Is Engine Air Leak Serious?

[TimothyMarie]

You can still drive with an engine air leak. However, if the intake pipe leaks, it may draw external dust or sand particles into the cylinders, accelerating wear on the cylinder walls or piston rings. Engine air leaks can cause irregular idling and signal abnormalities. Any air leak will lead to unstable engine operation and insufficient power under various conditions. Here are some extended insights: Visual Inspection: The observation method is the simplest and most intuitive way to detect issues. When the engine shows problems, carefully inspect the cylinders and spark plugs for faults. If the spark plug electrodes have excessive carbon buildup and are coated with engine oil, it indicates poor piston ring sealing and oil leakage. Repeated Testing: Infer the source of the issue by testing different scenarios. Check cylinder pressure to understand the cause of the fault based on pressure variations. For example, using a pressure gauge, if the pressure rises significantly, it suggests piston ring wear. If the pressure remains unchanged, it indicates a valve or cylinder gasket leak. Experience Comparison: This method is more suitable for experienced car owners who can roughly identify the cause by comparing throttle responses.