Seized '88
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
From: Cisco, Texas
Seized '88
This little jewel cost me a seized engine in my '88 coupe about 2 months ago. When it broke it caused about a 1/2 inch gap between it and my engine block. My oil pump proceeded to dump all my oil out on the road within 1 mile! Me, being distracted by impressing my young grandson with Papa's fast car, didn't notice the oil pressure drop until it was too late. The engine died and restarted once then seized. Is this common with c4s or am I just blessed? What can i do to avoid this in the future?
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 125
Likes: 14
From: Southern NE OH
I've never seen one fail like that before. I'd guess that being a cast part it either had a flaw and/or was over tightened. Notice the verticle crack at the low spot of the break in the center of the picture around the threads. Probably not much that can be done to prevent it in the future other than make sure it's not overtightened and I usually look things over for possible flaws before I install them. On the plus side, this is a chance to make Papa's car faster. Grandson will love it.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,500
Likes: 879
From: Saratoga Springs NY
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Oh man that sucks...only seen 1 of those break in 30 years and that because the tech (fired long ago) torqued the crap outta the 2 bolts that hold it in and cracked it. Luckily we caught it before it damaged the engine. But still, sorry for your loss.....
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
From: Cisco, Texas
Yeah guys it sucks but it does offer an opportunity to replace the clutch and other things that might be ready to cause headaches. I failed to mention that I had just done some pretty extensive top end work, timing chain, etc. About 500 miles before the thing broke. So, I'm that far ahead of the deal. I have a plan to add a alarm for low oil pressure while doing the rebuild. I will post a schematic and pics in the future. Thanks for the response!
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2020
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Likes: 2,250
From: north of Chicago
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