Nobody likes to hear the words “failing engine.” It sounds expensive, stressful, and like the kind of problem you never want to happen, but the truth is, engines rarely fail overnight. They leave clues, like small changes in performance, warning lights, strange noises, that give you a chance to act before things get serious. Knowing those signs is the difference between a simple fix and a costly breakdown.

One of the first signals is your check engine light. It doesn’t always mean disaster, but it should never be ignored. Modern vehicles throw out error codes that tell your mechanic what’s going wrong, from faulty sensors to misfires. Even if the car feels like it’s running fine, driving with that light on can mask bigger problems waiting to grow. Other symptoms of a failing engine aren’t as subtle. Rough idling, sudden loss of power, or odd knocking noises when you accelerate should set off alarms in your head. Sometimes you’ll also notice excessive smoke from the exhaust or find yourself topping off fluids more often than usual. Each of these issues is your car’s way of telling you that something isn’t right under the hood.

Preventing damage comes down to catching these problems early and keeping up with regular maintenance. Oil changes, coolant checks, and paying attention to strange behavior behind the wheel all play a role. A neglected engine doesn’t just fail suddenly, it struggles for a while, and that struggle is what you can step in and fix before it’s too late.

At Multnomah Automotive, our technicians know what to look for when diagnosing a failing engine. We dig deep to find the cause and offer solutions that keep your car running strong. For drivers in Portland, Oregon, that means fewer surprises and a lot more confidence every time you turn the key.

If your car has been showing warning signs, don’t wait until you’re stranded. Schedule a visit with Multnomah Automotive today and give your engine the attention it deserves before winter sets in.