ALFAGTV6.COM

[rhodes1]

Hi guys.

So, I have had my engine pulled during a respary and then the paint house placed it back in and reattached all the bits and bobs and gues what. It won't turn over. I removed the valve covers and two of them are not winding up and down, they are just stuck. And the fly wheel will rotate about half a turn and then lock up.

The engine ran fine before it was pulled and has not been run since, so I am not imagining the engine could be seized. Any thoughts?

Best Wishes

RW

[Zamani]

CHeck the cam timing. Maybe the timing belt skipped 2 teeth or more.

[sh0rtlife]

id probably go ahead and change out the belt while your ing there and verify its all where it should be

[jol]

id probably go ahead and change out the belt while your ing there and verify its all where it should be

Overhaul the belt tensioner aswell

[rhodes1]

...we've put a new belt on and adjusted it spot on. It almost feels like there is a nut or something jammed in a valve, but it does not seem likely as the engine ran perfect before they pulled it. Could incorrect re connection of the transmission arm to the motor affect this?

Thank you.

RW

[mjr]

Hmmm been here before .

By transmission arm , if you are talking about the transmission selector rod, if there was a problem, with the parking brake off, the car would lurch forward if it were stuck in gear, when you attempt to start. Its possible the garage have done something really stupid, connecting the propshaft up, and managed to jam the fly wheel solid, though its hard to see how.

Its more likley in my opinion, that the garage have managed to mess up the timing putting the engine back in (ie miss timed it, or the belt has slipped a tooth or two), they have then attempted to start it, after re-installing the engine, and bent a valve or two? Are these guys experienced in alfa v6's???? It happened to a friend of mine with his gtv6. garage removed the engine for body work, put it back in, tried to shove the car forward in the work shop whilst in gear, switched off,with the belt not tensioned up. result, belt slips 3-4 teeth. They then tensioned the belt up as they had previously checked all the marks etc, before they had shoved the car forward. When they came to start it, it fired on 2-3 cylinders, blew the plenum chamber off and bent 3 valves, and the motor went solid. They then totally denied it afterwards. even though timing was out by a big margin. Its only when we removed the plugs and boroscoped the cylinders much later, we were able to see why the engine turned maybe half a stroke, because of 3 valve stems bent solid in their guides.

pull the plugs and cam covers, and see if you can manage to see the piston crowns for any damage.

[rhodes1]

Thank you for the feed back. I know the engine was never started once they put it back in. The body shop had no experince with the GTV-6 motor, so when they installed it again the left all, and I do mean all, the wiring undone. The car was then taken to a Alfa specialist who is trying to deduce the issue, but having no luck. Which is why I am here. It's te stangest thing. How does a motor not turn if it has not been started since the last time the engine was shut off?

Thank you again.

RW

[Zamani]

Hmmm... guys, what are the chances the bolts on the flywheel and the donut were not fitted properly?

[mjr]

Well, if thats the case, Im inclined to agree with zamani, it has to be something to do with incorrect fitting of the propshaft to the flywheel. perhaps they have mixed the bolts up. I would disconect the shaft from the fly wheel, then see if the engine will turn. Leave the plug leads off, so that it doesnt start. If they have messed up the propshaft connection, its likely you will have balance problems now too.

[x-rad]

DON"T turn the engine any more until you find the problem!

[Daniel]

Hang on, do I read your first post correct.

I removed the valve covers and two of them are not winding up and down, they are just stuck.

2 valves are not moving at all ? I'd say that valve movement has nothing to do with gear selectors, prop shaft, donuts or the colour of paint they put on the car. It is 2 stuck valves and if you've used the starter motor or any decent force to turn the motor and let it go "clunk" (technical term) into the valves then it's time to remove the head/s because you've probably bent them. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

[MD]

The car was then taken to a Alfa specialist who is trying to deduce the issue, but having no luck.

What a joke. Alfa specialist eh? Should be in the business of selling toothpaste.

So the engine was taken out to do a paint job and put back when it was finished. How about some more bad news?

It's not the same engine.

If it ran before but won't turn now, it's been swapped for a dud. Alternatively parts have been swapped off it and dud stuff put back.

Check your documentation for the correct engine number for a start.

[rhodes1]

I'll be passing all this along to my mechanic. He thinks somene tossed a nut or bolt into my motor and has ordered an angled magnet to se if he can pull it out. Personally I remain skeptical as I can't imagine whom I angered as I paid them all very well and am...well...a decent enough sort. But will just have to wait and see.

I will be checking my documents for non VIN numbers.

Cheers.

RW