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How do you know if your car engine has seized?
I’m not great with car maintenance and I often forget to do routine things like changing the oil. I tried to start my car recently and nothing happens when I turn the key. My friend told me that my engine may have seized. How can I tell if that’s the case?
Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
When you forget to conduct
routine maintenance
on your car, you definitely put it at risk for a seized engine. However, a seized engine has some significant symptoms, such as:- A burning smell
- The engine won’t turn over
- Knocking sounds
- Any combination of these symptoms
A car engine seizes because a component has come loose and prevents the proper function of the engine components. Poor maintenance only contributes to the problem. As such, you should look for these signals that your engine has seized:
- A light tapping that turns into a heavier knock
- Burnt wires or a burning smell that comes from the starter when the engine won’t turn over
- The car’s accessories work but the engine doesn’t start at all
In other cases, a component may have come loose within the engine, causing it to seize, but it has no symptoms. Because of the various signs of a seized engine and the experience required to diagnose the problem, take your car to a mechanic to verify the issue.
In the future, stick to a basic maintenance routine as outlined in your car owner’s manual to avoid a seized engine.
If you need money to fix or even replace your engine, look at your
car insurance
policy and compare quotes with Jerry.As a licensed broker,
Jerry
can help you find and compare quotes from over 50 top providers in minutes. When you find a better rate, Jerry can help you buy your new coverage and even cancel your old policy!View full answer
- Gregory R.
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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