Series 3 Crankshaft Pulley suddenly seized?

roiltide said:

Hi all!

Not quite sure what's going on here so I'd appreciate input.

Three weeks ago the water pump in my SIII 2.25 diesel started leaking water, and I ordered a replacement.

I did not leave the engine sitting with the pump off, they were directly swapped a few weeks ago. While the rad and fan were out, I also replaced the fan belt today - went to check the tension in the belt and found that the crankshaft pulley isn't turning at all. The engine and crankshaft pulley were running just find three weeks ago.

In the intervening three weeks it's been sat garaged, not moving.

I haven't tried starting the engine for fear that, if something has badly seized, that could damage the engine further.

I'd appreciate any advice on what might have happened, what I can try to un-seize the engine, and/or whether trying to start the engine would be advisable.

If more information would be helpful please don't hesitate to ask.

Thanks in advance for any help!

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lynall said:

So you cannot move the crank pulley with the engine turned off?
Start it up and see what happens, I reckon all will be okay.

Ps welcome to LZ.

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dag019 said:

Check the obvious like it is all out of gear! Then put a larger bar on it. If it is stuck tight enough that it wont turn with a large bar on the crank the starter will not turn it, but I doubt that is actually the case.

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roiltide said:

Hiya all -

Thanks for the help and useful advice. I was able to get movement when rocking it in gear, and the starter then turned it over first time.

Of course, since then I've now developed some kind of weird new issue with the charge light not working but... hey ho - it is The Order Of Things.

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