A hydrostatic lock may be caused by ____________.

A hydrostatic lock occurs when liquid, usually coolant or oil, enters the combustion chamber of an engine, preventing the piston from moving. This situation can arise from various sources of leaks or failures within the engine’s structure.

A failed cylinder head gasket is one common cause, as it can allow coolant to seep into the cylinders. When the piston moves down during the compression stroke, it tries to compress the liquid coolant, which is incompressible, leading to a lock-up condition.

Similarly, a leaking injector cup can introduce fuel or oil into the cylinder, causing a similar issue. If the injector cup fails, it can allow diesel fuel to leak into the combustion chamber when the engine is not running, creating a situation where the added liquid again leads to hydrostatic lock.

A cracked block may also lead to hydrostatic lock if it allows coolant to enter the cylinders directly, which would similarly prevent the piston from moving adequately due to the presence of liquid.

Therefore, all of these scenarios — a failed cylinder head gasket, a leaking injector cup, and a cracked block — can lead to hydrostatic lock, making the comprehensive option the correct choice. Understanding this relation helps to diagnose potential issues in engine maintenance and repair, showcasing the critical nature of these components