Possible engine failure.
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From: San Antonio, TX/Mahopac, NY
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There was a post on here last week with very similar symptoms. The dealer said the engine needed to be rebuilt/replaced. He took the car to an independent and they diagnosed a bad starter. They replaced it and he was good to go. Hope yours is something similar and easy (inexpensive).
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 54
Likes: 60
From: Mesa, AZ
Although post #2 touched on it, I feel you didn't get the obligatory comment "how old is your battery"? If it is the original battery, it will be stamped on the side, near the top, with a date.
Have a volt meter, or use the car's readings. What volts are you getting?
Note that volts doesn't necessarily mean it has the punch to crank the engine.
You should be able to turn the crank manually, with a socket, if going at a slow pace, even without pulling the plugs. You said it is hard or impossible to access the crank bolt. I haven't tried on the C7, so maybe that's tough?
Anybody add to this?
Your event wasn't violent, so let's hope the engine is okay.
Where are you located? Maybe an expert on the forum would offer help.
Dan
Have a volt meter, or use the car's readings. What volts are you getting?
Note that volts doesn't necessarily mean it has the punch to crank the engine.
You should be able to turn the crank manually, with a socket, if going at a slow pace, even without pulling the plugs. You said it is hard or impossible to access the crank bolt. I haven't tried on the C7, so maybe that's tough?
Anybody add to this?
Your event wasn't violent, so let's hope the engine is okay.
Where are you located? Maybe an expert on the forum would offer help.
Dan
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Hopefully it is something like the battery and not an engine failure. Good luck and keep us updated.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2021
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I'm not thinking engine failure at this point.
No noises, oil usage, smoke, just cruising along at 70 and it dies.
Concerning that it wouldn't even turn over with a jump though. If OP is sure there was adequate voltage and good connection I'd be draining the oil and checking compression.
No noises, oil usage, smoke, just cruising along at 70 and it dies.
Concerning that it wouldn't even turn over with a jump though. If OP is sure there was adequate voltage and good connection I'd be draining the oil and checking compression.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 38
Likes: 15
From: Jarrell, TX
So…. Battery was 3 years old I broke down and picked up a new one praying it would fix the issue. Nope… tried turning the crank manually and couldn’t get it to budge even with the breaker. Had no symptoms prior to this. I’ve reached out to a shop so hopefully will hear something back tomorrow.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 432
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From: DFW metroplex 2016 C7Z06 M7
It is a loonnng boring story, but those exact symptoms once happened to me. In my case, the vehicle was outta fuel. So, perhaps the fuel stopped going to the engine... maybe a failed fuel pump or a damaged fuel line 
.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 38
Likes: 15
From: Jarrell, TX
Could you get the crank to turn. I tried turning manually but could get anything. Initially it tried to turn over a few times before it just seized in one spot
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 38
Likes: 15
From: Jarrell, TX
Was there any cranking, screeching, or clanging before you lost power? Or, was it running, and then it was not? We need more details on the symptoms.
C7's are kind of finicky when the battery is going. 2017 and 70,000 miles, woujd make me look at the battery first.
Tell us everything you heard, saw, and felt when it happened.
C7's are kind of finicky when the battery is going. 2017 and 70,000 miles, woujd make me look at the battery first.
Tell us everything you heard, saw, and felt when it happened.
That’s the wild part. Just cruising in 6th and then no more power. No clanging no tapping no loss of pressure (at least on the dash) When I got to the shoulder I tried to start it up. It tried to turn over and got a couple of turns before it stopped. Now when I try to crank it’s like the engine is seized. I’ll get it to a shop and get another look.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2022
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From: MN
Not being able to turn the engine over is a bad thing. Presumably you removed all accessory belts so the only thing you're trying to turn is the crankshaft?
I know you mentioned taking it to the shop, but if you're like me and can't leave well enough alone, I'd pull the plugs and stick borescopes down into each cylinder. Either you'll find a tell-tale cause of the problem or at least rule that out.
I know you mentioned taking it to the shop, but if you're like me and can't leave well enough alone, I'd pull the plugs and stick borescopes down into each cylinder. Either you'll find a tell-tale cause of the problem or at least rule that out.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 677
Likes: 414
From: Pensacola, FL
I know these cars can be an electrical nightmare and most of the time it ends up being a weak battery. However, being that you were driving it, most cars (not sure about the C7) once the engine is started, most of the electrical components are powered by the alternator, so you may want to have your alternator checked out. Good Luck! Hope it all turns out to be something minor!
Pro
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 699
Likes: 132
From: Phoenix
I would check your engine ground and make
sure that is still good. On the drivers side of the motor.
long story short, I pulled my engine and installed it. Wouldn’t crank. Spend off time for about 4 weeks troubleshooting. It ended up being my engine ground. I had installed it one hole 3” away in a different hole. Made all the difference in the world. I would make sure it isn’t loose.
sure that is still good. On the drivers side of the motor.
long story short, I pulled my engine and installed it. Wouldn’t crank. Spend off time for about 4 weeks troubleshooting. It ended up being my engine ground. I had installed it one hole 3” away in a different hole. Made all the difference in the world. I would make sure it isn’t loose.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 38
Likes: 15
From: Jarrell, TX
Well verdict is in. I drained the oil which turned out to have some nice red dye in it….. looks like I’m pulling the motor. Never saw any indication while driving of over temp. Love the car so we shall see how this ends up.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Texas
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 38
Likes: 15
From: Jarrell, TX
yes antifreeze in the oil. No metal shavings in what was drained so a little optimistic in the teardown. 100% stock minus an oil catch.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 910
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From: MN
It it's *just* a head gasket and you can't turn over the engine, I wonder if it's hydrolocked? Hopefully you didn't bend a connecting rod.
I didn't think the engine needed to come out to pull the heads?
I didn't think the engine needed to come out to pull the heads?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Texas
Pro
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 699
Likes: 132
From: Phoenix
I have zero ability control myself around mods but I would just build it and do a afm delete. Have a Shop check out your rods. You could do a drop in kit in the event you ever wanted to boost. They make them so you “don’t have to balance them but if you got it out, I wouldn’t trust it.
