Does Engine Seizure Require an Overhaul?
3 Answers
Yes, engine seizure necessitates disassembling the engine for repair. Below are relevant explanations regarding engine seizure: 1. Crankshaft Bearing Seizure: Caused by insufficient lubrication leading to crankshaft bearing burning, overheating, and seizing with the crankshaft journal. This condition requires replacement of both the crankshaft and its bearings. 2. Piston Ring Seizure: Similarly due to oil shortage, piston rings and cylinder liners overheat and melt, seizing together. This necessitates replacement of the cylinder liner and piston rings among other components. 3. Valve Drop: Mechanical failure causes valve damage or detachment into the cylinder block, resulting in the piston jamming against the valve and combustion chamber, also requiring engine disassembly for repair.
Engine seizure indeed requires a major overhaul, which is no minor issue. Engine seizure typically occurs when the crankshaft or pistons become stuck and unable to rotate, often due to lack of oil or cooling system failure causing metal components to fuse together. Attempting to start the engine in this condition will only accelerate the damage to bearings, connecting rods, and other parts. A major overhaul involves completely disassembling the engine to inspect the crankshaft, cylinder block, and pistons for deformation or scoring, replacing any damaged components, and then reassembling and adjusting the engine. This is a significant undertaking that requires a professional technician and several days to complete. If you wish to continue using the vehicle, a major overhaul is the only solution. Regular oil checks and avoiding overheating from idling can help prevent engine seizure.
Encountering a seized engine usually means a major overhaul is unavoidable. I experienced it once when I neglected low oil levels, and the engine suddenly stalled and wouldn't restart. Upon disassembly, we found the bearings and crankshaft welded together, with nearly all bottom-end components destroyed. The engine had to be pulled out and completely disassembled, requiring replacement of core parts like the crankshaft, piston rings, and bearings. Labor costs plus parts easily run into thousands or even tens of thousands. For older cars, repairs may not be cost-effective, but it's worth fixing for premium vehicles. Don't believe claims about miracle additives fixing this – attempting to restart a seized engine will scatter metal fragments and score cylinder walls, making repairs even harder. So if you notice warning signs like severe vibration or overheating, stop immediately and inspect.
