hi everyone. i have a 1996 chevy camaro Z-28 that my dad and i both think the engine locked up on. i was headed to school this morning and the engine raced up to 3000 rpms and then died. i pulled over to the side of the road and tried to start it again and it only cranked but was real sluggish. my dad showed up and we tried to start it again and all it did was was 1 crank sound and nothing else. it wouldn't crank at all. we tried jumper cables to make sure it wasn't the battery, but the battery is fine. we recently had the transmission rebuilt and spent almost 1500 dollars. we are both afraid the engine is locked up. does anyone maybe have suggestions on what it is??? Thanks!!! :)
2006-10-31 04:42:59 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
my dad also said that when he watched as i tried to turn it over, the belt on it moved maybe and inch or so, and then abruptly stopped.
2006-10-31 04:44:05 · update #1
You may have dropped a timing chain, and the engine won't spin as it should. Another thing is; it could have blown a head gasket and has a cylinder full of coolant, thus locking the engine up. Have a mechanic take a look at it. Remove the spark plugs, and try to turn it by hand. Watch the rotor to see if it is turning as you turn the engine over. Just out of left field here; it might be the torque converter staying in lock up, and causing the engine to kill dead. The switch that turns the converter on and off could have went bad and it stayed locked up; thus killing the engine, and making it look like the engine is giving the problem when it's really the transmission/Torque converter doing it. The best thing to do, is have someone who knows what they are doing, take a look at it to determine what the real problem is. You state the engine reved up to about 3,000 rpm's, and then it died. This does not sound like an engine that blew up. It doesn't sound like one that locked up. You should have heard a squeak, a bang, or some kind of clunk. Smoke, steam, or an unusual smell. Anything to indicate the engine was seizing. There has got to be another piece of the puzzle we are not getting here. Remove the spark plugs, and turn the engine over by hand. Use a long breaker bar and a 5/8 socket on the bolt in the center of the harmonic balancer. Try to turn the engine both ways. Maybe the flex plate (flywheel) broke and locked the engine down. Good Luck!!!
2006-10-31 04:56:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a common senario of complete engine failure! The reason you can't crank the engine is because it probably through a rod and its jamed against the block. It may have pierced the block also. Did you observe fluids coming from the engine onto the ground? Regardless, it sounds that the engine is finished.
Here's some help: Pace Pontiac- @ (800)309-9615 has the best replacement engine prices in the industry for GM engines. They are brand new fully assembled long blocks right from GM. They ship right to your door step at unbelievable prices for a quality engine that IS NOT A REBUILT!!!!!!! NEW ENGINES!!!! I use them all the time and have never had a problem with any of their engines. Of course you will need a GOOD GM mechanic for your installation or if you are mechanically inclined, with a Chilton's repair manual you could possibly do it yourself!
2006-10-31 12:56:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
For an engine to "Lock up" or "seize," there has to have been overheating.
Is the coolant low?
Is the oil low and blackish burnt?
Were there any lights or indication of excessive heating?
Many things could be wrong, depending on the degree of overheating. It does not sound like a computer glitch, but the computer is involved with everything.
The oil pump may be defective.
The water pump may be defective. Either could cause heating.
It must be towed to a shop and carefully diagnosed,
and an "engine analyser" that hooks to the auto's computer can usually tell.
The engine may or may not be repairable.
If it is, you might consider putting Duralube in with the next oil change. This bonds to engine parts and makes them slick for 50,000 miles, cutting down heat damage.
Good luck!
2006-10-31 12:56:30 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Check and see if there is oil in the engine. It may have seized because of lack of oil or prolong overheating. If you have both oil and coolant I would suspect the transmission and I would take it back to the installer. They generally warranty the product for 12,000 miles.
2006-10-31 12:49:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
reach in and have car turned off and try and turn the crank by hand. i doubt it is your starter as they usually have signs they are going. check your oil level too. there is a dust cover on the fly wheel too that you can take off and see if you can turn it from there. if you can't turn it over by hand then you need to rip out the engine and go from there. if there is no oil then you have a seized engine and a rebuild to learn how to do
2006-10-31 12:48:30 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Make sure the torque converter in your new transmission didn't explode before you get a new engine. It will keep the engine from turning even if you're in neutral.
2006-10-31 19:59:45 · answer #6 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sorry about your en gin! the small black Chevyhas been around since 1955. In order to lock and engine up, it takes total disrespect! No oil, no coolant! These engines are the back bone of American industry!
2006-10-31 12:47:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
He's probably right. Only a mechanic can tell for sure by taking the engine apart.
2006-10-31 12:46:05 · answer #8 · answered by the shadow knows 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
you should have rebuilt the engine instead of the tranny.just buy a rebuilt engine and pop it in.
2006-10-31 12:45:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
clean the rotaries, change fluids, lock in the wheel pulley and accererlate
2006-10-31 12:44:12 · answer #10 · answered by Keebert 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