Engine locked up!

2002 with 208k miles Tacoma won't start because engine locked up! About a month ago I had to have the transmission replaced. The local Toyota dealership did the work and it cost roughly $2k. Shortly after it would make a bad noise when starting it as if the starter was possibly going bad. Now it won't start and dealership is saying the engine has locked up! Oil was changed every 5k and oil was full and looked good when this happened. My question is..
Is there any possible way that the tranny replacement could have caused this or is it just coincidence?

I replaced the 2002 with a 2017 to get me running again but what should I do with the 2002?
Do you think I should bother getting it running again or should I part it out? I have never parted out a vehicle before but there are a lot of good parts and mods done to the 2002 like ARB front bumper w/ Warn winch and now a new tranny.

 

Really depends on the frame, body condition, type (4/6cyl 2x4, 4x4) of truck to determine if a motor is worth it.... IMO Since you put the Tranny in of course you must have thought it was worth it then... Look at it this way you can swap the motor and get another 200k easy now since the big stuff has just been replaced. On the other hand I'm sure a lot of people here would love to some of those parts! Sorry to hear about the situation... Good luck!

 

What is the cause of the engine not being able to rotate? Until you know that, I wouldn't make any decisions. Since the trans was just removed and replaced, I'd start there.

You say the the starter/flexplate was making noise before the failure. Is it possible the flexplate broke and is somehow jammed or binding? What methods were used to try and rotate the engine? I would try to rotate it backward and if it moves any at all, maybe it is just the flexplate.

Edit: Also, are you sure the starter is not engaged and locked up? You could try unbolting the starter and then see fi the engine will rotate.

 

I would start with pilling all the belts and the starter. Try to turn the motor backwards, using a screwdriver on the flex plate or the front of the motor.

I had a nissan pathfinder, ac compressor locked up dealer said the motor was locked. took the belt off started right up. Also heard about a washer that somehow made it into a water pump. Everyone swore the motor was locked until the water pump came off and it moved.

 

I'd put money on this. The dealership doesn't want to deal with it, so they are brushing you off. Your flex plate probably broke.

 

I always try to start with least expensive thing first.

With what you explained on the recent transmission work it could be something clutch or flywheel related.

 

^^^ All great suggestions from our members. I just swapped in a better motor for my 99 model. Keep your truck.

 

If the vehicle drove in to the dealership, and you paid for a costly repair, it should be driving out of the dealership.

The fact that you drove it there states you had no engine issues whatsoever. How the dealership is trying to pawn this off on the truck's engine locking up suddenly and not taking blame is beyond me...

Speak to the service manager, and ask these same questions as posted above.

 

Just cause they are Toyota Dealer Technicians doesn’t necessarily mean they are worth a crap. Second opinion mandatory here... I can’t imagine this motor is seized. Please keep us informed

 

I've seen new car dealers tell people they needed a new engine when the problem was only leaking injector o-rings. If the problem requires any thought or diagnostic skills they punt it off as needing a new engine to scare people into buying a new car or to charge the diagnostic fee and get them out the door.

 

My bet is the flex plate too

 

And it makes sense too. They don't budge on used truck/car prices to push the prospective buyer into getting a brand new vehicle. I do question their mechanics though, many of them are just parts changers, they can turn wrenches but they have little mechanical aptitude. Throwing parts at a problem is always an expensive and bad idea, they even do this with new vehicles that are in for warranty work.

 

Annnnnd.... it occurred after the transmission was replaced.... crazy stuff happens when you forget to tighten the ones that are tough to get at

 

Thanks every one for great suggestions! I think i'm going to keep it and at least figure out why the engine won't turn. The new tranny is still under warranty and they probably don't want to own up to it.

 

Please don't tell me you are that much of a pushover.

You took a vehicle, that we all assume was in running condition, to the dealership to diagnose, repair, and if applicable, replace the transmission. After having said work done, your vehicle is in even worse condition than when you brought it in and you're letting the dealership get away with it?

You almost should if you're really this gullible, but we're all here to help you not get taken advantage of. Heck, I'd go into that dealership myself if I could and speak on your behalf cause I'd hate for this to happen to a friend or relative but I can't.

 

Put a breaker bar with socket on the crankshaft pulley bolt and attempt to see if you can turn the motor over

This method will right away tell you if its locked up or not

 

When you say it won't start, Does the engine rotate when you turn on the starter?

They may have left some bolts loose on the torque converter and they have backed off and are binding.

 

Just to be clear, I drove it out of the shop after the tranny was replaced. It ran fine for a couple of weeks (with the exception of the bad noise when starting it sometimes). Would not start anymore, then had it towed to shop which was when they called and said needs new motor because engine won’t turn using a breaker bar. So for the record it was not driven into the dealership the second time. It was towed. My problem is it happened too close to the tranny replacement for me to be comfortable with. I took it back in when it made the bad noise while starting and it really wouldn’t duplicate for them at the time. Imagine that. I’m wondering now if
It was vapor locked because it happened on a real hot day?

 

Re-read everything above this. Bet ya a chalupa it’s related to the transmission installation. Good luck.

 

If I had this trouble the first thing I would do is pull the starter and peer into the hole in which it sat. Secondly I would remove the cover that provides access to the flexplate. Make sure to have a dustpan to pick up the carnage that will most likely fall out all over the place. Keep us informed