Are There Any Warning Signs Before Engine Seizure?
2 Answers
Warning signs of engine seizure: insufficient coolant level, high water temperature; insufficient engine oil level, high oil temperature; overall high engine temperature; black smoke emission after engine strain, dull sound, and stoppage may indicate issues with main bearings (bushings), connecting rod bearings (bushings), or piston seizure (sticking). If turning the flywheel is difficult, it could suggest main bearing or connecting rod bearing seizure. If turning is laborious but reverses smoothly, it may indicate piston expansion or cylinder scoring. Below is relevant information about engine seizure: 1. Causes: (1) Crankshaft bearing seizure due to lack of lubrication leading to bearing erosion, overheating, and bonding with crankshaft journals - requires replacement of crankshaft and bearings. (2) Piston ring seizure from oil starvation causing overheating/melting between rings and cylinder liners - necessitates replacement of liners and rings. (3) Valve drop caused by mechanical failure where valves detach into cylinder block, making pistons jam against valves and combustion chamber - requires engine disassembly for repair. 2. Engine maintenance precautions: (1) Only qualified lubricants can reduce component wear and extend service life. (2) Maintain coolant at proper levels with quality products. (3) Rust and scale restrict coolant circulation. (4) Reduced cooling efficiency causes overheating and potential engine damage.
I'm a seasoned driver with over 20 years of experience, and engine seizure is no trivial matter—it comes with clear warning signs. The most common symptom is a knocking sound from the engine, like someone hammering under the car. It starts faint but gradually grows louder. The oil pressure light often flickers or the temperature gauge spikes, clear warnings you shouldn't ignore. There's also a noticeable drop in power, making overtaking a struggle. Once, while driving on a mountain road, I ignored the high temperature and pushed on, only to end up with power so weak it felt like a snail crawling. I stopped just in time to check and found the oil nearly burned out, costing me 3,000 yuan in repairs. Since then, I've made it a habit: check the oil dipstick before every trip, stop at any unusual sounds, and stick to regular oil changes and maintenance. These small signs can save your life—don't wait until the engine seizes to regret it. Follow the manual for oil change intervals, and never skimp by using low-quality oil.
