think my motor seized - how does one test this?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 14,604
Likes: 3
From: Glendale, AZ
think my motor seized - how does one test this?
i had what i thought was a starter problem, it sounded like the starter was grinding on the flywheel (that was my preliminary diagnosis) so i pulled the starter today and put a new one on, i go to crank it over, and on a full battery charge, i hear a clunk like the starter gear is meshing with the flywheel and it is not able to turn the flywheel.
so, how can a "parts changer" like myself go about testing to see if it is actually seized?
and if so, what to do next????
so, how can a "parts changer" like myself go about testing to see if it is actually seized?
and if so, what to do next????
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 10,336
Likes: 14
From: Bellville OH
St. Jude Donor '06
i had what i thought was a starter problem, it sounded like the starter was grinding on the flywheel (that was my preliminary diagnosis) so i pulled the starter today and put a new one on, i go to crank it over, and on a full battery charge, i hear a clunk like the starter gear is meshing with the flywheel and it is not able to turn the flywheel.
so, how can a "parts changer" like myself go about testing to see if it is actually seized?
and if so, what to do next????
so, how can a "parts changer" like myself go about testing to see if it is actually seized?
and if so, what to do next????
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 333
Likes: 1
From: Mendota Heights MN
This may be a long shot, but I actually witnessed this happen to a friend of mine years ago. His starter would not turn the engine over, and a mechanic diagnosed the problem as a siezed engine. It turned out to be a siezed alternator! Not saying this is your problem, but it would be worth a try to remove the belts just to make sure it's not something simple. 
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 14,604
Likes: 3
From: Glendale, AZ
This may be a long shot, but I actually witnessed this happen to a friend of mine years ago. His starter would not turn the engine over, and a mechanic diagnosed the problem as a siezed engine. It turned out to be a siezed alternator! Not saying this is your problem, but it would be worth a try to remove the belts just to make sure it's not something simple.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 14,604
Likes: 3
From: Glendale, AZ
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,340
Likes: 1,120
From: Dyer, IN
This may be a long shot, but I actually witnessed this happen to a friend of mine years ago. His starter would not turn the engine over, and a mechanic diagnosed the problem as a siezed engine. It turned out to be a siezed alternator! Not saying this is your problem, but it would be worth a try to remove the belts just to make sure it's not something simple.
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Tech Contributor
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From: Dyer, IN
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 10,336
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From: Bellville OH
St. Jude Donor '06
Actually, I have tomorrow off I could bring some beer.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 10,336
Likes: 14
From: Bellville OH
St. Jude Donor '06
What year is your car? A brand new Ls6 is around 6200 bucks. What event lead up to this? Is your flywheel ok? are the teeth still intact?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Glendale, AZ
the only event i can think of is that my clutch and flywheel were changed about 500 miles ago or so - and for me to determine if that had anything to do with it, i'll have to start disassembling the car!
i didn't check the teeth, as my first thought was engine seizure, but my 2nd thought was simply that it was the starter.
when it stopped working, i was sitting in the driveway getting ready to go to work, cranked it a couple times, then it just started grinding the starter - so like i said, my first thought was that the starter was grinding on the teeth of the flywheel - i thought more realistically, and assumed it was just the starter so i changed it, and that's where i'm stuck now.
for kicks, i'm going to remove the belt and hope it's the alternator - as i have had some problems with that in the past!
any other suggestions for me to try tomorrow?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 10,336
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From: Bellville OH
St. Jude Donor '06
it's a '99 with a 408
the only event i can think of is that my clutch and flywheel were changed about 500 miles ago or so - and for me to determine if that had anything to do with it, i'll have to start disassembling the car!
i didn't check the teeth, as my first thought was engine seizure, but my 2nd thought was simply that it was the starter.
when it stopped working, i was sitting in the driveway getting ready to go to work, cranked it a couple times, then it just started grinding the starter - so like i said, my first thought was that the starter was grinding on the teeth of the flywheel - i thought more realistically, and assumed it was just the starter so i changed it, and that's where i'm stuck now.
for kicks, i'm going to remove the belt and hope it's the alternator - as i have had some problems with that in the past!
any other suggestions for me to try tomorrow?
the only event i can think of is that my clutch and flywheel were changed about 500 miles ago or so - and for me to determine if that had anything to do with it, i'll have to start disassembling the car!
i didn't check the teeth, as my first thought was engine seizure, but my 2nd thought was simply that it was the starter.
when it stopped working, i was sitting in the driveway getting ready to go to work, cranked it a couple times, then it just started grinding the starter - so like i said, my first thought was that the starter was grinding on the teeth of the flywheel - i thought more realistically, and assumed it was just the starter so i changed it, and that's where i'm stuck now.
for kicks, i'm going to remove the belt and hope it's the alternator - as i have had some problems with that in the past!
any other suggestions for me to try tomorrow?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 14,604
Likes: 3
From: Glendale, AZ
How old is the engine and who built it? The builder should help you out since it's his engine that is KIA (if indeed is is toast) but it showed no issues before. Did you check the starter fuse? I think you need to get the front of the car up and look at the starter while someone tries to start the car. Where abouts in Phoenix are you located?
the starter seems to work, i hear it engage, it just doesn't turn the motor over.
and i'm in ANTHEM
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 0
From: Oregon City , Oregon USA
Pull the plugs, get a socket on a long breaker bar that fits over the bolt on the balancer and turn the motor by hand. I wouldn't try the starter any more untill you determine that there is not something like a cylinder full of water so you don't risk bending a rod.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 10,336
Likes: 14
From: Bellville OH
St. Jude Donor '06
Of check the oil level and color, go into Diagnostic mode and see if you get any codes.
I'm going to sleep I'll check back in the AM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,331
Likes: 4
From: Jacksonville Florida
Id be looking at the clutch, the space between the clutch and the bellhousing is not very much, if something went wrong in there it can bind up the motor, since you just had it changed 500 miles ago that would be my first guess.
Try pushing the car in gear, have someone rock the car back and forth in gear while you watch the crank pulley. The engine should turn slightly back and forth, if it doesnt start removing parts until it does (ie starter)
