Engine died while driving
03-29-2003, 05:09 PM
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Engine died while driving
(repost...originally posted in wrong forum)
I was on my way to an autox school yesterday when I heard a "plop" (wasn't very loud). I put the clutch in and pulled over to the side of the road and tried to start the engine - wouldn't turn over. The starter just clicks once when I try to start it. I assume it seized Fortunately I had AAA and had it towed 21mi to my shop. The engine is a b16a2 with 5000mi on it. I haven't had a chance to race it yet - its only been used as a daily driver. I had the crower head package (cams, valves, gears etc) installed 2 weeks ago; I'm worried the cams broke. My shop will take a look at it Monday and see what happened. The strange thing is the oil is WAY past full on the dipstick; I fear the worst. I don't understand how a brand new engine can only last 5k mi.
Anyways, here is a pic of my car
I was on my way to an autox school yesterday when I heard a "plop" (wasn't very loud). I put the clutch in and pulled over to the side of the road and tried to start the engine - wouldn't turn over. The starter just clicks once when I try to start it. I assume it seized Fortunately I had AAA and had it towed 21mi to my shop. The engine is a b16a2 with 5000mi on it. I haven't had a chance to race it yet - its only been used as a daily driver. I had the crower head package (cams, valves, gears etc) installed 2 weeks ago; I'm worried the cams broke. My shop will take a look at it Monday and see what happened. The strange thing is the oil is WAY past full on the dipstick; I fear the worst. I don't understand how a brand new engine can only last 5k mi.
Anyways, here is a pic of my car
03-29-2003, 06:44 PM
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Re: Engine died while driving (super-dooper fast)
the engine wouldn't turn over??? or the starter wasn't working???
did you pop your head and look for anything obvious???
did you pop your head and look for anything obvious???
03-31-2003, 12:40 PM
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Re: Engine died while driving (miataguy)
The shop took a look at it, they said the #1 spark plug is crushed. They are going to have to take off the head and see what caused it. They are guessing broken valves and/or broken rod, but all the other cylinders look ok - quoted 3-4 hours to get the head off 
There goes more money.
There goes more money.
04-01-2003, 01:18 PM
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Re: Engine died while driving (miataguy)
I just got a call from the shop. They took off the head and found the piston disintegraded and the cylinder wall is cracked. Bye bye block. They are going to look for a gsr long block. Fortunately none of the cams/springs/retainers i had installed 2 weeks before are damaged so they'll be able to put them in the new head. They took a whole bunch of pictures - I'll post them when I get them.
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04-01-2003, 01:41 PM
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Re: Engine died while driving (sshaikh01)
I only bought the car a couple of months ago; never got a chance to race it. The seller told me it was a new engine...apparently not. He probably dropped a POS engine in the car since none of the wiring was done when I bought it. So much for buying from a friend of a friend.
04-01-2003, 01:54 PM
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Re: Engine died while driving (miataguy)
This sucks man. it really blows.
I know the valves have be burnted to ****.
But can you re-use the head after replacing the valves.
why don't you use that b16 head, and buy a gsr short block. and mate your head and the gsr block together. Ofcourse you will have to get new timing belt and gsr head studs, but i think it'll be cheaper. maybe i think so.
What this setup your hatch will fly everywhere.
think about it.
[Modified by sshaikh01, 4:58 PM 4/1/2003]
I know the valves have be burnted to ****.
But can you re-use the head after replacing the valves.
why don't you use that b16 head, and buy a gsr short block. and mate your head and the gsr block together. Ofcourse you will have to get new timing belt and gsr head studs, but i think it'll be cheaper. maybe i think so.
What this setup your hatch will fly everywhere.
think about it.
[Modified by sshaikh01, 4:58 PM 4/1/2003]
04-01-2003, 02:55 PM
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Re: Engine died while driving (sshaikh01)
Looks like Russ's old engine (black light on HT) Good luck with the rebuild .. you could also do a CR-vtec or LS-vtec with the b16a head might be cheaper then tracking down a GSR block .. Just a thought
04-01-2003, 03:22 PM
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Re: Engine died while driving (GSRslowandswap)
The shop said the #1 piston took out most of the valves then disintegrated. The head might not be rebuildable(or be worth rebuilding)
04-01-2003, 04:26 PM
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Re: Engine died while driving (miataguy)
The shop said the #1 piston took out most of the valves then disintegrated. The head might not be rebuildable(or be worth rebuilding)
If you can rebuild it, it would be better than buying a new head, and transfering internals. Read my post ealier poor man itr ownz j00.
If you can't rebuilt it. than yeah go for gsr long block, slap it on and call it a day
04-05-2003, 11:00 AM
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Re: Engine died while driving (miataguy)
I went to the shop today and took a few more pics. New motor should be coming in Monday and hopefully it will be done by next week.
04-08-2003, 02:52 AM
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Re: Engine died while driving (miataguy)
I'm thinking about getting a motor from hmotorsonline since I'm having problems finding one locally. They have a b16 long block for $900 and a GSR long block for $1699.00. Is the GSR worth $800 more?
04-08-2003, 03:34 AM
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Re: Engine died while driving (miataguy)
Looks like running too lean and detonated? What kind of Fuel were you running? 800 more for a GSR block? Hmmm I like the larger Displacement but for 800 more? Well I guess that is average cause a B16 full swap usually runs between 2500-2700 and a Gsr is right around 3500
04-08-2003, 08:43 AM
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Re: Engine died while driving (sparq)
It's just a Hunch actually, but I've seen an engine that detonated and the rod went through the top of the piston. Excessive Heat can lead to the Cyliner breaking. A crack is an under statement.
[Modified by Naka_Yama, 9:45 AM 4/8/2003]
[Modified by Naka_Yama, 9:45 AM 4/8/2003]