[Jorm]

Hi Folks

35 years with engines and you had your fair share of troubles, rod bearings knocks, pistons out through the block, cracked blocks, valves breaking you name it, but never a engine siezing when you stop for a pee break. Slowed down and as I come to halt slipping on mud, the engine dies, not thinking of that I rush to do my stuff to clime back to start it to continue my journey. Click nothing, it doesn't crank, checking electric, belt, etc then trying to turn it my socket on the harmonic balancer, it doesn't turn, removed inspeciton cover a bit tried to turn it, rock solid stuck. Yes hell to come back as over 3h from home but that is a different story.

There was no issue prior, no overheating, no power loss, no shudder no nothing, just towing a empty trailer on a country road pretty uneventfully until I needed to stop. It was about a 1/2 quart low on oil, but that is the only thing really wrong. Just don't get why. My idea is to remove dizzy and turn the oilpump with a drill to force oil though the system and then see if it comes loose. My question is just why did it happen what could trigger it, as I've never experienced anything remotely like it.

Cheers J

 

[Salty Crusty]

It probably didn't sieze from lack of oil, that actually takes some time - tons of YouTube vids showing people blowing 'em up on purpose by draining all the oil and running them 'till they kick a rod.
Are you sure it's not the trans?
Fingers crossed for you, man!

 

[Jorm]

It probably didn't sieze from lack of oil, that actually takes some time - tons of YouTube vids showing people blowing 'em up on purpose by draining all the oil and running them 'till they kick a rod.
Are you sure it's not the trans?
Fingers crossed for you, man!

Yes, that is what I know too as you say tons of video but also, experience running them so low the lifters starts to rattle because you had blown a gasket somewhere and still nothing happens.

Trans question can both converter and internals look up at the same time? Would not converter spin? I never had a auto pack up like that but it's a first for everything. Thanks for pointing out trans as me just so in that converter will spin I never ever thought that far..

Could it be the pump in the 700R4? That just got totally trashed in the moment when I stopped? That could lock up the converter couldnt it?

Cheers J

 

[Salty Crusty]

Unfortunately, you'll have to pull the trans and leave the converter bolted to the flexplate since you can't get to the bolts. That will mean you'll have to have a lot more room to totally disengage the converter versus being able to unbolt it.
I'd drain the oil and take a peek in the pan with a flexible scope before doing anything else, might save you a lot of work.

 

[Jorm]

Unfortunately, you'll have to pull the trans and leave the converter bolted to the flexplate since you can't get to the bolts. That will mean you'll have to have a lot more room to totally disengage the converter versus being able to unbolt it.

Yep unfortunately, though if engine or anything need to come out that needs to be done no matter what.

I'd drain the oil and take a peek in the pan with a flexible scope before doing anything else, might save you a lot of work.

The likelihood u see a bearing that just about to spin but pinched instead is slim, yep major damage you will see but I don't find that likely as well that you will hear, me thinks. Though this might be the exuse I need to buy a borescope, though that money might be wise to spend of parts.

Cheers J

 

[Salty Crusty]

They have cheap ones that work with smartphones for under $25...

 

[Jorm]

They have cheap ones that work with smartphones for under $25...

Yea saw that, though not in the States so price is most likely twice..

 

[944v8indfw]

Just throwing it out there: cold be something simple like the AC pump or power steering pump locked. Pop the belt off and see if the engine turns either by hand or by starter. 2nd thing i would do is pull the plugs and try the same. Could have hydrolocked do to leaking injector or head gasket. I would not be hell bent to pull the trans until the easy stuff is checked.

 

[Jorm]

Just throwing it out there: cold be something simple like the AC pump or power steering pump locked. Pop the belt off and see if the engine turns either by hand or by starter. 2nd thing i would do is pull the plugs and try the same. Could have hydrolocked do to leaking injector or head gasket. I would not be hell bent to pull the trans until the easy stuff is checked.

