Frozen motor, any tips?

staticpat · 03-29-2010, 12:48 PM

Trying to get this darned thing running after sitting all winter. The motor is frozen, the starter won't turn and I can't get the crank pulley to move either. I jacked up the rear to make sure the transmission wasn't locked in gear or anything. The wheels still turn when in neutral and are locked when the car is in gear.

Any tips besides bodybuilding and trying to get the crank pulley unfrozen? I do not have a long piece of pipe or anything to use as a cheater bar as of yet. Thanks guys.

djmtsu · 03-29-2010, 01:46 PM

Other than trying the ATF trick (which may do more damage than good) a breaker bar is your only option.

staticpat · 03-29-2010, 03:02 PM

I'm really afraid of the ATF thing. The car ran perfect when I parked it a few months ago. If a seal or something is broken I'm going to be super mad.

I did pull a couple plugs to relieve the compression, but it didn't help much. Time to go muscle on it some more I guess.

Garfinkles Motor Works · 03-29-2010, 08:41 PM

Remove the sparkplugs and put in some light oil through the holes . Remove the clutch inspection plate and pry the flywheel around with a large screwdriver .If it starts to move just go an inch or two then go back the other way an inch or two .If this works just work it back and forth farther eack time .Easy does it so you will not break a seal .

***TitaniumTT*** · 03-29-2010, 10:08 PM

Exactely. You can't really just muscle it as hard as you can. There's a very good chance that you'll break a seal doing that.

I've done the ATF trick before on a used engine that sat for waaaaaay too long.

I pulled the plugs, pulled the UIM, poured a little ATF down each port and into each spark plug hole. Let her sit overnight, went out the next day and with my 3/4" breakerbar and 52mm nut, just worked the flywheel back and forth until she started to move. Did exactely like David said and just went a little farther each time then back the other way until she'd rotate nice and easy.

The whole process took a few hours but the engine ran OK for a year or so before a coolant seal went to hell.

Personally, after what happened to me last year, I would crack the engine open, clean everything and put it back together.

staticpat · 03-29-2010, 11:07 PM

Thanks guys. I did get the crank pulley to barely budge, but the starter still isn't strong enough to turn it. I will try putting some oil into the chambers and work it as described, that sounds much safer.

12arotary · 03-29-2010, 11:11 PM

carbon chunk?

moremazda · 03-29-2010, 11:15 PM

Your avatar says you are in New York????? What percentage antifreeze is in the engine coolant and how new is it??? Start there before you go wailing on the eccentric shaft with a breaker bar. Also pull the spark plugs to see if there is coolant in the chambers.

***TitaniumTT*** · 03-29-2010, 11:54 PM

The starter is going to rotate it WAY too fast, don't do it.

rx4ur7 · 03-31-2010, 01:18 AM

Sounds like carbon lock. Never had any problems with ATF myself and TT gives a very good procedure.
There have been times where I had the plugs out and used compressed air to help blow out some of the crap as I rotated the motor back and forth. Most motors ran fine after getting it to turn freely by hand.

staticpat · 03-31-2010, 04:49 PM

Thank god, maybe there is good news. I thought if it was carbon locked it would be done for. I'm going to get back on it Friday. Rotating it via the flywheel sounds like the best bet.

As for the coolant, I just moved up here and I made positive I had a good mix of antifreeze before I relocated. I even got anti-freeze washer fluid

staticpat · 04-02-2010, 02:08 PM

Pulling the plugs and rotating the flywheel did it, thanks guys. Now I just need to get a charge on this stupid mini battery and hope its not flooded.

staticpat · 04-03-2010, 09:26 AM

Took the car for a drive, ran well. So no eaten seal, hurray. Now I just need to find out why my coils or spark plug wires are arcing to the motor :<

***TitaniumTT*** · 04-03-2010, 10:00 AM

COOL! Nicely done. I would still do a comp test, have one done digitally, so you can be certain there are no stuck seals.

Garfinkles Motor Works · 04-03-2010, 10:44 AM

Check out my coil relocation plate in the vinders section .That with new short wires will fix the problem .

