Owning a vehicle is second only to owning a house in terms of initial investment and continuous maintenance.
You probably consider it a privilege to own your car and care for it through regular maintenance for as long as is feasible. There may come a time in the life of a vehicle that it is costing more to maintain than it is worth to the owner.
Several things can compromise the value of any vehicle and cause the owner to question if it is worth trying to bring it back to life or accept the fact that it is gone. Major mechanical or body issues can occur that require making a decision to get rid of the vehicle inevitable.
Some problems cannot just be ignored or overlooked.
Financial considerations usually play a major role in replacing a compromised vehicle with a new one. When everything is taken into account, certain problems with the vehicle might render it too expensive to repair.
Engine Rod Knock
A knock in the engine can be a symptom of neglect by the vehicle owner. Because sufficient oil levels must be maintained in the engine at all times, a rod knock can occur if these levels fall too low.
Severe knocking indicates that a catastrophic failure has taken place and physical holes can literally be punched through the head or piston.
This causes metal fragments or fuel to be introduced into the oil system. This results in serious damage to the engine. This knocking acts as a signal that something is terribly wrong with the inner workings of the vehicle.
Failing to respond to the distress signs that knocks and pings in the engine make, leads to damage that is more extensive. Because engines must have oil to lubricate all moving parts, a lack of it will eventually cause a rod knock and will affect the crankshaft and rods.
Without prompt auto repair, the engine will become so damaged that it may have to be replaced. A knock in the engine can be a death knell for it, as it is very expensive to replace.
Power Control Module (PCM)
The power-train control module is the central control unit in a vehicle that gathers information from engine sensors that control over a hundred factors in a car or truck.
It generates error messages that inform the driver that there is a problem. It is only one of several computers in the vehicle that acts as its brains. It is comprised of several sensors that detect engine performance.
It acts automatically to control many vital car functions. Many problems can occur that cause the PCM to fail including thermal stress, vibration, electrical shorts, or even corrosion. Irreversible damage can occur if the PCM is not repaired or replaced. When a PCM fails, it causes a complete shutdown of a vehicle due to power loss.
The vehicle becomes disabled immediately and must be towed for repairs.
The PCM is made up of several sensors that detect engine performance. It acts automatically to control many vital car functions. Many problems can occur that cause the PCM to fail including thermal stress, vibration, electrical shorts, or even corrosion. Irreversible damage can occur if the PCM is not repaired or replaced. When a PCM fails, it causes a complete shutdown of a vehicle due to power loss. The vehicle becomes disabled immediately and must be towed for repairs.
When a PCM fails, it causes a complete shutdown of a vehicle due to power loss. Replacing or repairing the PCM is very expensive and time-consuming.
If you face any of these three deal-breakers, contact Desert Oasis Auto Repair for information and guidance on the best course of action to fix or forget your car.
