Can You Keep Driving for a While If One of the Four Cylinders Has Insufficient Compression?
2 Answers
If one of the four cylinders has insufficient compression, you can continue driving for a short while, but you should get to a repair shop as soon as possible. Otherwise, it may easily damage the engine. Below is extended knowledge on the causes of insufficient cylinder compression: 1. Excessive wear of the cylinder or piston rings, misalignment, seizure, or breakage of piston rings can lead to insufficient cylinder compression. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can reduce the elasticity of piston rings, preventing them from sealing the piston properly, which also results in insufficient compression. 2. Damage or poor sealing of the cylinder head gasket can cause insufficient cylinder compression. The cylinder head gasket serves to isolate the cylinders from each other. If the gasket between adjacent cylinders is damaged, it can lead to gas leakage between the cylinders, resulting in low pressure in both adjacent cylinders. 3. Warping of the cylinder head's lower surface can cause insufficient cylinder compression. High engine coolant temperatures can deform the cylinder head, causing it to lose flatness and leading to poor sealing. This will show up as insufficient compression during a compression test. Most cases of low compression across all or multiple cylinders are due to this reason. 4. Poor sealing of the intake or exhaust valves can result in insufficient cylinder compression. Valve cone surface erosion, bent or broken valves, or improper valve clearance adjustment can all lead to poor cylinder sealing and insufficient compression.
I've been driving for over twenty years, and one experience with low cylinder pressure left a deep impression on me. It happened during a long-distance trip when the car started shaking violently, the throttle response became sluggish, and the engine light on the dashboard lit up. I thought about pushing through to the nearest service station, but after just a few kilometers, the steering wheel was vibrating so much it made my hands numb, and the fuel consumption skyrocketed. After stopping to check, I found out that one cylinder had low pressure. Later, the mechanic explained that insufficient cylinder pressure could be caused by poor valve sealing or worn piston rings. Continuing to drive would lead to engine imbalance, not only reducing power but also potentially damaging the spark plugs or even causing cylinder scoring, doubling the repair costs. Since then, whenever I notice any abnormality in my car, I don't hesitate—I stop immediately for inspection. Safe driving is the most important thing; don't let your beloved car suffer just to save a little time on the road.
