chain. Knowing which...
