What Causes Engine Block Cracking?
2 Answers
Engine block cracking is caused by: 1. Only adding water to the radiator without antifreeze, which can freeze at low external temperatures and expand, causing the block to crack; 2. Adding too much cold water directly to an overheated engine or splashing cold water on it, which can cause thermal shock and lead to cracks, especially under intense impact. The engine block is the most critical component of a car engine, providing mounting and support for various engine parts, ensuring the precise positioning of moving components like pistons, connecting rods, and crankshafts, and facilitating engine ventilation, cooling, and lubrication.
Recently, a car with a cracked cylinder block was repaired in my shop. This usually happens for several reasons: one is engine overheating due to an ineffective cooling system, a broken water pump, or coolant leakage, causing the engine to deform from heat and crack the cylinder block directly. Another reason is neglecting antifreeze in winter, using plain water as coolant, which then freezes and expands in volume, bursting the cylinder block. Metal fatigue in old cars is also a hidden danger, especially for engines that have run hundreds of thousands of kilometers, as the aluminum alloy material becomes brittle from repeated heating. Car crashes are another obvious cause, with side impacts directly damaging the cylinder block. Also, modified cars that recklessly reprogram the ECU to boost power can lead to excessive cylinder pressure beyond design limits, causing the pistons to explode the cylinder block. If you encounter such a situation, never try to drive it as is—seizing or locking up the engine can happen in no time.
