Grippare

Grippare is an Italian verb meaning to seize or jam, commonly used to describe a moving part that ceases to function due to excessive friction, lack of lubrication, or overheating. The expression si è grippato is used for engines, bearings, gears and other mechanical components that fail to move as designed.

In automotive and mechanical contexts, grippare refers to events where a component seizes up, for example pistons sticking to cylinder walls or a bearing locking the crankshaft, preventing normal operation and often causing damage if movement is forced.

Causes include oil starvation or insufficient lubrication, using an incorrect oil grade or viscosity, contamination by dirt or metal shavings, overheating, misalignment, improper assembly, and corrosion.

Symptoms include reduced or blocked movement, increased resistance, unusual noise, overheating, loss of compression, and in severe cases complete stopping of the engine or machine. Consequences can be extensive wear, bearing damage, scoring of cylinders, or broken components.

Prevention and treatment focus on regular maintenance and proper lubrication, using the correct oil and change intervals, ensuring adequate oil pressure and cooling, checking for contaminants, and addressing overheating promptly. If a component has gripped, repair typically requires disassembly and replacement of damaged parts.

Grippare is sometimes used metaphorically to indicate stagnation or blockage in non-mechanical contexts, such as a process that has gripped due to bureaucratic obstacles.

See also grippaggio, engine seizure.