Characteristic signs of serious mechanical damage usually appear after hundreds of thousands of kilometers. Parts that fail unexpectedly are usually small, easy to replace, and their failure does not interfere with the operation of the vehicle.
If a failure of a particular unit, component or system occurs, you first need to understand where to start searching. Sometimes it's obvious, and sometimes you have to search step by step. An owner who makes replacements and adjustments at random can sometimes even succeed in eliminating the fault (or its signs), but this is irrational, since it is usually a half-measure, and not a way out of the current situation. It is better to think calmly, imagine the operating principle and structure of the corresponding unit or system and, using the method of successive elimination, find and eliminate the cause. Always pay attention to any signs and symptoms that may indicate the onset of damage, such as loss of power, high or low gauge readings, unusual odors and noises, etc. Remember that failure of components such as fuses or spark plugs may indicate underlying damage to other components.
Below is a troubleshooting guide that is easy to use for the most common vehicle problems. These faults and their possible causes are grouped into sections, such as: engine, cooling system, etc. The chapter and/or section to refer to is indicated in brackets. When troubleshooting, follow some basic principles. They are as follows:
Check for initial signs of failure. Make sure you have identified the signs correctly before you begin work. This is especially important if you are troubleshooting a problem for someone else who cannot describe the symptoms accurately enough.
Don't neglect the most obvious reasons. For example, if the engine does not start, check if there is fuel in the tank? (Don't trust anyone's word, and don't rely on the fuel gauge!). If the electrical circuit is broken, look for a loose or broken wire or a blown fuse before getting out the tester.
Fix the cause of the problem, not the effect. If you regularly need to charge the battery, you need to find and eliminate the cause (replace the battery or alternator), otherwise the battery will continue to discharge. Likewise, replacing oil contaminated spark plugs will result in normal operation (at least for a while), but remember that the cause of pollution (if the spark plugs are of the recommended type) must be identified and eliminated.
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Even new parts need to be checked. Remember that the "newest" part may be faulty (especially if it's been hanging in the trunk for several months), and do not exclude parts when determining a fault, even if they are new or recently installed. Once you have finally determined the cause of the damage, you may realize that it was obvious all along.