Montego 2.0HLS - Early O Series engine SEIZED

[Ed]

When I saved this Montego 2.0HLS back in March, I knew it would need work to the engine. The previous owner claims that the car was running when parked up in 1999 due to a leaky water pump and oil pump, but that now the engine was stuck. This was confirmed when I tried to turn her over when she arrived. It just clunks when I turn the ignition key. I have soaked diesel down the bores several times and there is no improvement to date. I fear that the engine may be damaged more than I have been made aware. I have taken the expansion tank off and it weighs a ton. It feels like it has a solid deposit in the bottom but I can't see it. There is also a solid powdery deposit inside the thermostat housing. What could this be? I guess my next job should be to whip the head off? I'm not a mechanic so any advice on the way forward would be appreciated. I'd like to rescue the original 80k mile early O Series engine if I can...

[autofitservices]

How about putting some fresh engine oil in and towing it at speed putting it in 3rd gear and slowly start lifting the clutch to try and release it?

[Jeff Turbo]

I do have a spare early engine if you need it Ed

[E_T_V]

Remove the alternator - Twice I've had a seized alternator give all the symptoms of a seized engine. Both times cutting the belt off has proven the engine to be ok.
If this doesn't help then:
Fill the engine bores with 100ml of diesel each and leave the plugs out. Leave overnight
Put a big extension bar on the crank pulley and then try to move it.
If it doesn't move apply more force until it does or you undo the crank pulley bolt.
If it moves a little but then locks up then check the cambelt isn't broken

Otherwise it is a case of taking the head off and seeing what lurks beneath.

[Ed]

I do have a spare early engine if you need it Ed

Thanks Jeff, I'll definitely take you up on that if I can't get it going.

[Ed]

Remove the alternator - Twice I've had a seized alternator give all the symptoms of a seized engine. Both times cutting the belt off has proven the engine to be ok.
If this doesn't help then:
Fill the engine bores with 100ml of diesel each and leave the plugs out. Leave overnight
Put a big extension bar on the crank pulley and then try to move it.
If it doesn't move apply more force until it does or you undo the crank pulley bolt.
If it moves a little but then locks up then check the cambelt isn't broken

Otherwise it is a case of taking the head off and seeing what lurks beneath.

Thanks Dan. Interestingly, someone else has suggested the alternator, so before any dismantling, I'll check this before I do anything else.

[Jeff Turbo]

Thanks Jeff, I'll definitely take you up on that if I can't get it going.

I will drop the rear doors off tuesday morning Ed

[G4GLM]

If there is that much solid deposit in the header tank and thermostat what about the water pump? Maybe worth taking off if it's not the alternator. My MG Midget had been stood 30 years, a very small amount of diesel down the bores was enough to free it. It is still getting rebuilt though, just interested to see if I could get it free!

[Ed]

I think the engine blew up before it was laid up, and I either haven't been advised honestly by the previous owner or they were unaware how damaged it was back in 1999.

Either way, its going to be a couple of weeks until I can make a start on dismantling, but I may be lining up a replacement engine in the meantime.

With the amount of projects I have going at the moment, I might just mothball it and leave it until some of my other projects are nearing completion.

[Ed]

I have some time off next week. I'm going to have another attempt at freeing off this engine. Watch this space!

[Jeff Turbo]

I have some time off next week. I'm going to have another attempt at freeing off this engine. Watch this space!

Replacement engine still on offer atm Ed

[BIGDAVE]

i think you need to remove the head to see what state the engine bores are like.as water over 15 years in the cylinder bores they mite be well rusted

[Ed]

i think you need to remove the head to see what state the engine bores are like.as water over 15 years in the cylinder bores they mite be well rusted

Agreed, I am going to whip the head off next week.

[Ed]

Replacement engine still on offer atm Ed

Thanks Jeff. I'll probably know whether this will be necessary by the end of next week.

[Ed]

Bore number 2 perhaps? . An hour with penetrative fluid in the bores. The other three drained away quickly, number 2, not so much...