Engine seized? Don't know why!

[ProdigalJeeper]

Drove my CJ5 home today to collect the Mrs to go to dinner. Came back out and it would not crank ... it just made one "click" ... Acts like the engine is seized. Tried push starting it but the engine seems to not want to turn. Oil pressure and temp gauge were "normal" before shutting it off earlier ... What's up?!!!!!

 

[SteelHeadz]

Try to rotate the crankshaft counter clockwise to see if it moves. If it's still seized , pull off all the spark plugs and see if there's any water in the cylinders. If that doesn't yield any answers, pull the oil pan and remove the last 2 main bearing caps. See if it rotates then.

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[ProdigalJeeper]

I'll try to rotate the crankshaft in the morning. A friend told me that it might be "vapor locked". I'll remove each spark plug in the morning but I'd be surprised if there is water in the cylinders. Engine temp and oil pressure was fine up until I shut it off.

 

[steady.foot]

What gear did you have it in when you tried push starting it. If you was in too low a gear it may be to much of a gear ratio to turn it over.

 

[69jeepcj]

Also check to see that the starter gear kicked out and more importantly retraced. One click when you tried to start it, makes me think solenoid, but the engine seeming seized makes me think the starter is stuck.

 

[ProdigalJeeper]

Also check to see that the starter gear kicked out and more importantly retraced. One click when you tried to start it, makes me think solenoid, but the engine seeming seized makes me think the starter is stuck.

Do I need to remove the starter to check it? I tried tapping on it with a hammer with no luck.

 

[ProdigalJeeper]

Took the starter off ... seemed like it was stuck but I got it off. The bushing/washer on the shaft (on the end farthest away from the starter motor) looks like it's missing some metal. The small piece of metal next to the end of the starter was inside the engine housing. Is the end of the starter housing broken too? Also, after removal, I can see there are metal shavings inside the engine housing. There was another one too. The teeth on the main gear visible through the hole where the starter was look fine. I guess I need a new starter?

 

[SteelHeadz]

Yes. That starter is no good.. Try to turn the flywheel with a screw driver and see if it moves.

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[69jeepcj]

^^^^ Agree, or put a socket on the crank pully nut and try to spin the motor that way. If it spins, get a new starter and I think you will be good to go. The metal shavings you seen are probably from the starter getting chewed up.

 

[ProdigalJeeper]

Verified at auto parts store yesterday evening that the old starter was bad. Will pick up new starter sometime today (the one they had in stock was broken too; they're getting one from another store) but first, I'll pull all the plugs and see if I can get the engine to turn. I want to find out if the engine seized and broke the starter or if it's just a starter problem.

 

[69jeepcj]

Exacly!!! should be able to turn the engine without pulling the plugs, it will just take a little extra muscle to turn it.

 

[ProdigalJeeper]

Starter replaced ... All is well ... Thanks for all the input ... Very much appreciated!