Engine "frozen" for no apparent reason.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Engine "frozen" for no apparent reason.
::Howdy,
I have an '87 ragtop that usually is used as a driver unless I'm going someplace I really don't want to take her (Nevada's wind/sand storms are known for their ferocity and damaging effects on paint, chrome and glass). Recently, due to unusual circumstances, the car was parked (outside) for about 75 days, safe yet not driven or started at all. I've left cars sitting for periods longer than that, in more adverse climates, and I've never had to do more than a jump or prime to get the vehicle going once the original reason for parking it was corrected.
My car, however, was completely operable, was(is) meticulously maintained and babied. When I went to bring it into the my shop for a quick once over before hitting the road, the engine would not budge!
The starter strains, and will occasionally spin without engaging the flywheel if I bump it quickly. also, I cannot (yet) turn the engine over by hand. I put less than an ounce of "Miracle Oil" in each cylinder over 48 hours ago, and still nothing. I am hoping someone out there can give me that one prognosis that can explain to me the cause and cure for this condition bvefire U start pulling the heads. THANKS in advance for any ideas you'all can give me.
leiterside, Reno NV
I have an '87 ragtop that usually is used as a driver unless I'm going someplace I really don't want to take her (Nevada's wind/sand storms are known for their ferocity and damaging effects on paint, chrome and glass). Recently, due to unusual circumstances, the car was parked (outside) for about 75 days, safe yet not driven or started at all. I've left cars sitting for periods longer than that, in more adverse climates, and I've never had to do more than a jump or prime to get the vehicle going once the original reason for parking it was corrected.
My car, however, was completely operable, was(is) meticulously maintained and babied. When I went to bring it into the my shop for a quick once over before hitting the road, the engine would not budge!
The starter strains, and will occasionally spin without engaging the flywheel if I bump it quickly. also, I cannot (yet) turn the engine over by hand. I put less than an ounce of "Miracle Oil" in each cylinder over 48 hours ago, and still nothing. I am hoping someone out there can give me that one prognosis that can explain to me the cause and cure for this condition bvefire U start pulling the heads. THANKS in advance for any ideas you'all can give me.
leiterside, Reno NV
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
From: Corona ca
Something very unusual is going on.
I am assuming you put a ratchet on the crank bolt and tried to turn it. While that should have done the trick, I would go under the car and expose the flywheel. Use a flywheel turning tool or, if you don't have one, use a prybar to try and rotate the flywheel. This method will allow you much more leverage to try and rotate the engine. you will also be able to see if something broke off your starter and is jammed up against the bell housing and the flywheel.
Flywheel turning tool
Unless you had a blown head gasket or some other internal engine damage before you parked the car, I'd check for something external hanging things up before you tear into the motor.
Good luck!
I am assuming you put a ratchet on the crank bolt and tried to turn it. While that should have done the trick, I would go under the car and expose the flywheel. Use a flywheel turning tool or, if you don't have one, use a prybar to try and rotate the flywheel. This method will allow you much more leverage to try and rotate the engine. you will also be able to see if something broke off your starter and is jammed up against the bell housing and the flywheel.
Flywheel turning tool
Unless you had a blown head gasket or some other internal engine damage before you parked the car, I'd check for something external hanging things up before you tear into the motor.
Good luck!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,969
Likes: 8
From: NJ
The first thing I would do is remove the plugs and try again. Obviously if water comes a slushin out you found the problem.
Then I would inspect the starter and make sure the bendex is not stuck out and jammed on the flywheel.
After that you are going to have to go through anything attached to the rotating assy and see what's up.
I broke a roller off a lifter once and it jammed up the cam. I hope that's not the case, unlikely as it was parked fine, but ya never know.
Then I would inspect the starter and make sure the bendex is not stuck out and jammed on the flywheel.
After that you are going to have to go through anything attached to the rotating assy and see what's up.
I broke a roller off a lifter once and it jammed up the cam. I hope that's not the case, unlikely as it was parked fine, but ya never know.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 15
From: backwoods upstate ny
crazy sith
bought a caprice lt1 engine for parts recently, PO said it was locked for no reason after driving the car home/sat for a month...got it on the stand to start stripping,popped serp belt and found a/c compressor was set up 101%, engine now runs like a new crate motor.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: DFW TX
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From: Database Error Indiana
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 37
Apparently you already removed the plugs and still could not get it to bulge. My guess is severe cylinder rust causing the piston rings to hang up, or one of your accesories have frozen (alternator, air conditioner pump, pwr steering, etc.) The earlier alternators had a bushing in the rear of it that gave problems. Remove the accesory belt and then try.
