Just how easy is it to blow an engine?

14th April 2010, 21:41

I travel on the motorway all my life, main routes are M1 and the M25.

I have a 1.2 Punto, it's had a engine change. Its now got a Automatic Engine, but now a manula drive, Had 20k less miles then the car its self.

It's had 2 oil changes + service, a headgaskket replacement (For safety reason) and coolent regularly replaced, this has all been done in the last 6 months.

Now, when i'm in traffic on the Motorways, and i want to change lane. My lane is at a stand still, the lane i want to change into is doing 40 - 50 MPH

I have to go from 0 - 50Mph asap and safely, this involves flooring it, in gear 1 and 2. This means i take the rev counter into the red and the exhaust rattles

.

I've seen some video's on youtube with engines blowing, most of them Honda's (I was surprised), most of the damage is pistons exploding.

Whats the chance of my car doing this? It only gets floored for a short period of time, and not too regularly. Like i say, 2 services in 6 months. Its a S reg engine, 98'

And no, staying in your lane dosn't help. I hate to be at a standstill.

14th April 2010, 21:45

When i changed the headgaskets, i noticed when de-carbonating the pistons that one or 2 had very slight movement, i assume this is worn piston ring?

14th April 2010, 22:15

Unlikely an abused when its cold or badly maintained engine is more likely to go!

14th April 2010, 22:16

Err, taking your car in to the red from time to time really isn't going to blow your engine up. So long as you keep it well serviced, oil topped up and the oil's warm, there shouldn't be any issues revving the engine to the red line every now and again.

Some of the Honda engine videos you mention have no oil in them and are sat on the limiter for at least 10 minutes. That's with the aim of destroying them. A standard 1.2 should run a long all day if it's been looked after.

14th April 2010, 22:39

tbh taking your car into the red in my oppinion isnt bad. the limiter is put there to stop it blowing it self up and they wouldnt limit it a 6500 or watever it is unless the engine could cope. and the play your on about could be the way the engine is designed. whens somethings hot it expands so if you make it a lil bit smaller than the bore when its warmed up it will fit snug. but depends how much play your on about reli.!!!!!

15th April 2010, 11:52

Me and my (now ex) mate tried to blow his vectra 1.8 lump. Sat it bouncing off the limiter for 15 mins solid, no change except taking the petrol cap off let a massive amount of pressure escape. In the end he had to get it up to a good speed and drop it into 2nd. It went eventually (think it put a rod through the block iirc).

Moral of the story is momentary redline is okay if done now and then. You got to think, IF my maths is right that at 6k revs piston moves 100 strokes per second, which is pretty fast and creates alot of friction and heat.