2007-02-12 05:20:09 · 9 answers · asked by DANIEL D 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The most usual reason is overheating due to low oil pressure or radiator/hose/antifreeze problems.
No matter what you see in the movies, a high velocity round fired by the SWAT team has a low probability of being the cause.
2007-02-12 05:24:51 · answer #1 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually when you stop and think about the temperature ranges and the amount of stress put on a block, it's amazing they don't fail more often than they do.
That being said, remember the average service life of a well maintained engine is only 10-12 years.
The most common cause for block failure is simply overheating. Getting it too hot will warp the heads and crack the block. Along with ordinary maintenance and oil changes, pay close attention to the cooling system.
Added: Despite what you are being told, freezing would only cause the freeze plugs (also know as expansion plugs) to pop out, causing an expensive repair but saving your engine.
2007-02-12 06:04:03 · answer #2 · answered by oklatom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually this is caused by cold water in the block, and when the temperature gets below freezing, the water expands, causing the block to crack. It may also be caused by a loose mount, which creates stress, and the torquing of the block, creates in a crack, or stress fracture.
2007-02-12 05:30:02 · answer #3 · answered by Beau R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Either your coolant was mostly water and it frose and cracked it
or on the other end overheating can cause it too crack as everything expands as it is heated ant there is not room for all the parts and something has to give.
2007-02-12 05:28:43 · answer #4 · answered by startrektosnewenterpriselovethem 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One common cause is pouring water into the engine while it is red hot. This causes rapid contraction of part of the metal, resulting in stresses beyond the capacity of hot metal to absorb them.
Another cause is freezing of water in the block to the point where expansion of the ice produces excessive pressure inside the water jacket.
In either case, excessive stress.
2007-02-12 05:26:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I remember being told once that if my car is overheating and I immediately put in cold water, that I could crack the block.
2007-02-12 05:24:21 · answer #6 · answered by C. J. 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe your antifreeze solution was too weak and it froze and split the block.
2007-02-12 05:22:58 · answer #7 · answered by devast725 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Extreme over heat or freezing
2007-02-12 05:24:29 · answer #8 · answered by buzzwaltz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Also, too much boost.
2007-02-12 05:47:10 · answer #9 · answered by William S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