How Long Can You Drive After Engine Cylinder Scoring?
4 Answers
After a major overhaul for engine cylinder scoring, the vehicle can typically be driven for another five years. Below are specific details about engine cylinder scoring: 1. Causes: Engine cylinder scoring refers to noticeable longitudinal mechanical scratches and abrasions on the inner walls of the cylinder within the piston ring's movement range, which can lead to adhesive wear in severe cases. 2. Prevention: The engine must undergo a proper break-in period; skipping this can cause numerous issues. Maintain the coolant temperature between 70°C and 95°C to prevent engine overheating, avoid overloading, do not start the engine without sufficient coolant, and regularly maintain the air filter to prevent dust from entering the cylinder.
My car once had cylinder scoring issues. At that time, the engine sounded like drumming, with particularly weak acceleration. I barely managed to drive it for two days before it completely broke down. How long you can drive really depends on the situation. With minor wear, you might make it a few hundred kilometers for short trips, but you must keep the speed below 60 km/h and absolutely avoid highways or uphill driving, otherwise the wear will worsen or even lead to engine seizure. It's best to check if the engine oil is sufficient or aged, as oil deficiency will accelerate damage. I tried adding new oil for lubrication, which helped temporarily, but from a safety perspective, don't take the risk—head to a repair shop as soon as possible to save trouble. Prolonged cylinder scoring can also ruin the pistons and bearings, doubling the repair costs.
From a technical perspective, engine cylinder scoring refers to internal cylinder wear leading to sealing failure, which directly impacts power output. How long it can still run varies with the degree of wear: minor issues might last a week or two or a few hundred kilometers, but will gradually lose compression and develop abnormal noises; severe cases allow only brief operation. The key is to monitor oil pressure—stop immediately if it drops too low to prevent further high-temperature damage. For daily driving, gentle acceleration and keeping RPMs below 2,500 are advised. Adding oil can provide temporary relief if necessary, but shouldn’t be treated as a permanent fix. Experience shows prolonged operation risks piston ring damage or complete engine failure, resulting in costly repairs.
Safety first. Continuing to drive with a seized engine poses extremely high risks. I strongly advise against pushing it - driving for just a few minutes up to a day could lead to a breakdown, especially dangerous when sudden failure occurs during high-speed driving. Abnormal engine noises serve as warnings; you should immediately stop to check the oil level and contact towing services upon hearing them. Delaying repairs significantly increases the likelihood of complete engine failure, not only causing repair costs to skyrocket but also creating road safety hazards. Cylinder seizure typically results from insufficient lubrication or overheating, so you must stop driving immediately to prevent further damage.
