Troubleshooting help please...

[Sneaker98]

found this forum while looking for answers, thanks in advance for any advice. Here goes...

Dealing with a 1999 Ford Explorer Sport V6.

This Explorer has sat outside for 2years without running. We have put a new battery in it, then a new starter.

When we try to start it the starter is clicking but it will not crank the engine.

We tried to turn the engine over manually from the harmonic balancer but could not budge it.

What should I do next? Or am I up the creek?

 

[RomeovilleIL]

Might be up the creek. Obviously we don't know what was wrong with it to begin with that had it sitting unused.

Anyhow... After sitting a long time the cylinders might be rusted in place. Pull all the spark plugs and squirt a little transmission fluid in each one. Let sit overnight. Then get a long bar to add some leverage and try turning the engine again from the balancer. Good chance you may break it free. Once you get it to turn, put the plugs back in and work from there. * Get fresh gas.

 

[Sneaker98]

Might be up the creek. Obviously we don't know what was wrong with it to begin with that had it sitting unused.

Anyhow... After sitting a long time the cylinders might be rusted in place. Pull all the spark plugs and squirt a little transmission fluid in each one. Let sit overnight. Then get a long bar to add some leverage and try turning the engine again from the balancer. Good chance you may break it free. Once you get it to turn, put the plugs back in and work from there. * Get fresh gas.

My bad, I should have included that it ran fine prior to sitting, and the gas has been replaced.

Will try pulling the plugs and putting in some oil. Thanks RomeovilleIL.

 

[RomeovilleIL]

Would go with something other than motor oil as it does not penetrate rust. Transmission fluid is better choice.

 

[radman]

Don't force it

Hi Sneaker,
Do not try to get it to turn completely, just ease it a little. I have freed many engines and if it will move a quarter of an inch then try rotating it back the other way. Add more lube and let set. Try again and see if it will move any further, again turning back and forth but do not over power it. It may take a couple of days of lubing and rocking it back and forth to get it to rotate completely around.

Unless it is mechanically damaged, if it will move at all it can be freed up.
Mike

 

[Sneaker98]

Hi Sneaker,
Do not try to get it to turn completely, just ease it a little. I have freed many engines and if it will move a quarter of an inch then try rotating it back the other way. Add more lube and let set. Try again and see if it will move any further, again turning back and forth but do not over power it. It may take a couple of days of lubing and rocking it back and forth to get it to rotate completely around.

Unless it is mechanically damaged, if it will move at all it can be freed up.
Mike

Mike, Thanks so much. I'm gonna give your and Romeovilles advice a few days effort. Hopefully we can get this sucker back in business.

Thanks to both of you again, and I will update with results.

Travis

 

[BobWiersema]

I have had good luck using liquid wrench. Never tried it on a car engine, just snowmobiles that sat around too long.