Did I sieze the engine?

[Surfdad]

Ok, my '03 23V typically can only go about 6 months before it needs a new impellor and housing. Normally the serptine belt keeps rotating and the impellor pully doesn't so it screams and smokes and I know there is a problem.

Most recently I've had trouble with the thermostat.

Today, the engine overheated - I could smell "smoke" and so quickly checked the engine temp gauage and it was getting close to 220. No alarm or squealing belt. Got it towed back to the dock and checked the gauge - it was back down to 175. I attempted to start the engine and it wouldn't turn over. Similar to a battery being low but without the "clicking" of the solenoid.

Back home, fake-a-lake on and the starter would turn the engine over but not fast enough to start it. I possibly got one revolution of the crankshaft.

WTH happened? Any ideas?

[scoot18]

You may have one of the accessories on the engine seized up, like the alternator or water pump. Once it had a change to cool down it would free up enough to turn the engine over (possibly). Hopefully thats all that it is, but if the engine is cranking thats definately a good sign that the engine isn't seized.

[laserfish]

Take the belt off, make sure the battery is charged and crank it. Don't actually start it. Bet it turns free but something else is seized up like the impeller or alternator.

[kko]

yep the boys are on it. most likely have an accessorie locked up. my gues is the alt. its the most common to lock up. what motor do you have a merc.? and why do you only get 6 months from the impellor?

[Timmy!]

220 isn't hot enough to seize the motor - that's only 10 degrees more than normal operating on most cars. I'm with these guys, one of the accessories is frozen up.

[ddmracing05]

Check the water pump/impellar first. Its happened 2ce to us now and its always that damn impellar.

[ddmracing05]

Take the belt off, make sure the battery is charged and crank it. Don't actually start it. Bet it turns free but something else is seized up like the impeller or alternator.

My car usually runs around 80

[Surfdad]

Thanks 'bro's. I have the battery on the charger right now, 12 V, 6 amp and it's taking a charge like it's been discharged. The battery is less than a year old. I checked all the cells and they're still topped off.

I'll loosen the belt and see if she cranks after the battery has a charge.

I did check the oil - it's full - in fact it looks to be over full, NO sign of froth and it still looks fresh.

The serpetine belt looks fresh also, no signs of a stuck pulley where the belt would have burned or anything strange.

My guage only goes to 220 - that's the red one. I don't think it was pegged, but it could have been.

The engine is Merc - the Black Scorpion version.

[Tanner]

You guys don't think he could have cracked a head and has water sitting on the cylinders do you?

I've done exactly what you did b4 and that was the same symptoms I got. It wasn't exactly hydrolocking, but it was a form of it. While your at it... pull your spark plugs, try turning the motor and see if water shoots out. Pray it doesn't!

[jleger98]

I would loosen the belt first, and see if it turns....but I'm with Tanner, definitely check the plugs for water. Hopefully the head is not cracked and its just the impeller or something. Its also possible that you blew a bearing and that is what is causing the engine to not turn over well. I did that on an old 79 Volvo when I was in HS. It overheated, but I was too dumb to let it sit, and drove it the rest of the way home. The next morning it would not turn over and it was cause the main bearing has seized.

[Surfdad]

I am NOT encouraged. Battery charged, belt loose and it doesn't turn over. When I go to start it there is an awful KNOCK and nothing. Plugs come out next and my guess is that is my problem.

[jleger98]

eeesh, doesn't sound good. Just another thought, and I'm sure you've covered this, but the tranny isn't engaged, right? I know the neutral safety switch should keep it from starting, but.....its a thought.

[Tanner]

PULL THE PLUGS before trying to start it any more. You could end up bending rods and totally ruining the motor and everything else if it is hydrolocked.

[lee]

Engine could be hydro locked, pull the plugs and see if water is in the cylinders. If so that will stop the engine from turning over. If the engine miss fired and rotated backward the engine could have ingested water and filled the cylinders.

[samw]

Engine could be hydro locked, pull the plugs and see if water is in the cylinders. If so that will stop the engine from turning over. If the engine miss fired and rotated backward the engine could have ingested water and filled the cylinders.

Lee
Hydro lock, what is that and how would that happen?
Doesn't sound good.