How To Tell If Your Engine Block Is Cracked

Finding out from your mechanic that your engine block is cracked is always a bit of a blow. However, some people don’t find out from their mechanic before something catastrophic happens. Sometimes, they find out when their vehicle leaves them on the side of the road. Which leaves them wondering how to tell if your engine block is cracked.

Because no matter what mechanical failure your vehicle sends your way, there will almost always be indicators before a component fails. Aside from the typical check engine light of death, your vehicle will throw out many different signals that your engine block is cracked.

In today’s blog post, we’ll cover what those signs are, what to do about them, and where to scrap your car if it’s not worth repairing. More Cash For Scrap has been a professional scrap car removal company serving the Lower Mainland since 2005. Our blogs are based off of our firsthand experience and knowledge in the scrap car buying business.

What Is an Engine Block on a Car?

he engine block is essentially the foundation of your vehicle’s engine. It houses many of the major components that allow your car to operate smoothly. Without it, your vehicle simply would not be functional.

Think of it as the heart of your car. When something goes wrong with the engine block, it can affect the entire vehicle, not just the engine itself. That’s why it’s essential to recognize signs of trouble early on.

And without knowing how to tell if your engine block is cracked, you’ll be faced with a roadside breakdown, a possible engine fire, and more. Because when the engine block doesn’t work right, nothing works right. And engine malfunctions can easily lead to catastrophe.

How Do I Know If My Engine Block is Cracked?

Just like any sort of mechanical malfunction or failure, there will be signs indicating that your engine block is cracked. You just have to know what they are, how they present, and how long you have before your vehicle will no longer run.

Signs Your Engine Block Is Cracked Include:

• Blue or black smoke coming from your engine
• Leaking oil, burning of oil, dirty oil, or low oil levels
• Frozen coolant in the radiator
• Coolant/antifreeze and oil mixing (oil or coolant will be discoloured)
• Engine overheating
• White smoke coming from the exhaust pipes
• Engine misfiring
• Check engine light illuminated
• Poor or worsening gas mileage
• Engine hesitation upon acceleration

The best way to determine this is by visiting a professional mechanic, like our friends at Dan Hansen Auto Repair in Langley. They can provide professional diagnostics on any vehicle, to help you determine if your engine needs replacing.

Can You Still Drive a Car with a Cracked Engine Block?

The short answer to this commonly asked question is, yes, you can. However, that really depends on what stage of engine failure you’re in, and what other components have been affected by the cracked engine block.

Most people that are driving aging vehicles or vehicles with high mileage will take their car to the mechanic for assessment. Once assessed, your mechanic can usually tell you how badly cracked your engine block is. Moreover, they’ll usually advise you as to what other signs to look out for when you’re getting close to final engine failure.

This is what typically happens with the scrap cars we buy in Metro Vancouver. Because most people don’t want to replace an engine on an aging or failing vehicle. So, instead, they choose the scrap car removal services of More Cash For Scrap, after driving their car until it won’t drive anymore.

What Happens If I Don’t Get My Cracked Engine Block Fixed?

Eventually your engine will fail. Because when an engine block is cracked, it causes coolant leaks, oil leaks, the mixing of oil and coolant, engine over heating as a result of coolant issues, a loss of power, and even has the potential for engine fires. Basically, it’s just a matter of time until your vehicle’s engine gives out.

Furthermore, driving a vehicle with a known issue can be a real liability. Because if your mechanic acknowledged that your engine block is cracked, and you continue to drive with it, you could be held responsible for any accidents that were the result of loss of power, or mechanical malfunction pertaining to your engine.

How to Check If Your Engine Block is Cracked

When assessing whether an engine block is cracked, one of the first methods you can utilize is a visual inspection. This approach helps to identify signs of failure or damage that may indicate a crack.

While this may be a job for someone with mechanical inclination, here’s a practical guide on how to conduct this inspection effectively if you’d like to try to do it yourself.

