GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Cause

Correction

Seized accessory drive system component or starter motor

  1. Remove accessory drive belt or belts, and/or starter motor.
  2. Rotate crankshaft by hand at the balancer or flywheel location.

Broken timing chain

    • Inspect timing chain, gears, and crankshaft sprocket locating pin.
    • Repair as required.

Seized camshaft

    • Inspect camshaft and camshaft bearings.
    • Repair as required.

Bent valve in cylinder head

    • Inspect valves and cylinder heads.
    • Repair as required.

Hydraulically locked cylinder:

    • Coolant/antifreeze in cylinder
    • Oil in cylinder
    • Fuel in cylinder
  1. Remove spark plugs and check for fluid. Refer to Coolant in Combustion Chamber .
  2. Inspect for a sticking fuel injector.
  3. Inspect for broken head gasket or gaskets.
  4. Inspect for cracked engine block or cylinder head.

Seized automatic transmission torque converter

  1. Remove the torque converter bolts.
  2. Rotate crankshaft by hand at the balancer or flywheel location.

Material in cylinder:

    • Broken valve
    • Piston material
    • Foreign material
    • Inspect cylinder and cylinder heads for damaged components and/or foreign materials.
    • Repair or replace as required.

Seized crankshaft or connecting rod bearings

    • Inspect crankshaft and connecting rod bearings.
    • Repair as required.

Bent or broken connecting rod

    • Inspect connecting rods.
    • Repair as required.

Broken crankshaft

    • Inspect crankshaft.
    • Repair as required.