Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi Everyone

Please help, if you can

I had a post on this forum last week about my seized engine - I have replaced it and had the van running for two days and the same thing has happened.

When the van stopped the engine is red hot and after 25 mins it still is.

Thanks
Jack

Different engine? Radiator blocked? Any parts transferred over - such as water pump ?? Plenty oil in the engine? Could be of course the 'new' engine was already on the way out -where did you get it ??

Yes different engine and I have transferred starter motor, alternator and carburretor.
Is it possible that it could be the starter motor?

Also when we took the original engine out it 'freed' itself?

Seized Gearbox?

Gear box is definately OK - really don't think it's the actual engine, if thats possible

Don't know if it's relevant but both times this has happened I was travelling uphill (not overley steep)

Plenty of oil and water, but, engine exremely hot!!

Plenty of water but if the rad is blocked it will overheat and seize. You should be able to smell it before then

Two ways an engine can seize - 1) lack of cooling so the engine gets v hot and the pistons 'weld' to the bores or 2) lack of oil so the crank welds to the conrods....... You must check that radiator ! But surely there were warning signs - 'hot' smell, furious pinking, loss of power - that sort of thing???

GREAT NEWS !! ......Sort of

The engine DID seem to be seized, but, the problem was actually the starter motor

I have now installed new starter motor and am up and running again. Phew.

I hope the longer I use the van the better I will become at identinfying whats gone wrong.

Just hope it won't cost as much next time

Thanks for all your help and suggestions

Jack

If you prise off the end cap on the starter motor and turn it with a suitable spanner it will disengage. Problems come when the bolts holding the motor to the engine backplate come loose.