Can the car still be driven if the cylinder is washed out?
4 Answers
If the car engine's cylinder is washed out, it should not be driven. A washed-out cylinder can cause a rapid rise in water temperature and severe water shortage in the radiator. The car should be stopped immediately and sent to a repair shop for inspection and repair. Continuing to drive may lead to cylinder seizure, and in severe cases, the engine may be damaged beyond repair. Main causes of cylinder washout: Severe lack of lubricating oil leads to poor lubrication, causing intense friction and temperature rise between the cylinder and piston as well as the connecting rod. The temperature rises, but poor heat dissipation prevents proper cooling, reducing lubrication clearance. This results in seizure between the piston, cylinder, and connecting rod. Due to strong inertia, the engine continues to operate, leading to cylinder seizure and severe impact damage to the cylinder block, rendering it irreparable.
Never drive a car with a blown head gasket! This happened to my own car before—after starting, the engine light came on and white smoke appeared. It turned out the cylinder head gasket failed, allowing coolant to leak into the cylinders. If you force it to run, internal engine components like pistons and cylinder blocks can corrode or overheat and melt, leading to deformation. Not only will this completely ruin the engine, but it may also cause the radiator to burst or even start a fire. I once saw a fellow car owner ignore this issue and drive just a few kilometers to the repair shop, only for the repair cost to skyrocket from a few hundred to tens of thousands—what a huge loss! Safety first. If you notice the coolant temperature warning light or a significant drop in power, stop immediately, turn off the engine, and call a tow truck for repairs—never take the risk. Regular inspections of the engine cooling system and routine maintenance can greatly reduce this risk. After all, prevention is always better than costly repairs later.
I found out that the car can still run for a while with a blown head gasket, but the risk is extremely high. A damaged cylinder head gasket allows coolant to mix into the combustion chamber, causing the engine to shake and lose power during operation, and the engine oil may also emulsify and deteriorate. Moving at low speed for a short distance, such as driving to a nearby repair shop, is not advisable, but if absolutely necessary, limit it to within 500 meters and do not exceed 30 km/h. Otherwise, overheating will accelerate the damage. I once tried this temporary solution, and halfway through, the engine noise became extremely loud. The mechanic later said the engine block was almost ruined. Therefore, it's best not to drive it and instead call a professional tow truck immediately. Symptoms to check for include a soaring temperature gauge, white smoke from the exhaust pipe, or rapid coolant loss—these signals should not be ignored. Timely repair and replacement of the cylinder head gasket are crucial to avoid turning it into a major problem.
I don't recommend driving if the car has a blown head gasket. This issue is usually caused by a deteriorated or overheated cylinder head gasket, which allows coolant to enter the engine. Driving in this condition can worsen internal wear and increase the risk of overheating. If you must move the car, do so slowly to a safe location, such as from a parking spot to the roadside, but never attempt a long-distance drive. Once, I drove my car just 2 kilometers to a repair shop, and the engine temperature skyrocketed, resulting in repair costs several times higher than expected. Symptoms like engine weakness, contaminated engine oil, or reduced coolant levels should raise immediate concern. Avoid driving to protect the engine's lifespan and never overlook safety factors.
