Loss of power/no start

RAYMOND MICHAEL ARLEDGE

MEMBER
2010 LINCOLN MKZ
3.7L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
140,000 MILES

I was driving down the highway, then exited onto ramp to connect to another highway. I accelerated up the ramp then lost power in gas pedal, so I put the car in neutral, turned it off, but then it wouldn't restart but still had power. Pulled over, water puddle on passenger side under hood by coolant tank. (I had water in it). Tried to start car no response when turned key. Towed car to my house next morning when turned key it rapidly clicked. After several turns, the battery drained so I recharged it. When the battery is charged it just clicks. Just had a new water pump, timing belt and engine rebuilt, and spark plugs.

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,732 POSTS

Hi,

Are you sure the battery is good? I realize you recharged it, but it may still be bad.

What I would suggest first is this: Since you are experiencing what sounds like a bad battery, recharge it, and take it to a parts store and have them load test it. See what happens.

If the battery is bad, the engine would have done what you described. If you want to try a simple test on the battery, follow this link. It may not provide a solid answer, but it could.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Let me know what you find.

Joe

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Monday, May 30th, 2022 AT 9:00 PM

RAYMOND MICHAEL ARLEDGE

MEMBER
3 POSTS

So, my battery is good. My question is, is there a safety mechanism on a Lincoln that will shut the engine down before overheating? For instance, say the serpentine belt had an issue would it shut off the fuel pump? Was confusing is like I said the car was driving fine and then one second later they had no power at all in the pedal and when I shut it off it wouldn't start. I just had the timing chain and water pump replaced. Is it possible something wasn't put back on right?

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Saturday, July 2nd, 2022 AT 10:32 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,732 POSTS

Hi,

The vehicle has an inertia switch that shuts the engine down in the event of an accident, but that only turns the fuel off and does nothing with the starter.

Since you get a clicking from the starter and the battery is fully charged, I'm starting to question if the rebuilt engine has seized. If you place a socket/breaker bar on the crankshaft pulley, are you able to turn the engine by hand?

And to answer your question, certainly, something may have been installed incorrectly.

Do me a favor. See if you can turn the engine by hand using a breaker bar and socket on the crankshaft pulley center bolt.

Let me know what you find. Also, let me know if there were any noises from the engine when this was happening.

Take care and have a good 4th!

Joe

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Saturday, July 2nd, 2022 AT 9:28 PM

RAYMOND MICHAEL ARLEDGE

MEMBER
3 POSTS

With the initial symptoms of coolant leaking under the engine no overheating no engine noises no computer codes just loss of power and the coolant. To be followed by a clunking sound when I attempted to start it. It leads me to believe it is a head gasket seal that failed, and hydro locked my car. If I'm correct, I know that hydro locked engines, even sometimes driving speed, can be salvaged without permanent damage to the engine. Or timing chain issue.

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Monday, July 4th, 2022 AT 4:42 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,732 POSTS

Hi,

If you are trying to start it and still getting a click and know the battery is good, remove the spark plugs and see if the engine cranks. If there is coolant in a cylinder causing it to lock, it will blow the coolant out.

As far as damage? That will require a compression test and if there is any knocking from the engine indicating a possible bearing issue.

Here is a link you may find of interested. It explains what to look for when you suspect a possible head gasket issue.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

Let me know what I can do to help.

Take care,

Joe