Which is more severe, engine bearing seizure or cylinder scoring?
3 Answers
In comparison, cylinder scoring is more severe. Engine failures: Both cylinder scoring and bearing seizure are relatively serious engine failures, but they are named differently due to occurring in different parts. Cylinder scoring is the common term for severe wear caused by insufficient lubrication between the piston and cylinder wall. The repair process involves cylinder boring, requiring replacement of the piston, piston rings, and cylinder liner (sleeve). For some vehicle models without separate cylinder liners, the entire cylinder block assembly may need replacement. Causes of failure: Driving without maintenance, leading to severely degraded engine oil; using substandard or counterfeit oil; quality defects in certain components, or poor oil pump performance resulting in inadequate lubrication.
Personally, I think cylinder scoring is more severe because I've repaired many cars. Cylinder scoring means the cylinder walls are scratched, leading to compression loss or even engine seizure, potentially rendering the entire engine useless. Repairing it requires expensive boring or sleeve replacement. On the other hand, bearing knock (con rod bearing failure) is caused by bearing wear, producing a metallic knocking sound, and the engine can still run for a while after replacing the bearings. Cylinder scoring is often caused by oil starvation or overheating, which can cause chain damage to other components like pistons and crankshafts, with a high risk of breakdown on highways. Bearing knock is more commonly caused by insufficient oil or contaminants and is easier to repair if addressed early. In short, cylinder scoring is more destructive—don’t underestimate it. Regular maintenance, checking oil levels and coolant temperature, is key.
From my experience, cylinder scoring is indeed more troublesome. Last time, my friend's car had cylinder scoring—it started smoking and stalled as soon as it was driven, then had to be towed to the shop for disassembly and inspection. The repair was time-consuming and labor-intensive, not to mention the cost of new parts. In contrast, bearing wear is simpler to fix—just replace the bearings, which can save half the cost, and early symptoms like unusual noises are easier to detect. The severity of cylinder scoring lies in its direct damage to the engine's core, affecting lifespan and safety. While bearing wear is also bad, it's more manageable. I recommend everyone pay attention to engine noises and oil levels while driving—don’t wait until the problem worsens. Prevention is always the wisest approach.
