Engine Won't Turn

[FTRS14.5]

Hey,Just had a quick question. My motor is torn apart and while I was somewhat putting it back together, I decided to turn the crank. It turned really smooth until #2 and #3 where TDC and it just stopped. It just wouldn't turn anymore. Is this normal?? The chain never fell or anything so I don't think that there would be a pinch anywhere. Also, my head is off and the belt tensioner if off as well. So any help would be appreciated, Thanks in advance!!

[Hijacker]

the engine should never just stop cranking like that. i'm assuming you're manually turning the crank. It should be smooth at all times. If you were to turn the crank with the head off, I would have recommended you do it without the chain on. Take the chain cover off and make sure it's not crimped somewhere. That could be causing the stoppage.

[crxcess]

Hey Micheal how about emailing me about the coilovers?

[FTRS14.5]

Would I be able to take the chain cover off without removing the oilpan? I have the crank pulley off, but I really don't want to take the oil pans off. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance...

CRXCESS: I sent you an email

[Hijacker]

normally you have to take the oil pan off to get the chain cover off. it's to keep a smooth bead of gasket maker on the oil pan. also, did you add any oil to the cylinders to make sure they didn't lock up? and one last thing. once you get the pistons unstuck, check for any scoring on the cylinder walls.

[FTRS14.5]

What tool did you guys use to remove the oil pan from the block?? I don't want to stick a screwdriver in there b/c it will more than likely bend the pan or something. In the FSM, there is a weird tool that they use, but I can't seem to find it anywhere. So do you guys use like a thin but wide putty knife or something??? This is really gettin me b/c I can't figure out why my motor won't turn. Thanks in advance!!!

[Nathan]

Butter knife + hammer = oil pan off

[FTRS14.5]

So a butter knife will work with this??? Opinions?? I thinkin about a putty knife since those are real thin and wide so it'll have less of a chance of bending. Anyways, I'll keep this updated when I figure out why my damn motor won't turn. I really hope that it's just a kink in the chain somewhere down below........that would suck if it wasn't.

[FTRS14.5]

This crap sucks.......I still can't seem to get the friggin oil pan and front cover off. I bent 1 putty knife, 2 butter knifes, and 1 Ginsu knife and still no luck. Any suggestions?? I also can't seem to come up with any reason why my motor won't turn. Only thing I got and I hope this is right, is a pinch in the chain somewhere waaayyyy down below. Cuz the chain does look kinda short on one side when I pull it up all the way. Please HELP!!!!!

[Onizuka]

i just bent that stock peice of crap oil pan and ripped it off. The FSM says use something like a razor blade to get inbetween but i was too lazy. FSM procedure is the same for the front cover.

[FTRS14.5]

Well, that what I was about to resort too......ripping the whole thing off. But I mainly just want to take the front cover off only so I can check for any pinches in the chain. I don't have any extra cash to spend on another oil pan. Does anyone have any opinions/comments if I just rip the front cover off only without the oil pans?? I know it's better to take off the pans as well so everything will seal better, but I just don't want to mess with all that stuff. Just direct to the point.

[Onizuka]

did you take the bolts out of the pan that attach to the front cover?

[SpeedRacer1]

You should be able to get a fairly good idea where the chain is at with the crank pulley off and looking at the cam sprocket locations. If the crank mark is pointing straight up then the intake sprocket should appear to be at about half past 10 o clock. The exhaust sprocket should appear to be at about half past 12 o clock.

I dont see why the chain would be hindering the rotation for any reason whatsoever.

[FTRS14.5]

Well, that's the thing. I don't have the head on and I think, that's an I think, the chain fell sometime and I think it might have caused a pinch somwhere between the crank sprocket. It rotates perfectly until #2 and #3 hit TDC and it just stops. No apparent reason so the only thing I can think of is that there is a pinch somewhere. The motor turned beautifully before I pulled the head so I'm almost 100% that there is a pinch.

[Hijacker]

but it moves in the other direction fine?

[FTRS14.5]

Nope, it stops at the same exact point as well. And it's exactly the same point. Could the pinch be really that bad?? I think it might be off 1-2 links totally. So worst case scenario, if there isn't a pinch, what should I check for?

[Nathan]

Are you sure you just aren't turning it hard enough there? I mean it does hit a little bit of a slow down as all the pistons reverse direction...

[compression]

sounds like the chain is kinked around the crank gear.pull the front timing cover. In order to do that, you need to remove both the steel oil pan and the aluminum oil pan. In order to remove the aluminum pan, you need to remove the baffle that is over where the steel pan mounts. when you tear it apart you will see what I mean. Then you can get to the internal front bolts that hold the aluminum pan to the block and the timing cover.Also,with the oil pan off you will be able to look at the underside of the crank and watch it as someone turns it. (partially, there are a lot of baffles and the main girdle)Hopefully you can identify the problem.

