Seized Engine ?

[Swerve]

All,

In the process of installing my clutch. My engine hasn’t been started for over a year and probably only turned over 6 months ago. Went to try and turn the crank and she’s stuck.

Tried doing a search on seized engine and got nothing obvious. I’m guessing I’m best off putting some oil down the cylinders and waiting for a while, then try and give her a turn.

If I connect the starter up and give it a crank is there any problems or risk in doing so ? have been trying by hand with a bar onto the crank.

Steve

[dogbreath_48]

Defiantly run some oil down the bores, and leave the spark/glow plugs out when you first crank it over to relieve stress on your possibly un-lubed big end bearings (spin it over without compression till oil pressure is up)

[badger]

use diesel let it soak down for a while then try it again

make sure you replace the oil after it cranks:P

[PGS 4WD]

Was this since the clutch or you noticed it while doing the clutch? It would have had to have water in the cylinder bores to sieze over six months.
Did the gearbox go up onto the dowels easily or did you use the bolts to wind it on?? There may be some sort of mechanical fouling.
If you cant turn it with a bar on the crank then I wouldnt try the starter.

Engine berings generally don't sieze unless run without oil, water dosent easily get in to them if the engine is left sitting whereas water can enter the cylinders as can moisture on the cyliders with open valves.

The Nissans have crap oil pick up if the pump is dry. On engines from wreckers that have been sitting around I have on 3 occasions had to buy 20 litres of cheap oil and fill the sump to the point where the oil pump is submerged and primes, crank till you get oil pressure but dont start it. Correct the oil level and then start it. Otherwise you may fins it runs for 20-30 seconds before gathering oil pressure, if at all.

Cheers

Joel

[Swerve]

Was this since the clutch or you noticed it while doing the clutch? It would have had to have water in the cylinder bores to sieze over six months.
Did the gearbox go up onto the dowels easily or did you use the bolts to wind it on?? There may be some sort of mechanical fouling.
If you cant turn it with a bar on the crank then I wouldnt try the starter.

Engine berings generally don't sieze unless run without oil, water dosent easily get in to them if the engine is left sitting whereas water can enter the cylinders as can moisture on the cyliders with open valves.

The Nissans have crap oil pick up if the pump is dry. On engines from wreckers that have been sitting around I have on 3 occasions had to buy 20 litres of cheap oil and fill the sump to the point where the oil pump is submerged and primes, crank till you get oil pressure but dont start it. Correct the oil level and then start it. Otherwise you may fins it runs for 20-30 seconds before gathering oil pressure, if at all.

Cheers

Joel

Joel,

Thanks for the heads up.

Just to clafify this is my engine for the Nissan G60 (P Motor). I cleaned and painted it in August 2006, just checked my buildup thred in sig. The engine was turned over a few times in this period.

For at least 9 months the engine has sat with no disy, alternator, flywheel, water pump, manifold etc, all ports were taped up for most the time.

As I have finished the chassis (rolling now) I have just dropped the engine in and bolted up the flywheel. The clutch pressure plate then bolts onto the flywheel. This is when I found the problem as I couldnt turn the flywheel around to finish bolting up.

I have poured about 50ml engine oil into each clyinder, will try this is a few days. The starter didnt work as I did end up trying it. I might also take up your sugestion about filling up the engine so the crank is covered.

Will take the mechanical fuel pump of and see when oil comes out. Will pour some oild in the clyinders as well to make sure it working its way around the whole piston as well as tere is a ever slight angle.

Steve

PS - Few photos of the engine, last two are from a few weeks ago.

[bazzle]

If its thr rings use diesel, kero etc. Engine oil may just sit in one spot.

Bazzle

[PGS 4WD]

Did you undo the crank pulley? I rebuilt a P40 many years ago and the crank thrust is shim adjusted behind the pulley, if the crank pulley is disturbed it can alter the thrust to the point it locks up, I have seen the shims disintegrate if the crank pulley is loose at any time. Also the same engine had a cracked alloy timing gear.

Joel

[Swerve]

Did you undo the crank pulley? I rebuilt a P40 many years ago and the crank thrust is shim adjusted behind the pulley, if the crank pulley is disturbed it can alter the thrust to the point it locks up, I have seen the shims disintegrate if the crank pulley is loose at any time. Also the same engine had a cracked alloy timing gear.

Joel

Havent done that as yet as I didnt have a socket or shifter big enough (38mm).

Have to buy one this week as to try and turn it over. Current using some bar into the crank handle slot.

Talking on RMP-O they mentioned or reminded me that the engine feel off the engine stand (fell over) only fell 45 degrees but the crank pully had hit the garage wall (flimsy termite ridden, soft compared to brick) I would classify this as disturbed

I'll check the manual tonight and just need to buy a large shifter and 38mm socket

Thanks again (fark I hope this works !!!)

Worst worst case, is I have a sare engine in the drive, but it was spare for a reason !!

Steve

[Swerve]

Well today I feel like the total dick.

On the weekend when Ferdy and I unseized the engine I thought I was home sweet home.

Today I decided to chill out after a F%$King bad day at work. So finished bolting teh clutch up, hoping the dragging sound would stop. Well NO it didn't.

Then I continued looking for drag, well found it !!!! When facing the flyweel the botton left bellhousing double end bolt wasnt all the way in. The top of this bolt was dragging on the flywheel.

Tried to fix it with the flywheel in and that didnt work, so out with the clutch, flywheel and then the bolt/nut. Ontop of the bolt it was grinded in a good 1mm. That what was grinded off when I un-seized the engine.



So well fixed that, put the flywheel in and she turns SMOOTHLY with not a funny noise or feel. Tried cranking with the starter and she does it easily.

Picked up the head gasket today so now time for the rebuild. Just need a mate to help hold the crank while I do up the flywheel and clutch.