I'm just wondering here, from the way people talk about it, the engine is dead when it has spun bearing. What causes it and what can you do to prevent it?

 

Keep your oil clean and full and good oil pressure.

 

Head gasket leaks are a big one.

Coolant gets into the oil.

 

The primary cause of a spun bearing is that it occurs due to lubrication failure. Causes include oil starvation (as in hard cornering for prolonged periods or just running the oil level too low) oil breakdown (failure to change the oil), oil contamination (internal coolant leaks or dirt), failed oil pump, oil pressure relief valve stuck open, etc.

Rich Krause

 

Ahhhh...user error