I have a major problem. I love this car but I think It may have just died. I believe my motor may have locked up on me. I was driving on the highway doing about 60mph and WHAM! it cut off. When I tried to start it I got nothing. It wouldn't even turn over, just a click at the starter. I replaced the starter($200), I replaced the battery($50) and the starter engaged the fly wheel but it still wouldn't turn over. It was like the fly wheel was stuck. If anybody has had this problem or have any ideas of what it could be, PLEASE let me know. I'm desperate and you guys are all I got since I don't trust many mechanics to touch MY car.If you have Yahoo Messenger, I can be IMed at "masterplan89". That's also my email at yahoo. If any of you think it is locked, I'm also shopping motors since I don't know if it's possible to unlock a motor. If I can, let me know. If you know of any motors for a 92SE 24valve twin cam, let me know and include price, email and location.

 

 

I had a similar problem. One of the pulleys that holds my timing belt in place broke, it happened at about 60 on the highway. I got that same clicking noise when I tried to start it back up. This is also what happens when the timing belt breaks.

Here is one way to check. Take off the distributor cap. It's the plastic part where all the spark plug wires are connected. Undernearth there is the ignition rotor, if you can turn this freely, then your pulleys are not being held by the belt/chain, and it or of of the pulleys are broken.

Now I have a VG (VG30E engine), which has a timing belt, but I think that the VE (VG30DE engine) with the dual overhead cams has a chain.

Regardless...prepare yourself. If the belt/chain came off while you were driving, then that's bad. Both engines have an interference interface between the pistons and the valves. And the valves will be damaged severly. Some will tell you that this means a new engine, but these cars have a very good lower end (of the engine).

I got away with purchasing a set of rebuilt cylinder heads for about $350 (parts only, VE heads cost more) and the labor was about $600.

For your sake, I hope I just wasted my breath.

 

to add to the post above... Salvage yard heads for a VE go for about $250 each, which will still require a rebuild before I would recommend installing them in another car. the rebuilds run $60-130 /head depending on the shop.

install will be another $500 or so, and that's only assuming there's no damage but the heads.


then again, this could be one ofa hundrred problems with the engine.. be prepared for the worst, but don't assume it's that bad until you get it to a mechanic.