Friday, September 23, 2011

Can a motor be locked up without noticing anything going bad?

I have a Ford Escort LX 97. I left the dome light turned on for 8 hrs and when I tried to start my car back it worked but I needed a couple of tries (so the battery was low I presume).

I drove for 2hrs and the day after I couldn't start my car.

Jumpstarting worked fine. I got my battery tested and it said battery perfect. Two days after I couldn't jump start the car again.

I towed the car to a mechanic and he said my motor is locked up and basically I have to change car. He said he cant know the cause because he doesn't know the history of the car but he suspects no oil in the engine,

I never noticed any leaks and I changed oil recently.

Is it possible to lock up an engine without noticing it? How could I have driven till home with a locked engine?

Better tow the car somewhere else before throwing it away?



Thanks a lot for the help.Can a motor be locked up without noticing anything going bad?Sounds fishy....you can check the oil level to see if it's low or not and there should be evidence of a major leak....usually, a car that's really low on oil should set off a low oil pressure warning light for some time before it locks up, it will also make ticking sounds from no oil getting to the lifters before it gets to the point of locking up. I'd get a second opinion. If you have a no crank situation, it could be a bad neutral safety switch, starter, cables or ignition switch too. Mileage?

This site has repair shops recommended by its members...just plug in your zipe code

http://www.cartalk.com/content/mechx/

or try calling AAA for a list of their recommended shops.Can a motor be locked up without noticing anything going bad?my dads oil pump died without any kind of notice.

he also got a second opinion, becuase he thought he might be lied to, but same answer.



If you didnt see any oil anywhere on engine or on ground... probly not a leakCan a motor be locked up without noticing anything going bad?check to see if you have the proper oil level in it. I have heard of garages not tightening the drain plug and after several miles it jiggles loose and falls out. I suspect something other than lock up. have it checked by another mechanicCan a motor be locked up without noticing anything going bad?If you never saw any oil leaks or signs of oil spraying the engine compartment, it may not be the problem. Your check engine light or oil light would have come on before the engine locked up. I would suggest having it towed to another mechanic before you decide to write off the car. It may not be as bad as you are being told.Can a motor be locked up without noticing anything going bad?Check the oil level yourself,at this shop.And tow to another.I had a car come from another shop once,said it needed a engine and the alternator bearing had frozen locking the engine down.Please get another opinion