Can the Engine Still Run if the Connecting Rod is Broken?
3 Answers
Engine connecting rod broken cannot run. Main causes of engine connecting rod fracture: Water entering the engine cylinder (combustion chamber); continuous fuel injection by the engine; poor lubrication between the connecting rod and crankshaft leading to seizure; quality issues with the connecting rod itself; incorrect maintenance procedures or improper operation; damage to the crankcase system causing oil to flood the cylinder, among other reasons. Water entering the cylinder: When a vehicle is driven on roads with standing water, the engine may suck water into the cylinder. The water initially entering the cylinder quickly turns into vapor under the high temperature of the cylinder block, preventing the formation of a combustible mixture in that cylinder. As more water enters, it accumulates on top of the piston, reducing the effective volume of the combustion chamber and increasing compression resistance, thereby increasing the pressure transmitted from the piston to the connecting rod. When the amount of water reaches a certain level, the compression stroke essentially becomes the compression of water, causing the pressure on the connecting rod to increase sharply, leading to bending, deformation, and even fracture, potentially breaking the engine block.
My neighbor actually experienced this a few days ago! His old car suddenly made a loud clunking noise during a long-distance drive, scaring him out of his wits. The most direct consequence of a broken connecting rod is the piston punching straight through the engine block, with oil leaking all over the ground, making it impossible to control the steering wheel. Even if you're lucky enough to move the car, fragments can easily get stuck in the crankcase, scraping other parts with every rotation. I immediately warned him to turn on the hazard lights and get out of the car, absolutely not to step on the gas pedal again. This kind of damage can render the engine useless in minutes, with repair costs exceeding the car's value. If fragments fly into the cooling system, the entire car would have to be towed to a repair shop for a complete disassembly—it's really better to just replace the engine.
Having repaired cars for over a decade, I've witnessed too many tragedies of connecting rod failures. One small business owner stubbornly drove two kilometers, resulting in the piston cracking the cylinder block and engine oil spraying onto the catalytic converter, causing an immediate fire. If you ever encounter such a situation, the dashboard warning lights will flash wildly, accompanied by loud metallic banging sounds, as if someone were hammering the engine. At this point, you must immediately turn off the ignition switch—do not even attempt to start the engine, as the fragments can cause secondary damage by rotating with the crankshaft. More importantly, manual transmission vehicles must not be towed in neutral gear, as it can damage the gearbox. Last time, a skeptical owner insisted on driving, ending up with a 38,000 yuan repair bill and grooves worn into the crankshaft.
