Engine randomly seized after driving through a flood

Tiny
MLONG98
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 BUICK REGAL
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 165,000 MILES
So I think I had an issue with bearings in my harmonic balancer and or my AC pulley from driving through a flood. A few days later my car randomly stalled while in park, when I went to start it acted like a dead battery. I hooked cables up and checked the starter both were fine, but it seems as if the very main bottom crankshaft pulley or whatever is seized. Could that stop my engine from turning over?
Wednesday, October 3rd, 2018 AT 8:17 PM

38 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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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
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Thursday, October 4th, 2018 AT 2:41 AM
Tiny
MLONG98
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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.
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Thursday, October 4th, 2018 AT 9:42 AM
Tiny
MLONG98
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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.
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Thursday, October 4th, 2018 AT 9:43 AM
Tiny
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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
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Thursday, October 4th, 2018 AT 10:03 AM
Tiny
MLONG98
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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.
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Thursday, October 4th, 2018 AT 10:09 AM
Tiny
MLONG98
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Also, before the car went down I was having to constantly spray WD-40 on the crankshaft and AC pulley. If that helps any.
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Thursday, October 4th, 2018 AT 10:10 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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I would recommend replacing the engine. Even if you found a bad bearing, it needs the crankshaft replaced.

Roy
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Thursday, October 4th, 2018 AT 10:11 AM
Tiny
MLONG98
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Well that really bites the bullet Thanks for your help! May return with more questions later on.
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Thursday, October 4th, 2018 AT 10:16 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Feel free to ask more questions.

Roy
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Thursday, October 4th, 2018 AT 10:18 AM
Tiny
MLONG98
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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?
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Thursday, October 4th, 2018 AT 10:42 AM
Tiny
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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
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Thursday, October 4th, 2018 AT 10:48 AM
Tiny
MLONG98
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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.
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Thursday, October 4th, 2018 AT 10:58 AM
Tiny
MLONG98
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I can turn that sucker round and round by hand, there is like a quarter of the rotation is very hard though.
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Thursday, October 4th, 2018 AT 11:02 AM
Tiny
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Does the starter turn it?

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

Roy
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Thursday, October 4th, 2018 AT 11:54 AM
Tiny
MLONG98
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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.
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Thursday, October 4th, 2018 AT 2:12 PM
Tiny
MLONG98
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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.
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Thursday, October 4th, 2018 AT 2:13 PM
Tiny
MLONG98
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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.
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Thursday, October 4th, 2018 AT 2:19 PM
Tiny
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Send the videos.

Roy
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Thursday, October 4th, 2018 AT 2:28 PM
Tiny
MLONG98
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Trying to.
Video (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
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Thursday, October 4th, 2018 AT 3:18 PM
Tiny
MLONG98
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The car does not have a battery, so it is running off jumper cables.
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Thursday, October 4th, 2018 AT 3:21 PM

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