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ZeNiTh-PbArM · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2006 10:46 am Post subject: Seized 33 1.7 16V engine?

Hi,

A pal of mine saw his engine die while driving. The engine cranks but won't start. We towed the car to our garage and checked everything.
Injection/Ignition working perfect, there is good spark, fuel pressure, no faults in the ECU, checked with Alfa Tester and multimeter. Replaced sparks plugs, distributor cap, and coil to be sure.
Timing belts are ok, timing marks OK
Checked engine compression : ok (>8bar) and equal on all cylinders
At this point, everything seemed all right except for the starter motor cranking way too slowly. Checked cranking rpm : 190rpm max whereas my own 33 cranks above 350rpm. Starter circuit has been checked, battery OK and fully charged (tested with another unit, jumpstart, no change) wire resistance within specs, connections clean and tight.
Even with sparks plugs off, engine is very difficult to turn (trying to rotate front wheel with 5th gear on) and i suspect it could have seized.
Could this be possible? I never had an engine seize that way before, all the blown ones i've seen were dead stuck.
My pal had changed the oil (Agip synth) and filter two days ago, he's absolutely positive nothing went wrong during the oil change nor while driving (especially no warning from oil pressure telltale)
We dropped the oil pan yesterday and nothing unusual was to bee seen, especially con rods seem to have a little lateral play, no metal bits in the sump, not a blue-ish color on the crankshaft.
This is driving me nuts. Any ideas are welcome...

regards,
zp

lancsbreaker · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2006 11:06 pm Post subject:

Will it start on a tow-start? If so, suspect starter unit is faulty. If not - then I'm puzzled too - unless somehow one cylinder has hydraulic-locked and bent a con-rod. be very unusual, though.
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www.alfabettacars.co.uk

ZeNiTh-PbArM · Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 7:26 am Post subject:

hi,

will not tow-start, and will check with other known good starter motor to be sure.
i have also suspected a clogged exhaust but removing pipe doesn't help.
will dismantle engine to get explanations about what happened.

regards,
zp

Ken McCarthy · Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 11:35 pm Post subject:

zp

Silly question, but it caught me once - is the earth from the starter motor to the body/battery OK?

Regards
_________________
Ken McCarthy - 16V Sprint

ZeNiTh-PbArM · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2006 7:22 am Post subject:

Hi,

yes it has been checked for resistance, and while cranking too.
every terminal has been tightened properly after cleaning.
motronic earth and power terminals have undergone the same treatment.
i'm absolutely positive there is no fault in the starter circuit.

regards,
zp