Key Takeaways
The following are the key takeaways from this article:
- The engine cylinder block is its top part that maintains an optimum temperature, proper lubrication, and engine stability.
- It comprises cylinders, oil passages, a deck, head studs, oil filters, core plugs, water pump mounting, and a crankcase.
- The common problems in the cylinder block include coolant leakage, cracked cylinder, and porous cylinder block.
- Misfiring engines, overheating engines, and excessive engine smoke can further depict this issue.
- The issues in the cylinder block can be resolved for as high as $2500 and as low as $65.
Introduction
The engine majorly comprises two parts. Where the lower part is called the engine block, the upper part of the engine is known as the cylinder block (1).
A cylinder head made up of aluminum, grey iron, or cast iron alloys is bolted with the cylinder block that allows the exhaust gases to exit and the fresh stream of air/fuel to enter the engine for combustion.
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The cylinder block is designed precisely for seamless lubrication, temperature control, and overall engine stability (3). The parts, history, function, and common problems of cylinder blocks are further discussed in this article.
Parts of Cylinder Block
In modern automotive engines, the cylinder block comprises a separate cylinder head and other elements such as an oil gallery, coolant passages, etc. Some important parts of the cylinder block are discussed in detail as follows:
Cylinders
Cylinders are the main parts of an engine where the pistons move, and the combustion process takes place. Cylinders are generally large and have a hole to act as a seal with the piston.
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An engine’s number of cylinders can vary depending on size and power (4). Generally, engines producing more power will have more cylinders, so more pistons can move and generate more power for a vehicle.
Oil Passages and Galleries
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Lubrication is important for the seamless movement of the engine components such as pistons, crankshaft, camshaft, etc.
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The engine oil is in the reservoir that passes through the oil passages and galleries to different engine components (1). These oil passages and galleries are also inside the engine’s cylinder block.
Deck
Deck is the upper block of the cylinder, where the end of the cylinders remains. Although, the deck size is standardized and defined by the auto manufacturers.
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However, you can use aftermarket blocks and cores to enhance the engine performance of your vehicle (3). It should be ensured that the engine deck is perpendicular to the crankshaft center line for optimum engine performance.
Head Studs
Head studs are used in the engines to obtain more accurate torque values. The head studs are round rods of steel or aluminum alloys.
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There are threads on both ends of the stud so it can fit tighter in the block, preventing it from loosening when the study nut is removed. Using head studs in the engine will help install the cylinder head and align the head gasket. In addition, studs remain stationary and move in one axis, providing more clamping force.
Core Plugs
Core plug is another part of the cylinder block that is a cap located at the end of the coolant passage.
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The coolant passage has liquid coolant/water passing through the streams, so the core plugs are used to prevent leakage from the engine. Core plugs can be made of metal/rubber and fill the holes in different spots (4). Furthermore, core plugs are also used to strengthen the engine and head as they prevent cracking during cool temperatures when the coolant freezes.
Oil Filter
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The role of an oil filter is to eliminate contaminants from the engine oil, helping keep the engine clean. If the oil filter is clogged, the engine oil will have difficulty passing through the passageways impacting the engine lubrication.
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Depending upon the engine configuration, an oil filter is located on the flank or on the lower side of the cylinder block (4). Clean motor oil is a necessity as it helps in protecting the engine surface from wear.
Water Pump Mounting
A water pump is mounted on the side of the cylinder block. In some engines, it is also mounted in the housing with a coolant casing over it.
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A water pump is critical for the engine’s operation as it ensures that the coolant flows through the radiator, hoses, cylinder heads, and the entire block to maintain an optimum operating temperature within the engine. A water pump is most frequently driven by a belt from a crankshaft sprocket or pulley.
Crankcase
A crankcase is the central engine component that houses the crank mechanism, including pistons, connecting rods, and cylinders. Accessories such as transmission, engine control systems, and pistons are also in the crankcase.
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In conventional engines, the crankcase is located under the engine block. But in modern engines, the crankcase is located inside the cylinder block for space reduction.
Material of Cylinder Block
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The cylinder block material greatly depends upon the power generation capacity of the engine. Generally, grey cast iron is used for manufacturing the cylinder block. But in some cases, the addition of chromium/nickel in the cylinder block can increase the engine’s temperature resistance and wear/tear properties.
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In some vehicles, weight reduction is the focus; the cylinder blocks are made of aluminum, while cast iron is used to make other engine components (3). Grey cast iron is generally preferred for making cylinder walls because of its wearing qualities. In smaller engines (660CC-1000CC), cylinder blocks can also be made of hard metals such as chromium. It is done to reduce the engine’s service life by reducing the wall wear. Some tests are being conducted to deploy high silicon-aluminum alloys for manufacturing the cylinder block. It is because of the low thermal expansion properties that will increase the heat resistant properties (1). Furthermore, silicon-aluminum alloys’ high wear resistance also makes them useful for manufacturing cylinder blocks. However, there has yet to be an engine introduced with a cylinder block made up of silicon-aluminum alloys.
The function of Cylinder Block
The primary role of a cylinder block is to maintain an optimum engine temperature by ensuring the flow of coolant through the engine from the coolant reservoir. As discussed above, the water pump is mounted inside the cylinder block, and the cylinder block has ways to pass coolant throughout the cylinder and engine block. So, the first function of the cylinder block is to maintain an optimum operating temperature within the engine so it can operate smoothly (4).
