Image: M_a_y_a/E+/Getty Images
About This Quiz
Who doesn't love their car? We spend so much time in them that we do get attached to them. They even seem to have a little personality of their own, filled with little quirks — especially older models that have spent a few decades cruising along coastlines, or through mountain passes.
But we have all been there ... a clunk, whizz, and vrrrrr come from the engine, and your beautiful car grinds to a halt! What could be wrong? Can you fix it? And more importantly, how much will it cost? Cars are made up of many, many thousands of parts that work in perfect harmony to get us from point A to point B. And when things go wrong, we worry.
Luckily, we are far better off now than in the past. Cars are just infinitely more reliable now than they were 60 years ago. They also have so many more onboard systems that help detect problems before they become something more serious.
That said, do you think you have what it takes to troubleshoot a range of common car problems? In this quiz, we will give you a scenario or question and test your knowledge of what the likely cause of the problem is or what needs to be fixed to get your car going again.
Sounds easy, doesn't it? Let's hope you know your magneto from your oil pump!
Good luck!
When starting your car at night, you notice that the interior lights dim. What car part could be faulty?
Starter motor
If there is a problem in the starter motor, it can often drain battery power during the startup process. That would cause the interior lights to dim. Replace it before it becomes something more serious!
Cylinder
Piston
Air intake manifold
Advertisement
What is mechanic lingo for the serious problem of a broken connector between the piston and the crankshaft?
Flipped a lid
Thrown a rod
While pistons sit tightly in their own cylinder, they are still connected to the crankshaft. This connection is achieved through the connecting rod and if one of these breaks, it can cause some problems. Mechanics call it "throwing a rod."
Bust-a-move
None of the above
Advertisement
In a diesel-powered car, an orange dashboard warning light that looks like a rectangle with dots means which of the following should be checked?
Spark plugs
Diesel filter
Today, cars that run on diesel are just as efficient at their gas counterparts. Of course, a diesel engine can have its own set of unique problems. If this light flashes, it is best to get the diesel filter checked out. You certainly don't want dirty fuel entering the engine.
Alternator
Magneto
Advertisement
If you notice black, sooty smoke coming from the exhaust, what could be the problem?
You put in the wrong fuel
The engine is burning oil
If you notice black smoke coming from your vehicle's exhaust, this indicates your engine is burning too much oil. A black sooty tailpipe will confirm that as well. It's best to consult with a professional to find the cause of the problem.
Your engine needs coolant
None of the above
Advertisement
A little bit of blue smoke escaping the hood of your car while it is running indicates ______.
The engine is running too rich
An engine that is running too rich is getting too much gasoline. During the combustion process, not all the fuel is being burned. That will lead to some blue smoke under the hood. Not only are you wasting money on excess gas that is not being used, but your car is not running at optimal performance.
The engine is on fire
The radiator needs coolant
Your brakes are failing
Advertisement
You notice a yellow glowing light on your dashboard. It is in the shape of a car engine. What do you do?
Stop the vehicle and pull to the side of the road
The engine warning light can indicate a small problem or it could indicate a big problem. It's better to get it checked out as soon as possible. What you do not want to do is to drive your car with that light burning. It came on for a reason, and that means you should get it checked out.
Don't worry; it's nothing
Put in gas
None of the above
Advertisement
Your car won't start. You have checked the battery and starter motor and they are working. What else could it be?
Air filter
Fuel pump
A car needs fuel to start; it's part of the ignition process. If a fuel pump has failed, it will not be pushing fuel into the ignition system and the car won't start.
Fan belt
Piston pin bush
Advertisement
Your car is not starting. In fact, the engine won't even turn over. You have checked that the lights work, so it can't be the battery. What is the other likely cause?
The engine is too cold, turn on the heater
Starter motor
The main cause of the engine not turning over is a problem with your starter motor. A gentle tap can sometimes help it to turn over again, but if you are unsure, call someone who is knowledgeable to have a look.
A gudgeon pin is broken
None of the above
Advertisement
You notice a rattling sound coming from underneath your car when you are driving. What could be causing it?
The battery is loose
Your tires need air
The honeycomb mesh in the catalytic converter has come loose
Part of the cleaning system on the catalytic converter is a honeycomb cluster. This often breaks free from the converter's housing and will rattle. Replace the converter to fix this problem.
The oil pump is jammed
Advertisement
You notice white smoke coming from under your hood and out of the exhaust, as well as a loss in performance. What could be the problem?
A battery terminal is loose
Cracked cylinder head
A severe cracked in the cylinder head gasket can produce plenty of white smoke from your car's engine and exhaust. This should be addressed immediately, so take your car to a mechanic as soon as possible before it causes more damage.
Oil filter is dirty
None of the above
Advertisement
You have noticed a terrible smell in your car lately. It's almost like rotten eggs. What could you check first to pinpoint the problem?
