GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Cause

Correction

Seized accessory drive system component.

  1. Remove the accessory drive belts. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement - Accessory .
  2. Confirm that the engine will rotate. Rotate the crankshaft by hand at the crankshaft balancer or flywheel location.
  3. Repair or replace the components, as required.

Seized automatic transmission torque converter.

  1. Remove the torque converter-to-flywheel bolts.
  2. Confirm that the engine will rotate. Rotate the crankshaft by hand at the crankshaft balancer or flywheel location.
  3. Repair or replace the components, as required.

Broken timing chain.

  1. Inspect the timing chain and gears. Refer to Camshaft Timing Chain and Sprocket Cleaning and Inspection .
  2. Repair or replace the components, as required. Refer to Camshaft Timing Chain and Sprocket Replacement .

Seized timing chain or timing gears.

  1. Inspect the timing chain and gears for foreign material or a seized chain. Refer to Camshaft Timing Chain and Sprocket Cleaning and Inspection .
  2. Repair or replace the components, as required. Refer to Camshaft Timing Chain and Sprocket Replacement .

Seized or broken camshaft.

  1. Inspect the camshaft and the camshaft bearings. Refer to Camshaft and Bearings Cleaning and Inspection .
  2. Repair or replace the components, as required. Refer to Camshaft Replacement .

Bent valve in the cylinder head.

  1. Inspect the valves and the cylinder heads. Refer to Cylinder Head Disassemble .
  2. Repair or replace the components, as required. Refer to Cylinder Head Disassemble .

Seized oil pump.

  1. Inspect the oil pump assembly. Refer to Oil Pump Cleaning and Inspection .
  2. Repair or replace, as required. Refer to Oil Pump, Screen, and Crankshaft Oil Deflector Replacement .

Hydraulically locked cylinder.

    • Coolant/antifreeze in the cylinder.
    • Oil in the cylinder.
    • Fuel in the cylinder.
  1. Inspect for spark plugs saturated by coolant. Refer to Spark Plug Inspection .
  2. Remove spark plugs and check for fluid in the cylinder. When rotating the engine with the spark plugs removed, the piston, on compression stroke, will push fluid from the combustion chamber. Refer to Coolant in Combustion Chamber .
  3. Inspect the spark plugs for oil deposits. Refer to Spark Plug Inspection .
  4. Inspect for failed head gaskets. Perform a cylinder leak down test. Refer to Cylinder Leakage Test
  5. Inspect for a cracked engine block or cylinder head. Refer to Engine Compression Test .
  6. Inspect for a sticking fuel injector. Refer to Fuel Injector Replacement .
  7. Repair or replace the components, as required.

Material in the cylinder.

    • Broken valve.
    • Broken piston rings.
    • Piston material.
    • Foreign material.
  1. Inspect the cylinder for damaged components and/or foreign materials.
  2. Repair or replace the components, as required.

Seized crankshaft or connecting rod bearings.

  1. Inspect crankshaft and connecting rod bearings.
  2. Repair or replace the components, as required.

Bent or broken connecting rod.

  1. Inspect the connecting rods.
  2. Replace the piston and pin as an assembly, as required.

Broken crankshaft.

  1. Inspect the crankshaft.
  2. Repair or replace the components, as required.