My 2.5L grand am had been tapping (lifters) and when I had the valve cover gasket replaced, and the EGR valve this tapping stopped, temporarily. It was discovered during the valve cover gasket replacement that 2 lifters were a bit on the dry side, by bit I mean not totally dry. About 3-4 days later the tapping began again, but this time it was louder. It was middle of the week, and on Saturday morning I went to my mechanics home, and left a note about having him work on the lifters (use a torque wrench, etc to make sure they were torque to the right numbers). I then returned home. 4-5hrs later I started up the car, let it warm up about 15mins, its winter here and very cold outside, backed out of the driveway, and at 2 blocks from the house I heard one loud clunk, the sound you might here if something metal fell off and hit the ground, the car immediately died. I tried to start it back up, and I get nothing but dash lights, the horn works, the radio, etc but no attempt whatsoever by the car to start. I mean nothing, but the turning of the key and the dash lights that come on when doing so is all it did. I lifted the hood, checked the belts, they were fine, battery was okay, and the car still did nothing. Pushed it home, and now it sits. It was discovered later that night that the started is barely connected to the car, bolts or bolt was missing, and when turning the key to start the car a hum can be heard that I am told is related to the selenoid.
I have been told that to see if the motor is locked up one can try turning the crankshaft pulley and if it turns the motor isnt locked up. I am also told that I could have thrown a rod, but that normally it will still start, or try to if that has happened. I am also told that the starter being not properly connected could have caused something relating to the fly wheel to be jammed up or broken which would stop the car from operating. I am wondering if the car had thrown a rod and that if that was all it did that it should still try to start. I need to know if that is true or not! Also, if it has thrown a rod how can you tell? And, any other good advice or suggestions would be much appreciated!
Thank you all!