The term signifies the escape of combustion gases past the piston rings and into the crankcase of an internal combustion engine. This phenomenon occurs because the piston rings, while designed to seal the combustion chamber, cannot provide a perfect seal due to manufacturing tolerances, wear, and the dynamic conditions within the engine. An example of this would be observing excessive smoke emanating from the engine’s crankcase vent, often accompanied by an oily residue.
Understanding this occurrence is crucial for diagnosing engine health and preventing potential damage. Excessive gas leakage can contaminate the engine oil, leading to accelerated wear of engine components. It can also reduce engine efficiency and increase emissions. Historically, controlling and minimizing this leakage has been a primary focus in engine design and development.