Help! My motor is locked up!

[TinCuda]

I don't guess anyone could help me out with a direction to look.   I have a 440 that seems to be locked up on me.   One day I went to start it and the starter just clicked.   The starter and solenoid are good.   Battery is good.   Good power to the starter when switch is turned.   A buddy of mine put a bar on the engine and he said the motor was locked up.  As I was not present,  I am not sure exactly was he did or what that means.   There is no water in the oil and the radiater is full of water.
The car was running fine the last time I drove it.

Can someone give me a direction I can look at with hand tools in my garage?   I am kind of cash poor right now and can't pay for an overhaul.

Thanks for any help.


.,

[brads70]

Pull all the spark plugs and note any differences. Put a socket on the balancer bolt and try and turn it over. Are you SURE the starter is good? Double check to see if the starter gear is jammed up?

[Jesus H Chrysler]

By your description there could be many causes.  The most common no start I've run into is bad connections.  The battery will be fully charged, but all you get is a click.  Start by cleaning (or replacing if necessary) both battery terminals.  Double check the connections at the solenoid, starter, alternator and block (negative) to assure there is no "green nasty" crap built up.

Before you try to start it again, follow brads70's advice and pull the plugs.  Not knowing your friend, he may have mistaken what a "locked up" engine feels like.  With the plugs, accessories, fan and radiator in the way he may not have had enough leverage to be able to turn against the compression and resistance.  Pulling the plugs eliminates the compression and makes the engine easier to turn by hand.  Then do as suggested and get a socket and breaker bar for the crank bolt and turn clockwise.  It won't turn easy but should turn.  Good luck!

[72rtchallenger]

If it is a 4 spd you could try and roll start it. If cleaning your connections doesnt work, pull the starter and have it tested

[mojavered]

I thought my starter was good too, being brand new.  Just did not have the poop to do what it needed to.  It even tested fine.  Had a warranty, they replaced it.  New starter cured it! 

[Chryco Psycho]

pull the plugs FIRST , if the engine flooded for some reason a cylinder could be full of fuel or coolant , forcing the engine to turn over will damage the engine , if you pull the plugs fluid can exit through the spark plug hole , the engine should rotate easily once the plugs are removed , watch for fluid , if there is a lot out of a spark plug hole either it flooded or youi have a coolant leak into that cylinder , possibly a badhead gasket .

[TreeFrog]

Also ...

This may sound dumb, but when you turn the engine with a bar ... you need to take the belts off.

Might be surprised how many times we just forget to do the little things.

[merlin969]

id pull the plugs next, then try and turn it over by hand again.  i would make sure the engine was ok before I looked into the electronics any more. 

[Cooter]

Not enough info.


Believe I'd get a second opinion...Running, then locked up sounds suspect to me...

[Strawdawg]

I would start by making sure the starter gear is not jammed into the ring gear thereby locking the engine...

then follow Chryco's suggestions.

[brads70]

Hey Tincuda how about an update?    

[TinCuda]

I have a guy coming by tomorrow afternoon to take a look at her.   I will let you know what we come up with.

Thanks for the input so far.



.,

[TinCuda]

Well I had a guy come by.   We pulled the spark plugs and there was no fluid in the cylinders.   He put a wrench on the engine and it would not turn either way.   Funny,  he said Yep it's locked up.

He is going to pick up the car and take a closer look at it in his shop.

I will let you guys know what we find out.


.,

[72rtchallenger]

I am betting the starter is locked up,,I have seen them lock in and not disengage and appear that the motor was locked up

[sadil340]