If my engine is froze up; does that mean I have damaged the engine?

Question

I checked the oil stick and the level of oil was very low, barely showed on the stick. The vehicle started to rattle while driving and shut off. Did I lock up the motor. It will not turn over when I tried to crank it. It makes a clicking sound but won't start. 99 Dodge Caravan.

Answer 1

Doesnt sound good. Not good at all.
Although-with some cars if you still can measure a small amount of oil on the stick you might still have a couple quarts in it. Depending on the vehicle.
But considering what you said about it rattling and not starting now-it does sound like you damaged something.
How long did you drive it like this?
If the rest of the vehicle is in fairly good shape-being a dodge caravan and as many as there are on the road you might be able to find a decent used engine in a salvage yard-from a van thats been totalled. But its still gonna cost you if you go new or used.

Answer 2

That clicking sound means your battery is completely drained because of repeated attempt to start the engine,as for the rattle you heard before the car shut off may have been the timing belt/or chain breaking up.

Answer 3

If the engine isn't turning over, chances are it's broken. If the oil level is low, you've maybe spun a bearing or possibly broken the crankshaft or seized a piston. At any rate, the only way to tell is by taking the engine apart (which is going to be expensive). Next time, keep an eye on the oil level and change it regularly.

Answer 4

i own a shop and its seized up on it,this is caused by lack of enough oil in it basically now its junk it would cost more to make that one run again than its worth if that engine could be salvaged,usually when they lock up like this ,there not worth nothing at all it ruins all the moving parts and damages the areas that cannot be repaired or replaced,id say this one is toast,good luck i hope this helps.

Answer 5

Try getting a jump start to boost the battery power to the starter.

If after trying this, it still only clicks (loud click) then your engine is useless and beyond repair.

Answer 6

A clicking sound may be just the starter relay trying to close, have you tried jumping the battery?

Answer 7

Sounds like the engine may have ceased up.You need a garage and the engine most likely needs a total rebuild.

Answer 8

if something rattling in your engine it's junk.but i would try to locate the sound and check you condition it my be something lose like wires brackets or even the starter