I've seen situtations where the piston rings lightly fuse to the cylinder wall when there is a lot of moisture present. I don't think marvel mystery oil penetrates enough. I would use the "nut busting" type of penetrating oil and let it soak for a few hours. Then after removing accesory belt, I would get a breaker bar on the damper bolt and see if I could loosen it up.
Good luck with that one. Proceed slowly.
I've seen situtations where the piston rings lightly fuse to the cylinder wall when there is a lot of moisture present. I don't think marvel mystery oil penetrates enough. I would use the "nut busting" type of penetrating oil and let it soak for a few hours. Then after removing accesory belt, I would get a breaker bar on the damper bolt and see if I could loosen it up.
Good luck with that one. Proceed slowly.
::Howdy,
I have an '87 ragtop that usually is used as a driver unless I'm going someplace I really don't want to take her (Nevada's wind/sand storms are known for their ferocity and damaging effects on paint, chrome and glass). Recently, due to unusual circumstances, the car was parked (outside) for about 75 days, safe yet not driven or started at all. I've left cars sitting for periods longer than that, in more adverse climates, and I've never had to do more than a jump or prime to get the vehicle going once the original reason for parking it was corrected.
My car, however, was completely operable, was(is) meticulously maintained and babied. When I went to bring it into the my shop for a quick once over before hitting the road, the engine would not budge!
The starter strains, and will occasionally spin without engaging the flywheel if I bump it quickly. also, I cannot (yet) turn the engine over by hand. I put less than an ounce of "Miracle Oil" in each cylinder over 48 hours ago, and still nothing. I am hoping someone out there can give me that one prognosis that can explain to me the cause and cure for this condition bvefire U start pulling the heads. THANKS in advance for any ideas you'all can give me.
leiterside, Reno NV
I have an '87 ragtop that usually is used as a driver unless I'm going someplace I really don't want to take her (Nevada's wind/sand storms are known for their ferocity and damaging effects on paint, chrome and glass). Recently, due to unusual circumstances, the car was parked (outside) for about 75 days, safe yet not driven or started at all. I've left cars sitting for periods longer than that, in more adverse climates, and I've never had to do more than a jump or prime to get the vehicle going once the original reason for parking it was corrected.
My car, however, was completely operable, was(is) meticulously maintained and babied. When I went to bring it into the my shop for a quick once over before hitting the road, the engine would not budge!
The starter strains, and will occasionally spin without engaging the flywheel if I bump it quickly. also, I cannot (yet) turn the engine over by hand. I put less than an ounce of "Miracle Oil" in each cylinder over 48 hours ago, and still nothing. I am hoping someone out there can give me that one prognosis that can explain to me the cause and cure for this condition bvefire U start pulling the heads. THANKS in advance for any ideas you'all can give me.
leiterside, Reno NV
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Elkton MD
Won't turn
Steve Baker has the most likely and most easily tested cause.
The clutch disk (if it's a stick????) is likely stuck to the pressure plate. Try to start with the transmission in neutral (and the clutch down to satisfy the start circuit).
My '68 Camaro was stored like yours, but inside, and I ended up having to replace the clutch. Got it home by doing a rolling jump start in 2nd gear.
I now store the old ones with a block behind the brake pedal that holds the clutch open.
Good luck
The clutch disk (if it's a stick????) is likely stuck to the pressure plate. Try to start with the transmission in neutral (and the clutch down to satisfy the start circuit).
My '68 Camaro was stored like yours, but inside, and I ended up having to replace the clutch. Got it home by doing a rolling jump start in 2nd gear.
I now store the old ones with a block behind the brake pedal that holds the clutch open.
Good luck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
Had one just like this in our shop last month. The A/C compressor had locked up and that was enough to keep the engine from turning over. First time I ever saw that happen and I wouldn't have believed it until I saw it myself. Took the belt off and it started right up and ran like a charm.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
re: stronger penetrating oil
Apparently you already removed the plugs and still could not get it to bulge. My guess is severe cylinder rust causing the piston rings to hang up, or one of your accesories have frozen (alternator, air conditioner pump, pwr steering, etc.) The earlier alternators had a bushing in the rear of it that gave problems. Remove the accesory belt and then try.
I've seen situtations where the piston rings lightly fuse to the cylinder wall when there is a lot of moisture present. I don't think marvel mystery oil penetrates enough. I would use the "nut busting" type of penetrating oil and let it soak for a few hours. Then after removing accesory belt, I would get a breaker bar on the damper bolt and see if I could loosen it up.
Good luck with that one. Proceed slowly.
I've seen situtations where the piston rings lightly fuse to the cylinder wall when there is a lot of moisture present. I don't think marvel mystery oil penetrates enough. I would use the "nut busting" type of penetrating oil and let it soak for a few hours. Then after removing accesory belt, I would get a breaker bar on the damper bolt and see if I could loosen it up.
Good luck with that one. Proceed slowly.