Can Misfiring Cause Cylinder Scoring?
2 Answers
Misfiring generally does not cause engine cylinder scoring. Cylinder scoring occurs due to insufficient engine oil or excessively high engine temperatures. More detailed information is as follows: 1. Engine oil is essential during engine operation, serving functions such as lubrication, cleaning, sealing, heat dissipation, buffering, and rust prevention. Without engine oil, the engine cannot operate normally. During normal operation, engine oil forms a protective film on the surfaces of various engine components, reducing friction and preventing direct contact that could generate excessive heat. 2. If there is no oil film on the surfaces of engine components, high-speed operation can cause intense friction, instantly generating significant heat, which is harmful to the engine. 3. Misfiring refers to a situation where one of the engine's cylinders is not functioning, which may be caused by faults in the ignition system or intake system. The ignition system mainly consists of spark plugs and ignition coils. Spark plugs are wear-and-tear parts that require regular replacement. If spark plugs are used for an extended period without replacement, the electrode gap may widen or carbon deposits may form on the electrodes, affecting normal ignition.
I've seen many older cars with this issue. From my repair experience, not fixing a misfiring cylinder can lead to cylinder scoring. A misfire means the cylinder isn't firing properly, causing unstable piston movement that scrapes against the cylinder walls. This increases friction and reduces oil film protection, eventually leading to scoring marks over time. I once experienced severe engine vibration that I didn't address promptly, and later found fine scratches on the cylinder walls when the engine was opened up. Early intervention could have prevented this. My advice: if you notice engine shaking or poor acceleration, immediately check the spark plugs or fuel system to prevent minor issues from turning into major repairs.
