When your engine will not turnover, it may indicate a locked or seized engine. May be one day you are driving; you hear a loud noise and the car turns off and will no longer operate. The chances are the car engine has been seized. Read on to learn more.
Is A Seized Engine Fixable?
Starvation of oil is the most common cause of a seized engine – either when the oil is not going through the system correctly or there is no oil in the car. This causes metal parts of the engine to rub against each other, creating tremendous heat and can cause a little engine damage to extensive damage. Also, keep in mind, if an engine has not been running, it can seize because the rings of the piston freeze against the walls of the cylinder – often seen on older vehicles.
Hydrolocked Engine
This happens when water enters the combustion chamber of the engine. In cases where the piston is unable to reach the top end of its stroke as the water prevents compression. This stops the engine. At lower RPM’s, you may be able to escape extensive damage to your engine. At higher RPMs, busted pistons and connecting rods becoming bent are nearly inevitable.
Vapor Locked Engine
This does not equal your car engine not turning over, but the engine will not start. It is a problem with the fuel system – often found on cars that are older. With gasoline in the pump or fuel lines turn to gas from liquid, the engine is starved of fuel and will no longer run. The engine will lose power, splutter along and turn off. It will not restart, despite attempting to do so.
Causes of Seized Engines
- An engine vapor lock is inevitably related to high heat. The fuel in the lines turns to vapor. This can happen from switching off the engine when it is hot outside or being out in in heavy traffic when it is extremely hot outside. As the fuel pump is incapable of moving vapor.
- In the case of the engine being hydrolocked – water has entered the engine.
- In the case of a bad starter or a seized engine, running out of oil or not timely oil changes may be the cause. It may also be a broken engine oil pump.
Rebuilding A Seized Engine?
When the engine has seized because of oil starvation, a rebuild may be possible but is almost always way too cost prohibitive. It will require a very thorough mechanical inspection. Also be on the lookout for an engine that has overheated once it has seized. A warped engine can result from the heat and you may not be able to observe this, but the price will soon escalate.
Fixing Costs
You can easily be looking at a bill in excess of $3,000 for your repair – in those circumstances it may be more economical to just scrap the car.
Transmission Service, Repair, & Replacement Services in Phoenix, AZ
We offer a full range of auto transmission repair and replacement services from automatic transmission to manual transmission to the entire Phoenix Metro area.
*Disclaimer – This is not an actual quote. Your transmission repair or replacement cost could be different than the prices you see on this guide. The only way to get an actual estimate is by searching for transmission repair and replacement shops near you. Contact Automatic Transmission Exchange if you are in the Phoenix area and need transmission repair or replacement.
