Seized Engine After Transmission Replacement

Asked by tyler May 14, 2021 at 03:38 AM about the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 i Grand Touring Hatchback

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

So I had a mobile mechanic stop by for a weekend and replace the
transmission in my vehicle.  He said he was able to get the job done very
easily and didn't run into any issues.  After everything was put back together,
the car did not start (When it was before the job started) and you could hear
the starter clicking but not being able to turn the engine.  I went to check the
crankshaft pulley a couple days later and was unable to rotate it in any
direction.  My engine is surely seized.  Is there an idea on what exactly could
have possibly happened to the engine while the transmission replacement
was going on?  It'd be hard to bend any valves without being completely
inside the engine, right?  I'm hoping to see if I can't get him back here to
maybe do the job over again and see if he can't see where the mistake
happened.  Maybe there is something I can do for a possible simple fix?  

2 Answers

Make him fix it. Obviously he screwed up the job badly. You did not start and drive the car before paying him? Stop the payment if you can!

1 people found this helpful.
157,515

When trying to turn the engine by hand or with a breaker bar at the crankshaft pulley you should remove all the spark plugs. This will prevent the engine from building any compression that will make the engine very difficult, if not impossible, to turn by hand. That way you can know for sure if the engine is seized. I would suspect that the problem is actually with the transmission he installed. If the torque converter in the transmission can't turn for some reason the engine will not be able to turn either. The two are bolted directly together. Hope that helps! Jim

1 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

MAZDA3

Looking for a Used MAZDA3 in your area?

CarGurus has 1,502 nationwide MAZDA3 listings starting at $2,299.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Jimmy Skobyak
    Reputation
    800
  • #2
    Vandura_3644
    Reputation
    790
  • #3
    GuruZ48FP
    Reputation
    540
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Honda Civic
151 Great Deals out of 3,404 listings starting at $2,495
Used Mazda MAZDA6
15 Great Deals out of 172 listings starting at $2,999
Used Mazda CX-5
65 Great Deals out of 2,779 listings starting at $4,999
Used Toyota Corolla
119 Great Deals out of 1,945 listings starting at $1,995
Used Honda Accord
37 Great Deals out of 905 listings starting at $2,799
Used Toyota Camry
53 Great Deals out of 957 listings starting at $2,212
Used Mazda CX-3
14 Great Deals out of 498 listings starting at $6,499
Used Hyundai Elantra
154 Great Deals out of 3,212 listings starting at $1,850
Used Honda Civic Hatchback
19 Great Deals out of 346 listings starting at $11,977
Used Mazda MAZDA3 Sport
23 Great Deals out of 718 listings starting at $3,888
Used Lexus IS
27 Great Deals out of 339 listings starting at $5,800
Used Honda CR-V
84 Great Deals out of 3,826 listings starting at $1,995
Used Subaru Impreza
21 Great Deals out of 451 listings starting at $3,999

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.