engine problems abound

[CaliMorris]

So my engine is completely 100% installed, I thought I fixed the previous starter issue by replacing the starter, but it still won't turn over . If I put a battery charger set to "engine start" on it, it will turn over the engine perfectly....if the spark plugs are out....and you give the crank handle a little shove...

With the spark plugs in, the starter will turn it half a turn, then I have to push the crank handle to get it to do another half turn.

I stuck the screw driver into the spark plug hole and scraped some gritty, oily gunk out of the cylinder, could this be the issue? Or could it be possible broken rings from when I un-seized the engine? I don't think I forced it enough to break the rings, but I have never un-seized an engine before...

If the engine is totaled, I have a wrecked car outside with a mint 3.1L v6 that has been giving me some interesting notions .

[MarkyB]

What not put a new post on the thread that exists about this problem?
I can't remember what has been suggested so far and what you have actually done.

[bmcecosse]

It's really not possible to 'unseize' and engine - it's still seized. You need to strip it down and inspect. The more you force it over - the more damage you are doing.

[CaliMorris]

I just finished taking the engine back out of the car. I have disassembled it all completely, and cleaned it thoroughly. The cylinders are not warped or worn, (at least not enough for me to notice), However, a ring on the 4h piston, and 2 of the rings on the second piston are mashed/ground/stuck flush with the pistons, and none were broken like I was expecting.
While this might cause compression issues, I am still at a loss as to why it is so hard to turn over. with the pistons out it turns over very easily, but I can't see anything wrong with the pistons that would be causing this. Should I just put the car in storage until I can buy a new engine? [frame][/frame]

[bmcecosse]

Obviously - that ring has been pushed out of the groove and will be dragging horribly. You 'may' get away with new rings on the piston - it will depend on the condition of the ring groove. Similarly with the other piston you say has broken rings....... When assembling - you need to fit one piston assembly at a time and ensure the engine spins over easily by hand before going on to fit the next piston - until all 4 are in place and turning easily. Are you sure the correct con-rod caps are on each rod - and each one the right way round? If the bores are ok - you may well get away with a single piston and rings, and swap rings around to make good the broken ones - ask on here if anyone has a good spare they will give/sell to you. Do you know if the bores are standard - or oversize? Any markings on the top of the piston ie STD = standard or 020 = 20 thou oversize. No marking at all generally means standard bore.....

[MarkyB]

Where does he say broken rings?
I'm not seeing it.
That piston looks fine, albeit dirty and gunked up with carbon.
Whatever else, the ring grooves will need cleaning out.
If you buy new rings you can make a cleaning tool out of a broken ring or just use the open end of a whole one.
Watch out, the edges are pretty sharp.

[bmcecosse]

' mashed/ground/stuck' = broken in my book.......certainly not fit for re-use. However I suspect the real problem must have been con-rod to crankshaft connections........ Cheapest fix will be a 'donation' of a complete spare piston which hopefully would rlease enough rings from others to make up a set..........

[MarkyB]

I agree that the seizing problem is elsewhere, probably con rod to crank.
I wouldn't have a qualm about reusing that piston, as long as it isn't damaged freeing the rings off.

[bmcecosse]

But he can't use these oil rings now......and if the groove is damaged....

[MarkyB]

I wouldn't reuse the rings, just the piston.
Until they are out the slots are unknown.

[CaliMorris]

large 2 on each piston, not sure if that is relevant to whether the cylinders are oversize or not. I'll post again with a pic when I get the rings off.

[bmcecosse]

2 inside a 'diamond' is just a grade mark.