If your car has started sputtering and acting strangely, you may wonder if there is a problem with the engine. If so, look for the following signs that your car's engine may have a cracked block.

White Smoke

When your engine block has cracked, the coolant that is normally contained within the motor will start leaking out. When the coolant hits the hot engine, it will start to boil on the metal and produce a white smoke.

At first, you may only see small wisps of smoke coming from under the hood. However, as the crack grows larger, there may be enough smoke to obscure your vision. You will also start noticing the next sign discussed below. 

Constant Overheating

Since the integrity of your engine's block has been compromised, the encasement will no longer be able to contain the coolant running through it. As it leaks out, your coolant level will become extremely low.

Once the level is low, your car will no longer have enough coolant to keep the motor's temperature within a normal range. This will make your car overheat constantly and require you to fill the radiator with increasing frequency.

If the cracked block is not repaired or replaced, the engine may eventually overheat to the point that it will melt the gaskets, leading to more coolant leaks, as well as leaking oil.

Foamy Oil

A cracked block doesn't just cause low coolant levels. Because the barrier between the motor's oil and coolant is no longer solid, the coolant will also start mixing with the oil.

You can tell if this is happening by inspecting the oil's dipstick. If the oil appears white and foamy, it has coolant mixed in with it.

If coolant becomes mixed with the oil, the oil will no longer be able to fully lubricate the gears of the engine. This lack of lubrication could lead to further overheating, as well as worn and stripped gears. Eventually, the motor will completely seize up and be unable to operate, making it necessary to replace the entire engine.

If your car is exhibiting any of the signs above, you most likely have a cracked engine block and are in imminent danger of breaking down. Take your vehicle to an auto repair service as soon as possible so they can verify the problem and take the steps necessary to get you back safely on the road.

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