Cannot rotate my engine

Tiny
LARMIJO
  • MEMBER
  • 2010 CHEVROLET COBALT
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 67,000 MILES
My original problem was a cylinder misfire in my #1 cylinder which I troubleshot to an exhaust valve that was leaking. I replaced the exhaust valve put everything back together the first time thought I put the timing back the way it was, but I must have messed up somewhere and the car would not start since the timing was off. So I decided to take it all off again and just reset my timing and I took of the front cover and when I try to rotate my engine to alight the timing it will not turn any direction at all. I do not want to try and force it any direction since I do not want to break anything. I was rotating the engine just fine just before I took the front cover off.

At first I thought it must be interfering with the valves, but I disconnected the little arms in between the camshafts and the valves so that the valves are all closed and stay closed and the camshafts spin freely. All of the spark plugs are taken out as well and my car is in park. I really have no idea what else it could be.
Wednesday, July 6th, 2016 AT 10:19 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
Hey LARMIJO,

It sounds like you may have dropped a bolt down into the timing chain area and it is now stopping the engine from turning over, next I would remove all of the spark plugs to see if coolant has filled the cylinder.

Please let me know what you find

Best, Ken
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Saturday, July 9th, 2016 AT 1:32 PM
Tiny
LARMIJO
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I did what you said, spark plugs were already out and I looked for any bolts or obstruction that may be catching on the chain and did not see anything. It definitely seems to be the crank that doesn't want to turn, the two camshafts and the timing chain will wiggle a little bit but the crank does not budge. Should I try and force it?
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Saturday, July 9th, 2016 AT 4:15 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
Ya you got something going on, if the valves are all closed you have nothing to loose, try turning it both ways.
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Sunday, July 10th, 2016 AT 11:26 AM

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