Can You Drive a Car With a Blown Engine?

A car’s engine is considered blown when it can’t run anymore. Usually, the engines are broken with a cracked block or warped cylinder head. However, most drivers often wonder whether a car with a blown engine can run or not.

You can drive a car with a blown engine, but it’s not advised. Driving with a blown engine comes with serious risks, including causing permanent damage to your car, and endangering yourself as well as other road users.

A blown engine is a problem you want to avoid at all costs. If it blows, your car will run erratically and leave you with a big mess to clean up. To find out what happens when you drive with a blown engine and how to tell if your engine is in good shape, keep reading.

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Will a Blown Engine Start?

A blown engine will start, but it won’t drive very well. It might not even make it down the road. That’s because a blown engine means that at least one of the pistons is no longer moving up and down like it’s supposed to.

While a blown engine doesn’t look as though it’ll start, there may be a chance that it will run. The engine may still crank over, and if it turns over, you’ll be able to drive.

However, the car will drive erratically, so beware of this outcome. If your car can barely move or runs rough, then you’re better off pushing it to a safer spot, as there may be additional damage inside the engine that needs to be repaired. Even though your vehicle can run, it’s likely to break down once again or have other engine problems in the future.

In general, it’s best to take your car to a mechanic if you think you might have a blown engine. They’ll diagnose the problem and give you an estimate on how much it’s going to cost to fix it. If you’re hearing funny noises or your car isn’t running right, get it checked out. It might save you some serious cash in the long run.

Risks of Driving With a Blown Engine

Driving with a blown engine poses several risks, including:

Loss of control over the vehicle
Damage to other components
Stalling
Increased accident risk

Loss of Control Over the Vehicle

Driving with a blown engine will leave you without much control over your car. When an engine is blown, it’s not putting out the right amounts of power and torque to move your vehicle steadily down the road.

You can try to drive anyway, but it takes more effort than usual because you’re fighting against the car every step of the way.

Damage to Other Components

One of the many risks associated with driving with a blown engine is damage to other components within your car.

Driving with a blown engine puts strain on all of your car’s systems because they have to compensate for what’s going on inside the engine block. This may cause problems for other parts, including the crankshaft, oil pump, suspension system, and more.

The Car Will Stall

Your car will stall when it has a blown engine. It won’t happen all at once; instead, it’ll become harder and harder for your car to start over time.

When that happens, you’ll know that it’s time to get the engine checked out before something serious goes wrong.

Increased Accident Risk

Driving with a blown engine is considered to be irresponsible behind the wheel. This doesn’t mean that you’ll get in an accident if you drive long distances with a blown engine.

However, it does mean that you’re more likely to get in an accident than if you were driving with a fully functioning engine. Don’t take the risk of driving with a blown engine, especially for longer distances!

Warning Signs of a Blown Engine

Several indications let you know if your car’s engine is no longer functional. If you miss a couple of these warning signs, it could turn out to be a bad thing for your wallet.

To determine whether or not you have a blown engine, check for the following signs:

Weird noise when you start your engine
The engine makes a funny sound when you accelerate or brake
Weak engine performance
Reduced fuel efficiency
Excessive tailpipe emissions

If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to get your car checked out–Don’t wait until it’s too late!

Luckily, there are also several signs that your car’s engine works well — you just have to know what to look for and how to interpret the information.

Here’s what to do to verify your car’s engine is still performing well:

Look under the hood for leaks and damage
Make sure all fluids are at recommended levels
Run an emissions test in your car
Listen for weird engine noises

Look Under the Hood for Leaks and Damage

It would be best to always look under the hood before driving your car. Even if there are no fluids in sight, they may be hidden underneath the engine.

If fluid levels are low, you’ll need to add them before starting your car — and if they’re full, then you’ll know nothing’s leaking.

Note: If you notice any leaking fluids or damage to vital components like your head gasket and radiator, make sure to get them checked out ASAP!

Make Sure All Fluids Are at Recommended Levels

Oil and antifreeze should be at recommended levels; this can help tell whether or not your engine is working well.

Note: If oil levels are low, it may mean that there’s a leak somewhere in the engine block. If antifreeze levels are low, then your car’s cooling system isn’t functioning properly either.

Run an Emissions Test in Your Car

An emissions test will let you know how much pollution your car emits when you drive it. If the levels of pollutants are high, then there might be a problem with the engine that needs to be fixed.

To run an emissions test, you’ll need to take your car to a nearby testing station. Your mechanic should be able to help you determine if there’s something wrong with the engine.

Here’s an excellent YouTube video on how to tell if your engine is blown:

Tip: If you drive a diesel car and need more information on how to keep its engine running well for as long as possible, I recommend reading the Jean-Luc Pallas Maintenance and Repair Manual for Diesel Engines (available on Amazon). The author explains how to troubleshoot and fix diesel engine issues in a simplified manner, making it a worthwhile read for novice mechanics and automotive owners.

Listen for Weird Engine Noises

When something is wrong with your engine, it might make a strange noise. Listening to these sounds may give you a hint as to what to do next — or it could indicate that your car’s engine is no longer functional and needs immediate attention.

Some of the common engine noises to look out for include:

Vibrating or rattling noises
Intermittent squeaks, rattles, knocking, or chugging
Changes in noise while accelerating or braking

Bottom Line

So, will a blown engine start? The answer is yes. However, it’s not advisable to drive it in that condition.

You could get into an accident or cause other problems for yourself and others on the road. The best thing to do when there’s something wrong with your engine is to get it checked out ASAP.

Don’t risk driving with a blown engine — the consequences are costly!

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By Car Roar