Engine seizes

2002 DODGE DAKOTA
163,000 MILES • 4.8L • 6 CYL • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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JAKE CHRISTENSEN
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Over the course of three days engine continued to heat up then cool to regular blow cold air. Finally engine overheated began to shudder. Now engine is seized.
Dec 5, 2018 at 4:15 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.

Since there was an overheating issue, was it using coolant? If you remove all the plugs, will it turn? I am questioning if one of the cylinders is hydro locked due being full of coolant resulting from a bad head gasket.

Also, confirm that this is a 3.9L V6

Take care,

Joe
Dec 5, 2018 at 7:11 PM
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JAKE CHRISTENSEN
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All the coolant sprayed out when it overheated. Not ppsitive that I was losing it before that. Maybe small amount. How would I go about fixing or testing it being hydro locked?
Dec 6, 2018 at 6:20 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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  • 110,175 POSTS
Welcome back;

Remove the spark plugs and see if you can then turn the engine. If you can, pay attention to see if coolant comes from one of the cylinders. If one or more of the cylinders is full of coolant, it will hydro lock and you will not be able to turn it. By removing the spark plugs, you have a release point for pressure and then it can turn.

Let me know what you find or if you need help.

Take care,
Joe
Dec 6, 2018 at 4:23 PM