Crankshaft
Ever heard of a crankshaft? If not, don’t worry! You’re in the right place.
You don’t need to be an expert on every part under the bonnet to take good care of your car. However, a little knowledge can go a long way when it comes to avoiding costly repairs. This hidden but essential part of your engine quietly does its job, turning piston movement into rotational motion, the kind that eventually turns your wheels. And the good news? It’s built to last, but only if you look after them.
While crankshaft failures are rare, keeping your engine healthy is all about regular servicing. Fresh, high-quality oil and routine maintenance help prevent wear and tear, keeping everything running smoothly for years to come.
So, while you shouldn’t need to worry about your crankshaft, you do need to stay on top of servicing. In this blog, we’ll give Wellingborough drivers a simple overview of what the crankshaft and crankshaft position sensor do, why they matter, and how regular maintenance at SB Autocare keeps your engine – and your wallet – in good shape.
What is a Crankshaft?
The crankshaft is a vital part of any internal combustion engine. It is located in the lower section of the engine block. This precisely engineered part sits within your engine’s protective shell, the crankcase, with the oil pan mounted below it holding the lubricating oil.
The crankshaft is a complex and carefully engineered component; just look at the diagram to see how many different elements it’s made up of! It’s built to withstand immense forces, ensuring your engine runs smoothly and efficiently.
To keep everything operating smoothly, the crankshaft includes counterweights that help reduce vibration. It also has internal oil passages (oilways), allowing lubricant to flow through, protecting it from the extreme stresses inside your engine.
That’s why good-quality oil and regular servicing are essential. Without proper lubrication to these critical areas, metal-to-metal contact would quickly lead to excessive friction, heat buildup, scoring of the surfaces, and ultimately catastrophic engine failure.
What Does a Crankshaft Do?
In simple terms, the crankshaft’s job is to convert the up-and-down motion of the pistons into rotary energy. This rotation powers the clutch, gearbox, and ultimately, your vehicle’s wheels. At the same time, the crankshaft drives the camshaft via a timing chain, belt, or gears, ensuring precise valve timing. It can also power essential components like the alternator, water pump, and air conditioning compressor through pulleys.
What Can Go Wrong
The crankshaft is designed to last the lifespan of your vehicle. As long as regular oil changes have taken place, damage to the crankshaft is unusual, but if it does occur, it could cause catastrophic damage, requiring extensive rebuilding or replacement.
What’s more likely to fail on modern engines is the crankshaft sensor. If your vehicle takes its timing signal from the crankshaft position sensor and it fails, the engine cannot run since the Engine Control Unit (ECU) requires this signal for ignition and fuel injection timing.
Crankshaft Position Sensor
The crankshaft position sensor is an electronic device that monitors the engine’s crankshaft. Mounted to the engine block, the sensor detects the crankshaft’s movement and generates signals that indicate both its rotational speed and its precise position during operation.
Precise crankshaft position monitoring is essential for modern engine operation. The ECU requires exact information about the crankshaft position to optimise spark timing and fuel delivery. Without this data, the engine cannot determine when to fire the spark plugs or activate the fuel injectors.
A malfunctioning crankshaft sensor may cause the engine to stall or in some instances, prevent it from starting, as the ECU cannot determine the crankshaft position. This makes the crankshaft position sensor a critical component.
Signs Your Crankshaft or Position Sensor Needs Attention
If your crankshaft or position sensor starts to fail, it can cause all kinds of headaches. Here are the red flags to look out for:
- Difficulty Starting – The crankshaft sensor tracks the crankshaft’s position and speed during engine startup. If it fails to send this data to the ECU, the engine may not start.
- Engine Performance Issues – A failing sensor might cause misfiring, rough idling, or loss of power due to poor timing of spark or fuel injection.
- Check Engine Light – Often triggered by inconsistent or missing signals from the sensor.
- Temperature-Related Failures – High temperatures can cause the sensor to fail intermittently.
- Unusual Noises or Vibration – This could indicate physical crankshaft damage.
Early detection is key. A professional diagnosis at SB Autocare is recommended to confirm any issues before they lead to costly repairs.
Maintaining Your Crankshaft to Peak Performance
Here’s how to protect this critical component:
Regular Oil Changes
- At SB Autocare, we follow your vehicle manufacturer’s guidelines on oil change intervals.
- Fresh oil removes contaminants, reduces heat, and provides essential lubrication.
Quality Oil Selection
- We only use oil that matches the manufacturer’s specification.
- High-quality synthetic oils provide superior crankshaft protection.
Professional Servicing
- Our experts ensure correct oil selection and timely servicing at every visit.
Trust The Experts at SB Autocare
When it comes to crankshaft care, prevention is always better than cure, and regular servicing is the key to this. Our approach at SB Autocare has earned us a {{average-rating}} star Google rating from {{review-count}} satisfied customers.
We proudly offer:
- A comprehensive 12-month parts and labour guarantee
- Specialised tools for all inspections and repairs
- Use of manufacturer-specified or premium OEM replacement components
- Outstanding value and transparent pricing
(OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. When it comes to vehicle parts, this means the parts are made by the same company that produced the original parts for the vehicle manufacturer)
Our technical team is committed to keeping your vehicle reliable, your journeys through Northampton and Wellingborough safe, and your engine running smoothly.
📞 Call us today on 01933 229630 for expert advice or to book your next service.
