How Long Can You Drive with a Scored Engine?
4 Answers
Engine scoring means you should not continue driving; instead, park the vehicle and wait for rescue and repair to avoid further damage. Below is an introduction to engine scoring: Introduction: Engine scoring refers to the 'welding' and damage of the piston, piston rings, and cylinder liner surfaces due to high temperatures. Definition: It occurs when the oil film between the piston and cylinder liner is interrupted, leading to dry friction. The intense frictional heat causes microscopic melting and adhesion of the metal, tearing nearby metal particles. Cause: The root cause of engine scoring is the interruption of the oil film. To meet gas sealing requirements, the gap between the piston rings and cylinder liner should be as small as possible, which creates unfavorable lubrication conditions. The friction between the cylinder liner and piston rings depends on factors such as piston ring tension, operating temperature, sliding speed, oil film distribution, component quality, and break-in conditions.
I'm in the automotive repair business, and cylinder scuffing is something you really can't ignore. When the pistons and cylinder walls are rubbing and deforming, continuing to drive risks sudden seizure and engine stall—especially dangerous at high speeds when you could lose power abruptly. Last week, a customer insisted on driving another two kilometers, and the engine ended up completely ruined, costing over 8,000 more in repairs. My advice? If you notice cylinder scuffing symptoms, pull over immediately and call for roadside assistance—every extra minute driven is gambling with your safety. Get it inspected right away to determine whether piston rings need replacement or a full engine overhaul is required—don't take chances. Oh, and always monitor your oil levels; low oil is the most common cause of cylinder scuffing.
Last year my car also suffered from cylinder scoring, it felt like the engine was coughing. I kept driving for three days before it completely broke down, and the repair shop said the scratches on the cylinder walls were deep enough to serve as a ruler. Looking back now, it's terrifying to think what could have happened if it had stalled halfway through a tunnel. In reality, after cylinder scoring occurs, you might only make it a few dozen kilometers at most, but every kilometer driven worsens the damage. I later learned that an overheating temperature gauge is actually a warning sign. My advice is to stop immediately and check the engine oil—if it's black with metal shavings, you must not restart the engine. In the end, the repairs took half a month and cost me 5,000 yuan more than if I'd addressed it promptly. It still hurts to think about it.
Cylinder scoring is equivalent to a heart attack for the engine, and pushing through it is playing with your life. The worst case I've seen was a driver who continued for two more hours, resulting in piston fragments punching through the entire crankcase. The oil pressure warning light should raise immediate concern—if accompanied by metallic grinding noises, the engine must be shut off immediately. Typically, after cylinder scoring occurs, the vehicle should only be moved to the roadside to await rescue. Continuing to drive not only damages the engine further but the high temperatures may also cause spontaneous combustion. Remember, weigh the cost of a few thousand in repairs against the tens of thousands for a scrapped engine—the math is clear. Regularly changing to genuine oil can effectively prevent this issue.
