What is the Difference Between Bearing Seizure and Cylinder Explosion?
2 Answers
Here are the specific differences between cylinder explosion and bearing seizure: In terms of fault phenomena: Bearing seizure refers to the seizure of the engine shaft and engine bearing; Cylinder explosion refers to the sudden damage of the cylinder block or piston under high-pressure working conditions, such as piston fracture. The causes are different: The causes of bearing seizure include poor quality of the crankshaft and bearings, poor smoothness of the journal and bearings; incorrect installation of the main and connecting rod bearings, improper clearance adjustment; severe wear and failure of the oil pump gear, reduced oil supply pressure, making it difficult to supply oil to the designated lubrication position, resulting in dry friction of the bearings. The causes of cylinder explosion include design flaws in the car, causing the engine temperature to exceed the maximum temperature the engine can withstand; poor quality or poor circulation of the engine oil, leading to insufficient lubrication and serious heat dissipation problems; excessive use of the engine, resulting in an excessively high workload.
As someone who's been in auto repair for over a decade, I've seen plenty of engine failures. Bearing seizure and cylinder explosion are completely different: Bearing seizure refers to the crankshaft and bearing shells sticking together—essentially, the engine bearings melt and lock up. This usually happens due to insufficient or degraded oil, like when owners neglect oil changes, causing the engine to seize and stall abruptly. Cylinder explosion, on the other hand, involves the cylinder cracking, often from piston seizure under high heat or cylinder block rupture, such as from coolant leaks leading to overheated cylinder walls, accompanied by loud bangs and fluid leaks. After bearing seizure, all bearing shells must be replaced—costly but quick to fix. Cylinder explosion causes more severe damage, potentially wrecking liners and pistons, making repairs far more complicated. For prevention, bearing seizure requires regular oil checks, while cylinder explosion demands monitoring the cooling system temperature gauge—never overlook routine maintenance.
