Crank Siezed

[oneandonlydenman]

i have just put a recon gearbox in my avensis i just bought as it flew to bits bursting a big hole in it.

now the car struggles to start and is knocking with the oil warning light flickering on and off.

my question is has the crank siezed or is the shells needing replaced or anything else you guys can recomend.

the guy who fitted the gearbox thought the crank was siezed but someone else thinks if i replace the shells on the crank this will stop the knocking.i was told it will drive but not get very far.

i thought these cars were bomb proof. think i will stick with fords.

whats the verdict

[gazza1286]

Was the engine running OK before fitting the new gearbox? Are you sure the replacement gearbox has been installed properly. Shells on the crankshaft should outlast the shells on the big ends. Both fail due to extreme abuse/overheating/no oil etc.

Did your original gearbox lock-up whilst driving? If it exploded so violently, did the mechanic not anticipate that some damage might have occured to the engine before he started the work?

That said the thrust bearings on the crank could be damaged if the gearbox was fitted badly. The flywheel spiggot bearing may have been damaged/distorted during refitting. This is very unlikely if you're using an experienced mechanic. I assume that the clutch wasn't replaced or checked. If it wasn't centred correctly and force was used there could have been some damage caused on the re-fit. Again, only a complete idiot would do this.

[oneandonlydenman]

Was the engine running OK before fitting the new gearbox? Are you sure the replacement gearbox has been installed properly. Shells on the crankshaft should outlast the shells on the big ends. Both fail due to extreme abuse/overheating/no oil etc.

Did your original gearbox lock-up whilst driving? If it exploded so violently, did the mechanic not anticipate that some damage might have occured to the engine before he started the work?

That said the thrust bearings on the crank could be damaged if the gearbox was fitted badly. The flywheel spiggot bearing may have been damaged/distorted during refitting. This is very unlikely if you're using an experienced mechanic. I assume that the clutch wasn't replaced or checked. If it wasn't centred correctly and force was used there could have been some damage caused on the re-fit. Again, only a complete idiot would do this.

thanks for your reply Gazza. I bought the car from auction and it had damaged gearbox as it would not go into 2nd gear.i drove it for 20 miles to try get home. oil warning light came on and it cut out. i opened the bonet and it was red hot. although the temp gauge never went above normal. i let it cool down but it would not start again. it had siezed in gear. there was no engine oil in car and the gear oil was on the road. he said if it is siezed then only alternative is a new engine.but if it had siezed surely it would not start he says it just starts and has a nock in botom of engine.clutch wasnt relaced or checked.

[gazza1286]

You have a bit of a nightmare car there!

You have no history with the vehicle. The engine is surely scrap. You'd be wasting time on new bearings as there could be other serious problems on the horizon. The cylinders could be badly scored the head gasket may be shot. It's just not worth the chew.

Cut and run or look for a replacement engine.

[oneandonlydenman]

You have a bit of a nightmare car there!

You have no history with the vehicle. The engine is surely scrap. You'd be wasting time on new bearings as there could be other serious problems on the horizon. The cylinders could be badly scored the head gasket may be shot. It's just not worth the chew.

Cut and run or look for a replacement engine.

decided im gonna replace the engine. is it straight forward or will it need re-coded? does anyone have a engine for sale as they are like hens teeth to find?

[Aamir2892]

Was the engine running OK before fitting the new gearbox? Are you sure the replacement gearbox has been installed properly. Shells on the crankshaft should outlast the shells on the big ends. Both fail due to extreme abuse/overheating/no oil etc.

Did your original gearbox lock-up whilst driving? If it exploded so violently, did the mechanic not anticipate that some damage might have occured to the engine before he started the work?

That said the thrust bearings on the crank could be damaged if the gearbox was fitted badly. The flywheel spiggot bearing may have been damaged/distorted during refitting. This is very unlikely if you're using an experienced mechanic. I assume that the clutch wasn't replaced or checked. If it wasn't centred correctly and force was used there could have been some damage caused on the re-fit. Again, only a complete idiot would do this.

thanks for your reply Gazza. I bought the car from auction and it had damaged gearbox as it would not go into 2nd gear.i drove it for 20 miles to try get home. oil warning light came on and it cut out. i opened the bonet and it was red hot. although the temp gauge never went above normal. i let it cool down but it would not start again. it had siezed in gear. there was no engine oil in car and the gear oil was on the road. he said if it is siezed then only alternative is a new engine.but if it had siezed surely it would not start he says it just starts and has a nock in botom of engine.clutch wasnt relaced or checked.

Man that is some serious *****!!!