Can you drive a car with bad rod bearing?

Answer 1

Short answer: Yes you can, but don't go too far from home.

First, understand what a "bearing" is. A bearing is a collection of (essentially) rollers that ride on crank. You have both rod bearing and main bearings in your engine. When a bearing "goes bad", that just means that some (or all) of the rollers are no longer cylindrical but have gone oval, scarred, scratched...you get the idea. Your ear will give a clue as to how bad yours is. If it klangs when it's at idle and doesn't quiet down when your are driving at normal speeds, I wouldn't drive it- the result will be a rod through the side of your block. However, if the knock is only apparent at heavy throttle or on lift off (pulling higher RPMS in a gear and then letting the engine freespool), you may have hope. Remember this, the metal to metal separation between the bearing and the crank can be as small as twenty-thousandths. One way to help keep a good separation is to go with thicker oil and a good additive (Lucas makes a great one). Driven with care, you can get several thousand miles out of your car before things get bad. That said, if you get the clatter quieted down with thicker oil (2o/50) and Lucas, it may be the perfect time for a trade in. Good luck with it.