engine seized I think

[PHillary]

Tried cranking car today until it seized and I was just wondering how? how could one crank over a car until it seizes??? I replaced the starter because I thought the starter was broken and still would not crank with new starter pulled the starter tried to spin the flywheel still would not turn??? Put a wrench on the front of the motor it still would not turn over??? So how could something seize up the motor just by cranking it??? If you need more information just let me know...

[944 Ecology]

Remove the starter and try and crank it over by hand (wrench on the front).

[Bigtoe32067]

What car is it? What’s the oil look like? Any metal flakes in the oil? What trans is in it? Could be a locked up trans, I’d try to separate the engine and the trans and see if the engine is still locked.
Sorry for your troubles and good luck. Hopefully it’s something not so bad.
Tony

[Jfrahm]

This was a rebuild as I recall so it may not have been prepped right, it could gall or break a ring if so.

With the cam cover off you should be able to tell if the top or bottom end is seized. With no oil the cam(s) often seizes to the raw aluminum cam journals (no bearings).

[curtisr]

You're in Florida so I wonder about vapor lock. I'm no expert on the subject but hoping this is helpful.
Vapor lock is caused by heat. Excessive heat from the engine, exhaust system, and/or outside temperature can cause the fuel to vaporize in the lines. Some winter fuel blends and high altitude can lower the boiling point of the fuel. This can also contribute to vapor lock

[dme]

Not trying to be flippant, but did the battery just run down while you were cranking? And make sure it is in neutral and/or the clutch is in. I agree with George, put a wrench on the front and turn. While you're at it, take out the plugs to make it easier.

[PHillary]

Originally Posted by 944 Ecology

Remove the starter and try and crank it over by hand (wrench on the front).

We did...However, we did not have the spark plugs out when doing this. It did not turn not even the slightest.

[PHillary]

Originally Posted by dme

Not trying to be flippant, but did the battery just run down while you were cranking? And make sure it is in neutral and/or the clutch is in. I agree with George, put a wrench on the front and turn. While you're at it, take out the plugs to make it easier.

We did this, took battery to three different places and had them bench test it.

[PHillary]

Originally Posted by Jfrahm

This was a rebuild as I recall so it may not have been prepped right, it could gall or break a ring if so.

With the cam cover off you should be able to tell if the top or bottom end is seized. With no oil the cam(s) often seizes to the raw aluminum cam journals (no bearings).

Yes your're right! and if this is the case it should be under warranty I was thinking but not sure why oil wouldn't be reaching the cams??? and I checked the oil itself it seems fine? Why wouldn't the Cams be getting oil?

[PHillary]

Originally Posted by Bigtoe32067

What car is it? What’s the oil look like? Any metal flakes in the oil? What trans is in it? Could be a locked up trans, I’d try to separate the engine and the trans and see if the engine is still locked.
Sorry for your troubles and good luck. Hopefully it’s something not so bad.
Tony

Can the tranny still have a hold on the engine when it not in gear? I thought in neutral it is supposed to spin freely...it is a 87 S model car no flakes in oil as far as I can tell.

[PHillary]

Thanks you all ya'll have been great just as expected! I really don't know, one day I was driving the car literally the next day I wasn't. ****s weird???

[Bigtoe32067]

If one of the flywheel bolts backed out it will prevent the engine from turning The fact that your oil looks good makes it hard for me to believe it’s in the engine but I could be wrong. Pull the valve cover off and look for any visible damage, pull the spark plugs and try to rock the engine back and forth from the balancer bolt with a long cheater bar.
If none of the suggestions on here help unfortunately I think the engine has to come out.
How long ago was it rebuilt if at all?
Good luck. It does seem like an odd situation.
Tony

[pfarah]

PHillary,
Dumb question: Did you take a look at your timing belt to make sure it didn't snap, causing the lovely piston/valve intercourse which would prevent rotational movement?

[PHillary]

Originally Posted by pfarah

PHillary,
Dumb question: Did you take a look at your timing belt to make sure it didn't snap, causing the lovely piston/valve intercourse which would prevent rotational movement?

Its okay, no question is dumb. Especially right now, the belts appear to be fine...I took it to AAMCO this morning and they said the engine is locked up but that was after I tried the same things everybody else said to do...the only thing I didn't try to do was turn the engine over with the spark plugs out...at this point I really don't think its gone matter...because of money I am going to sit on it for a few more weeks until I get some real cash to play with it more...Like taking it back to the dealership and asking them to diagnose it for me...They told me their parts are under warranty the labor is not entirely??? Which I didn't even understand but Okay I'm kinda at they mercy right now...Ugh!

[PHillary]

Originally Posted by Bigtoe32067

If one of the flywheel bolts backed out it will prevent the engine from turning The fact that your oil looks good makes it hard for me to believe it’s in the engine but I could be wrong. Pull the valve cover off and look for any visible damage, pull the spark plugs and try to rock the engine back and forth from the balancer bolt with a long cheater bar.
If none of the suggestions on here help unfortunately I think the engine has to come out.
How long ago was it rebuilt if at all?
Good luck. It does seem like an odd situation.
Tony

Thanks it was rebuilt in September of last year...It feels like when my Samsung Dryer warranty expired right at its warranty went out..Lol!

It is weird but when I find out I will be sure to let you all know that's for sure...Do you know it's only 134 documented S models left on the planet...So I'm definitely keep it for sure!!! Might buy a roller for an LS swap and just baby this one to death Lol!

[Bigtoe32067]

Man that sucks. I hope they do something to help you out.
Good luck
Tony

[djnolan]

Originally Posted by 944 Ecology

Remove the starter and try and crank it over by hand (wrench on the front).

Is the clutch disk and pressure plate bound together? Had it happen once after car sat a year, clutch wouldn't disengage.

[PHillary]

Originally Posted by djnolan

Is the clutch disk and pressure plate bound together? Had it happen once after car sat a year, clutch wouldn't disengage.

Not sure will look for this today. Thanks!

[944 Ecology]

Originally Posted by PHillary

Do you know it's only 134 documented S models left on the planet...

Hmmmm, what is the source for that statement?

I have heard that they imported more than 8000 to the USA, so that number sounds pretty low.

[PHillary]

Originally Posted by 944 Ecology

Hmmmm, what is the source for that statement?

I have heard that they imported more than 8000 to the USA, so that number sounds pretty low.

Google! Lol!