Definition

Noun: A condition, primarily in internal combustion engines, where fuel in the fuel line overheats, vaporizes, and forms bubbles that block the normal flow of liquid fuel to the engine, causing it to stall or run poorly. This typically occurs in hot weather.

Usage

This term is used specifically in the context of automotive and mechanical engineering to describe a specific type of engine failure. - The car stalled on the hill due to vapor lock. - Older vehicles are more susceptible to vapor lock in summer traffic.

Advanced Usage

• "to experience vapor lock": to suffer from this condition.
  • The classic car tends to experience vapor lock on very hot days.
• "to cause vapor lock": to be the reason this condition occurs.
  • The rerouted fuel line is too close to the exhaust manifold and could cause vapor lock.

Variants and Related Words

• Vapor (noun): A substance diffused or suspended in the air, especially one normally liquid or solid. (e.g., ).
• Lock (noun): A mechanism or situation that prevents movement or operation. (e.g., ).
• Fuel starvation (noun, related concept): A broader term for when an engine is deprived of fuel, which can be caused by vapor lock, a clogged filter, or an empty tank.

Synonyms

• Fuel vaporization (technical term for the process)
• Fuel line vaporization (more descriptive term)

Related Phrases

• "vapor lock issue": a problem characterized by vapor lock.
  • The mechanic diagnosed the stalling as a vapor lock issue.
• "prone to vapor lock": likely to suffer from vapor lock.
  • This model year is known to be prone to vapor lock.

Noun

1. a stoppage in a pipeline caused by gas bubbles (especially a stoppage that develops in hot weather in an internal-combustion engine when fuel in the gas line boils and forms bubbles that block the flow of gasoline to the carburetor)