How to Determine if a Car Has Cylinder Scoring?
2 Answers
Methods to determine cylinder scoring in a car include: 1. Reduced cylinder compression pressure and loss of power; 2. Downstream leakage of combustible mixture increases crankcase pressure, which may lead to crankcase explosion in severe cases; 3. Upstream leakage of lubricating oil into the cylinder causing oil burning; 4. Excessive smoke from the exhaust pipe; 5. Abnormal engine noise; 6. Engine malfunction or even stalling. Methods to prevent cylinder scoring include: 1. Adjust the clearance between the piston skirt and cylinder liner, as well as the piston ring end gap; 2. Strengthen the maintenance of the air filter to prevent dust from entering the cylinder; 3. Maintain the lubrication system; 4. Regularly check the engine oil level; 5. Keep the coolant temperature within a reasonable range.
I remember my old car had a similar issue. The engine sounded unusually loud, like there were rocks rolling inside, and it clearly lacked power when accelerating, feeling particularly sluggish. I didn’t pay much attention at first, but then blue smoke started coming out while driving, which really got me worried. After taking it to the repair shop, it turned out to be cylinder scoring—the cylinder walls were severely worn, causing abnormal piston movement. To determine if there’s cylinder scoring, the most obvious signs are increased engine noise, especially a metallic grinding or knocking sound at idle or when pressing the accelerator. Secondly, a noticeable drop in power is common—the car accelerates slower and consumes more fuel. Also, check the exhaust for blue or black smoke. Blue smoke usually indicates oil burning, while black smoke may point to other issues but is still relevant. Drive gently in daily use, avoid sudden acceleration, and change the oil on schedule. If something feels off, immediately visit a professional shop for a compression test using a cylinder pressure gauge—this will confirm the issue. Cylinder scoring isn’t a minor problem; neglecting it could wreck the engine, and repairs can be extremely costly.
