Seized engine issue?

ilsautomotive · 25-06-2005, 06:31 PM

G'day all, I received this query today, not sure if anyone has any information..

"Jack,

A neighbour of mine recently asked me to look at his 1988 Ford Fairmont Ghia 3.9 EFI as it had been standing for a couple of months and would not turn over. He thought the starter motor was not kicking in.

As it turned out the starter was locking in but it appears the engine has seized. The car was driven to where it stands and had no signs of either water or oil use before hand. There is no water in the sump nor oil in the radiator.

A socket and bar on the crank has failed to get the engine to turn.
Any ideas as to why it would seize and how to get the engine to crank over. It is a 3 speed manual so jump sarting is not an option.

Hope you can help

David "

geckoGT · 25-06-2005, 06:32 PM

helpful responses only please

NZ · 25-06-2005, 08:08 PM

I doubt it will be a 3 speed manual. but anyway.

if there was moisture in the cylinders its possible the bores have rusted. If the engine is seized then its time to put another in, or at least take the head off and see whats going on.

XRated · 25-06-2005, 08:09 PM

3 speed manual?

niko · 25-06-2005, 08:26 PM

maybe ignition system is bung, coil pack/ignition module thingo

Damo · 25-06-2005, 08:52 PM

my XC is 3 speed manual. Though i think he means auto, or 5 instead of 3.

Why can't he jump start it.. ? Any car can be jump started, that doesn't make sence.

Here's an idea, get a mechanic to look at it, as obviously it's going to way to hard to decypher over the internet, and even then your neighbor probably doesn't have the mechanical knowledge or tools to fix it.

LUXO_8 · 25-06-2005, 08:57 PM

guys he's tried rotating the engine with a bar and socket on the crank...
it definatley sounds siezed to me...

Barry_v · 25-06-2005, 09:07 PM

perhaps take the sparkplugs out and spray lubricant into the bores?

Walkinshaw · 26-06-2005, 02:19 AM

the other thing if it is seized, when you eventualy crack it free it may bust the oil rings, or the ring landings.

But Barry and Rolin have outlined the best method, drip some oil down the spark plug holes to try and lube the bores.

Aaron_EF8 · 26-06-2005, 04:29 AM

A slightly dodgier method is to tow the car up to about 40kmh in 2nd with your foot on the clutch, then let it out. If the pressure doesn't un-sieze the engine, nothing will :P

mik · 26-06-2005, 05:18 AM

if it was running before and its only been sitting 2 months i wouldnt think it would be seized unless it has gotten water in it , i had an 11 litre deisel sittting for 4 years put fuel in it and 4 new batteries and away it went, i agree with the guys bit of lube down spark plug holes then give it a rock and forth in gear see if it frees up, goodluck