Distributor cap
Catalytic converter
A smell of rotten eggs is generally a sign that your catalytic converter is failing. It cannot convert the exhaust gases into sulfur dioxide. This should be checked right away since, in all likelihood, your car is not adhering to emissions standards.
Drive belt
None of the above
Advertisement
Your car has an idling problem and is not smooth at all. You have checked the plugs and high tension leads and they are perfect. What do you check next?
Fuel injector
If the fuel injector is clogged, it could be causing the uneven idling problem. Why? Well, a clogged fuel injector means that fuel is not getting into the engine effectively, and that is causing it to run poorly.
Pistons
Air intake housing
Engine valve
Advertisement
A dashboard light with a picture of a thermometer indicates you should check what in your vehicle?
Coolant levels
Failure to investigate why the temperature light on your dashboard has started flashing could cause your engine to overheat, which can harm it. As soon as you see this light, pull over at your nearest gas station and ensure the radiator is filled to its proper level. You should also check to make sure that it doesn't have a leak.
Oil levels
If there is a leak in the gas tank
Crank pulley
Advertisement
Which of these below describes a seized engine?
Noise coming from the engine
The engine won't start at all
The most common reason for an engine to seize is simply a lack of care and maintenance. You need to check the oil in your vehicle often to make sure there is enough to keep the engine lubricated. Failure to do so will see the engine seize and your car won't start. It will also cost plenty of money to fix, so it's best to keep up with regular maintenance checks.
Blue smoke coming from the tailpipe
A whirring sound
Advertisement
It was fine yesterday but all of a sudden, your car won't start. The engine won't even turn over. In fact, it is totally dead. What should you check first?
Coolant levels in the radiator
Battery terminals are connected
An engine that is totally dead and won't turn over could have a number of causes. The first thing to check, however, is that the terminals are connected to the battery. You won't believe how easily these can come off. If they are fine, you should then check to see if the battery is still good, and go from there.
Brake fluid levels
The water pump
Advertisement
Despite turning your old '65 Corvette engine off, it keeps on running for a bit. What must you fix to stop that?
You need a new carburetor.
Check the ignition chamber.
Build up of carbon in the ingition chamber can cause a car to run, even though it has been switched off and the key removed. No, it's not the previous owner's ghost. It's a relatively easy fix, especially on old cars.
The magneto is faulty.
None of the above
Advertisement
A flashing red light on your dashboard which shows a can with a handle and a small droplet indicates you should check which of these?
If you have gas
Oil level
Failure to check the oil level in your engine when you see this light could be catastrophic. Oil is the engine's lubricant. Without it, metal will grind on metal, and your engine could seize up.
Power steering fluid
Coolant level
Advertisement
Your check engine light stays on, but there's nothing wrong with the engine. What else could be the problem?
You need to regas the air conditioning system.
A loose gas cap
In many modern cars, a loose gas cap will not only cause you to lose gas through evaporation, but it often can cause the check engine light to flash on your dashboard. If this happens, check that the gas cap is fitted correctly.
Faulty crankshaft
None of the above
Advertisement
An overheating car could be a result of failure in one of two cooling systems in the car. What should you check?
Radiator, water pump
In a water-cooled engine, two of the most important parts in regulating the temperature within the engine are the radiator and the water pump. The radiator stores the water and coolant to be used when needed, and the water pump moves it from this storage area into the engine where it helps cool the power unit down.
Fan, oil sump
Fuel filter, radiator
Water pump, crankshaft
Advertisement
What is another important part of a car's cooling system that helps regulate when coolant is fed to a overheating engine?
Rocker arm
Rotor
Thermostat
It's a relatively small piece of your cars cooling system, but don't underestimate the thermostat. It controls when coolant is released from the radiator into the engine to cool it down. If this is faulty, an engine can overheat very quickly.
Tappet
Advertisement
You have tried starting your car but have had no luck doing so. You notice the distinct smell of gasoline as it tries to turn over. What is the problem?
A faulty spark plug
The oil filter is blocked.
The engine has flooded.
A flooded engine simply will not start. This is because the gas/air mixture is too rich. There is too much gasoline for combustion to take place. Wait 20 minutes and try again, but do not press the accelerator when starting the car.
None of the above
Advertisement
A car that belches white smoke from the exhaust indicates what type of problem?
You are using the wrong motor oil.
Your car is running out of gas.
A head gasket no longer makes a seal.
When a car starts belching white smoke out of the exhaust, the first thing to check is the head gasket. Often, worn or broken head gaskets no longer make a proper seal and should be replaced. Check the engine block as well; it could be cracked.
Water is leaking from the radiator.
Advertisement
A rather strange light, which is shaped like a side profile of an engine, has started blinking on your dashboard. What is it warning you about?