03-29-2010, 12:48 PM	#1
staticpat Rally Fanboy Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: New York iTrader: (1) Posts: 147 Rep Power: 17	Frozen motor, any tips? Trying to get this darned thing running after sitting all winter. The motor is frozen, the starter won't turn and I can't get the crank pulley to move either. I jacked up the rear to make sure the transmission wasn't locked in gear or anything. The wheels still turn when in neutral and are locked when the car is in gear. Any tips besides bodybuilding and trying to get the crank pulley unfrozen? I do not have a long piece of pipe or anything to use as a cheater bar as of yet. Thanks guys. __________________

03-29-2010, 01:46 PM	#2
djmtsu My minds tellin' me no... Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Murfreesboro, TN iTrader: (10) Posts: 4,043 Rep Power: 21	Other than trying the ATF trick (which may do more damage than good) a breaker bar is your only option. __________________ 1976 Mazda Cosmo RX-5 1976 Mazda Cosmo RX-5 2003 Toyota Tundra TRD 2015 Toyota 4Runner SR5

03-29-2010, 03:02 PM	#3
staticpat Rally Fanboy Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: New York iTrader: (1) Posts: 147 Rep Power: 17	I'm really afraid of the ATF thing. The car ran perfect when I parked it a few months ago. If a seal or something is broken I'm going to be super mad. I did pull a couple plugs to relieve the compression, but it didn't help much. Time to go muscle on it some more I guess. __________________

03-29-2010, 10:08 PM	#5
*TitaniumTT* Test Whore - Admin Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Right Behind you son iTrader: (4) Posts: 4,581 Rep Power: 10	Exactely. You can't really just muscle it as hard as you can. There's a very good chance that you'll break a seal doing that. I've done the ATF trick before on a used engine that sat for waaaaaay too long. I pulled the plugs, pulled the UIM, poured a little ATF down each port and into each spark plug hole. Let her sit overnight, went out the next day and with my 3/4" breakerbar and 52mm nut, just worked the flywheel back and forth until she started to move. Did exactely like David said and just went a little farther each time then back the other way until she'd rotate nice and easy. The whole process took a few hours but the engine ran OK for a year or so before a coolant seal went to hell. Personally, after what happened to me last year, I would crack the engine open, clean everything and put it back together. __________________ -The Angry Stig- DGRR 2009, 2011, 2012 & 2013 - Best FC DEALS GAP!! WOOHOOOO!!!!! 2015 Audi S4 - Samantha - Zero Brap S4 2004 RX8 - Jocelyn - 196rwhp, 19mpg fuel to noise converter 2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport - Wifey mobile - Now with 2.5" OME lift and 30" BFG AT KO's! So it begins 1998 Jeep Cherokee - 5 spd, 4" lift, 33" BFG's - Rotary Tow Vehicle 1988 'Vert - In progress 1988 FC Coupe - Gretchen -The attention whore BEAST! I'm a sick individual, what's wrong with you? I'm pure Evil I'm still insane, in the best possible way. I think Brian's idea of romance is using lube. Your rage caused the meteor strike in Russia. The Antichrist would be proud of his minion. You win with your thread. Most everything It's a truck with a steel gate on the back. Just a statement of fact Motec M820, AIM dash, ported 13B-RE Cosmo, 6-spd trans, 4.3 Torsen, custom twin wg fully divided mani, Custom 4" split into 2x 3" exhaust, Custom HMIC, Custom custom custom custom I like to welder stuff.... No Bolt-ons allowed. Dyno'ed @ Speed1 Tuned by me - 405rwhp on WG.... WM50 cuming soon. *-Angry Motherfcker Mode ENGAGED-**

03-29-2010, 11:07 PM	#6
staticpat Rally Fanboy Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: New York iTrader: (1) Posts: 147 Rep Power: 17	Thanks guys. I did get the crank pulley to barely budge, but the starter still isn't strong enough to turn it. I will try putting some oil into the chambers and work it as described, that sounds much safer. __________________

03-29-2010, 08:41 PM	#4
Garfinkles Motor Works RCC Contributor Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (11) Posts: 535 Rep Power: 17	Remove the sparkplugs and put in some light oil through the holes . Remove the clutch inspection plate and pry the flywheel around with a large screwdriver .If it starts to move just go an inch or two then go back the other way an inch or two .If this works just work it back and forth farther eack time .Easy does it so you will not break a seal .

03-29-2010, 11:11 PM	#7
12arotary tumor-syphilis-itis-osis Join Date: Sep 2008 iTrader: (0) Posts: 191 Rep Power: 17	carbon chunk? __________________ 82 300d 82 Gsl 84 b2200 Diesel 88 gxl

03-29-2010, 11:15 PM	#8
moremazda shookmotorsports.com Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Rockford, IL iTrader: (1) Posts: 108 Rep Power: 17	Your avatar says you are in New York????? What percentage antifreeze is in the engine coolant and how new is it??? Start there before you go wailing on the eccentric shaft with a breaker bar. Also pull the spark plugs to see if there is coolant in the chambers.

