frozen Previa engine

I was driving my beloved 91 previa with 338,000 miles on it today. I drove about 2 miles and it died, which was odd. I drove another mile and it died. I did this several times until it wouldnt even turn over. No lights came on. I heard no noises. It didnt overheat. The engine wont turn. The shaft that runs forward that drives the ac etc will not budge, but the alternator pulleys will move. Is there anything left except internal engine problems that arent worth fixing on this old vehicle?

Reply to
Joe
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It could be an electrical problem.

Does it turn over when the car is jumped?

I have a feeling that it is not an internal problem. You probably would have heard something. And you would not have been able restart the engine at all. I wonder if it was a bad battery and alternator.

Anyway, that is just my guess.

Jeff

Reply to
Jeff

First check the battery and the alternator, given your starter would turn over the engine. It may just be out of juice.

Have the battery and alternator checked free at a participating local parts store (call around), like AutoZone and NAPA.

Check the engine oil. How's the condition?

Reply to
johngdole

The oil was just changed last week before I took a 500 mile trip and back. It looks fine.

I took the battery home and put it in another vehicle, and it ran fine. The alternator is a used one I just installed last week before the 500 mile trip. But it isnt seized. the starter engages but doesnt budge.

Reply to
Joe

When you say that the separated accessory drive shaft (SADS) will not budge, did you put a wrench the front and try turning it by hand? For safety reasons, disconnect the battery before you do this. If you can turn the SADS and engine, the starter may be bad.

If you can't turn the SADS from under the hood, try this: The SADS is connected to the front of the engine with 4 bolts. With a marker or dabs of paint, mark the bolts and holes so that the shaft, bolts, and holes go back exactly the same way, support the shaft with some wire or string so it doesn't dangle down, and disconnect the SADS from the engine and see if you can turn the SADS exactly 360 degrees. You are looking to see if the SADS is binding or the engine is binding. If the SADS rotates, try turning the engine over by hand by putting a wrench on the crankshaft bolt. If the engine won't turn over, you will have to drop the oil pan to see if there are metal particles in the pan.

Reply to
Ray O

I had it in a local shop. They tried turning the SADS with a big pipe wrench, but it didnt budge. They said that it would be a 2 hour job to loosen the shaft (they thought you had to disconnect it at both ends), but they thought they detected enough wiggle in the alternator and ac pulleys to rule out those being frozen. I dont have 110% confidence in this shop but I sure hope they wouldnt make a mistake that would cause me to junk the van for no reason. What do you think? I havent crushed it yet...

Reply to
Joe

You just answered your own question.

Reply to
Jeff

Well, yes and no. I decided to have them pull the SADS to make certain. if the engine turns I will know not to trust them. I hope its going to turn.

Reply to
Joe

I looked at the oil again. I found a clump of metal fragments at the tip of the dipstick. I just changed the oil 9 days and 1200 miles ago.

I think this one is history. I dont see much point in having them take the shaft off anymore.

Reply to
Joe

Metal fragments on the dipstick is not a good sign. If you want to invest some diagnostic money, have them pull the oil pan.

Reply to
Ray O

I dont really want to sink money into a lost cause. I figure if there is that much metal on the stick after 1200 miles, there is probably a whole lot more elsewhere in the engine. Even if it isnt proof the engine is frozen, its evidence of big trouble looming. I just dont see reason to hope anymore, do you? I wont pay for major engine repairs on it.

Reply to
Joe

If you are not going to pay for major engine repairs, cut your losses and say goodbye to the ride.

Reply to
Ray O

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