I picked up a 2000 Forester.  The person I got it from said she was running down the expressway and it started running rough.  She pulled over and it quit.  She could not get it started so she had it towed home.  In her driveway, I could not rotate the engine forward, but it would rotate CCW looking at the engine.

 

I pulled the timing covers - Timing is correct

After rotating it backwards, I could rotate it CW but then it locked.  It sounded like something hit at the back of the block

Coil plugged in, and it tries to start

 

That's where I left it, as the oil was very low and the coolant was way down.  I was out of time for a few weeks.  Work got in the way.

 

164K, Auto Trans

 

The plan:

1) Drain what oil is there and check it for metal

2) Service the oil and coolant and see if it runs

3) Pull the engine if necessary

 

Anyone ever have a flex plate fail and lock up an engine?

 

 

odd

 

 

ok - crazy idea;

 

any weird sounds when you rotate it CCW? kinda wondering if a broken/loose rod might act like a 'pawl' and lift up on one direction, but block the crank in the other direction?

 

maybe confirm compression on the driver's side cylinders when turning backwards - is that even possible?

Edited January 23, 20179 yr by 1 Lucky Texan

Low oil. Low coolant. Run on highway until poor running. Then dies. Not good.

Rod bearing. The corner of the bearing cap is hitting the block inside. She TOATS.

Edited January 23, 20179 yr by Fairtax4me

I don't think you can trust any part of that engine

 

parts car or maybe throw in a new engine but, gotta wonder, what kind of maintenance was missed on the rest of the car?

Agree with others, sad to say, but that engine is shot, and all but done for, and cannot ever be counted on.  Far better to install a good used engine and drive on.

Thanks, yep that's what I thought.

 

Used engine will be installed and all the other maintenance need done.

 

The price was right so no worries.

 

Thanks,

Larry

Drained the oil, yep I could feel chunks inside the pan.  

I pulled the engine yesterday.  

 

Anyone need parts.  The yard core charge is $50 so anything over that is fine by me.