There are only a few things that can cause engine seizure:
Overheating due to failure of the cooling system or the lubrication system. With overheating, the pistons expand to the extent they will no longer slide up and down in their bores. Since you smelled smoke, it makes sense to assume overheating. Were you able to drive the car to the mechanic or did you have it towed?
Mechanical lock-up due to a crankshaft connecting rod breaking or coming loose. A broken crankshaft is possible but unlikely.
I have experienced a near seizure due to overheating. A radiator hose had split but I turned the engine off in time and avoided seizure. Also had a conrod come loose once. Fortunately I was in a parking lot going about 5 mph when the car came to an abrupt stop. In this case, the engine had to be pulled to repair it. I did the work myself but needed to get the crank journals ground at a machine shop.
Overheating due to failure of the cooling system or the lubrication system. With overheating, the pistons expand to the extent they will no longer slide up and down in their bores. Since you smelled smoke, it makes sense to assume overheating. Were you able to drive the car to the mechanic or did you have it towed?
Mechanical lock-up due to a crankshaft connecting rod breaking or coming loose. A broken crankshaft is possible but unlikely.
I have experienced a near seizure due to overheating. A radiator hose had split but I turned the engine off in time and avoided seizure. Also had a conrod come loose once. Fortunately I was in a parking lot going about 5 mph when the car came to an abrupt stop. In this case, the engine had to be pulled to repair it. I did the work myself but needed to get the crank journals ground at a machine shop.