Emission problems
All cars today have systems in place that regulate vehicle emissions. This could indicate a problem with either the sensors or the catalytic converter itself. A faulty catalytic converter is a serious problem that needs to get checked right away.
Running out of gas
Low oil levels
None of the above
Advertisement
A car that burns off all its oil will have its engine _____.
Run optimally
Seize
It is crucial that you check the oil level in your car at least once every week, especially in older cars. Don't rely on the dashboard warning light to tell you to check your oil; do it yourself. If the engine has no lubricant, it will seize.
Splutter
Run on one less cylinder
Advertisement
While approaching your car, you notice a puddle under the engine. What should you check?
Brake fluid levels
The water/coolant level in the radiator
A leaking radiator is a massive problem. If not fixed, coolant levels will drop, your engine will overheat and could seize. A quick fix is to use a radiator sealant, but ultimately, it will need to be replaced.
Power steering fluid levels
It's probably from another car.
Advertisement
A car that starts with difficulty and idles roughly thereafter should have which of these checked?
Fan
Cam belt
Spark plugs
The easiest thing to check in this situation is your the spark plugs. These can get fouled up easily, particularly ones that have been in the car for a long time. This means they will not fire properly and can certainly lead to your engine misfiring. It's a good idea to clean them regularly, particularly in older cars.
Glow plugs
Advertisement
Once you have checked the spark plugs and find them to working fine, what should you check next if your car continues to have difficulty starting and idles roughly?
High tension leads breaking down
Faulty high tension leads can also cause starting and idling problems. So, if your car is harder to start or idles very roughly, a high tension lead breaking down could be the reason. Always keep them free from any dampness by spraying WD-40 on the connectors.
Faulty battery
Solenoid problem
A blocked oil filter
Advertisement
In a diesel-powered car that is struggling to start, particularly in cold weather, what should be checked first as a possible cause of the problem?
Glow plugs
A diesel engine has no spark plugs since fuel is ignited through the heat caused by compression in the cylinder. It does have glow plugs, however, and they help start the engine. Effectively heaters, the glow plugs help to warm the engine, making the fuel combust easier, especially in cold weather. If a diesel-powered car is starting hard, it could be the glow plugs that are faulty and they should be checked first.
Oil filter
Radiator
Engine block
Advertisement
When adding oil to your engine, you notice that the current oil is frothy and has a foam-like covering. What could the problem be?
It has been contaminated by coolant or water.
If coolant or water has somehow gotten into your engine, it will turn the oil a milky white and produce foam, nowhere near the normal brown/black color it should be. This means you probably have a leak in the coolant system.
It is old and needs to be replaced.
It has mixed with gasoline.
None of the above
Advertisement
A warning light on the dashboard showing a box with a + and - inside of it indicates a problem with which engine part?
Cam belt
ECM unit
Air blower
Battery
If this light shows on your dashboard, it generally means your battery is not taking a charge. If this happens, the battery will eventually run out of power, and your car won't start. Check to see if the battery has a dead cell. If it does, the battery needs to be replaced.
Advertisement
Despite replacing your battery, the battery light remains on when you start your car. Which is the next logical thing to check?
Alternator
The alternator is an essential part of a car's engine. One of its most important roles is to help charge the battery while the vehicle is in motion. If the alternator does not do this, the battery will quickly go flat.
Tappet
Cylinder block
Camshaft spacer ring
Advertisement
Your diesel vehicle has suddenly started flashing a warning light on its dashboard. It looks like a thin line making two ovals. What should you check?
Oil filter
Glow plugs
This light will come on when you start your engine, particularly in cold weather. If it stays on, it indicates that a glow plug, which helps to start and warm a diesel engine, is faulty.
Harmonic balancer
Rocker cover
Advertisement
If your car is leaking oil, what color liquid might you find on the ground under it?
Brown
A tell-tale sign that your vehicle is leaking oil is the patches of fluid it will leave on the ground below it. If it is brown and has an oil-like smell, then it is oil. The older the oil in the vehicle, the darker it will become, so even a black fluid might be oil.
Green
Blue
Red
Advertisement
A high-pitched squealing sound coming from your engine could indicate ________.
Worn fan belt or other belts
A wearing belt, which is generally easy to spot as it would have frayed, is a relatively simple fix. That will solve your squeaking problem. Never leave the belt that is squeaking on too long because if it snaps, it may cause more serious problems.
A loose alternator
A broken magneto
The camshaft phase variator needs to be replaced.
Advertisement
To start a car, one of these is essential. What is it?
Oil pressure
Spark
In a gasoline-powered engine, lots of things need to click into place for the engine to start. But without a spark, which is provided through the spark plug, the air/fuel mixture cannot ignite, and combustion cannot take place. Without combustion, a vehicle won't start.
A clean air filter
An engine temperature of 75 degrees Celsius
Advertisement
You Got:
/35