To get the steel oil pan off. break the seal with a razor blade by tapping it in with a hammer every few inches and pulling it back out to cut the silicone. Then gently pry with a putty knife.To get the aluminum pan off, you can pry at it back by the flywheel, there are some spots that are non-sealing that make good prying areas.

When you put it back together, follow the FSM instructions for installing the timing chain, it will save you from putting a cam in out of phase. Also be sure to clean off all the old silicone, which can get very tidious.

I rebuilt my S13 SR engine completely, so i have seen all this first hand. let me know if you have any problems.

[SpeedRacer1]

Where is the SR? In the car? On the ground? Longshot but maybe the flywheel etc is getting caught when you turn the crank. Of course if thats removed then dismiss the questions.

[FTRS14.5]

Well, that's what I kinda figured. This SUCKS!!!! The motor is on the ground right (I had to let my friend borrow my hoist for a week). So once I get the hoist back, I'll tear apart the oil pans. Speedracer, do you reccomend I take the transmission off the motor to check the flywheel isn't getting caught somwhere? Where would it most likely to get caught at? Well, I'll be tearing the whole thing apart one of these weekends so hopefully it's nothing major. Just a pinch or something Wish me luck and any other ideas on what the problem could be would be great!!! Thanks!!

[FTRS14.5]

Compression: Thanks for all the info, I'll let you know what I find......Thanks!!!

[SpeedRacer1]

Well if the transmission is still on it, make sure it is out of gear. Other than that im not the transmission shoulnt have any effect on the rotation of the engine.

[FTRS14.5]

Yeah, it's out of gear. looks like I'll really have to take the whole thing a part. Oh well. good learning experience right? Hopefully nothing is majorly wrong.

[SpeedRacer1]

Well i'd just do the oil pan and front cover since you will realistically need to take all the stuff off anyway when you do timing chain timing.

[FTRS14.5]

Ok,I finally got around to removing all the oil pans and front cover this weekend. The chain is off and so are the guides. I am trying to turn the motor by hand (i.e. no wrench or anything) but it won't turn. I currently don't have a wrench big enough to fit, but which way should I be turning the motor anyhow? I've read that clock-wise is the correct way. I should be getting a big enough wrench this week to see if I can turn it. Any ideas or suggestions will be appreciated, Thanks!!!!!

[compression]

IF you are turning the crank without the chain on, then you will hit a valve with a piston.use a wrench, Or better yet, a socket and a ratchet on the crank pulley bolt.Is the transmission off?Are all the spark plugs out? if not, then it will be very difficult to turn by hand.Even with the spark plugs out and the head off, my freshly built motor still took some effort to turn, but did not seize up.

If the plugs are out and the timing chain is not seizing on anything. THen you are either hitting a valve or have some sort of problems with the rods or crank. A bent rod could cause this problem. Look really closely inside the block and try to see if you see anything.THe next step would be to remove the cams, which would close all the valves. then try turning it over.IF you do all that and still no signs of the problem. Then pull the head off and take the crank out, you have a problem.

[SpeedRacer1]

I guess im just a huge proponant of the try it first, take it apart later if it is broken. I dont think your engine was broken, but if you need to turn it, it doesnt matter which direction you do it, though it does turn clockwise if looking at it from the front. While your taking stuff off, you should replace the front and rear main seals. Turning the crank at such a slow rate shouldnt damage the valves. If anything it just will not turn if it touches the valves due to the resistance. I cannon remember but the SR might not even be an interference engine (ie valves crossing pistons path), partly because it was designed for lower compression.

PS, it turned out my friend has both an S13 and S14 ps pump if you want either.

[FTRS14.5]

Well,I haven't officially tried to turn it yet with the chain off. The head and everything is off, but the transmission is still on. So basically it's just the block and transmission. Should I be able to turn the crank by hand w/o a wrench?? If it is possible, then I am not able to do it. The motor used to turn before I pulled the head, but for damn reason it's not cooperating. I will officially try to turn it later today and see what happens. Also, before I turn it, should i pour some oil down the cylinders? I can attach the oil pans temporarily to catch the oil.Speedracer: I'd be interested in the S13 Pump!!! Could you ask what the price is?? These are from the SR correct? Thanks a lot!!

[FTRS14.5]

Ok,Bad News!!! Damn motor won't turn with the chain off. I think it may be seized.......weak. Any suggestions on what I should do?? I going to pull the transmission this weekend and I guess start dismantling the whole thing to see if there is a bent rod or something. Any help would greatly be appreciated!!!! Thanks!!!

[FTRS14.5]

HELP!!!!!!!