Why does an engine block crack? I'm having overheating problems with my Plymouth Duster. It turned out that there's a crack in the engine block.

One of the things that could make an engine block crack is improper mixture of water and antifreeze. Because of this, coolant may freeze on one of the passageways around the block. Expansion happens when the coolant freezes. If force or pressure from the freezing coolant becomes too much, the engine block may crack. That's why you should ensure proper coolant mixture at all times. Usually, the recommended mixture is equal parts water and antifreeze to keep coolant from freezing even at low temperatures. Be sure to use the right type of coolant that's recommended for your vehicle.

I switched on the heater of my Plymouth. Everything seemed right until I got to smell some antifreeze. Should I be worried, or is this quite normal?

There could be a leak. That's why there's this coolant smell when you turn on the heater. One of the things you could check is the heater core, which works like a mini radiator as it disperses heat or thermal energy into vents or ducts of the vehicle. Look for a trace of small leak in the heater core since a leak can lead to the smell of antifreeze invading the car interior when the blower fan is activated. Sometimes, moisture would even be found on the windshield or could get to the floorboards of the vehicle. What you should do is check the expansion tank for the coolant level once the engine is cold. See if the coolant level is unusually dropping too fast. If it is, then this could be an evidence of coolant leak. Have this problem fixed as soon as possible to prevent overheating problems with your vehicle.

The burning smell around the tires of my Plymouth vehicle is quite alarming. Is this normal? I checked the tires to see if there's a burned rubber, but they all seemed perfectly well. Where could the burning smell be coming from? I'm a bit clueless.

Don't ignore the burning, noxious odor. It could be a sign that the brake system of the vehicle has to be checked. Avoid driving until you've found where this burning smell is coming and after you've fixed the source. A broken or defective brake component could be the source of the burning smell.

I've noticed that I have to press down harder and farther to make the brakes work. What could be the problem here? Any tip?

If you feel like you have to press down on the brake pedal farther than usual, then you'll have to check your brake pads. You see, if it takes a while to stop the vehicle, it means that there's more time and pressure needed to complete the braking function. This can be a sign of brake pad wear. Before the pads get too thin or cause braking inefficiency, have these fixed or replaced right away. Don't wait till you have to play around with the pedal and it would feel like the brakes aren't working at all.

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