North American Turbocoupe Organization



Engine siezed?
rlh2887 Offline
Junior Member
#1
Hi everyone,
I've got an '88 turbocoupe that I've had a little over a year.  It was (and still is in many ways) pretty rough when I got it.  It has the Gnari upgraded turbo and fmic kit on it.  It has run pretty well for me with no major engine issues, till recently.  A week ago I drove it home from work and parked it, no noticeable issues other than it maybe being a bit warm when I parked it, definitely not overheating.  Now when I try to start it I get nothing.  The starter relay clicks but it doesn't turn at all.  I figured it was just a bad starter, but when I tried to turn it over with a wrench on the crank it won't budge.  I even pulled all the plugs and took the accessory belt off and still nothing but tightening the crank bolt.  It has oil and coolant that both look great and it had oils pressure according to the gauge when I was driving it.

The car did overheat once since I've owned when it threw a belt and I (stupidly) decides to push it 1-2 miles to get home without a working water pump.

It wasn't knocking that I know of, although these engines always sounded a little "knocky" to me normally.  Maybe I was in denial and this engine has been on the way out for a while, I don't know.

Any thoughts on why an engine that seemed fine would suddenly seize?

I appreciate any help you fine folks can give!
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Mikey97D Offline
Senior Member
#2
The car was in neutral when you tried to turn the crank?
If so, can you see if the starter is disengaging from the flywheel?
1988 TC, 5 spd, Stinger 3" Exhaust, Schneider Roller Cam, -4° Cam Pulley, Cone Filter, Gilles Boost Control Valve set at 17 psi, Walbro 255 lph, CHE Rear Lower and Upper Control Arms, Braided Brake Lines, Hawk HPS 5.0 Front and HPS (F) Rear, CRES Inserts in front calipers, and '93 Cobra Wheels with General 235/50R17 Tires.   
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spittinfire Offline
Senior Member
#3
I'm going to wager that something is being missed. Engines usually make some noise before they lock up, I think there would have been some indications that something was seriously wrong.

Is the start hung up? Tap it with a hammer or leave the car in gear and rock it back and forth if it's a 5 speed. Or you just unbolt the starter and check it. If the starter solenoid clicks then it seems that electrically the starter circuit is working. My first thought is that your starter is hung up on the flywheel and jamming everything.
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anasazi4st Offline
Senior Member
#4
(06-27-2024, 03:25 PM)spittinfire Wrote: I'm going to wager that something is being missed.  Engines usually make some noise before they lock up, I think there would have been some indications that something was seriously wrong. 

Is the start hung up?  Tap it with a hammer or leave the car in gear and rock it back and forth if it's a 5 speed.  Or you just unbolt the starter and check it.  If the starter solenoid clicks then it seems that electrically the starter circuit is working.  My first thought is that your starter is hung up on the flywheel and jamming everything.

Yeah, to go along with these gentlemen--it takes a lot for an engine to just suddenly seize up and especially without any warning signs or sounds.

I would check the starter, as spittinfire has suggested. I have had starters "click" before but they won't crank due to a number of issues--poor ground, bad starter, low battery, etc.

When my starter would give me troubles--and I went through TWO periods when it would fail--I got it to start manually. Either park at the top of an incline or hill, turn on the ignition key, push on the clutch until you get going and then let the clutch out, effectively starting the car. The second method is a push start, either from another car or from some accommodating persons willing to put forth the effort. Same rules apply.

IF in either case it starts, then you don't have a seized engine. Move on to the next possibility. If it freezes and locks up--there could still be a starter or other issue instead of that. But clearly, getting it to start is the much better option.
Another proud dues-paying member.

1987 Turbo Coupe w/T5OD, 8.8 axle, grey smoke; most options. Got it in 1991 with 41K miles: 3 turbos, 2 heater cores, 3 T5OD full rebuilds, 6 clutches, 1 head gasket, 2 Teves II ABS units, etc. later....
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dolphin1 Offline
Member
#5
pull all the plugs and make sure you don't have a cylinder full of coolant or fuel.
Mike

Just one white Turbo Coupe now
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