At first, scratches will not have a significant impact on the operation of the engine. However, the longer the car operates under "scratch-inducing" conditions, the faster the process will accelerate. In the long term, damage to the cylinder-piston group and major repairs will be inevitable.
Who is to blame?
A number of factors lead to the appearance of scratches: from the conditions of car operation to the quality of the fluids used and the frequency of maintenance.
Engine overheating
When the pistons and cylinders overheat, they expand, and the gap between them decreases. As a result, dry friction occurs between the surfaces of these parts, which inevitably leads to the appearance of scratches in the cylinders and defects in the pistons. Overheating can occur due to:
- lack of coolant in the cooling system due to leaks;
- clogged radiator;
- malfunctions with the fan and air filter;
- turbocharging and increased loads;
- disruption of the lubrication process on the cylinder walls.
Additionally, some modern high-performance engines with lightweight pistons are prone to severe heating. The use of enriched mixtures, shortened skirts, and low heat capacity of the pistons can lead to overheating and the formation of scratches.
Heavy loads on a cold engine
If you suddenly accelerate the engine after a long standstill when all its components have not yet reached operating temperature and the oil has not had time to create a protective film, scratches are inevitable. The engine will begin to run "dry," and the cylinders and pistons will start to rub against each other.
Lack of oil
Engine oil provides natural protection to engine parts against friction and wear. If there is insufficient oil film, the parts start to come into contact, leading to overheating and the formation of scratches. Oil starvation can occur due to several reasons:
- insufficient oil level in the crankcase;
- malfunctions with the oil pump and low oil pressure in the system;
- clogged oil filter.
Additionally, poor lubrication of the parts can result from the use of low-quality or inappropriate oil according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Also, violations of oil change intervals should be considered. The older the oil, the worse it performs its protective functions.
Mechanical particles in the engine
Sand and dust can enter the engine through spark plug holes and the intake tract. A dirty air filter and spark plug wells, dried rubber gaskets, displaced hoses from various vacuum mechanisms, loose clamps during hose installation, and even improper replacement of the air filter — and hello, sand!
Ceramic particles can enter the engine when ceramics break, if a ceramic catalytic converter is installed. This most often occurs with engines equipped with variable valve timing on both camshafts and exhaust gas recirculation systems, at a mileage of 50,000 to 150,000 km. Poor fuel quality can also contribute to the problem.
Driving off-road and in harsh conditions
Frequent trips on rough, dusty roads or in mountainous areas put increased loads on the engine, and engine oil and other technical fluids quickly lose their physicochemical properties. Neglecting regular maintenance — which should be performed even more frequently under harsh operating conditions — can lead to premature wear of the cylinder-piston group.
Aggressive driving style
Starting “from a standstill” at a traffic light, constant lane changes, and sudden braking are additional reasons for the formation of scratches. The engine experiences significant overloads during aggressive driving, meaning all of its components work under stress.
Poor-quality maintenance and cutting costs on consumables
A trip to an "unofficial" service or saving on consumables can be catastrophic for the engine. This is especially true for changing engine oil and filters. The use of low-quality oil or out-of-season oil results in inadequate protection between the parts. This leads directly to deep scratches.
Signs of scratches appearing in the cylinders
Initially, the car owner may not notice any scratches. At the early stage, they are practically invisible and may only manifest as knocking "when cold." But the deeper the scratches become, the clearer the symptoms:
- knocking increases with engine RPM;
- strange noises are heard when the engine is idling;
- there is significant oil consumption;
- fuel consumption increases;
- compression decreases and the engine starts running unevenly.
If these SOS signals from the car are ignored, it can lead to serious consequences:
- dry friction of parts and premature wear due to violation of gaps;
- welding of micro-topographies and their immediate destruction due to lack of lubrication;
- increased defects and their deepening due to wear products.
Ultimately — destruction of the piston, the cylinder block, failure of the crankshaft and connecting rod. And engine replacement.
What to do?
At the first signs of engine trouble, it is necessary to immediately go to a qualified service center, where specialists can check the cylinder-piston group for defects. Diagnostic tools generally used include endoscopes, cylinder leak testers (CLT), and the most informative method — disassembly.
Methods for eliminating scratches:
- Reboring. The cylinder cavities are bored out and iron or steel sleeves are inserted to restore the standard geometry and size.
- Replacement of parts. This method involves a deep revision of all engine components and subsequent replacement of whatever is not functioning correctly. For example, if the scratches are caused by overheating of the power unit, the thermostat needs to be replaced, the radiator should be flushed, and the water pump checked.
- Special additives that cover scratches with a layer of metal-ceramics. As specialists in the field of lubricants, we cannot unequivocally recommend this method — in theory, it is not bad, but disrupting the balanced composition of engine oil with additional elements can be unsafe. The chemical formula of the product will change, and the oil may perform its functions worse, which also contributes to scratches. This is, by the way, often mentioned in reviews online. So, the method exists, but whether to use it — it's up to you (we do not recommend it).
How to avoid scratches and prolong engine life?
Unfortunately, there is no short answer here. Careful attention to the car and the use of quality fluids will help.
- Avoid driving on the edge and sudden starts. Especially with a cold engine. Allow it to warm up for at least 2-3 minutes before starting.
- Regularly monitor the condition of the catalytic converter and replace the ceramic block with a new one as needed.
- Do not allow the engine to overheat:
- monitor the coolant level and change the coolant as often as indicated in the manual or sooner if you are unsure of the last replacement deadline;
- use only quality coolant;
- maintain the cleanliness of the radiators and clean them every 2 years;
- check the condition of the cooling system hoses, and replace them immediately if they swell or have other damage.
4. Maintain the external cleanliness of the engine. Dirt impedes normal engine cooling.
5. Change the air filter on time to prevent solid particles from entering the engine. Change the filter more frequently under harsh operating conditions.
6. Reduce the service interval when frequently driving off-road.
7. Do not forget to check the spark plugs (for gasoline engines) and glow plugs (for diesel engines). Replace original spark plugs according to the manufacturer's recommended schedule and change "non-original" plugs 10-20 thousand km earlier.
8. Monitor the condition of the timing mechanism and replace belts and chains on time. The lifespan of belts is approximately 50,000 to 180,000 km, but in harsh conditions of use, they may need to be changed sooner.
9. Do not overload, otherwise, it will harm not just the suspension, but the engine too.
10. Regularly check the crankcase ventilation system for air leaks. This will allow you to detect damages in time and avoid fuel mixture enrichment and abrasive entering the cylinders and turbine.
11. Use only quality fuel and avoid driving with an empty tank.
12. Use high-quality synthetic oil and change it timely along with the filter. If the car is older than 10 years, it is better to use oils with increased viscosity to compensate for gaps.
13. Regularly check the oil level in the system.
14. Use only quality consumables.
15. Promptly address faults and undergo maintenance.
Scratches in the cylinder-piston group are a serious issue that requires significant expenses. Therefore, it is much more effective to remember preventive measures. These simple recommendations will not only prolong the life of the engine but also save your budget. After all, prevention is always cheaper than major repairs!