i don't know much about engines. so my question is could the oil pump or anything having to do with me tranny keep the motor from turning over?... the motor seemed to seize up back in january. i tore down the engine and the pistons were fine as well as the head. after i tore it down the engine turned over easily. so i put it back together. i tried to fire it up and it wouldn't fire but it cranked over easily. then it started to fire and stopped. now the block won't crank over at all. any suggestions on what it could be?

 

So, You tore the motor down because it wouldn't crank or it wouldn't turn over? you have to be VERY specific when asking for help on the internet because not everyone uses the same terminology to describe certain problems. You probably won't get any help with the way that question is worded because no one can actually decipher what your problem is. Will the car spin over but not crank? Does it do absolutely nothing when you turn the key? Is the battery hot? Are you sure the plugs wires are on in the correct order?

 

i have power. the starter is getting power. all the wires and plugs are ok. i have the correct firing order. when i turn the key the starter tries to crank the motor over but it can't. something is keeping the rotating assembly from rotating. its like the motor is seized up. i've somewhat torn down the engine already. the pistons are find and the head is fine. i had this problem before but after i took the head off the motor it freely rotated. so not knowing a lot about engines and being strapped for cash and needing my transportation i put it back together. after i did this the starter easily turned over the motor. however it would not fire. then it tried to fire and stopped. now it seems that the motor has seized again. my question is could the oil pump or anything that has to do with the transmission keep the motor locked up or from rotating?... i am having transmission problems. i've lost 3rd and 4th gear syncros. its also a h23vtec if that helps at all.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by krayzieboi213 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> its also a h23vtec if that helps at all.</TD></TR></TABLE>

hardee har har....

 

I'd start by fixing everything you know is wrong.

Your tranny shouldn't stop your motor from turning over. If you have your clutch depressed (pushed in) than your tranny is issentially disengaged so should not have any affect on your motor firing up.

Your motor only needs a few things to work though. You need fuel, spark, and compression. In your case I'd do a compression test, and also see if you timing belt is still present and accounted for.

Why do you keep mentioning oil pump? Do you think somethings wrong with it? Have you tried to pull any cel codes from your ecu?

 

i asked about the oil pump because it runs directly off the crank right?... well something is keeping the crank from rotating. the head is ok. the pistons are fine. something is keeping the crank from freely rotating so i was asking about the things connected to the crank. now i dont' know alot about motors so i dont' know if the oil pump could keep the crank from rotating. but something is keeping it from rotating.

 

Can you turn the motor over by hand? Meaning with a wrench on the crank pulley bolt....

 

no i can't. i've tried and it won't move at all.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by krayzieboi213 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">no i can't. i've tried and it won't move at all.</TD></TR></TABLE>

So then something is keeping it from moving. I would take off the head and then see if it spins...

I am very scared for your engine by the description of the work you have done so far

 

yeah i'm scared for my poor engine too..... just curious but if i take the head off and it is able to rotate freely what would the problem be?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by krayzieboi213 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">yeah i'm scared for my poor engine too..... just curious but if i take the head off and it is able to rotate freely what would the problem be?</TD></TR></TABLE>

If the bottom end rotates then you know there is/was something binding in the head, like the valve train or cams for example. I believe it also possible to have the timing off so far that the engine won't turn over, like if the valves are coming down and hitting the pistons.

 

well the timing belt is off. the pistons are half way down the cylinder. so i tried to rotate the cams and they rotated freely. the head is not keeping the crank from rotating as far as the timing belt and stuff.

 

You're turning the engine over without a timing belt?!

 

no i'm not. it won't turn over. i took the timing belt off and set the cams so non of the valves where open. so i could set the engine at tdc again.

 

OK, so you're sure that the head is not binding then...so then the block has to be the one not spinning right? Could be bearings too tight, could be lots of stuff. I think I would still take the head off to check out the block.

When you rebuilt the engine, what kind of bearings did you use and how did you install them? Plastigauge? Did you use a Helms manual for torque specs and assembly procedures?

 

yes its the block thats binding up. i didn't rebuild the engine. i bought it as a h23vtec. all i did was take the head off the motor. i dont' have the tools, time or money to rebuild the motor. but everything i took off i put back on with the correct torque specs and sequince. i have no clue whats wrong with the motor. it first seized up back on new years day. i was driving it and the motor just seized. i thought it might of gotten hydro locked cause of so much snow. but when i took it apart the crank started rotating freely. so i put it back together. i tried to start it, it wouldn't fire. no clue why. but then it tried to fire and seized up again. now the crank will not rotate freely. so something is keeping the crank from rotating and i dont' know what.

 

well i took the head off. i couldn't turn the crank by hand. i took off the oil pump. still couldn't do it. the pistons and sleeves look fine. i have no clue what the problem is.

 

damn bro u figure it out let me kno i have the same problem, im bout to just tear everything down, or swap a h22a into my shot, these ****in 2.3l engine r too much trouble, i just bought this car i rebuilt everything on it cuz they didnt set timing right n bent 4 valves and the thing drove like a charm for 2 weeks, then one night im at a stop light it srats knocking, oil light comes on, and 5 secs later it locks up...... still has oil, didnt over heat, everything visually ok, timing belt is still in tact and everthing, but now everytime i try to crank starter clicks and i lose all power so i gotta turn the key off n back on......... fudgin preludes.... lol