dragonrob

Help ! .I put a new battery in my 86 yesterday and when I started the car it ran for about 30 sec and shut down.I cranked it and it shut down right away .I tried to start it but it wouldn't turn over at all so i tried to turn the engine with a breaker bar and its locked up tite.I checked the oil it was full but I could see specks of metal . I guess that means I will need a engine or short block? I had just replaced the TT and rear plex plate. I would appreciate any ideas as to where to find low cost engine,short block.I had just spent over 1.5k in parts .I am just sick over this car. Rob

SMTCapeCod

TOugh news. Are you sure it is metal?
The "lower-cost" the block, the more you'll probably have to invest to get it in service.
Sources include your local 928OC members, craigslist if you feel lucky, 928 international.

Was it running fine when parked? No strange noises/running conditions?
Seems like TBF isn't usually instantaneous.

jeff spahn

I agree. TBFs don't usually manifest themselves immediately like this. They happen over time. I would try to turn the engine over with a socket on the crank and see what happens. Look down through the timing belt cover on each side and see if the belt is turning if you can crank it over. This will tell you volumes.

dragonrob

The engine has been a little rough running but not bad as the car had sat for a while .The engine never burnt any oiland had good pressure.It is locked up tight.If I cant find a block at a reasonable price I will have to just leave it sit.










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jeff spahn

Call Greg Brown or Carl Fausset.

Mark Anderson

Even if you find a cheap short block ( should not be that difficult) plan on lots more $$$$ to get it in and running. Just the gasket set will cost you $400+

jeff spahn

Yes indeed. You aren't looking at a $1000 project here if your engine is toast. Just get a used complete engine and move on. $1000-1500 on eBay or check with 928 intl.
Of course you could find out what is wrong and move that way.

dragonrob

If I can finda used engine for 1000-1500 that's probably the best wayto go.

Mark Anderson

Where are you located?
Shipping has got really expensive lately ( $500 or so)

dragonrob

I live in Fla. Mark.I have purchased quite a few parts from you at 928 int.

Hilton

Have you removed the spark plugs to try turning it over?

Sudden thrust bearing failure would be unusual - would get hot shutdown symptoms before it just locked solid usually.

My guess (based on probability) is hydrolock - either from fuel or failed head gasket, although its possible an oil system failure has occurred or a bearing spun due to previous wear.

The Deputy

You mentioned in a different post that the timing belt was serviced recently, not sure if by you or someone else, but maybe something on the front of the engine broke/locked up/wedge itself somewhere it shouldn't have. Maybe the, whoever it was, installer over tighten the belt and snapped the oil pump drive gear off?

Very strange for an engine to just seize up.

Brian.

Ducman82

What do the plugs look like? Does it rotate with them out?

Kevin in Atlanta

RichVM has two 86 engines. 1 with 110k and one with 65k miles. He is located 30 miles north of Atlanta.

FredR

Jeff,

I think I would have to respectfully disagree with yourself and SMT on this one- the cases of TBF I have been involved with suggest one of the first indicators for those not too knowledgeable of the problem is when an engine does in fact seize up - happened to my PO and a couple of other chaps over here a few years ago.

That there were potential indicators often goes amiss but owners quite often are not aware of the degradation going on [nothing has changed in the combustion process] but there is more braking resistance on the crank that sad to say is not noticed or acted upon - so it comes as something of a surprise when one day "motor no crank" but coincidentally we often read of the term "running a bit rough". To get the original motor from my current 928 to spin the local agents had to be massively brutal to break the seized white metal. The motor ran but when I got hold of it it felt as "rough as a badger's ***" [that's pretty rough!].

Of course I knew what the problem was [as did the local agents] and within a few minutes of getting the car on a lift I did not even need the dial gauge to tell me the motor was toast- which it was with 1.3mm of crank end float.

Before jumping to all kinds of conclusions though perhaps the OP can confirm his model is an automatic. Not sure if the problem was endemic in the 86 auto but maybe it is an early 87 S4?

The metal in the oil and the seized crank scream TBF but the OP needs to positively confirm such- drop the cover at the front bell housing and see if there are obvious signs of migration of the clamp along the shaft by undoing the pinch bolt as see if goes "boing".

Rgds

Fred