Sudden engine failure?!?

[JSMCPN]

I started the SHO about 10 minutes ago and got a horrible scraping, clattering sound from the driver side of the engine. Upon startup, it revved to about 2k RPM as the sounds started. It dropped back to idle but the sounds persisted. I popped the hood to watch and listen and it stalled when I tried to open the throttle a bit. Now it won't even turn over, I just get a click from the starter solenoid.

So, is the engine siezed or did the starter just fail? Any ideas on quick checks I can do after work today to determine the mode of failure?

Good thing for vehicle redundancy, I'll have to drive the Talon today.

Jesse

 

[stangeater]

Is it possible that the starter just didn't disengage, and that's all the horrible sounds you were hearing? Makes sense to me. That's probably why it will not turn over now, the starter is burned up. I hope that's all it was! Good luck!

 

[JSMCPN]

That sounds like the most reasonable explanation, but the car sure sounded and felt like something more than that. The steering wheel was buzzing, the clutch felt wierd too. Might have just been my imagination....

 

[stangeater]

All the feelings may have been from the vibrations of the starter chattering?????

 

[oh_SHO]

That sounds reasonable to me too. If the starter didn't disengage then it is still making contact with the flywheel causing vibrations in the clutch...

 

[platoribs]

starter, starter, starter, starter, starter, starter...

Make it like a montra. We're all praying for your good (starter, starter...) luck!

 

[Ishodu]

Remove the starter see if you see anything wrong if not take a 19mm socket and see if you can rotate the engine by tuning the crank bolt clockwise.

 

[Cobraii976]

It's toast that engine will never live again. You've spit the rods out of it hammered all the bearings Tossed the pistons out of the heads and broken all the cams.


After reading that and finding out the starter failed to disengage he will feel alot better. I had the same thing happen on my 90 but my problem was the fender mounted solinoid had stuck and caused the starter to hang. Sounded horrible and made everything feel funny. But having old Fords I had heard that sound before.