What are the symptoms of insufficient cylinder pressure in a car engine?
2 Answers
Symptoms of insufficient cylinder pressure in a car engine: It can cause difficulties in engine starting, insufficient power, vibration during operation, increased fuel consumption, and failure to meet exhaust emission standards. Normally, the cylinder pressure measured by the starter should be above 8 kg. Causes of insufficient cylinder pressure in the engine: 1. Severe wear of piston rings, leading to reduced sealing effectiveness; 2. Scratches, unevenness, or abnormal wear on the cylinder walls; 3. Poor sealing of the valve seat or spark plug seat; 4. Damage to the cylinder head gasket. The function of the cylinder head gasket is to keep adjacent cylinders independent of each other. If the cylinder head gasket is damaged, the two cylinders may become connected, naturally resulting in insufficient cylinder pressure. Additionally, damage to the cylinder head gasket can also lead to the mixing of engine oil and coolant, which may then enter the cylinder and burn.
Recently, I encountered this frustrating issue with my car. Starting the engine was particularly difficult, and it failed to ignite several times, as if it hadn't 'eaten enough.' At idle, the steering wheel shook violently, and the entire car vibrated like a massage chair. On the highway, the throttle felt sluggish, and when climbing a hill, the tachometer jumped wildly but the speed just wouldn't increase. What's even more annoying is that the fuel consumption suddenly skyrocketed—I had to refuel after just 300 kilometers on a full tank, and there was a pungent burnt smell from the exhaust. Last week, after an inspection, it was confirmed to be low cylinder compression. The mechanic said if I kept delaying, it might require a major engine overhaul.
