What to Do When a Car Engine Cylinder is Scored?
3 Answers
When a car engine cylinder is scored, all piston rings need to be replaced. A car with scored cylinders requires a major engine overhaul, commonly referred to as cylinder boring. This occurs when the mutual movement between the piston and cylinder causes severe surface damage, primarily due to localized failure of the lubricating oil at the moving parts. In such cases, scratches, cylinder scoring, or piston seizure often occur. The main cause of cylinder scoring is severe wear or breakage of the piston rings on the cylinder piston and the cylinder wall. This leads to a situation where the originally tight cylinder allows engine oil from the engine compartment to enter the combustion chamber. After combustion, the incompletely burned exhaust gases are expelled through the exhaust system.
If the car experiences cylinder scuffing, the first thing to do is to stop the vehicle and turn off the engine to avoid complete engine failure. Cylinder scuffing refers to scratches on the cylinder walls, usually caused by insufficient or poor-quality engine oil, such as low oil levels or dirty oil that hasn't been changed. After stopping, check the oil dipstick to see if the oil level is normal. If it's low, add some good-quality oil, but do not start or drive the car, as it may worsen the situation. Listen to the engine sounds—if there are knocking noises or a drop in power, immediately contact a professional repair shop and have the car towed there. Repairs may involve an engine overhaul, cleaning or replacing piston rings, which can be costly, but safety is the top priority. Develop good habits, such as changing the engine oil every 5,000 to 10,000 kilometers, using oil with the appropriate viscosity, and monitoring the temperature gauge to prevent overheating. Otherwise, cylinder scuffing may lead to issues like oil burning or smoke, increasing repair costs, so don't push the car to keep driving.
When encountering engine cylinder scoring issues, my experience is to immediately pull over, engage the handbrake, and turn on hazard lights to ensure safety. After cylinder scoring occurs, the engine noise becomes noticeably louder, resembling drum beats, and there's a significant loss of power. Stop to check the oil level—if it's low, top it up first, but don't count on driving away as components may already be damaged. Call a trusted auto repair shop to arrange for towing and inspection. Repairs often involve removing the cylinder head to replace parts, which is both time-consuming and costly. This problem usually stems from daily neglect, such as failing to change aged engine oil or overheating at high speeds, leading to increased friction. I recommend regular maintenance and monitoring of engine operation—prevention is always better than cure. If you notice abnormalities like rapid oil consumption, get an early inspection to avoid the headache of major repairs.
