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Engine Will Not Crank - Crankshaft Will Not Rotate

Engine Will Not Crank - Crankshaft Will Not Rotate


Cause Correction
Seized accessory drive system component


1. Remove the accessory drive belt or belts.

2. Rotate the crankshaft by hand at the crankshaft balancer or the engine flywheel location.

3. Repair or replace as required.


Hydraulically locked cylinder


• Coolant/antifreeze in cylinder

• Oil in cylinder

• Fuel in cylinder



1. Remove spark plugs and check for fluid.

2. Inspect for broken head gasket or gaskets.

3. Inspect for cracked engine block or cylinder head.

4. Inspect for a sticking fuel injector.

5. Repair or replace as required.


Seized automatic transmission torque converter


1. Remove the torque converter bolts.

2. Rotate the crankshaft by hand at the crankshaft balancer or the engine flywheel location.

3. Repair or replace as required.


Material in cylinder


• Broken valve

• Piston material

• Foreign material



1. Inspect cylinder for damaged components and/or foreign materials.

2. Repair or replace as required.


Seized crankshaft or connecting rod bearings


1. Inspect the crankshaft and the connecting rod bearings.

2. Repair as required.


Bent or broken connecting rod


1. Inspect the connecting rods.

2. Repair as required.


Broken crankshaft


1. Inspect crankshaft.

2. Repair as required.


Seized or broken camshaft


1. Inspect the camshaft or camshafts.

2. Inspect the cylinder head camshaft journals for damage.

3. Repair as required.


Seized or broken balance shaft


1. Inspect balance shaft.

2. Inspect the block for damaged balance shaft bearings.

3. Repair as required.


Seized or broken camshaft timing components


1. Inspect the following sprockets:

• The crankshaft sprocket

• The exhaust sprockets

• The intake sprockets

2. Inspect the following chains:

• The primary camshaft drive chain

• The secondary camshaft drive chains

3. Inspect the following guides:

• The lower primary camshaft drive chain guide

• The upper primary camshaft drive chain guides

4. Inspect the secondary camshaft drive chain shoe.

5. Inspect the following tensioners:

• The primary camshaft drive chain tensioner

• The secondary camshaft drive chain tensioners

6. Repair as required.


Seized or broken valve train components


1. Inspect the followers, rocker arms.

2. Inspect the lifters.

3. Inspect the valves.

4. Inspect the valve springs.

5. Repair as required.