Latest news with #engine


CTV News
2 days ago
- Automotive
- CTV News
Ford updates recalls on thousands of SUVs and trucks over seatbelt, engine concerns
A wheel on a 2019 Ford Expedition 4x4 is displayed at the 2019 Pittsburgh International Auto Show on Feb. 14, 2019. (Gene J. Puskar / AP Photo) Ford has updated two separate recalls over safety concerns about seatbelts and engines, affecting tens of thousands of vehicles nationwide. Transport Canada posted both recall updates on its website Tuesday. Here's what to know: Possible seatbelt problems Expanding on a recall from March 28, Ford says 3,261 SUVs could have a problem with the driver and front-passenger seatbelt pretensioners, a safety feature that tightens the seatbelt in the event of a crash. As a result of the issue, the recall reads, 'the airbag warning light could turn on, and the seatbelt pretensioners could deploy without a crash.' The following models are affected: Ford Expedition (2018, 2019 and 2020) Lincoln Navigator (2018, 2019 and 2020) Malfunctioning pretensioners could increase the risk of injury, and those that improperly deploy could startle the driver, risking a collision, read the notice. Affected owners will receive mail from the company advising them to take their vehicles to a dealership for inspection. Seatbelt retractors may be replaced, as necessary. Ford says certain vehicles repaired under the March 28 recall will also require this fix. Engine concerns Ford has issued an update to a second recall affecting 26,905 trucks and SUVs. This is an update from a recall from two years ago. Certain vehicles equipped with a 2.5 L HEV or PHEV engine may have a manufacturing problem that could lead to engine failure and fire, according to the notice posted on Transport Canada's website. For this issue, Ford will also notify affected owners by mail and advise them to bring their cars to a dealership to possibly update the powertrain control module software, or to replace the engine. 'To reduce the safety risk, Ford recommends that you should shut off the engine as soon as possible if you hear unusual engine noises, see smoke from the engine compartment, or notice reduced engine power,' according to the notice online. The following models are affected: Ford Escape (2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023) Ford Maverick (2022 and 2023) Lincoln Corsair (2021, 2022 and 2023) For more information on both recalls, contact Ford at 1-800-565-3673 or visit its website.


Edmunds
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Edmunds
P0117: Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Circuit Low Input
What does the P0117 error code mean? The check engine P0117 diagnostic trouble code stands for "Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Circuit Low Input." This diagnostic trouble code is triggered when your vehicle's powertrain control module detects low voltage input outside the normal range from the first engine coolant temperature sensor, indicating your engine is running either too hot or too cold. Why is this issue important? Your engine carefully regulates its temperature, using engine coolant and oil to maintain an optimal operating temperature. Coolant absorbs heat from the engine and dissipates it through the radiator. With temperatures running too hot, your engine could damage certain critical components. When the thermometer swings too far the other way and things run too cool, your engine could burn excess fuel, leading to poor gas mileage and efficiency. Can I safely drive my car with this error code? It's best not to drive with a P0117 code. A malfunctioning engine coolant temperature sensor or fault detected by the powertrain control module can cause any of the above issues, including engine damage or excessive fuel consumption. Many modern engines contain software that will put the engine into a 'limp mode,' restricting performance to preserve internal components and prevent further damage. Common symptoms of the P0117 error code The check engine light is illuminated Poor fuel economy The engine may run rich (too much fuel) or lean (too little) Difficulty starting the engine, especially in colder temperatures Overheating and high temperature gauge readings The engine cooling fans are running constantly How is the P0117 error code diagnosed? Use an OBD-II scanner : Check for the consistent presence of the P0117 code and any other related errors. : Check for the consistent presence of the P0117 code and any other related errors. Inspect the engine coolant temperature sensor and wiring : Inspect the sensor and its connections for damage, rust or fraying. : Inspect the sensor and its connections for damage, rust or fraying. Measure sensor voltage : A multimeter tool can detect voltage issues within the sensor circuit or faults within the sensor's function itself. : A multimeter tool can detect voltage issues within the sensor circuit or faults within the sensor's function itself. Check coolant levels and condition: Low coolant can cause high engine temps, triggering the code. Check coolant levels and ensure your coolant is not old or rusty. How is the P0117 error code repaired? Replace the faulty engine coolant temperature sensor. Repair or replace damaged wiring in the engine coolant temperature sensor circuit. Replace or refill engine coolant if the quality or quantity is below optimal ranges. Clear the error code and perform a test drive to confirm the issue was resolved by one of the above remedies. More information on OBD-II diagnostic trouble codes Follow the link below to reach our diagnostic check engine trouble codes catalog: On-board diagnostics (OBD-II) trouble code directory

