What are the symptoms of engine seizure in a car?
2 Answers
Engine seizure directly affects the car's ability to start, resulting in the phenomenon of the car failing to start. Here are the reasons for engine seizure: 1. Poor engine cooling, causing the engine's operating temperature to exceed the designed maximum working temperature; 2. Insufficient lubrication due to poor quality or circulation of engine oil; 3. Inaccurate adjustment of the engine's intake and exhaust systems and ignition timing; excessively high engine workload can lead to the so-called engine seizure or cylinder compression phenomenon. 4. Extension: The true meaning of engine seizure should actually be written as "cylinder seizure," which simply means the piston in the car's engine seizing together with the cylinder liner.
I remember once driving my old car on a road trip when suddenly the engine started making a strange knocking sound, like someone banging on a metal bucket. Then the speed dropped sharply, power was completely lost, and thick blue smoke billowed out—the smell was unbearable. The temperature gauge needle on the dashboard shot straight into the red zone, scaring me into pulling over immediately. That experience taught me that engine seizure usually comes with these symptoms: abnormal noises, sudden loss of power, excessive exhaust smoke (blue or white), and engine overheating. Most of the time, it's due to internal engine issues, like a seized piston or insufficient lubrication, often caused by cooling system failure or low oil levels. Ignoring these early warning signs can destroy the entire engine, and repairs can be very costly. I recommend regularly checking oil levels and coolant temperature—don’t wait for a major breakdown on the road.
