What are the manifestations and causes of engine seizure?
4 Answers
Engine seizure manifests as the engine spewing thick flames due to excessively high temperatures, causing the piston to expand and become stuck in the cylinder, resulting in engine failure. Below are the causes of engine seizure: 1. Poor engine cooling: Inadequate cooling causes the engine to operate at temperatures higher than its designed tolerance, leading to degraded engine oil quality or poor circulation, which results in insufficient lubrication. 2. Issues with the exhaust and ignition systems: Inaccurate adjustment of the engine's intake/exhaust systems or ignition timing, or excessively high engine workload, can cause phenomena known as seizure or cylinder shrinkage. 3. Excessive engine workload: For technically proficient car owners, the likelihood of the first few conditions occurring is relatively low, and the main issue is typically engine seizure caused by excessive workload.
Last year during a long-distance drive, I experienced an engine seizure. The sound was like a hammer smashing inside the engine bay, the car jerked violently and immediately broke down, with blue smoke puffing from the exhaust pipe. Later inspection revealed that continuous high-RPM mountain driving caused insufficient cooling, leading to the cylinder liner and piston fusing together. It's important to develop good habits: regularly check the oil dipstick and coolant level, and don't push your luck if you hear knocking sounds. Carbon buildup is also a silent killer - use fuel system cleaner every 5,000 km, and never compromise on cheap, low-quality gasoline.
In the workshop, I've repaired many blown engines with obvious symptoms: sudden metallic knocking sounds like clappers while driving, a cliff-like drop in power, and the coolant temperature gauge soaring to the red line. It's mostly due to lubrication system issues—either a clogged oil pump or a punctured oil pan. Broken piston rings can scratch the cylinder walls, producing white smoke with a burnt smell. Turbocharged cars require special attention to intercooler leaks, which can cause cylinder temperatures to spiral out of control. Overhauls often cost tens of thousands, but checking the oil color monthly is the most cost-effective prevention.
As a novice driver, I suffered from lack of maintenance knowledge. Once when overtaking and stomping on the accelerator, the engine suddenly made popping sounds like firecrackers, followed by violent shaking of the entire car. The throttle failed and I had to coast to the roadside. After disassembling the engine, we found a cracked piston. The mechanic said the main cause was long-term use of low-octane gasoline leading to pre-ignition knocking. Now I've learned my lesson - I only refuel at authorized stations, change full synthetic oil on schedule, and always let the engine idle for two minutes to cool down after aggressive driving.