The Drive
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Drive
GM's Next-Gen Small-Block V8 Will Arrive in 2027
The latest car news, reviews, and features. A couple of years back, General Motors announced that it was investing about half a billion dollars into its Flint engine plant to support production of its next-generation small-block V8. This week, the company confirmed that it is on track to begin producing new engines in 2027, with an additional investment announced in the company's Tonawanda propulsion plant in Buffalo, New York. While other automakers have been distancing themselves from eight-cylinder engines, this cash injection is even bigger than GM's last, totaling nearly $900 million and signaling that the company intends to keep the V8 in production through at least the end of this decade. The money will go toward new machinery, equipment, and tools, GM's announcement said, as well as facility renovations. Production of the current engine family will continue uninterrupted during the upgrades. GM said this represents the largest single investment the company has ever made in an engine plant. 'Our significant investments in GM's Tonawanda Propulsion plant show our commitment to strengthening American manufacturing and supporting jobs in the U.S.,' CEO Mary Barra said. 'GM's Buffalo plant has been in operation for 87 years and is continuing to innovate the engines we build there to make them more fuel efficient and higher performing, which will help us deliver world-class trucks and SUVs to our customers for years to come.' The focus on trucks and SUVs may not stir the emotions of sports car fans, but the investment itself is still good news. In today's market, if the business case can be made for a V8 in a truck or SUV, that's the best chance it has to see production. And once it's available in the proverbial parts bin, engineers will inevitably try to find more exciting homes for it. Beloved by truck owners and sports car drivers alike, GM's small-block has long served as an icon of American motoring, dating to the Chevrolet V8s of the mid-1950s and continuously in production in one form or another ever since. Though its reputation has become tarnished of late by quality issues that ultimately led to a broad recall of the company's pickups and SUVs, the LT1 and L87 are still two of the best-regarded engines on the market today.


South China Morning Post
22-05-2025
- Science
- South China Morning Post
Chinese scientists prove US Air Force's Mach 16 engine concept ‘feasible'
A state-backed Chinese research team has achieved a breakthrough in developing a hypersonic engine powered by ordinary jet fuel, reigniting global debates over the viability of a technology proposed by US military nearly 70 years ago. In a peer-reviewed paper published in the Chinese-language Journal of Aerospace Power, a team of scientists announced a successful ground test of an oblique detonation engine (ODE) chamber burning RP-3 aviation kerosene. The experiment, simulating flight conditions at Mach 8 and and an altitude of 30km (18 miles), ignited and sustained stable detonation waves for over two seconds, which proponents said proved the concept's technical feasibility for military use. Researchers from the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) – the nation's premier institute for aerospace propulsion – and Northwestern Polytechnical University jointly revealed the results on May 6. The ODE concept, first proposed by researchers with the University of Michigan under US Air Force-contract research in 1958, promises propulsion without moving parts by coupling shock waves with combustion. Nasa scientists theorised in 1978 that it could enable sustained hypersonic cruise from Mach 6 to 16 but the concept faced scepticism due to extreme technical hurdles.


The Sun
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
I drove the new Mazda 3 – it has a really clever engine, drives sweetly and is brimming with big-car kit
HAVE a guess what engine powers this little Mazda3. Is it a cheery 1-litre three-pot similar to a Volkswagen Polo? 4 4 4 A sweet 1.2-litre turbo à la Vauxhall Corsa? Or even a 1.5-litre hybrid like a Toyota Yaris? The answer is none of the above. It is actually a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol. That's a B-I-G lump for a little squirt. Bigger than anything you'll find in a Kia Sportage or Nissan Qashqai, come to think of it. The reason being, Mazda has always dared to be different. It doesn't do 'downsizing'. In other words using a smaller capacity engine and fitting a turbo to it. It prefers 'right-sizing'. Having the correct capacity engine for the job, so it is less stressed and more efficient. Also, this new engine, combined with 48v mild hybrid tech, produces more torque lower down the rev range than the old 2-litre, improving real-world performance. The Mazda3 the first in our new generation of cars Cylinder-deactivation tech shuts down two cylinders under light loads, lowering CO2 and adding a smidge of mpg. So it's a really clever engine for a vehicle that's aged well, drives sweetly and is brimming with big-car kit from £25k. Slick six-speed manual or auto? I'd go manual. It's one of the best in the business and an absolute joy to thread down a B-road. Don't get me wrong, this isn't the fastest ride at the fairground but it corners tidily, with good body control, and feels solid and safe. If you need 4WD, try a CX-30. The cabin is another example of Mazda's mission to provide the highest quality for the money. Head-up display, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa and a reversing camera all come as standard. We like that. We also like the skinny, leather-wrapped steering wheel, squishy elbow pads, chunky footrest, big cup holders, old-school volume and heating controls, and grab handles galore. It's almost like they know exactly what people want from a car. Clarkson once said the Mazda3 is 'probably the most amazing car on sale in Britain'. A pint of Hawkstone Lager says he'll like the 2025 version even more.