Car - Connecting rod - what?

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santoury

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Dec 8, 2006
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Massachusetts
My mother's Saab's number 4 connecting rod went through the engine block yesterday - What does that mean? What is the likely cause for this happening?

Thanks in advance! (The car should be covered by warranty)
 
It means the engine is completely trashed. The connecting rod is the piece that is between the piston and the crankshaft.

If it threw a rod there is a serious problem. If regular maintenance was neglected it may void the warranty.


usually you have to try REALLY hard to throw a rod.

It could be caused by a malfunctioning lubricating system, severe over revving, or neglect.
 
:iagree::iagree::iagree: Sorry but your mom's motor is gone!!!! Start looking for replacement crate motors if they stiff you on the warantee.... Not sure if they make one for that make of car or not but i know all the american car companies do.....
 
yup, the motor is useless. If the con rod actually went through the side of the block, your gonna need a whole new motor. If the con rod failed, but didnt go through the side of the block, you might be able to get away with a rebuild. The motor will have to be completely torn down and remove all metal shavings. Usually when a conrod goes it is due to low oil, low oil pressure, spun bearings on the conrod, over revving, Poor metalurgy(weak metal) which is prone to cracks, con rod bolts failing/improperly torqued, lack of maintenence, and extreme driving.
I agree with whats said above, you have to really try to throw a con rod.
look in salvage yards for a new motor, preferably with lower mileage, and change the parts that need to be changed. Autozone has free tool rental(you make a deposit, which is returned)
good luck
 
Sturgeon;1288041; said:
yup, the motor is useless. If the con rod actually went through the side of the block, your gonna need a whole new motor. If the con rod failed, but didnt go through the side of the block, you might be able to get away with a rebuild. The motor will have to be completely torn down and remove all metal shavings. Usually when a conrod goes it is due to low oil, low oil pressure, spun bearings on the conrod, over revving, Poor metalurgy(weak metal) which is prone to cracks, con rod bolts failing/improperly torqued, lack of maintenence, and extreme driving.
I agree with whats said above, you have to really try to throw a con rod.
look in salvage yards for a new motor, preferably with lower mileage, and change the parts that need to be changed. Autozone has free tool rental(you make a deposit, which is returned)
good luck
Click to expand...

Yupp he is right. I had first hand experience with this because I was dyno testing my 91 RS camero after all new cams, high compression pistons and a new crank set and the 4 cylinders connecting rod snapped at the ring and gouged the lower part of the cylinder and crank case. The company paid for the damages as well as a new set. Had to get the cylinders re-bored and fixed the case. Thank god for warranties!! The reason for it breaking they said was that it was a faulty part.
 
I concur. That block is toast. The head (if it's an inline-4) or heads (if it's a V-6) might be salvageable though.

Sorry about the bad events. This is truly a Saab story. :(
 
Depending on how old that Saab is, you would have to try REALLY hard to brake those rods. The rods are specially reinforced on the newer 2.0 LSJ motor
 
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