The second function of the cylinder block is to ensure seamless engine oil transmission for lubrication. Engine oil flows through the engine so different components can move without friction. These components include a piston, piston head, connecting rod, crankshaft, camshaft, timing belt, etc. In addition, the cylinder head has an oil filter to ensure that the small lead particles do not pass through, avoiding wear and tear in the engine (5). So, along with the engine lubrication, the cylinder block ensures that the engine oil is purified to increase the engine’s service life. Finally, the cylinder block has head studs and core plugs that increase the engine stability during operation.
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So, the cylinder block has three main functions, including maintaining optimum operating temperature, engine lubrication, and engine stability during the operation.
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Common Problems in Cylinder Block
The following are the common problems in the cylinder block:
Leakage in the Engine Coolant
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One major problem in the cylinder can be the leakage in the engine coolant. As discussed above, the cylinder block has passageways for the flow of engine coolant, which can be a particular liquid or water.
The radiator, heater core, water pump, or a loose hose can cause leakage. Similarly, there can be a leakage in the passageways that would result in the leakage of coolant. You can check the radiator reservoir to check the liquid level and detect an error in the cylinder block (2). Sometimes, the engine block/cylinder block can also be cracked due to wear/tear and high temperature, which can cause leakage in the engine coolant (5). The engine coolant can mix with the engine oil, which can rust different engine components. So, the drivers should ensure that the coolant hose is tight enough and the cylinder block is not cracked to avoid complex problems. These problems can either be caused by high engine temperature or rusted components.
Cracked Cylinder
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The cylinders can be considered the main hub of the engine, where the combustion occurs. However, after long working hours, the cylinders might suffer from wear in the smooth machined walls.
The cracked cylinder can cause difficulty in engine starting or operation due to loss of compression and pressure. Cracked cylinders will also cause problems in piston rings not sealing against the walls (2). The driver should resolve the cracked cylinder issue at earliest as it can result in larger holes in the cylinders. A small crack in the cylinder can be resolved, but when the holes become larger, there is no solution to replace the engine’s cylinder block.
Porous Cylinder Block
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A porous cylinder block will result due to the entrance of contaminants in the cylinder block material. Therefore, the metal is repeatedly purified during cylinder block manufacturing to avoid this problem.
However, the contaminants are sometimes left in the cylinder block, which causes the porous block. In addition, manufacturing defects can also cause a porous cylinder block. This defect cannot be identified within a new engine, but with time, the engine will face the issues of seepage and leakage (5). Further, there is no solution to a porous cylinder block as the metal is contaminated.
Symptoms of a Bad Cylinder Block
The following are some common symptoms of a bad cylinder block:
Misfiring Engine/Rough Engine
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As cylinders are placed inside the cylinder block, a cracked cylinder will result in pressure loss impacting the combustion process. So, if you are experiencing a misfiring or rough engine, then it is a symptom that the cylinder block is facing some problem.
The driver must stop driving the vehicle and figure out the issue urgently to avoid complex engine problems. You can also check the OBDII code to analyze the malfunctioning component causing this problem.
Overheating Engine
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Coolant leakage is the cylinder block’s major problem. So, an overheating engine is a symptom that the cylinder is malfunctioning and components inside the engine are overheating.
It is a sign that the coolant is either leaking or facing difficulty in the passage. Overheating can be indicated by the engine temperature gauge. A driver must ensure that the radiator reservoir is in good condition to avoid overheating. Generally, the reservoir liquid needs to be replaced after traveling around 1000-2000 miles (2). If the reservoir empties quickly, it is a symptom of a problem in the cylinder block.
Excessive Engine Smoke
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Excessive smoke from the exhaust can indicate that the cylinder head is cracked and the problem is severe.
Excessive smoke can indicate that the engine burns fuel excessively or that the air in the air-fuel mixture is greater than its optimal level (1). So, the driver is recommended to resolve the issue by identifying the OBDII code to avoid further engine problems.
Conclusion
To conclude, the cylinder block is the upper part of the engine. It comprises cylinders, oil passage galleries, a deck, head studs, core plugs, an oil filter, and a crankcase. The cylinder block has the main function of maintaining engine stability, ensuring lubrication, and maintaining an optimum operating temperature. A misfiring engine, an overheated engine, and excessive smoke from the tailpipe can indicate the common problems in the cylinder head. These issues must be resolved at the earliest to avoid complex engine problems.
FAQs
There are several signs that an engine cylinder is cracked. Firstly, the car will emit excess black/white smoke illustrating that the cylinder is leaked and the combustion process is incomplete. Secondly, you might experience overheating engine problem that shows that the cylinder/passageway is leaking and the coolant is leaking. In either case, the OBDII code can clearly illustrate the actual issue in the cylinder block.
The cylinder block is located at the top side of the engine. It comprises oil passages, cylinders, decks, head studs, a water pump, and a crankcase.
It is not essential to replace the cylinder block of the engine. If the engine is causing a problem, then there can be a chance that some component of the cylinder block is malfunctioning. The cylinder block is an expensive part that can cost $1000-2500 for the entire replacement. So, you must ensure that the cylinder block is entirely cracked or distorted, so it should be changed.
