This problem has me pulling out what is left of my hair. I just got a 1973 std beetle that had been stolen and found in the lake. Well the problem is that the engine will not turn all the way around. I can only get it to turn about 1/4 turn and then it acts like it could be hitting on a valve. Well I pulled the valve covers off and pulled the plugs out to make sure that everything was ok with them. I used a small wooden rod to make sure that the pistons were moving up and down so that I can tell that the rods are ok and not broken and the valves are working as they should as well. I have never been inside a VW engine so I don't know what else could be stopping the engine from turning all the way around. I am disabled so pulling the engine will be hard for me but I am almost ready to give it a try. Anyone have any idea's what the problem could be?
Engine Locked up
Apr 20, 2005
6 Replies
Well, there ya go. You expect it to run? Get professional help.
You took all four plugs out?? That would eliminate hydraulic lock from water in the cyls.
Are you sure the shift is in neutral??
The fact that it turns at all suggests that the rings aren't rusted solidly to the cyl walls. Whether it will ever run right is another matter.
I think I'd remove the rocker arm shafts (2 nuts hold each one on). Hold a straightedge across the valve stems to see if the valves are all closed.
Can't think of what else can be done without teardown.
Speedy Jim
formatting link
.....
Phillip, ignore JJ. He's the one who needs professional help. He's a well-known asshole on this group. He takes various medications and when he "forgets" to take them sometimes he embarrasses himself.
"Stupid people are funny." - me
Crawdad Fighting against ya?????.........LOL
Shoot. I bet I'd be pulling everything that I could till I removed something that free's it up.
assuming that you already pulled both valve covers here's where I'd start:
Take the fan belt off first. ( then , of course, try turnin' the motor again ) It's possible the generator or fan has something in it locking things up.
distributor cap, ( turn.) Once again, something inside the distributor could be stopping it, but not nearly likely, as the torque would nearly snap finger off without slowing down.......but it's easy to pull.
then rotor, ( Turn ) Same reason as prior piece.
then entire distributor, ( Turn ) Same as before, but .........possible the shaft in it or something below it is locked up, and this may allow for viewing down inside or may just release the whole mess. Once again there's a lot of torque supplied by the crank and it would not be as likely as a broken rod to stop the engine, but a fairly simple pull.
oil pump, ( Turn ) this one is gonna require some dissassembly of tin and the rear pulley ( rear is rear of the car ). not as easy as stuff mentioned before.
sump plate (oil drain plate), yeah,........look around and see if you can turn it while you look inside............. Easy to pull, not much to look at up through there, but maybe something will be visible that, makes sense.
I suppose you are starting to see the progression I am pushing here, So I will only give the next major step as pull the engine. ( you're gonna have to anyway, soon.)
Good luck and keep us psoted.
Remove "YOURPANTIES" to reply
MUADIB®
formatting link
one small step for man,..... One giant leap for attorneys.
Did you take out the distributor? I've had engines without the dist. but with the drive still in place push up the drive & lock the gear against the washers. HTH, ~ Paul aka "Tha Driver"
Giggle Cream - it makes dessert *funny*!
Join the Discussion
Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.
Didn't find your answer?
Ask the community — no account required