PISTON SEIZURE

NZ Truth, Issue 1147, 24 November 1927, Page 15

PISTON SEIZURE

Bad Oil A Cause

Even m these days of high pres■ure oiling systems, piston, seizure is not infrequent, though certainly it does not occur as it did m the old days, when the splash system ' alone was relied upon. THE symptomß of piston seizure are

sudden slowing up of the car, and sl. bounding 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 m 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 m a case, where piston seizure ls suspected, as the trouble rapidly grows worse, and continued usage ls liable to produce undue, wear on the cylinder. Except m bad cases, prompt attention will result only m 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 ohanged for a long time is the most common factor m producing trouble of this nature.