Blown Engine: What It Means
A blown engine is one that is completely unsalvageable—here’s what to do if it happens to you.
Written by Alexandra Maloney
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
The engine is one of the most important parts of your car. It’s the lifeblood that helps everything else in the car run—without an engine, you wouldn’t even be able to make it out of your driveway. That’s why when drivers face a blown engine or other engine issues, it’s a pretty big deal.
But don’t panic yet. If you know about the engine issue and can identify signs leading up to it, the process of
car repair
will be much easier. Here, Jerry
, the car ownership super app
, goes over one of the most common engine issues—a blown engine—including what it is,signs leading up to it
, and what to do if you find yourself stuck with one. What is a blown engine?
According to
It Still Runs
, a blown engine is defined as an engine that has been so severely damaged, it needs to be replaced or completely rebuilt. This might mean the block is cracked, the pistons are destroyed, the valves are damaged, the engine blew a gasket, or a number of other things. Essentially, a blown engine means your engine is completely unsalvageable, dead, or incapable of running.
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What causes a blown engine?
Unfortunately, there are a number of different things that might cause an engine to blow, and oftentimes it can be hard to pinpoint what exactly caused your blown engine.
One of the most common culprits is operating the engine without oil or with insufficient oil amounts over a period of time. Other causes include frequently operating the engine at a speed or power it can’t sustain, overheating, or a coolant leak.
Signs of an engine in danger
If you suspect your car might have a blown engine, there are a few signs and symptoms to check for before calling a tow truck or bringing your car to the repair shop.
It Still Runs
breaks the process of checking for a blown engine down into five steps: - Open the hood and check the engine for surrounding puddles or obvious signs of damage (such as cracks, holes, and more).
- Pull the dipstick and inspect for water or other kinds of leaks.
- Turn the engine over using the starter (or do it by hand). Listen for strange noises and look for unusual happenings on the engine.
- Remove all spark plugs on an engine that will still turn over and check the compression.
- Connect an oil tester pressure to an engine that will still run, and test pressure.
If any of these steps fail, or you notice any strange noises, smells, or sights coming from your engine, it’s likely you have a blown engine.
What to do if your car has a blown engine
Discovering your engine is blown isn’t great news, and the cost of repairing an engine can be pricey. While some drivers know how to
build their own engines
, most need to take a blown engine to the professionals. It isn’t safe to drive with a blown engine, and in most cases your car will need to be towed to the nearest mechanic. From there, the mechanic will tell you your options. As
Market Business News
points out, it’s hard to replace a car engine, because it needs to be the exact same make and model, but getting in touch with your car manufacturer may lead you to a cheaper engine replacement. If the only option is to repair the engine, weigh the cost of repair against the cost of getting a new car. Plus, many organizations and dealerships buy dead cars, so selling yours and buying a new one might be the most economically savvy option.
While a blown engine is definitely a headache, there are repair and replacement options that can happen relatively quickly to get you back on the road.
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