Topic: CLUNK!... crank locked up (Auto)

[chris7ian]

Some months ago I finally got around to having my transmission fluid leak resolved, but now I have an unrelated, non-starting issue...

After a recent period of little/no use I decided to use my bus to keep everything working (ironically).
On starting up, the starter would spin up strong and free, and the engine would fire accompanied by a loud, solid clunk from the engine.
I'd wanted to post on here for advice, but insrtead, after about half-a-dozen short trips, the bus won't start.
At first it sounded like a week battery (despite being fairly new and fully charged) as it whirred and slowed down, but now I just get the solonoid click and the interior lights switch off until i release the key.

Now it feels like something physical, rather than elctrical or fuel related, 'locking' the engine; I've tried turning over the engine by hand with a 30mm spanner on the crank pulley but it won't budge and feels solid...

Starter was rebuilt a few years ago, electrical connections are new, ignition and inhibitor switches are new, battery is recent and fully charged, 'hot-start' relay is new and working.

Bus is an '89 2.1L MV Auto.
Thanks

[davidoft1]

sounds like a sticking starter motor 

[maxstu]

Remove all spark plugs and views tips for excessive fuel, or worse, coolant. Hand brake on and auto gear to N. Then rotate engine with a spanner.

[maxstu]

Also check earth strap tightness at both ends on transmission bush mount to chassis.

[chris7ian]

Right... I've had the starter motor out and it turns freely, I've removed and checked the spark plugs are dry, I'm pretty sure I had the gear selector in N when I tried to turn over the engine with a spanner on the crank nut... I haven't check the earth strap on the transmission simply because I couldnt see it, but I've checked the engine block to chassis strap and battery earth...

Could the engine have 'quietly' seized without giving any prior signs??! :shock:

[maxstu]

Did you rotate engine without plugs?
As for the earth strap. It sits on the transmission nose mount, the one with a big round rubber bush, and goes to chassis.

[chris7ian]

Yes, I had the plugs out when I tried to rotate the engine, to check for hydrolocking due to injectors.
I'll have another crawl inderneath to check the earth

[maxstu]

Did it rotate?

[maxstu]

This is what you are looking for...

[chris7ian]

No the engine does not rotate and feels physically locked solid.
Thanks for the pic, I was crawling around from the rear right corner on my drive, hence why I couldn't see it

[davidoft1]

No the engine does not rotate and feels physically locked solid.
Thanks for the pic, I was crawling around from the rear right corner on my drive, hence why I couldn't see it

Could be a flywheel bolt or cracked flywheel

[maxstu]

If the injectors (batch firing) flooded the cylinders then plugs would be wet.

The injectors prime the cylinders with half a second spray when you turn on ignition. It is very audible. Even from drivers' position. Then switch on again with the cranking of the engine.
Check that is correct?

I had an ECU failure and it flooded the bores to a point that petrol was coming out of the exhaust joints. It still turned over, though.

[maxstu]

No the engine does not rotate and feels physically locked solid.
Thanks for the pic, I was crawling around from the rear right corner on my drive, hence why I couldn't see it

Could be a flywheel bolt or cracked flywheel

Auto tranny, David. But a flexplate bolt could have come loose and jammed.

[davidoft1]

No the engine does not rotate and feels physically locked solid.
Thanks for the pic, I was crawling around from the rear right corner on my drive, hence why I couldn't see it

Could be a flywheel bolt or cracked flywheel

Auto tranny, David. But a flexplate bolt could have come loose and jammed.

Yup flex plates have a habit of cracking too, i would be looking in the flexplate hole to see

[chris7ian]

The plugs and fuel priming all appear normal with the familiar one-second buz etc

A little more info in case the problem could be tranny related? I had a seal replaced in the transmission less than 1000km ago at a specialist due to an ATF leak. I can't remember off the top of my head what seal it was as the invoice is non-specific.
I supplied the seal in a kit as I'd already purchased it so I'll see if can figure out which one of these they used:

* 010 321 182     – round seal 8,3X2,4 [x1]
* 010 323 487 B – seal 51,2MM [1]
* 010 323 525 C – seal 71,6X80X5,6 [x1]
* 010 323 487 C – seal 61,4 [x1]
* 003 323 525 A – seal 97MM [x1]
* 010 323 533     – seal 91X3MM [x3]
* 010 409 549 B – seal 200X205X3,5 [x1]
* N 028 201 2     – seal 14X2,5 [x1]

They also cleaned up some corrosion on the sideplate above the dipsick