Meaning of vapor lock | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A problem mostly affecting gasoline-fueled internal combustion engines, where the liquid fuel changes state from liquid to gas while still in the fuel delivery system, reducing the pump pressure and causing transient power loss or complete stalling.
   countable, uncountable
2. Synonym of air lock.
   countable, especially, uncountable

Examples

“The Coast Guard Marine Safety Center modeled and analyzed the lube oil levels in the main engine sump in a static condition. The safety center concluded that with 1,226 gallons of oil in the sump, as was likely on the accident voyage, and a 5-foot trim by the stern (0.4°), the bellmouth opening of the line leading from the sump to the lube oil pumps would break the oil's surface at an 18° port list. At that point, the bellmouth would no longer be submerged in the lube oil and air would enter the pumps, causing a vapor lock.”

CEFR level