Ask the mechanic >Why does my engine go off when I am driving?

Dear Paul,
I have a Suzuki Jimny wide model 1997, I need spare parts, especially the boot door, shock absorbers and side mirrors, among others. Where can I find them in Uganda ?
Luke Wepukhulu

Hello Luke, Cooper Motor Corporation Uganda at Nakawa katalima loop are the authorised Suzuki car and parts dealers in Uganda. They are supposed to stock parts for your Jimny wide. In case they do not carry parts for your model, then take a stroll down town to the Cooper Complex (Nakivubo green) behind Ben Kiwanuka Street. There are a couple of shops that will carry parts for your car.

Hi Paul, what are the possible faults in the car lubrication system if the gauge reads low. Erasmus Ekaal.

Erasmus, if the oil pressure gauge or warning light indicates that there is low engine oil pressure, you must investigate immediately. A failure of your engine lubrication system may cause serious valve, piston, bearing as well as camshaft or crankshaft damage. The engine low oil pressure warning light is intended to alert you to avoid very serious mechanical damage. Ask a mechanic to check the engine oil level and oil condition in case it has developed an oil leak or deteriorated in quality such as lumpy with sludge, too thick or too light and dark. Low engine oil pressure happens when insufficient engine oil is delivered to the fast moving and very hot internal engine parts. This situation is usually caused by poor oil quality especially due to delay to carry out service or use of counterfeit oil products and oil filters. A drop in oil pressure can be caused by sudden and extreme engine oil loss due to leaking engine seals, drain plug or damaged engine crankcase (oil sump). Mechanical breakdown of the engine oil delivery system for instance the oil pump, failure of the oil pick up tube and the tiny oil galleries (passages) around the engine due to blockage by thick oil sludge. The deterioration of engine oil quality, however good it is, is expected over the recommended service schedule. This is due to the important role it plays in your engine: lubricating and cooling the fast moving and very hot internal engine parts, prevention of metal sheer damage caused by metal surfaces like pistons and cylinder bores rubbing against each other as well as cleaning and transporting after combustion (burning) soot and tiny metallic debris to the oil filter. Therefore, regular periodic engine oil service is important with the use of manufacture recommended oil filters and good quality or reputable lubricants which meet the performance expectation and standards certified by the Association of Petroleum industries - API.
Occasionally the low engine oil pressure warning light can be caused by a failure of the oil pressure switch or oil pressure level sensor in some modern cars. After inspecting and ruling out the other causes of low engine oil pressure, the technician can use an electronic tester or computer diagnostic tool to confirm whether the switch or sensor work.

Dear Mechanic,
I have a Mercedes C 200 (1994) with a 2L engine. When driving, especially during braking and in corners, the engine sometimes goes off! What could be the problem?
Albert S.
Hello Albert, your Mercedes C200 (W202) may have an engine vacuum leak. It’s an easy fix and any smart technician can sort out the problem. Out of experience, the common vacuum leaking points on your ‘Merc’ are the intake manifold black vinyl hose before the throttle potentiometer and the little black hose on the Positive crank case ventilator (PCV) above the valve cover. There is another little hose under the engine manifolds but first check the above two. These hoses usually crack due to age (your car is 21 years old). You can find new or quality used replacement parts. A car engine is like a big vacuum pump. Vacuum is produced on the intake stroke when the crankshaft draws down the pistons. This suction effect is useful for clean air intake but also helps to regulate the performance of various other engine components and systems such as exhaust gas recirculation; brake booster; engine crank case ventilation; cruise control and stabilising engine idling among others. A leak in the vacuum caused by a damaged intake hose will cause erratic idling or engine stalling which in your case happens when you apply the brakes or steering, which functions rely on vacuum pressure.

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By Paul Kaganzi
0772316145
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