Siezed engine

[DocBlackfoot]

Hi guys, I have a cherry m1009 which my kids love and I drive it to and from my local ambulance corps (I'm an EMT) well, had a noise which I thought could be the trans. Took it to a "nationally well known trans specialist" who said, yep, you need a converter and a rebuild. He calls me two days later and tells me my engine is seized and that he suggests I tow it out after he takes out the now rebuilt trans to put back in his stock. I said no way and had it towed to my driveway. I turn the key and get a really loud grinding noise, as if the starter is not engaged. My question is, is there anything that in the course of a trans rebuild that this hammerhead could have done that could have locked the engine? I got this truck from WI and as such it is an awesome rig and I'm not junking it. But, cash has run out.

Doc

 

[maddawg308]

Did you get it from Alfa Heaven?

 

[mangus580]

Doc, first things first. How is your starter mounted? Does it have the 'front' bracket installed? Did this 'mechanic' replace the flex plate? (aka flywheel)

From the sounds of it, he didnt put the bracket back in on the starter. These starters being so heavy, they need extra support to be lined up properly.

 

[CCATLETT1984]

I would pull the inspection cover off and check the teeth engagement on the flywheel.

 

[DocBlackfoot]

Yep, Alpha heaven, you should see it, (I'll get pics). I'll check the teeth asap!
I'll also look for the bracket, does anyone have a pic of the bracket?
Thanks to all, I've been looking at this site since first thinking of getting an m1009 and everyday since driving my cucv happily back from WI @ 5 months ago.


Doc

 

[IRWFO]

Just for the hell of it get a prybar and go near the fan pully and try to spin the motor over. Just lock the bar in between the bolts and see if it turns.

 

[DocBlackfoot]

Will do. Jerry, did you get your rig at Alfa?

 

[BKinzey]

Wait a minute You drove it in there and now the engine is siezed? That's all the explanation they gave you?

No funny noises when you drove it in? No funny noises when they drove it on the rack?

Gee, what a true oddity

 

[mangus580]

well.... I hadnt got that far.... if you DROVE it in, and had to TOW it out???? well, they owe you a new engine!

Lets go through our little trouble shooting before we call your lawyer though, as the less that jerk has to deal with your truck the better we all are...

 

[CCATLETT1984]

I can snap a pic of the proper engagement of the starter teeth if you need as i am working on my truck currently, had to pull the inspection plate to swap the oil pan.

 

[ida34]

I would not spin any wrenches on it until this is resolved with them. If you start messing with the starter and such they could say you did the damage not them. If you drove it in with a bad trans an now it is seized they need to find out why. It sounds like the ringgear is sticking on something and it is probably the starter. This is there problem. Make them take care of it and if they don't work with you then fix it yourself and take them to court. If you do this then take plenty of pics of what went wrong to hold them accountable.

 

[OPCOM]

find a professional mechanic, a friend of a friend, and pay or barter him to come over and look at it.
An impartial or third party's professional's opinion when disputing with another professional, is very valuable as they cannot slip anything over on you. -and unlike if you mess with it, they cannot say your Mr goodwrench broke it either.