CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE is usually caused due to no engine oil in the system. This is a major safety issue, as this damage will happen while the car is occupied and moving.

Dave Hopkins Auto Repairs recently diagnosed and repaired a vehicle which had this exact situation occur. We explain what happened to the engine.

The big end bearing turns the reciprocal motion of the piston into the rotating motion of the crankshaft. It has a bearing lining the inner circumference, which is made up of two pieces that slot together. There’s also a hole in the main body of the con rod, through which oil is supplied to keep the bearing lubricated. The bearing is made of a softer material than the rod itself. If the bearing is allowed to wear excessively - something which can happen if oil levels are too low - the bearing will be compromised, allowing for the big end to move around more than it’s supposed to, producing a knocking sound. If the bearing is not replaced, a rod failure will eventually happen, possibly with the rod splitting between the big and small ends. This will result in the crank smashing one half of the broken part through the crankcase.

The steel con rod,  is often subjected to large and repetitive forces:
- shear forces due to the angle between the piston and the crankpin, 
- compression forces as the piston moves downwards, and 
- tensile forces as the piston moves upwards.

Failure of a con rod often forces the broken rod through the side of the crankcase and thereby rendering the engine irreparable.

Catastrophic Damage can be avoided by regularly checking engine oil levels and having oil leaks repaired. If in any doubt about your car's health contact us and make a booking to have your vehicle inspected.