Help, 2.0 NC engine seized?

Technical Area Engine, Transmission, Exhaust etc
2

Hey all,

 

Its been ages since I last posted but I am in need of help from all you experts. I have a 2.0 Sport NC, that has been laid up all winter, last run in September last year (2018). I usually change the oil before laying her up, but this time I didn’t. Over the weekend, I went out to start her up and give her a little fettling, but what I thought was a flat battery has now turned into a nightmare. 

The engine wouldn’t turn over, so charged the battery up fully. Tried again and still wont turn over. Got out the jump leads, and she still refused, all I hear is a clunking of the starter motor, but the engine wont turn, I’m worried she has seized up? I dipped the oil, and she is showing just under half on the dip stick. After much googling I’m beginning to think that running on low (ish) oil at the end of the summer, and then just being left has seized up some of the engine internals - pistons etc? I’ve been told to remove all the spark plugs and drip a little engine oil down each one, leave it for a week, then rock the car whilst in gear to see if I can free it up.

Anyone else had something similar or can suggest a way of breathing life into her?

 

Just in case, she was running sweet, with no un due knocks or funny noises before laying up in September.

3

I’m no expert but I’d suspect the starter motor before anything too major. I hope it works out for you okay.

4

Try doing as suggested but try putting it in 5th/6th gear and rocking it NOW to see if it is the engine that is ‘locked’. Look forward to a report back.

5

Thanks guys, soon as the weather improves I’ll head out, remove the sparks, and give it a gentle rock before adding any oil. 

 

I hate google…….…… I’ve now got my thoughts on a 2.5l engine swap, if mine is dead. although I doubt SWMBO will see it the same way.

6

As you’ve found out  showing oil below the max mark is a no no for the Mk3 engines. All may not be lost and as said it could be the starter motor, a location in your post would help, at least we could point you in the right direction.

7

Living in south Devon……………….

8

Hello MX5 Ali

Hopefully your 2 litre engine has not seized.  I note you are considering a replacement

2.5 litre engine, if this is the case then I suggest you contact Roddisons Motorsport

Sheffield S9 1US 0114 244 5300 ask for Paul.

Roddisons have fitted a good number of 2.5 litre engines.

Regards

Keith

9

I watch all the car refurb shows and they are very rarely seized and these thigs get stood for 10’s of years.

They normally turn the crank pulley by hand to check.

 

  

10

I know that NCs don’t take too kindly to being low on oil level, but if the car was running OK last time you used it, I’d be surprised if it simply seized up over the lay-off.  I guess anything is possible though, but I’d be inclined to eliminate the easier possibilities first - battery and starter motor.

Good luck, and I look forward to hearing the outcome - interested party you see, because I have one of these models too.

 

11

Agreed plugs out, 6 gear and push the car and if it moves check the engine turns.

Sounds to me like electrics, earthing or starter motor or solenoid issue.

12

Original battery? Unless it’s been replaced it does sound like it’s well and truly goosed and that’s your problem.

13

Battery was fully charged up. (overnight) After it failed to start again the next day, I suspected the battery so hence pulled out the jump leads. Still failed to start, just a clicking, and a clunk from the starter motor, sounded like it was trying but engine wouldn’t turn.

Soon as the rain stops I’ll take out the sparks, and try pushing the car in gear. Watch this space.

1 Like
14

Remove the plugs and try to turn it on the crankshaft bolt

15

Where in South Devon are you? There are a number of us live not too far away who perhaps might have a look.

16

 

Engines that were running fine don’t just seize up after not being started for a few months. 

Either your battery is goosed, or there’s a problem with your starter.  For your starter…, as you intend…,

put the car in second gear, and then give it a hefty push. If the starter is jammed and just clicks, that may jolt it free.

17

Your engine will not be seized.
You have either poor battery connections, corroded earth to chassis connections, corroded starter motor terminals or even the starter motor has come loose and not earthing.
The jump leads you used hopefully are not crappy local car shop leads, you really need a decent heavy duty leads.
When you say the battery has had a ‘full’ charge…has it? or has it just had enough charge to show 12v, a discharged battery can take over 24hrs to recover fully.
AS others have stated we can have trucks parked up for 10 years or more and i’ve never known one to seize.

This is one of those situations where you need to allow others to help you, hands on.

18

I agree it’s very unlikely to be seized. As suggested a rocking the car in gear with handbrake off might free a stuck starter motor.

19

 

Im not being argumentative here but why is rocking the car in gear going to free off a starter motor that isnt engaged with the ring gear 

genuinely intrested in your train of thought .

 

 

20

Thanks for all the replies.
Bought a new battery - with 430 cranking amps so thinking it will be stronger than stock battery. Engine still not turning!
Although, when I tried starting engine it moved just slightly. Placed a piece of tape over the top crank pulley, and after one attempt this had moved approx quarter of a turn.
Looking on the internet this mzr engine can seize if run low on oil. Starter is fine.
Have now removed all the sparks, and left a little engine oil to run down into the piston.
I’m thinking it’s not seized but it’s not far off.
I’ll update later.