Ways to Check If Your Engine Block Is Cracked Include:

• Clean the Engine Block: Begin by cleaning the engine block thoroughly to remove grease, dirt, and debris. Use a degreaser and a soft brush to ensure a clear view of the surface.
• Look for External Cracks: Once the engine block is clean, inspect it for any visible cracks. Pay special attention to areas around the cylinder heads, freeze plugs, and oil pan. Cracks can appear as thin lines, so be vigilant.
• Check for Oil or Coolant Leaks: Inspect for any signs of oil or coolant leaking from the engine block. Leaks can be indicative of a crack, especially if fluid is seeping from unfamiliar locations.
• Examine the Cylinder Head: Inspect the area where the cylinder head meets the block for any signs of warping or damage. A warped head can lead to a breach in the block, causing it to crack.
• Use a Magnifying Glass: If necessary, use a magnifying glass to examine small or hard-to-see areas for cracks that may not be immediately noticeable.

How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Cracked Engine Block?

Repairing a cracked engine block can be quite costly. Right up there with engine replacement, transmission, replacement, or timing belt replacement; it’s one of the most expensive repairs to be done on a vehicle.

Depending on what type of vehicle you drive, the cost can vary. However, on an average car or SUV, repairing the engine block is usually around $1,000 – $4,000. And that’s only IF it can actually be repaired. Because sometimes a cracked engine block is beyond repair. When it is, that means replacement.

Replacing a cracked engine block means replacing your engine. And the cost to replace an engine is much higher than repairing a cracked engine block. In fact, depending on the type of vehicle you’re driving, replacing your engine can cost upwards of $8,000.

That’s why many people choose to scrap their vehicles that have a cracked engine block or dead engine with the scrap car removal services of More Cash For Scrap instead. We pay MORE cash for scrap cars with failed engines and cracked engine blocks than any other scrap car buyers in BC.

Cash for Cars with Dead Engines & Cracked Engine Blocks

Since 2005, More Cash For Scrap has been providing prompt and reliable scrap car removal services throughout Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. And one thing we see a lot is late model sedans and SUVs with cracked engine blocks or dead engines. And one usually initiates the other.

Because a cracked engine block is sort of a ticking time bomb. You can still drive your vehicle with a cracked engine block, but for how long us entirely up to your car. And typically, when vehicles get sent our way, it’s because their engine has decided that enough is enough.

Fortunately, we pay MORE cash for scrap cars with dead engines, cracked engine blocks, and any other kind of major mechanical failure in the Lower Mainland. Additionally, we provide free roadside vehicle removal after a breakdown. Which is incredibly convenient when your engine gives way.

How Do Our Scrap Car Removal Services Work?

Simple; call our scrap car removal team today and get an instant cash offer right over the phone. And if your vehicle is still sitting on the side of the road or at the scene of an accident, be sure to let us know that too. We’ll make sure to make your scrap car removal a priority when it could impede traffic anywhere in Metro Vancouver or the Fraser Valley.

Provide our scrap car removal team with the make, model, year, mileage, condition, and location of your scrap vehicle. Then, let us know if it’s still drivable. Moreover, let us know if the engine needs replacing, if the transmission is shot, or if there are any other major mechanical defects that affect its ability to drive.

Once we have all of this information, we’ll provide you with an instant cash offer over the phone or by text message. If you accept the offer, we’ll dispatch our free towing service to come collect your scrap car that same day. We can also book specific days and times too if you prefer.

Our scrap car removal team works 7 days a week, from 7:00 AM-11:00 PM. We also operate on most statutory holidays. And after loading up your vehicle, our tow truck driver will pay you cash in hand before leaving. It usually only takes around 10 minutes!

Call More Cash For Scrap & Sell Your Car for MORE!

Finding out that your vehicle needs thousands of dollars’ worth of repairs can be a big blow. And when the vehicle that needs repairs is aging or has really high mileage, it usually means sending it to the scrap yard. When that’s the case, trust the scrap car removal services of More Cash For Scrap.

We make scrapping a car, truck, SUV, van, hybrid, or bus so quick and easy, you’ll wonder why you ever put off doing it. Because our scrap car removal team has been in the scrap car buying industry for nearly 30 years. And with that kind of experience, things are quicker and easier than when you rely on a novice.

So, if you want to scrap a damaged, unwanted, or worn-out vehicle in Metro Vancouver or the Fraser Valley, scrap it with More Cash For Scrap. We offer MORE customer service. MORE flexible junk car removal times. And pay MORE cash for scrap cars than the other guys.