Engine Seize question

[PaulO]

I was wondering if there is a particular temperature that all engines seize?

You can get an engine temperature readout. It has an eye terminal that sits under a headbolt. Are these gauges of any value?

Paul

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Engine Seize question

While all engines will differ due to design, it is safe to say that ALL engines will seize at the point where oil is denatured by temperature and no longer lubricates. This is dependent upon the particular oil blend as manufactured by the refiner.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Engine Seize question

There are water temp gauges and cylinder head temp gauges. In a water cooled engine they will both read relatively the same although the cylinder head temp gauge might react more quickly to sudden full throttle operation or a sudden lean burn condition where combustion temps rise quickly. The temp at which an engine seizes is quite variable and in fact a cold engine can seize. Starting an engine in cold water and immediately going full throttle means the pistons can expand much quicker than the cylinder itself since the pistons are subject to intense combustion heat while the cylinders stay cool due to the water temp. The clearance between the piston and the cylinder wall therefore closes and bingo -- one seized engine. Doesn't happen real often but it can. The sender you use must match the temp gauge and for marine use that sender resistance range is 33 - 240 ohms. Gauges are fairly generic. Don't use an auto gauge as they require a totally different sender which are generally in the thousands of ohms resistance.