PISTON SEIZURE

NZ Truth, Issue 1153, 5 January 1928, Page 13

PISTON SEIZURE

Bad Oil Generally

The Cause

Even in these days of high pressure oiling systems, piston seizure is not infrequent, though certainly it does not occur as it did in the old days, when the splash system alone was relied upon.

THE symptoms of piston seizure are sudden slowing up of the car, and a pounding noise which continues for several seconds.

The engine then might seize up altogether with possible disastrous consequences to connecting rods and other vital parts of the car.

On the other hand, after the piston has seized momentarily, it might free itself and continue to operate.

The affected piston will, however, become roughened in one part where the seizure occurred, and from then on will make a slight slapping or tinkling sound, which is easily mistaken for a noisy valve tappet

Immediate attention should be given in a case where piston seizure is suspected, as the trouble rapidly grows worse, and continued usage is liable to produce undue wear on the cylinder.

Except in bad cases, prompt attention will result only in the

necessity for a new piston, which

is not a very expensive job

The most frequent causes of piston seizure is the use of either bad or dirty oil, and, of course, insufficient oil.

Probably dirty oil which has not been changed for a long: time is the commonest factor in producing trouble of this nature.