need help with options for locked up engine
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
need help with options for locked up engine
Hey guys I have a 1981 corvette and the engine locked up last night. I have antique insurance and was wondering if anyone knows if this would cover the original motor. Im currently waiting for them to email me my policy to see what it covers for sure but need some opinions. The oil was recently changed at a chevy dealership in May and ive never had a single problem out of it until now. It literally just rolled over 86k miles when it happened. I havent reported the problem yet incase I may be able to increase my coverage on the car. The only advice Ive gotten so far is to put sugar in the tank which isnt something I would do because its not worth getting caught and the engine is already locked up so a quick check would prove otherwise. Thanks for any help.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 431
From: Dale City VA
I'd verify that it's the engine and not a bad starter, or something on the accessory drive like a locked up smog pump, water pump, power steering pump or AC Compressor clutch.
If it's the engine you need to know if it's just hydro-locked from a blown head gasket or mechanically locked from a broken rod or spun bearing.
Once you know the extent of the damage it's easier to make decision on how to fix it and what insurance may or may not cover....
Another thing most automotive insurance policies are for collision or theft damage/loss not mechanical failures.
Will
If it's the engine you need to know if it's just hydro-locked from a blown head gasket or mechanically locked from a broken rod or spun bearing.
Once you know the extent of the damage it's easier to make decision on how to fix it and what insurance may or may not cover....
Another thing most automotive insurance policies are for collision or theft damage/loss not mechanical failures.
Will
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,017
Likes: 1,118
From: North tonawanda NY
OP,
I would advise against this for multiple obvious reasons, not the least of which would be that now that you have publically advertised this, Its not hard or unlikely for any insurance agent to find this and use it against you when they prosecute.
Last edited by augiedoggy; Jul 25, 2016 at 04:10 PM.
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5,218
Likes: 1,174
From: Southlake, TX
Question... how do you know it "locked up" and can you be more specific on what happened just prior to the lock up?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
Whoever told you to put sugar in the tank is a moron. The only way sugar would lock up an engine is if you filled the cylinders with it. Sugar is minimally soluble in gasoline, meaning that there just wouldn't ever be enough sugar in solution to caramelize or do anything to harm the engine. The very most that would happen is the sugar crystals would clog your fuel filter, and that just stops fuel flow.
It should go without saying that insurance fraud is just wrong.
It should go without saying that insurance fraud is just wrong.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
You posted a lot of stuff that you should have kept to yourself,
But on the lockup,
Please give more details, like on my 66 on the highway a light tap quickly became a knocking then pounding like a jack hammer, it ate a rod bearing.
So were you driving along or at idle was their a noise or the engine just stopped dead?
But on the lockup,
Please give more details, like on my 66 on the highway a light tap quickly became a knocking then pounding like a jack hammer, it ate a rod bearing.
So were you driving along or at idle was their a noise or the engine just stopped dead?
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,524
Likes: 61
From: Medina Ohio
Good 'ol boy or a young buck?
..No offense Joey81, but things like this should be kept to oneself and not publicly advertised on the internet.
Lol, but yes, post the details of the lock up situation (and not your insurance fraud)...
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,194
Likes: 109
From: Las Vegas NV
Hey guys I'm thinking of taking out an insurance policy for my '79 and buying a junkyard '79 and filing an insurance claim for losses, can anyone help me figure how to switch the VIN tags?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,524
Likes: 61
From: Medina Ohio
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
I never intended on doing it just stating that bad advice is the only advice I had gotten
No doubt the reason someone already suggested he commit insurance fraud and pour sugar in the tank...
OP,
I would advise against this for multiple obvious reasons, not the least of which would be that now that you have publically advertised this, Its not hard or unlikely for any insurance agent to find this and use it against you when they prosecute.
OP,
I would advise against this for multiple obvious reasons, not the least of which would be that now that you have publically advertised this, Its not hard or unlikely for any insurance agent to find this and use it against you when they prosecute.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
OK apparently no one here can read and understand that I was saying the only advice I've received is bad advice because clearly I stated that I wouldn't be putting sugar in my tank. I've already been told the motor is more than likely ruined due to a rod bearing. I needed a reason for a new motor so now I have it. And yes I can repair the motor because my antique insurance allows me to order up to $2000 worth of spare parts and it can be any part and doesn't have to be installed right then so just an FYI for anyone whose never cared to look through your policy like I haven't over the last few years.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Sorry forgot to. I was driving down the road and heard a loud knocking that increased when I increased the speed. Before I was able to pull over there was a loud pop and smoke and the engine died. The piece that connects to the passenger side valve cover to the air filter had blown off is all I could notice. Now the engine won't turn over. That's all I know so far because it began raining and didn't have time to mess with anything
Last edited by Joey81; Jul 26, 2016 at 03:09 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,478
Likes: 254
From: Downers Grove Illinois
Sorry forgot to. I was driving down the road and heard a loud knocking that increased when I increased the speed. Before I was able to pull over there was a loud pop and smoke and the engine died. The piece that connects to the passenger side valve cover to the air filter had blown off is all I could notice. Now the engine won't turn over. That's all I know so far because it began raining and didn't have time to mess with anything
