Engine randomly seized after driving through a flood

Good morning.

To be sure, remove the serpentine belt and see if it will turn. If it does, it is an external issue.

If it does not, then I would remove the spark plugs and check again to see if it will turn. If it does, then the cylinders may have water in them. That may be from the upper intake manifold.

If it does not, then it is locked internally from a bearing. That may be progressive damage from the high water issue.

Did you change the oil/filter after the high water?

Roy

No, I have not changed the oil since, still looks nice and dark. I took the belt off and I noticed that the crankshaft pulley only budges about half an inch every time I try to turn it over. I do not think water could have got into my intake, I went nice and slow. Besides it was like weeks after that it shut off.

And it should not be my starter, that was recently replaced a few months ago and I have had absolutely no issues with it. I have confirmed that my AC pulley is locked, but if I took the serpentine belt off should that it not have fixed it? Also, all the spark plugs were taken out and we tried it then, did not do anything. Also, I do not know if I could be fighting the transmission. A few months back I lost fourth and fifth gear after mudding. No recent transmission symptoms since.

If you removed the plugs and the belt and it still will not turn, the engine has seized from a failure in the lower end.

The oil pan will have to be removed and the inspected for the failure.

Roy

I have never done anything like that, but I have swapped an engine in a vehicle before. Do you think someone somewhat inexperienced could do this job? I have to get this car running this month.

Also, before the car went down I was having to constantly spray WD-40 on the crankshaft and AC pulley. If that helps any.

I would recommend replacing the engine. Even if you found a bad bearing, it needs the crankshaft replaced.

Roy

Well that really bites the bullet Thanks for your help! May return with more questions later on.

You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Feel free to ask more questions.

Roy

I was reading online and saw that if the crankshaft pulley can move, it is not seized. By hand it is tough but do able, does this change anything?

Nope, the starter motor has enough power to move the engine over.

You can try a socket and breaker bar and see if you can turn it.

Roy

What size is that bolt or nut? I was surprised to see it was bigger than my 7/8. I buy things as I need them.

I can turn that sucker round and round by hand, there is like a quarter of the rotation is very hard though.

Does the starter turn it?

Do you still have the plugs out? It should turn easily if the plugs are out.

Roy

The starter will not do any full rotations with that pulley, it will buds just a little bit every time it clicks, but I can do it for as long as I want. Yes, the plugs are out. I replaced the starter today and had the old one tested just in case.

I did not have the plugs out this morning. When I just went to spin the crankshaft it is really easy going round and round.

So it just a few minutes ago made a few full turns, that pulley or something made a large whining sound but the other video that I cannot send it showing it making full rotations.

Send the videos.

Roy

Trying to.

The car does not have a battery, so it is running off jumper cables.

I would start with a new battery and put the plugs back in. See if it starts.

Roy

I will not be able to get a new battery for a while, I ran into a new issue just after that video was recorded. My starter is now not making any sounds when I try to turn it on. I took it back off and had it tested and they are saying it is good. I do not have any blown fuses. What could it be?

Low voltage. Jumper pack could be low not giving enough voltage for the starter to work.

Roy

I do not know if it makes a difference, but it is not a jumper pack it is to another vehicle.

Okay, you still need a new battery.

Roy

I cannot get my hands on a voltage meter, and my ground does not have any kind of fuse for it anywhere on the wire so I cannot do anything there, but I reinstalled it hoping something would change and it did not, so with the new battery, and cables hooked up to the car to re-insure voltage, all I am getting is a clicking from the inside of the car. Sending a video.

Okay, will wait for the video.

So if the voltage meter is actually working right that I have, there are 27 volts on the hot where the starter connects.

Another thing that is making this more difficult, I cannot have the car's computer read because my grandfather hardwired the inside fuse boxes years ago, and he has passed away so I cannot get help from him to undo it all, but it ran for years without making the service engine light come on.

You cannot have more than 12 volts in the system unless the alternator is working.

Roy

23.9 with the second rig off but still connected to the car.

The car's battery straight off of each post reads 11.9, yet everything on the car is about dead.

You are on AC scale. Switch it to DC.

I have confirmed my voltage meter does not work.

Okay, see if you can get one that works.

I have had a long day, but this is what I have to show for it.

My car did not knock before all this. Is it possible things are not properly lubricated? Should I add more oil? It is barely under full.

No, something happened internally and must be checked.

Your battery voltage needs to be 12.6 if you have 11.9 then you have a dead battery.

Roy