Engine quit while driving .. 85 Transporter

[BennyPickup]

If he had an engine shutting down due to lack of oil and seizing, trying to add oil and run it may very well lead to it blowing up.[/quote]

Is this true??? Last thing I would want to have happen. If it is seized that means my mechanic could get it going without extensive motor work? If it comes down to it I feel as though a new motor may be the way to go, rather than have it fixed now for several thousand (I don’t trust that I can do a job like this)

[?Waldo?]

When an engine seizes due to lack of oil, major engine surgery is always needed, but how expensive or extensive that surgery needs to be depends on some factors. The lack of oil will cause metal on metal contact, extreme heat and parts that should not ever actually touch get welded together. Trying to start/run it afterwards can cause what is termed a 'tossed rod'. That condition is were a rod seizes to the crankshaft and then when the crankshaft is forced to spin the small end of the rod breaks free of the piston and the rod smashes through the side of the engine case. Prior to a tossed rod, the engine is often rebuildable. After a tossed rod, there is no core value and it is scrap.

[Paulbeard]

[mikemtnbike]

Try just grabbing the alternator belt and turning the crank pulley with it. Your compression is probably not great and it should be possible, albeit difficult. You can pull up on the belt to increase it's tension to get more grip, or twisting the alternator pullet itself by hand using the belt as gripping point- don't pry on those fan blades, you'll break one. Even a little bit of movement is better than none.

Don't go doomsday yet. Hopefully it's something simple, but might as well rule motor seizure first.
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[VicVan]

Mike above is right, on my 2.1 I'm able to turn the pulley slowly by hand.
If you can't do it by hand, then try with a wrench on the main pulley's axle.
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'90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH)

[BennyPickup]

[BennyPickup]

Oh, and headlights did turn on to (I think) normal brightness. So I don’t think it’s that

[Wildthings]

[BennyPickup]

Yup, she’s seized. Luckily my mechanic has a decent one to instal for an okay price. Can’t imagine anyone would be interested in a broken down truck so I’m going to do it.
Thanks again for the help.

[E1]

Dang, was hoping it hadn't.

Glad it'll be reasonably "easy" to get a new one in. Think you made the right call in keeping it on the road -- for your use. Now is the downside, later the up.

Best of Luck. 👍🏼
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‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[VicVan]

Sorry to hear that. Best of luck with the new engine!
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'90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH)

[Paulbeard]

I was hoping for an update but this wasn't the one I wanted. Glad you found a fix quickly.
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Currently -> Frida: 87 Tizian Red (mostly) Vanagon GL Westfalia w/ 2.0L ABA conversion
Formerly -> Steward of a 73 Super Beetle (Beater) and 67 Beetle 1300 (Little Max) both names by POs

[Lkreegz]

So my 91 vanagon carat just did the same thing. I was driving it everything was fine. I checked the oil while filling up and it was really low. I put 3/4 a quart in and drove 2 more hours. Checked the oil again and it was still a little low so put the last 1/4 of the quart in. Drove it 10 minutes and then it stalled and lost power. It won’t turn over or crank. Battery seems fine electronics still turn on. When I turn the key over a bit the battery and oil light comes on. One of the belts in my engine was off but I put it back on, no damage to it. The crankshaft moves with some resistance sometimes. I’m having it towed but jot sure anyone in this town works on VW’s.

[4Gears4Tires]

That belt that came off... was it the water pump belt? Because if so, your motor is certainly toast.
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'87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition

[Wildthings]

If you can turn your crankshaft by hand then its unlikely the engine overheated and froze up. Was engine engine covered in coolant though? Did you have steam everywhere when the engine quit? If you drove it for ten miles with no water pump then yes you may have damaged the engine, the engine would have been hotter than blazes if this happened. Note that antifreeze spraying out of an over heating engine may well kill the ignition.

You should probably start by making sure the FI relay has power and is closing when the key is turned on. You should be able to hear the fuel pump come on momentarily with the key is turned to the "ON" position, followed by making sure the coil has power and going through the troubleshooting procedure for the Hall sender.

[djkeev]

If it was the alternator/power steering belt that came off, a dash warning light would have illuminated.

It absolutely fascinates me how people today just seem to motor on with illuminated dash warning lights!

Back in the 1970’s My stereotypical blonde cousin continued on when her oil light came on in her Beetle.
After a few engine rebuilds/replacements my Uncle wired a kill relay for the ignition.
Oil light on?
Engine off.

That was the last engine rebuild.

Dave
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Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert