Engine seized; how bad could the engine damage be?

Tiny
NICK27221
  • MEMBER
  • 2014 HYUNDAI ACCENT
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 80,000 MILES
This is my little sister’s car, and this was a situation where she didn’t realize how low her oil was until the car seized up on her. She is still able to drive it but it’s staying parked until it gets an oil change this coming week. My question is, if her car will be okay once she gets new oil and a new filter and if permanent damage may have been done when the car seized.
Friday, November 4th, 2022 AT 5:00 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Absolutely, if the engine is seized there is permanent damage most of the time a rod bearing will spin then cause the engine to seize. An oil change isn't going to make that all better. Wish I had better news the first thing I would suspect is the lower end the Connecting rod as the cause of it seizing. Oil pan would have to be removed and connecting rod bearing caps removed. To see the damage. The Connecting rods, crankshaft, pistons, camshaft, or even the cylinder head could be damaged.
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Friday, November 4th, 2022 AT 8:25 PM

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