What are the symptoms of minor cylinder scoring in an engine?
3 Answers
Minor cylinder scoring in an engine may not exhibit any noticeable symptoms. Here is some knowledge about engine cylinder scoring: 1. Causes of cylinder scoring: Cylinder scoring occurs due to poor engine cooling or inadequate lubrication. Inadequate lubrication can result from prolonged failure to change the engine oil or using inappropriate oil. Engine oil is often referred to as the lifeblood of an engine; without it, the engine cannot operate properly. 2. Maintenance recommendations: It is advisable to regularly change the engine oil during routine vehicle use and replace the oil filter each time the oil is changed. The oil filter is used to clean the oil; without it, the oil can become dirty after some use, which can also affect the engine's normal lubrication.
I've been driving for 20 years and have encountered minor cylinder scoring several times. The first symptom is always the engine sound becoming very strange - normally quiet during acceleration, but suddenly there's this metallic 'clattering' noise, especially noticeable when climbing hills or pressing the accelerator harder. Then comes the noticeable power loss - what used to be easy overtaking with a light tap on the gas pedal now feels sluggish, even starting feels weak, making driving really uncomfortable. Fuel consumption also increases - from 8 liters per 100 km suddenly rising by 1-2 liters due to incomplete combustion caused by cylinder leakage. My advice is to visit a repair shop immediately when noticing these signs. It's best to use diagnostic tools to read fault codes or even disassemble to inspect cylinder walls. Don't delay routine oil changes, and regular intake system cleaning can effectively prevent this - don't wait until the problem becomes severe before fixing it.
As an experienced driver, I immediately noticed a decline in driving performance when my engine had slight cylinder scoring. After the engine revved up, it sounded like a wooden fish being tapped, with a particularly harsh noise especially after a cold start. The acceleration response became sluggish too. It used to run fast even when fully loaded, but now it struggles to climb a small slope, with a noticeable loss of power. Fuel consumption has also increased significantly from the normal level, costing me nearly a hundred bucks more per month, as more fuel is burned due to sealing issues. Blue smoke can be seen from the exhaust, indicating that engine oil is being burned along with the fuel. I usually pay attention to maintenance, such as choosing good engine oil and avoiding prolonged high-speed driving, to reduce risks. I advise new car owners to develop the habit of listening to the engine sound and get it checked as soon as any abnormality is detected, to avoid turning it into a major problem.
