How to Determine if There is Cylinder Scoring
2 Answers
Engine power will significantly decrease. The vehicle's operating temperature will be excessively high. Blue smoke may appear in the vehicle's exhaust emissions. Abnormal noises may occur when the engine is operating. Unstable idle speed or even stalling during vehicle idling could be caused by engine cylinder scoring.
To determine if the engine has cylinder scoring, pay attention to several key points. Listen carefully to the engine sound while driving. If there is a continuous ticking or knocking sound, like a small hammer tapping, it could be a sign of cylinder scoring. Also, check the oil consumption—if it’s depleting unusually fast or if blue smoke appears from the exhaust during cold starts, it indicates oil burning. Additionally, a noticeable drop in power, sluggish acceleration when pressing the throttle, or difficulty climbing hills may suggest insufficient cylinder pressure. During regular car maintenance, I always check these signs. If any of these issues are detected, it’s best to use a compression tester to measure the pressure in each cylinder—the one with low pressure is likely affected. Don’t delay; cylinder scoring can lead to complete engine failure. Getting a professional diagnosis at a repair shop early is the right approach.