Thanks for tip I already did that, and nope is not that. Your correct as I came in to stop and it was at idle it could possibly had been the same symptoms, though belt should slip when cog it on the flywheel. I had a AC compressor seize on me in the past at highway speed and that makes the belt disintegrate it is less than fun as it creates a bang when hitting the hood .

J

 

[aitch]

Thanks for tip I already did that, and nope is not that. Your correct as I came in to stop and it was at idle it could possibly had been the same symptoms, though belt should slip when cog it on the flywheel. I had a AC compressor seize on me in the past at highway speed and that makes the belt disintegrate it is less than fun as it creates a bang when hitting the hood .

J

At least the disintegrating belt has the decency/ courtesy to provide a loud audible notice when it fails! Not all parts are that considerate.

 

[chevymec]

missing any coolant? I would pull all the plugs and see if it was hydro locked.

 

[Salty Crusty]

^ I saw an L29 big block that had a stuck injector, it hydrocked at the hit of the key and bent **** out of a rod. Knocked a few hundred pounds of dried mud clods loose onto the parking lot.

 

[Jorm]

missing any coolant? I would pull all the plugs and see if it was hydro locked.

No, nor did I feel anything just prior but I will pull plugs thanks for the tip didnt think of the hydro locked

 

[BigPapa]

Any chance the starter is stuck? Don't know how difficult it is to pull the starter.

On a side note, when I was Service Mgr at a diesel shop we had a fellow that called in and eventually had his 7.3L Ford towed in for a no start. Tech went out and tried to start it, popped the hood, pulled out his knife and cut the belt. Jumped back in the cab and she cranked right up. A/C Compressor was seized. Tow bill was $300....

 

[KJF95S-10]

I don't know what year your truck is but if it has an injector spider I have seen the fuel pressure regulator pop out of them and seen them dump fuel like a garden hose into the engine and lock it up. Pulling the plugs to crank it will be your best bet.

 

[Jorm]

Any chance the starter is stuck? Don't know how difficult it is to pull the starter.

On a side note, when I was Service Mgr at a diesel shop we had a fellow that called in and eventually had his 7.3L Ford towed in for a no start. Tech went out and tried to start it, popped the hood, pulled out his knife and cut the belt. Jumped back in the cab and she cranked right up. A/C Compressor was seized. Tow bill was $300....

I will do tests this weekend but belt off so none of axuliaries, I've also tried to cog it over on the flex plate, I could only cog it clockwise due to access restrictions but yea the engine was pretty stuck. Hence this is not a starter issue.

J

 

[Jorm]

I don't know what year your truck is but if it has an injector spider I have seen the fuel pressure regulator pop out of them and seen them dump fuel like a garden hose into the engine and lock it up. Pulling the plugs to crank it will be your best bet.

That is the test I intend to do this weekend. It's TBI, 1991, not because I suspect fuel hydro lock but possible coolant. It's unlikely but better test it. Next step is to separate trans and engine and check which one is stuck.. Well first I will lower exhaust and see if I can turn it anti clock wise.

J

 

[Chevykid]

Girl's car wouldn't start, engine locked up, good battery, good starter, ac pulley bearing was locked up. Belt was intact. Bypassed ac with shorter belt and all has been good. Unless you pull the belt you won't rule out the accessories, and that's the easiest thing to do, easier than removing spark plugs or separating the trans

Checking oil condition and filter media would be second

Spark plug pull, inspect, and maybe boroscope third

Separate driveshaft(s) fourth

Separate trans fifth

I think this makes the most sense, curious to see what others think the order of operations is

 

[Rhotpursuit]

Since this thread hasn't been updated since last November, the truck is probably dead, fixed, or scrapped. No need to revive it.

 

[Jorm]

Since this thread hasn't been updated since last November, the truck is probably dead, fixed, or scrapped. No need to revive it.

No just waiting for warmer weather. I insured and inspected my TransSport instead as I didnt want to repair middle of winter. Its on my todo list now for this spring.