Seized ea81 engines

[gazza01]

I seem to be getting a lot of ea81 seized engines of late, always just the one piston that is totally 

jammed hard. I find it always impossible to get the Gudgeon pin out of the seized piston, meaning 

I have to split the motor and try unbolt the connecting  rod to the seized piston, and then try to drive the

seized piston out with a piece of timber and a big  hammer,- sometimes works. If the piston is totally

Seized nothing  Im using seems to work  has anyone out there got any ideas.

 

[SuspiciousPizza]

Totally shooting from the hip here, these are all ideas and I've never done any of these methods.

1. Maybe you could fill the piston from the bottom (use it as a bowl) and fill it with dry ice or liquid nitrogen. Maybe you could get the piston cold enough to get it to shrink and you could use your timber+hammer method to remove it then. You may have a temperature transfer to the cylinder walls so this may not work. But the sleeves and piston should contract at different rates.

2. Pour water into the cylinder all the way to the top. Reinstall the head (maybe add some cheap RTV or the like) and stick the block half with the head on into the freezer. Maybe the hydraulic pressure from the water freezing could remove the piston. Or you'll end up cracking the block or head so best use a head that is already too far gone.

[gazza01]

I'll give that liquid nitrogen a try IF  I can find place to buy it.

Maybe last resort freezing water .

 

Edited February 27 by gazza01
new info

[SuspiciousPizza]

I believe welding supply stores sell liquid nitrogen but you may need a dewar flask or a specific container, some places are picky and may not let you use any old yeti cup. 

I know for a fact welding supply stores sell dry ice though and it's cheap. Just bring a cooler.

[SuspiciousPizza]

@gazza01 Not to hijack the thread, but how do you stand the engine when using your timber + hammer method?

I have a seized EA82 I desperately want the con rods out of.

I worry about gouging the deck surfaces if I stand the engine on end. I also worry too much padding to protect the deck surface would absorb impacts.

Thanks 

Edited March 9 by SuspiciousPizza

[carfreak85]

@SuspiciousPizzaI'd find some scrap plywood on the deck surface and some method to clamp the case half to your workbench.

[gazza01]

On 3/9/2025 at 10:52 AM, SuspiciousPizza said:

@gazza01 Not to hijack the thread, but how do you stand the engine when using your timber + hammer method?

I have a seized EA82 I desperately want the con rods out of.

I worry about gouging the deck surfaces if I stand the engine on end. I also worry too much padding to protect the deck surface would absorb impacts.

Thanks 

18inch of 4x2 and a big hammer. Once u have the cylinder heads off u can stand the ea81 (Im not up to the ea82s) engine on a piece of thick cardboard to protect the Cyl head bolts and let loose with the big hammer works to a point but a LOT of that SPECIALIZED WD40 helps. Seized engines are a nightmare I find generally its only one piston thats seized that usually the one that holds the oil. If u have 2 pistons on one side where u can get the Gudgeon pins out its a start. Find the rogue piston and "Safely" stand the engine upright with that Specialized WD40 on top. I pull the Gudgeon pins out with a Dent puller slide hammer from Temu with a 12x125mm Dynabolt pulled up tight in the Gudgeon and attached to the thread with a long bolt at bottom of slide hammer.