What are typical consequences of overheating bearings on a marine engine?

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Overheating bearings disrupts the lubrication film and damages bearing surfaces. Heat softens bearing material and expands the journal, increasing bearing clearances. When clearances grow, the oil film can’t fully separate the moving parts, leading to metal-to-metal contact, accelerated wear, and more heat. The outcome includes burn marks, scoring, possible seizure, degraded lubrication, and eventual failure of the bearing or engine. This is why the option describing increased clearances, burn marks, seizing, reduced lubrication, and potential failure is the best choice. Other choices miss the mark because overheating does not improve lubrication or reduce wear, often isn’t without noticeable effects, and doesn’t result in only a harmless color change.