What does engine bearing seizure mean?
2 Answers
Engine bearing seizure refers to a condition where impurities enter or poor lubrication occurs between the engine's crankshaft and bearings, causing high temperatures on the friction surface. This leads to partial melting of the anti-friction alloy on the bearing surface onto the crankshaft, forming scratches, commonly known as bearing seizure. Root causes: The primary reason is that the friction surface of diesel engine bearings does not receive sufficient lubricating oil, preventing the formation of an oil film for lubrication. Alternatively, the oil itself may have quality issues, such as poor load-bearing capacity and high-temperature resistance. It is essential to ensure the quality of the lubricating oil. Incorrect torque: Incorrect torque when installing the main bearings, if too tight, makes it difficult to form an effective oil film. Always use a specialized torque wrench. Main bearing issues: Excessive or insufficient main bearing clearance; inspect the crankshaft and main bearing housing. Fourth, excessive thrust bearing clearance; inspect the thrust bearing. Fifth, oil pump failure or insufficient flow; inspect the oil pump.
I've been repairing cars for over 30 years, and I've seen my fair share of engine bearing failures. Simply put, it happens when the oil film between the crankshaft and bearings disappears, causing direct metal-to-metal contact. This is usually due to insufficient oil or poor-quality oil, leading to inadequate lubrication. The friction generates heat rapidly, and when the temperature gets too high, the bearing surface melts and fuses with the crankshaft. At best, it causes surface scoring; at worst, the engine seizes up completely. You'll hear sudden knocking sounds from the engine, followed by a drop in power, and eventually, the engine will stall. It's crucial to regularly check the oil dipstick, especially for older cars or those frequently used for long trips—inspect it every 5,000 kilometers. Don't skimp on maintenance costs. Also, avoid revving the engine hard during cold starts, as poor oil circulation can also lead to bearing failure.