03-29-2010, 11:54 PM	#9
*TitaniumTT* Test Whore - Admin Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Right Behind you son iTrader: (4) Posts: 4,581 Rep Power: 10	The starter is going to rotate it WAY too fast, don't do it. __________________ -The Angry Stig- DGRR 2009, 2011, 2012 & 2013 - Best FC DEALS GAP!! WOOHOOOO!!!!! 2015 Audi S4 - Samantha - Zero Brap S4 2004 RX8 - Jocelyn - 196rwhp, 19mpg fuel to noise converter 2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport - Wifey mobile - Now with 2.5" OME lift and 30" BFG AT KO's! So it begins 1998 Jeep Cherokee - 5 spd, 4" lift, 33" BFG's - Rotary Tow Vehicle 1988 'Vert - In progress 1988 FC Coupe - Gretchen -The attention whore BEAST! I'm a sick individual, what's wrong with you? I'm pure Evil I'm still insane, in the best possible way. I think Brian's idea of romance is using lube. Your rage caused the meteor strike in Russia. The Antichrist would be proud of his minion. You win with your thread. Most everything It's a truck with a steel gate on the back. Just a statement of fact Motec M820, AIM dash, ported 13B-RE Cosmo, 6-spd trans, 4.3 Torsen, custom twin wg fully divided mani, Custom 4" split into 2x 3" exhaust, Custom HMIC, Custom custom custom custom I like to welder stuff.... No Bolt-ons allowed. Dyno'ed @ Speed1 Tuned by me - 405rwhp on WG.... WM50 cuming soon. *-Angry Motherfcker Mode ENGAGED-**

03-31-2010, 01:18 AM	#10
rx4ur7 Rotary since 1972 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tucson iTrader: (0) Posts: 231 Rep Power: 17	Sounds like carbon lock. Never had any problems with ATF myself and TT gives a very good procedure. There have been times where I had the plugs out and used compressed air to help blow out some of the crap as I rotated the motor back and forth. Most motors ran fine after getting it to turn freely by hand.

03-31-2010, 04:49 PM	#11
staticpat Rally Fanboy Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: New York iTrader: (1) Posts: 147 Rep Power: 17	Thank god, maybe there is good news. I thought if it was carbon locked it would be done for. I'm going to get back on it Friday. Rotating it via the flywheel sounds like the best bet. As for the coolant, I just moved up here and I made positive I had a good mix of antifreeze before I relocated. I even got anti-freeze washer fluid __________________

04-02-2010, 02:08 PM	#12
staticpat Rally Fanboy Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: New York iTrader: (1) Posts: 147 Rep Power: 17	Pulling the plugs and rotating the flywheel did it, thanks guys. Now I just need to get a charge on this stupid mini battery and hope its not flooded. __________________

04-03-2010, 09:26 AM	#13
staticpat Rally Fanboy Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: New York iTrader: (1) Posts: 147 Rep Power: 17	Took the car for a drive, ran well. So no eaten seal, hurray. Now I just need to find out why my coils or spark plug wires are arcing to the motor :< __________________

04-03-2010, 10:00 AM	#14
*TitaniumTT* Test Whore - Admin Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Right Behind you son iTrader: (4) Posts: 4,581 Rep Power: 10	COOL! Nicely done. I would still do a comp test, have one done digitally, so you can be certain there are no stuck seals. __________________ -The Angry Stig- DGRR 2009, 2011, 2012 & 2013 - Best FC DEALS GAP!! WOOHOOOO!!!!! 2015 Audi S4 - Samantha - Zero Brap S4 2004 RX8 - Jocelyn - 196rwhp, 19mpg fuel to noise converter 2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport - Wifey mobile - Now with 2.5" OME lift and 30" BFG AT KO's! So it begins 1998 Jeep Cherokee - 5 spd, 4" lift, 33" BFG's - Rotary Tow Vehicle 1988 'Vert - In progress 1988 FC Coupe - Gretchen -The attention whore BEAST! I'm a sick individual, what's wrong with you? I'm pure Evil I'm still insane, in the best possible way. I think Brian's idea of romance is using lube. Your rage caused the meteor strike in Russia. The Antichrist would be proud of his minion. You win with your thread. Most everything It's a truck with a steel gate on the back. Just a statement of fact Motec M820, AIM dash, ported 13B-RE Cosmo, 6-spd trans, 4.3 Torsen, custom twin wg fully divided mani, Custom 4" split into 2x 3" exhaust, Custom HMIC, Custom custom custom custom I like to welder stuff.... No Bolt-ons allowed. Dyno'ed @ Speed1 Tuned by me - 405rwhp on WG.... WM50 cuming soon. *-Angry Motherfcker Mode ENGAGED-**

04-03-2010, 10:44 AM	#15
Garfinkles Motor Works RCC Contributor Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (11) Posts: 535 Rep Power: 17	Check out my coil relocation plate in the vinders section .That with new short wires will fix the problem .