A piston is a cylindrical piece of metal that moves up and down inside each cylinder, compressing the air-fuel mixture and capturing the force created by the combustion process. This force is then transferred to the crankshaft, via the connecting rod.
Symptoms of Wear or Failure
- Engine misfire
- Excessive oil consumption
- Knocking or slapping noise from inside engine
Related Repair Advice
- A failed piston can cause internal engine damage; the engine might need to be replaced
- A "short block" replacement may also be recommended—this replacement only includes the lower parts of the engine and leaves out the cylinder head and intake manifold
