Trucks are vital for business operations. Technical issues, especially engine seizure, can disrupt operations and cause financial losses. This article from Xe Tải Mỹ Đình explains truck engine seizure, its causes, symptoms, and effective solutions.
Close-up of a damaged engine component, indicative of truck engine seizure.
What is Truck Engine Seizure?
“Engine seizure,” also known as “lúp bê” in Vietnamese, occurs when the engine lacks sufficient lubrication, leading to friction between internal components. This often happens because owners neglect regular oil changes or use low-quality oil.
When an engine seizes, parts like valves, crankshaft, and piston bearings wear out rapidly, potentially seizing completely and causing severe engine damage. This serious issue can lead to a major engine overhaul, resulting in significant costs and downtime.
Symptoms of Truck Engine Seizure:
- The truck suddenly jerks and stops while driving normally, becoming immobile even when accelerating.
- Checking the oil chamber reveals a significantly reduced oil level.
- Adding more oil does not restore normal engine operation.
- The engine cranks but produces strange noises accompanied by black smoke from the exhaust pipe.
Black smoke billowing from a truck exhaust pipe, a symptom of engine seizure.
Consequences of Engine Seizure:
- Scoring occurs inside the cylinder, eventually leading to wear that prevents piston rings from compressing air for engine operation.
- Initially, the truck might still run, but black smoke and unusual engine noises will appear.
- In severe cases, the truck engine will become unstartable.
Solutions for Truck Engine Seizure:
1. Determine if the Truck Engine is Seized:
- If the engine restarts normally within the first 10 minutes after stopping, it is likely not seized.
- If the engine is stiff and difficult to crank, it indicates engine seizure.
2. Temporary Fix:
- Wait 30-40 minutes for the engine to cool down.
- Try restarting the engine. If oil sprays out, simply replace the engine oil.
- If no oil sprays out, indicating an oil passage blockage, proceed to the following steps.
3. Flush the Oil Filter:
- Remove the oil drain plug and use a straight wire to probe upwards and clean the oil filter.
- If the drained oil is excessively dirty, flush the oil sludge (sump) by adding engine flush oil, running the engine for a few minutes, and draining again.
- Refill with new oil of the correct type and quantity. Attempt to restart the engine and check if oil is spraying. If not, continue to the next step.
4. Clear the Oil Passage (Ghen):
- Open the valve cover (catte cánh bướm) and crank the engine to check if oil overflows at the rocker arm bolt below.
- If no oil reaches the main valve tappet hole, it means the rocker arm shaft hole is excessively worn, the oil hole on the rocker arm is clogged, or the valve cover gasket oil hole is blocked.
- If oil does not overflow from the lower rocker arm bolt hole, the “ghen” passage is blocked. Clear it by:
- Using a bicycle pump or compressed air, press the nozzle firmly against the lower rocker arm bolt hole. Apply air pressure to force air into the sump and clear the “ghen” passage.
- Repeat several times. Attempt to restart the engine and check for oil flow.
- Lift the cylinder and head assembly to access and clear the “ghen” passage with a probe: Remove the 4 head bolts, 2 cylinder bolts, cylinder head, and camshaft chain bolts. Lift the entire cylinder and head assembly by 15-20mm. Use a bent throttle cable or brake cable (L-shaped) to probe and clear the “ghen” passage.
Damaged engine parts illustrating symptoms of truck engine seizure.
Conclusion:
Truck engine seizure is a serious issue that can cause severe engine damage. Regular vehicle maintenance, timely oil changes, and using quality oil are the best ways to prevent this situation. If you notice signs of engine seizure, promptly take your truck to a reputable garage for inspection and repair. Contact Xe Tải Mỹ Đình for the best advice and support.
