Mk1 engine seized - help

Discussion and technical advice for 84-89 AW10 & AW11 MR2. 3A-LU, 4A-GE, 4A-GZE.

Moderators: IMOC Moderators, IMOC Committee Members

mr2hants
Posts: 28
Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2007 1:29 pm

Mk1 engine seized - help

Post by mr2hants »

I am a new member that has just bought a 1990 mk1b.

The car has been parked up since November 2005. My mechanic has just told me that the engine is seized through lack of use. He has got the crank turning and tomorrow will try and tow it to free things up.

Has anybody got any experience of this problem?

Any suggestions??

At this rate I am heading towards a new engine but the car has lowish mileage and FSH with loads of good parts on it.

HELP please!
ligertigon
Posts: 493
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2006 7:16 pm
Location: Dundalk

Re: Mk1 engine seized - help

Post by ligertigon »

If it has been lying up, water may enter the combustion chamber and cause "hydralic lock" . Remove spark plugs before cranking to prevent damage.

Also, in the past I have used brake fluid poured into the combustion chamber (via spark plug hole) for a few hours to free gummed-in rings.

I would also consider removing the cam covers and liberally oiling the cam caps, as most of it will have dropped down long ago.
mr2hants
Posts: 28
Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2007 1:29 pm

Re: Mk1 engine seized - help

Post by mr2hants »

Thanks for this. The garage I am using is not an mr2 specialist (although they are excellent) so need some pointers that are specific to this engine.
crazylegs
Posts: 2811
Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2004 4:13 pm
Location: Wiltshire

Re: Mk1 engine seized - help

Post by crazylegs »

towing it seems drastic. i would go with the soaking method with any sort of oil/fluid. i would then try to turn it over using the crank pulley bolt or rocking it in gear. a tow and clutch out method could be final !
kaiowas
Posts: 1953
Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2005 3:06 pm
Location: Norfolk
Contact:

Re: Mk1 engine seized - help

Post by kaiowas »

I'm a bit confused by your opening post. You say the engine is seized yet the mechanic has got the crank turning, suggesting that he has unseized it.
jimi
Posts: 2154
Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2004 10:27 am
Location: Kingdom of Fife
Contact:

Re: Mk1 engine seized - help

Post by jimi »

I'd pour a capful of diesel down each plug hole and leave it to soak for a couple of days ( something like Redex would be even better ) If the rings have seized in the grooves towing it and dumping the clutch won't do them any good.
Black is not a colour ! .... Its the absence of colour
Image
b2hbm
Posts: 121
Joined: Sun Dec 11, 2005 7:20 am
Location: Lincolnshire

Re: Mk1 engine seized - help

Post by b2hbm »

That sounds unusual to me, I've left car engines for longer than a couple of years and not had any problems. It it's turning on the crank then it's not seized. Remove the plugs & spin on the starter motor to build up some oil pressure, then go for a start - that's what I usually do. Clutches often stick so you can't get into gear with the engine running, but I've never had an engine seize.

And finally - I'm sorry but towing a car to free things up doesn't sound like a caring mechanic to me.
PW@Woodsport
Posts: 7642
Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2004 6:40 pm
Location: durham
Contact:

Re: Mk1 engine seized - help

Post by PW@Woodsport »

more likely to be the alternator that has seized and is holding the engine via the belt.....thats v common.
Image
crazylegs
Posts: 2811
Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2004 4:13 pm
Location: Wiltshire

Re: Mk1 engine seized - help

Post by crazylegs »

ah, never read the post properly. #-o
mr2hants
Posts: 28
Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2007 1:29 pm

Re: Mk1 engine seized - help

Post by mr2hants »

I am going to call my mechanic at 8.30. I think he has soaked the engine and freed up the crank.

Shall I tell him not to tow it??
Check the alternator??
b2hbm
Posts: 121
Joined: Sun Dec 11, 2005 7:20 am
Location: Lincolnshire

Re: Mk1 engine seized - help

Post by b2hbm »

I'd bet Woodsport's knowledge against anyone, the alternator sounds a brilliant call.

Personally I wouldn't tow a car to free anything off, it could easily do more harm than good.
System-G
Posts: 4554
Joined: Tue Dec 28, 2004 10:50 am
Location: Leicestershire

Re: Mk1 engine seized - help

Post by System-G »

b2hbm wrote:That sounds unusual to me, I've left car engines for longer than a couple of years and not had any problems.


It depends on how the engine was left. The donor engine I installed in my car when the original engine "retired" was seized and had only been standing for a couple of months. But it wasn't standing in a car and was drained of oil before given a steam clean on the floor. It wasn't too much of a problem getting it free'd up though.
85 MK1 MR2 Track N/Ail | 99 528i SE Touring | 01 Mandarin VX220
mr2hants
Posts: 28
Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2007 1:29 pm

Re: Mk1 engine seized - help

Post by mr2hants »

A quick update on this:

my mechanic put soaked redex into the spark plug holes (minus the SPs of course!) a couple of days ago as everything was seized solid.

The crank is now turning but not as freely as it should. He tells me that the alternator seems not to be seized.

Any suggestions????
mr2hants
Posts: 28
Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2007 1:29 pm

Re: Mk1 engine seized - help

Post by mr2hants »

OK - great news - the car has been started.

The alternator was seized and so is the starter motor.

Any ideas where I can pick these up from cheaply??
LimeyMk1
IMOC Committee
Posts: 11200
Joined: Thu Oct 04, 2007 9:28 am
Location: Gosport

Re: Mk1 engine seized - help

Post by LimeyMk1 »

I've got a good starter motor in the garage if you're interested. :mrgreen: But the one you've got may free up. :-k

And I think Malc (Tiamat) may have an alternator floating about if he hasn't already sold it.
mr2hants
Posts: 28
Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2007 1:29 pm

Re: Mk1 engine seized - help

Post by mr2hants »

They are going to try and free the alternator and the starter. I am assuming worst case and that I need to replace them.

I do not want to buy new as this car is costing me a fortune already!

How much do you want for your starter if I need it?

Thanks
LimeyMk1
IMOC Committee
Posts: 11200
Joined: Thu Oct 04, 2007 9:28 am
Location: Gosport

Re: Mk1 engine seized - help

Post by LimeyMk1 »

PM'd :mrgreen:
mr2hants
Posts: 28
Joined: Tue Sep 25, 2007 1:29 pm

Re: Mk1 engine seized - help

Post by mr2hants »

Sorted with the starter motor - thanks Limeymk1

All i need now is the alternator
mr2mk1chick
Posts: 4079
Joined: Tue May 24, 2005 11:53 am
Location: Leicester

Re: Mk1 engine seized - help

Post by mr2mk1chick »

mr2hants wrote:Sorted with the starter motor - thanks Limeymk1

All i need now is the alternator


maybe take yours to a local refurb place to get it sorted. it cost £30 to refurb mine.

Towing to free things up sometimes means freeing up the wheels etc peeps, not necesarily the engine. I had to tow a car once to free up a siezed caliper as i had left the handbrake on for an age, and the car was rusting up (was scrapped) :roll: :wink:
Image
OlberJ
Posts: 511
Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2006 11:26 pm
Location: Hamilton near Glasgow
Contact:

Re: Mk1 engine seized - help

Post by OlberJ »

mr2mk1chick wrote:
Towing to free things up sometimes means freeing up the wheels etc peeps, not necesarily the engine. I had to tow a car once to free up a siezed caliper as i had left the handbrake on for an age, and the car was rusting up (was scrapped) :roll: :wink:


Aye, but look at the thread title.
Post Reply

Return to “MR2 MK1 1984-1989 NA & SC”