Under the Hood: Demystifying Your Ford’s Engine Maintenance

The engine is the most complex and expensive part of your Ford. It contains numerous systems that work together to deliver the power that moves your vehicle. As time passes, components will wear out or become damaged, reducing engine performance and potentially causing additional issues. As your Ford dealer, we want to give you a few examples of the types of engine maintenance we provide.

Examples of Engine Maintenance Available at Your Ford Dealer

Engine Mount Replacement

The engine is securely connected to the frame by two engine mounts. These mounts are constructed from toughened rubber and are filled with liquid. The liquid acts as a shock absorber, preventing your engine from moving and protecting it against vibrations caused when driving. These mounts can wear out due to age, causing them to crack, and the liquid will seep out.

The loss of liquid from the mounts causes the engine to move slightly up and down, which can cause vibration damage to engine components. You’ll hear a dull thudding noise, particularly when driving over bumpy terrain, which can be unnerving. Your engine can’t break free from the frame, but the mounts need replacement to prevent engine damage. We’ll replace the mounts, and the noise will stop.

Damaged Ignition Coils

An ignition coil is connected to each spark plug to boost the spark plug’s power. A spark plug produces 12 volts, which is insufficient to ignite the fuel-air mixture in its cylinder. The coil boosts the voltage to 30,000 volts, ensuring efficient combustion. The coils eventually wear out and are usually replaced after 80,000 to 100,000 miles.

A failed coil prevents its spark plug from igniting the fuel-air mixture in its cylinder, causing a misfire. Misfiring produces a jerking sensation and a temporary drop in engine power. If the misfiring continues, the pistons and cylinders can be damaged. Our technicians will quickly replace any damaged coils.

Water Pump Replacement

The water pump is part of the cooling system. When your engine’s temperature hits a pre-set level, coolant is released into the engine. The water pump activates and pumps the coolant through your engine at high speed to absorb the heat radiating from hot engine components. Once the heat is absorbed, the coolant transports it to the radiator for removal by heat exchange.

A failed water pump prevents the coolant from moving, causing your engine to rapidly overheat and suffer major damage. We’ll replace the pump, and the engine temperature will return to normal.

Contact our service department today at Chestatee Ford in Dahlonega, GA, to book your Ford’s maintenance.

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