What does engine seizure mean?
2 Answers
Engine seizure refers to when a car's tachometer enters the red zone, and due to excessively high temperatures, the piston expands and gets stuck in the cylinder, leading to engine failure. In severe cases, excessive pressure combined with the piston's inability to move can cause the vehicle's wheels to lock up, resulting in flames shooting out. The main cause of engine seizure is poor engine cooling, which causes the engine's operating temperature to exceed the designed tolerance level, often due to excessive engine workload. The phenomenon of engine seizure occurs when issues arise in the cooling and lubrication systems, thermal expansion and contraction of metal materials, or overuse, primarily caused by severe wear or breakage of the piston rings on the cylinder piston or the cylinder walls.
Speaking of engine seizure, I've had firsthand experience. Simply put, engine seizure occurs when the cylinder walls crack or the piston gets stuck and damaged. The most common cause is excessive engine temperature, such as coolant leakage or radiator fan failure, leading to overheating and expansion of internal cylinder components, eventually causing them to crack. Insufficient engine oil and poor lubrication can also easily lead to engine seizure, especially during prolonged high-speed driving or excessive load. The symptoms are obvious: the car suddenly loses power, the engine makes loud knocking or metal scraping noises, and the dashboard's coolant temperature warning light comes on. The consequences are quite severe—the engine is basically totaled, and repairs can cost anywhere from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. Prevention is crucial: regularly check coolant and oil levels, change the oil every 5,000 kilometers, and keep an eye on the temperature gauge to prevent overheating while driving. If you notice unusual noises or signs of overheating, pull over immediately, turn off the engine, and call for a tow truck—don't push it. Safe driving starts with small details—this is not something to take lightly.
