What to do?

Car engines are complex components that contain many moving parts. The whole engine can become unbalanced if one of its parts breaks. This could lead to an engine that is seized. 

An engine that is seized means that one major component has stopped functioning, which can cause the engine to stop working. Here are the signs and causes of a seized motor, as well as how it can be fixed. Let’s begin with a quick overview of the signs to look for.

Seized Engine Symptoms

A seized engine can be characterized by the fact that nothing happens when it is tried to start. Although the radio and other electronics might work perfectly, the starter just won't click once you push the key. The engine can sometimes emit a strong smell.

Below is a list that explains the symptoms most commonly associated with a seized engine.

1. Engine Doesn’t Start

The car may not start if the engine is stuck. It is possible to still turn on the engine and operate electronics such as lights, radio and heater fans.

The engine will not start if you crank it. You will only hear the starter hitting the flywheel, and that is what you'll hear. 

2. Physical Defect

Sometimes, the engine can seize because an internal component became loose or lodged in another part. This could be a connecting rod for a piston or other internal part that has gotten loose and lodged itself in another component. 

A visual inspection would show the issue, as parts may come through the top of the engine block in extreme cases. 

3. The Wires that Burn

The seized engine itself doesn’t create burnt wires; it’s what happens after the engine fails. Additional issues occur as the starter attempts the crank the engine.

The starter isn’t able to turn the engine, so the wires start overheating. After a seize engine, you will see smoke and smell burning. 

4. Engine Noises

You might hear strange engine sounds just before your engine starts to seize. These noises can appear as light taps or faint knocking. 

If you hear the dead sound, it is likely that the engine will fail. The crankshaft is often hit by a piston connecting rod. 

What is a "seized" engine?

A seized engine means it’s stuck and it won’t rotate when you try to start it. Your car's electronics may be working, but it won't start when you press the keys. Engine damage can lead to a seized engine, and this is usually very expensive.

Seized Engine Causes

A car engine that is stuck is usually caused by a low level of oil in its oil pan. You can also have water buildup in your cylinders. Sometimes, the problem can be caused by driving an engine that is overheated.

These are not all possible causes. For a complete list, see the following:

1. Insufficient Engine Oil

To maintain the proper lubrication and performance of its moving parts, your engine requires oil. It also helps to cool the engine components. 

The engine heats up when the oil level is low and the parts rub against each other. When the oil is low, friction develops and parts rub together. This engine will eventually stop running for long enough to cause friction.

2. Hydraulic water in the engine

Water isn’t meant to be in the car engine, but sometimes it finds a way in. Water can get into your intake if you go through a large pool of water. 

Water can also get into the fuel tank. Because it doesn’t compress like the air/fuel mixture, it causes damage to the connecting rods inside the engine. The engine will seize if the connecting rods become bent. This is also known as Hydrolock. 

3. Rusty Parts

The metal will rust over time. The chances of getting rusty parts increases as the vehicle ages. 

While internal engine parts don’t generally get rusted with proper lubrication, if water got inside, it could happen. Rusted parts can cause metal shavings to form on the surfaces of components, which could affect operation. 

4. Broken Components

Rust isn’t the only thing that can happen to the moving parts. It’s also possible for components to break. The problem can occur with valves, pistons or connecting rods. 

If these parts break off, they get stuck somewhere in the engine where they don’t belong. It is the result of a cumulative effect where more defects led to others. 

5. The Engine is Overheated

You should not allow the engine to heat up. This could lead to serious issues. The first is that overheating engines may cause the pistons to expand, which could lead to damage to the cylinder walls.

You can also blow the head gasket if your engine heats up, and this is another costly repair. 

6. Locked Starter

While a locked starter isn’t going to cause a seized engine, the symptoms are closely related. They can both feel similar. 

The flywheel is grabbed if the starter seizes and the solenoid gets stuck. This is much easier than fixing a seized engine. 

7. Timing Belt/Camshaft Failure

Timing chain, belt or camshaft failure can lead to the pistons hitting the ground. As we’ve already looked at, trouble with the pistons causes the engine to seize. 

How to Repair a Seized Engine

Fixing a seized engine starts with ensuring that’s the problem. You may see the same symptoms in a number of bad starters, so make sure you get an accurate diagnosis.

You can rule out the starter by manually turning the crankshaft. However, if it won’t rotate, you want to remove the starter and try again. 

To ensure that the serpentine belt isn't seized by a bad alternator, or an ac compressor, remove it and rotate it once more.

You should have knowledge about timing chains and timing belts.

Once you determine the engine is seized, you don’t have a lot of options for repair. It is usually a good idea to have the engine replaced. Without seeing inside the engine, it’s difficult to know how much damage has been done. 

While some parts can be fixed with help from a machine shop or other means, this is more costly than buying a new motor. High-performance motors or those with rare characteristics might be worth repairing rather than replacing. 

If the engine is seized up because it spent too much time in the elements, you might be able to salvage the engine because there aren’t internal defects. An experienced mechanic will help you decide the best path of action. 

Is it possible to rebuild a seized engine?

There’s always the option to rebuild a car engine, but labor costs can become astronomical depending on what the problem is. To get an estimate, the mechanic must first take apart the engine to determine if there is any irreparable damage. Mainly, the mechanic won’t want to see a rod through the engine block.

If the engine overheated it could have caused damage to internal parts, which can lead to a decrease in durability. It is usually a good idea to just replace the engine. 

Seized Engine Fix Costs

No matter if you decide to rebuild or replace the engine, the seized engine repair cost will quickly rise to $3,000. If you have an older vehicle, this expense won’t make sense, which is why many vehicles with a seized engine end up in the junkyard.

FAQs About Seized Engines