Crankshaft

Crankshaft

The crankshaft is an engine component located towards the bottom of the engine near the oil supply. Its purpose is to convert the motion of the pistons into the rotating motion that powers your engine. The pistons are linked to the crankshaft by a series of connecting rods. The bottom of these connecting rods will move in a circular motion, which turns the crankshaft. The turning of the crankshaft transfers the engine torque to the transmission, which transmits that power to the wheels. The crankshaft itself is usually made of a single steel bar. The crankshaft is held in place by several bearings inside the engine which are coated in engine oil. The bearings allow the crankshaft to spin while also keeping it relatively stable when it endures the powerful energy of the engine.

Signs of a bad crankshaft

A failing crankshaft can be caused by a number of different issues, including bearing wear, poor bearing clearance, bearing failure, poor lubrication, or a material flaw in the crankshaft itself. The signs that any of these issues are present include:

• The engine stops running
• Knocking noise from engine
• Oil pressure is low
• Dashboard warning lights illuminate

Crankshaft maintenance

If you notice any of the above signs, get your engine and crankshaft serviced by a car care professional right away. Do not attempt to drive the vehicle any further as you do not want to damage the engine. Get your vehicle towed to the shop of your choice. Your technician will first disassemble the entire engine in order to access the crankshaft. Depending on where the damage is – the engine, the crankshaft, or the bearings (or all three) – your technician will recommend whether the crankshaft can be repaired or if it must be replaced entirely. In severe cases, the engine might be done for, at which point you may want to consider scraping your vehicle.

The best way to get maintenance done on your crankshaft is to book your appointment through CarAdvise. CarAdvise makes car care simple and guarantees that you’ll pay less than retail price on all car maintenance services.