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7 minute read Published on Mar 5, 2026 by BrokerLink Communications
Engines are built to handle heavy use, but they can still fail if they’re being driven too hard or when small issues go unnoticed for too long. J.D. Power notes it’s not unusual for a major repair to cost anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on the vehicle itself and what went wrong. With costs like that, it makes sense to want to know what can put an engine at risk before a small problem turns into an expensive one.
You may be surprised to learn that not every type of engine damage is covered by insurance, and knowing the difference can help you avoid denied claims or unexpected out-of-pocket costs. Below, we look at the most common causes of engine damage in Canada, how you can lower your risk, which repairs may be covered, and when the expense is likely to fall on you instead.
Before we dive into what can damage your car’s engine, such as oil, overheating, revving the engine, and more, we must first explain how a car engine works. Internal combustion engines are major feats of engineering. Each one contains hundreds of moving parts. However, there are three main engine components that you should know of as a driver, and they are:
Component
What it does
Cylinder head
This is the part of the engine where gas enters its chambers and where emissions exit as they make their way to the car’s exhaust.
Cylinder block
This is the place where air and gas are mixed together to generate power (i.e., where the combustion process takes place).
Oil sump
This is located at the bottom of the engine, and this is the place where engine oil builds up.
Each one of these unique components of the engine is at risk for different types of damage, such as oil starvation, heat stress, and even contamination.
We all know that car engines are tough, but let’s be honest: Canadian driving conditions certainly test their limits in ways many drivers don’t expect. From long winters to summer heatwaves, the environment can play an even bigger role in engine health than regular car maintenance. Let's take a look:
As an engine’s temperature rises, the oil inside begins to lose its ability to protect the moving parts, which causes friction to build up. If the heat continues, cylinder heads can distort, leading to compression trouble or a failed head gasket. If it gets really bad, the engine block can crack, leaving you with one of the most expensive repairs on the list. That’s why it’s important to pay attention and respond quickly if you ever notice the temperature warning light come on.
Engines naturally create heat, but when temperatures climb or coolant levels drop, that heat can build faster than the cooling system can manage. According to Canada Drives, low coolant is one of the most common causes of an overheating engine in Canadian vehicles.
Canadian winters bring another challenge for cars with extreme cold temperatures that can last for weeks. This can cause the:
Motor oil to thicken
Battery to lose its strength
Cold metal parts do not move as smoothly
NAPA Canada notes that cold weather causes engine oil to flow more slowly, which may increase early wear. Revving the engine before it’s warmed up also puts a lot of stress on your engine. Because cold motor oil can’t properly lubricate your engine, friction starts building up inside the engine and transmission, and over time, that strain can lead to major engine damage. That’s why it’s important to let your engine warm up for a couple of minutes before pulling out of the driveway.
Salt helps keep the roads passable through winter storms, but it also helps to accelerate corrosion in and around the engine bay, which can weaken electrical connections, sensors, mounts, and metal components that support engine performance. Canadian dealership Caledon Chrysler points out that salt can work its way into important engine components, causing starting trouble, electrical glitches, and strain on the battery and ignition system. That’s why it’s important to wash your car during the winter at least once every two weeks to remove the salt before it leaves any indelible damage.
Parts of Canada are known to experience flash floods, sudden downpours and severe weather events that can leave roads covered in fast-moving water. When water is sucked into the engine’s air intake, it can cause hydrolock, a catastrophic event that often totals the engine. The ICBC warns drivers not to start a vehicle that has taken on water, since doing so can cause more damage, which may not be insured.
Engines need a steady stream of clean air to run efficiently. When the air filter is clogged with dust, wildfire ash, pollen, or debris, the engine works harder than it’s designed to. NAPA Canada explains that restricted airflow can not only affect your engine’s performance, but it can also raise your fuel consumption.
Oil is essential for keeping engine parts protected and cool, but when oil becomes dirty or if there’s not enough oil in the engine, metal components will start to scrape against each other and create friction. This can lead to scoring, bearing damage, or even complete engine failure.
Skipping oil changes or stretching intervals beyond the manufacturer’s recommendation is one of the easiest ways for drivers to unknowingly damage their engines. Dark, sludgy oil or low oil levels are direct contributors to engine wear and failures in Canada.
Modern engines are designed for specific oil grades, which means that choosing the wrong one can affect how well the oil lubricates your car’s engine and can even shorten the overall lifespan of your vehicle. Making sure to use the right engine oil and changing it regularly is one of the easiest ways to help your engine run smoothly and efficiently.
J.D. Power explains that when you put too much oil in your engine, the oil may begin to froth or bubble due to the rods and crankshaft that are releasing air into it, leading to foaming, seal damage and lubrication issues. Overfilling it can also lead to splashing, resulting in various parts of the engine becoming coated in burnt oil. This, too, will minimize its effectiveness and can lead to problems with the engine. Thus, it is important to only fill up your oil to the level that your automaker recommends.
Regular oil changes can help you prevent issues caused by overfilling. Please note that oil changes can cost around $60-$100 on average, and an oil change can take 30 minutes to an hour.
Now that you know the possible causes of damage to your engine, let’s consider what you can do to avoid engine problems:
If you notice the check engine light in your car, don’t ignore it. We know it can be a hassle and an inconvenience, but if the light is on, there could be a serious problem, and ignoring it could only lead to more costly engine repairs down the line.
The cooling system in your car is what prevents your engine from overheating, which, as you now know, can wreak havoc on your engine. Thus, if you want to keep your engine in tip-top shape, you need to first take care of your cooling system. Make sure to schedule regular maintenance appointments so that a professional mechanic can assess your cooling system and check it for leaks while topping up coolant levels.
Checking your car for leaks can help you prevent a minor issue from turning into a major one. To look for a leak, glance at the ground beneath where you were parked when you pull out of the driveway, or pop the hood and use the flashlight function on your smartphone to see if there are any leaks.
Fluid levels naturally go down with time, but if your car doesn’t have enough fluid, it can cause major problems for your engine. So do your best to keep your fluid levels topped up.
Car insurance will cover certain scenarios of engine damage, but it won’t cover all of them. Comprehensive coverage can help if the damage comes from an external event, such as flooding, falling objects, fire, or other sudden incidents outside your control. Collision coverage can help if the engine was damaged during a collision with another vehicle or a stationary object.
However, engine damage won’t be covered if it’s caused by wear and tear, old or failing parts, or skipping your routine maintenance, since those issues fall under mechanical failure, which is generally excluded under standard policies. Some insurers may offer a mechanical breakdown endorsement, which can provide extra protection for your engine as long as your vehicle qualifies, but availability can vary. If you’re unsure what your policy includes, a BrokerLink advisor can walk you through the details and help you understand where your coverage starts and ends.
To increase the lifespan of your car and ensure your engine functions as it should, regular maintenance is important. It is also the best way to prevent damage to your car or to prevent minor damage from turning into major damage. Should something go wrong with your engine, having a personalized car insurance policy may help, and BrokerLink is here to help with that. You can reach us by phone, email, or in person at any one of our locations throughout Canada.
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