Engine Seize - Big end bearing failure

[moorsd]

Hi All,

First post on the forum and hoping to draw on the vast knowledge on here!

I wanted to get people's thoughts on the possible cause of failure of the bearing shells in my Clio Sport 172.

The engine seized on a track day (first outing after getting the car!!), stripped the engine down today and everything looked ok until I saw the condition of the big end bearings. Also lots of metal flakes in the sump!

Looks like the engine has been apart in the past so wondering if it could be poor fitting, oil starvation, or just cheap bearings??

 

[rik220]

I assume the crank has had it too then.

What makes you think the engine has been apart before?

 

[NorthloopCup]

Nah. The f4r is quite common for spinning the centre main, blocking off the oil feed to the big ends and the rest is history I’m afraid.

 

[moorsd]

Not really inspected the crank in detail...but guessing it's had it!

For starters the block has been painted orange and there's evidence of other bits that have been previously undone etc! Not sure if any internal work has been done, but definitely head off, Cam change etc

 

[moorsd]

NorthloopCup - I wondered if that might be the cause as heard they are prone to it! Any idea how the chance of this happening again can be reduced?....or is it just a case of fingers crossed!!

 

[car.crash]

Join the club
Gtt engine 5th to 2nd gear

 

[bloke]

strip and check oil pump, pressure relief valve sticking is common on them. i'm guessing that that's no2 big end bearing? you'll probably find no3 main hasn't moved but may well be mullered anyway.

 

[AdDaMan]

That crank is toast.

 

[NorthloopCup]

NorthloopCup - I wondered if that might be the cause as heard they are prone to it! Any idea how the chance of this happening again can be reduced?....or is it just a case of fingers crossed!!

Lots of ways to reduce it, but it all costs money mate. The ph2 172 crank is also a pos, so that doesn’t help the job along.