gricec

I recently picked up an 85 944 for 900$ that had a knock or tick in the motor.

Picked it up as it had some lovely fuchs on it and also the M456 early sports kit, the interior was decent as well.

Anyway had to push start the car, it started and when it was cold there was no tick or anything, then as it got warmer it began to knock. I let it idle for a while as it sounded like it might be coming from the cam or head and the oil pressure looked good.

After about 10 minutes I revved the car slowly to about 2500rpm and then let the revs dropped.

Then the oil light started flickering and about 15 secs later the car died.

Now it wont turn over by hand at all and I mean not a mm, so I am assuming ive spun a bearing and it has seized up.

Whats the best option here - im guessing as its seized the block is toast. So am pricing up another short block as I would quite like to keep the car.

Is there anything else that would stop it turning? the starter is removed, plugs are out and it is in neutral.

pnbell

yikes...

Was it new oil? Is there oil on the Dip Stick?

Even if you spun a bearing you should be able to turn the engine over... Maybe for some reason (timing belt skipped a tooth) and a valve is hitting a piston... That doesn't really explain the oil light though.

you could pull the T-Belt of and try turning the Engine Over.

Drain Oil to check of Copper Bits (Rod Bearings)

gricec

Yeah it was brand new oil. Right at the middle on the dipstick.

The timing belt is off and it still wont turn over. The cam will though so I think that rules out the valves.

Still would have thought I woudl be able to turn it over somewhat though.

The oil light did not flicker for long, and when it died it did not make any strange noises.

931guru

Sounds like a spun rod bearing.

gricec

Worth fixing?

Or just get another motor?

pnbell

If the bearing is in fact spun; the engine has to be removed, Crankshaft brought to machine shop for machining. Or just replace the crankshaft with good used one.

At which point you might as well rebuild the engine! (New Seals, Bearings, Belts, Waterpump, Rings, Clutch, ect...)

A bummer, but really you bought a $900 Porsche, so why not spend $1,500 (parts) and then you'll have a Sweet New Engine!

(If you don't have the Tools or Know-How; its time to buy and learn them!)

krystar

if it's actually seized by either conrod welding with crankshaft, then might as well get another motor.

but if it's just spun bearing, that's replaceable....but it wouldn't explain why you can't turn it over by hand.

gricec

It wont move at all either way. Its definitely out of gear.

doabarrelroll

Yea, you may want to pull the oilpan and check the rod bearings. But if you can't turn it, you may as well pull the engine itself.

ramius665

+1 for pulling the engine. Like Pnbell said, you've got a $900 Porsche and for around a grand you can have a engine strong enough for many miles. Rebuilding these engines isn't that difficult and there are lots of people here that have the experience to assist.

JustinL

The car is out of gear? I know it sounds stupid, but it's a mistake I've made.

John_AZ

Have you tried to put the engine (both top TDC and bottom FW marks) and cam back to TDC and install a belt? Then see if it rotates.

GL
John

Reimu

This. I've done it a couple of times and had a "oh crap" moment that lasted a minute or two.

xsboost90

even if its hitting a valve the motor would turn one way or another. Sounds like a spun rod BUT try pulling the balance shaft belt off and turning it again....

gricec

Its definitely not in gear unfortunately - 1st thing I checked.

Ill check the balance shaft belt. It is pretty loose now so I dont think it is that.

The plan I think is to source a used short block replace all the gaskets and use my current head, intake etc.

Probably be wise to chuck a clutch in there at the same time.