corsair engine seizing after a few minutes of flying no matter what settings I use.

[LouP73]

Like the title says.  I have the mixture set halfway, reduce throttle to 40 and bring back the rpms to 24.  I am also leaving the cowl flaps open to avoid overheating.  All gauges look good when she seizes and I'm on the main tanks.  The aircraft is spawning on the carrier in a mission with engines running so it can't be a start-up procedure issue.  I've been simming forever and was a real-world pilot.  I'm at my wits end with this thing as I can't think of another option to try.

LouP

[Stevecat]

I was told that leaving the fuel pump switch in the "on" position might help.

[GTFreeFlyer]

49 minutes ago, LouP73 said:

Like the title says.  I have the mixture set halfway, reduce throttle to 40 and bring back the rpms to 24.  I am also leaving the cowl flaps open to avoid overheating.  All gauges look good when she seizes and I'm on the main tanks.  The aircraft is spawning on the carrier in a mission with engines running so it can't be a start-up procedure issue.  I've been simming forever and was a real-world pilot.  I'm at my wits end with this thing as I can't think of another option to try.

LouP

Post a track file and someone will help.  I enjoy a little investigation myself

[LouP73]

Just to add, weird thing is I flew the mission once with no issues and this problem cropped up once I tried to add some ordinance.  I was still under gross weight so it shouldn't have been an issue.  Is there any way to retrieve the track if I already shut DCS down?  If not, I need to go re-fly the mission tomorrow.

Thanks, LouP

[GTFreeFlyer]

4 minutes ago, LouP73 said:

Just to add, weird thing is I flew the mission once with no issues and this problem cropped up once I tried to add some ordinance.  I was still under gross weight so it shouldn't have been an issue.  Is there any way to retrieve the track if I already shut DCS down?  If not, I need to go re-fly the mission tomorrow.

Thanks, LouP

You can check your saved games/tracks folder to see if it auto saved.  Otherwise, you’ll have to re-fly it.  
 

Also, there are already a few threads with this same topic.  You just created another one.  One of them has been open for a while and has lots of discussion.  I’m betting your issue is something already experienced, discussed, and resolved.  Have a look in the other threads as well.  
 

You didn’t mention opening your oil flaps, so you may have cooked the engine.  That’s all I can offer at the moment based on the info you gave above.

 

[LouP73]

OK, I think I figured it out.  I opened the intercooler and oil cooler before take-off, and all went well (as far as the seizing issue).  As I said right when the engine seized previously, I hit the escape key to freeze the action and all temps looked OK on the instruments.  It's as if the position of the various cooling flaps is determining when the engine should fail instead of the temperatures as shown on the gauges.  I know this may seem like the same thing but when you are watching your gauges to determine when to open the flaps, it can mess you up as you will think all is well and not open the flaps yet.  But I am confused if this is true as to why it didn't just seize on the carrier deck.  Something seems not quite right.

Thank you all, LouP

[GTFreeFlyer]

27 minutes ago, LouP73 said:

OK, I think I figured it out.  I opened the intercooler and oil cooler before take-off, and all went well (as far as the seizing issue).  As I said right when the engine seized previously, I hit the escape key to freeze the action and all temps looked OK on the instruments.  It's as if the position of the various cooling flaps is determining when the engine should fail instead of the temperatures as shown on the gauges.  I know this may seem like the same thing but when you are watching your gauges to determine when to open the flaps, it can mess you up as you will think all is well and not open the flaps yet.  But I am confused if this is true as to why it didn't just seize on the carrier deck.  Something seems not quite right.

Thank you all, LouP

Need a track file. You likely did damage to the engine beforehand and the engine driven fuel pump failed, if your temps were in fact okay.  Did you hear engine knocking sound when you pushed the throttle up?  Come back with a track file next time and I’ll gladly take a look for you. 
 

FYI, your intercooler flaps do nothing except add drag during takeoff.  You need them to cool the carb air only when the blower is running.  Without the blower, you aren’t generating heat in this area.  You can leave them closed.

 

[LouP73]

Yea but now that I am opening the cooler flaps, she's not dying.  I'll post a file when she does die again.  Could have been the bubliator valve (old joke from an old man).

LouP

[HR-Crumble]

On 8/21/2025 at 7:19 PM, LouP73 said:

OK, I think I figured it out.  I opened the intercooler and oil cooler before take-off, and all went well (as far as the seizing issue).  As I said right when the engine seized previously, I hit the escape key to freeze the action and all temps looked OK on the instruments.  It's as if the position of the various cooling flaps is determining when the engine should fail instead of the temperatures as shown on the gauges.  I know this may seem like the same thing but when you are watching your gauges to determine when to open the flaps, it can mess you up as you will think all is well and not open the flaps yet.  But I am confused if this is true as to why it didn't just seize on the carrier deck.  Something seems not quite right.

Thank you all, LouP

Hey LouP,

 

Just came across your posts as I’m trying to get my head round which engine power settings to use. (See my previous posts that we currently have a mix of three different sources available that all differ). 
 

Are you saying that having the oil and air coolers whacked fully open is the key at the moment? I’ve been flying them on neutral and never had a temp rise issue but still get engine seizes regardless of engine settings and paying OCD levels of attention to the gauges. 
I’ve been finding the majority of time it’s after I’ve lowered (slowly and controlled as per the manuals) the rpm to say go to eco cruise or come into the landing pattern. 
 

Cheers!

[razo+r]

9 minutes ago, HR-Crumble said:

Hey LouP,

 

Just came across your posts as I’m trying to get my head round which engine power settings to use. (See my previous posts that we currently have a mix of three different sources available that all differ). 
 

Are you saying that having the oil and air coolers whacked fully open is the key at the moment? I’ve been flying them on neutral and never had a temp rise issue but still get engine seizes regardless of engine settings and paying OCD levels of attention to the gauges. 
I’ve been finding the majority of time it’s after I’ve lowered (slowly and controlled as per the manuals) the rpm to say go to eco cruise or come into the landing pattern. 
 

Cheers!

From my flying previously, at lower altitudes, leaving the oil cooler and intercooler at 50% is fine, intercooler can even remain closed. One thing you should check is Cowl Flaps. I had to adjust them constantly not to overheat or undercool the engine.

Also feel free to upload a track showing a seizing engine of yours so we can pinpoint exactly where the issue was.