What are the symptoms of a scored engine?
3 Answers
Symptoms of a scored engine include abnormal engine noise, lack of power, noticeable exhaust emissions, and stalling at idle. A scored engine can be repaired by boring the cylinder and replacing the piston. Below are details about engine scoring: Causes of engine scoring: Causes of engine scoring include poor cylinder lubrication, insufficient break-in, inadequate cooling, malfunctioning piston rings, use of low-quality fuel, and incorrect repair or assembly. Solutions for engine scoring: If detected early, the engine can be repaired at a workshop by boring the cylinder and installing oversized pistons. If the cylinder wall scratches are too deep or the piston components are severely worn, repair may not be worthwhile. In such cases, a major overhaul is necessary, including replacement of new components. In severe cases, the entire cylinder block may need to be replaced.
The most obvious symptom of a seized engine is that the car suddenly stalls and cannot be restarted, accompanied by sharp metallic scraping or rattling sounds from the engine, as if parts are locked up. With over ten years of driving experience, I've encountered this issue a few times, often caused by insufficient oil or lubrication system failure leading to cylinder walls being scratched by pistons, resulting in internal overheating with white or black smoke. If this happens on the road, the tachometer may instantly drop to zero, the engine shakes violently, and the dashboard warning lights up. Immediately turn off the ignition to prevent further damage, then check the oil dipstick to see if the oil level is normal. The key to prevention is changing the oil every 5,000 kilometers and regularly visiting a repair shop for comprehensive inspections.
My old car once experienced cylinder scoring on the highway. While driving, the engine suddenly seized with a loud bang and completely stalled. Attempts to restart only produced crackling noises, accompanied by a strong burnt smell. The tow truck driver diagnosed it as a failed oil pump causing lubrication failure. Symptoms also included the temperature gauge spiking into the red zone and complete power loss - truly terrifying. Now I personally check the oil color and level monthly to prevent recurrence. At the first sign of abnormal noises or overheating, I immediately pull over for inspection.
