Seized Crankshaft

[R56WUF]

Morning all

Just after some input from folk who may have experienced similar symptoms to the below.

My car (2004/106K) is currently poorly. The vehicle has been well maintained and recently had the timing belt etc done as part of a major overhaul. This was a few months ago and has been running fine. That was until a couple of weeks ago.

While driving at circa 0mph to 20mph in Friday rush hour traffic the car started misbehaving and had symptoms that I would describe as similar to a coil pack failure. It wasn’t running right but no warning lights or concern on the dials. I travelled circa 20m or so and turned off the engine, with the plan of switching it back on to see if this was simply a gremlin. Unfortunately the car then refused to start.

The car has gone back to the Audi specialist who did the timing belt work and his initial findings were that the belt felt slack when he squeezed his hand through and the crank pulley was seized. Given the potential for a tensioner failure I contacted Audi UK and they remain interested in the issue. However now the specialist has advised that having stripped the front down, the timing belt itself is not slack.

The oil has been drained and there are no signs of swarf although I’ve requested that the sump is removed to make sure. The only other symptom that is worth mentioning is when I was attempting to start the car, not knowing the crank shaft was seized, the car made zero noise when turning the ignition and the battery gauge dipped, almost as if the alternator was the issue.

Mechanically the gearbox has been fine and had the ATF oil and filter done at the same time as the timing belt. I have recently had the F125 switch diagnosed and this was on order to be replaced. Unfortunately the car visited the garage before the part arrived!

Any thoughts or shared experiences please? Happy to answer any pertinent questions!

[Shoppinit]

The crank won't move at all? Doesn't sound good. Got to be major mechanical failure.

[R56WUF]

I’ve asked for clarity on the not moving at all, even to see if it’s a case of mm worth of movement.

Just frustrated that there isn’t anything overly obvious as the spark plugs have also been removed to use a torch to look inside but there is nothing.

[simonpoulton]

When your first attempted to start it, did it sound like the starter motor kicked in a small amount?

My battery went flat a couple of weeks ago, not completely, and gave it a couple of hours fast change and still wouldn't turn over (just sounded like it tried for a split second). Tried jump starting it, same thing. At this point was thinking oh god, the starter motor or worse. Did a full overnight charge and started absolutely fine. I'm guessing these engines need quite a bit of current to get them turning over.

Doesn't crankshaft problems manifest themselves as a knocking first?

[PipRS6]

The symptons when trying to start it sound like its seized solid. It wont make any noise as its not turning over and the battery gauge will drop as the starter is trying to turn it. Did the starter solenoid click when you turn the key? Hopefully I'm wrong but it sounds terminal....

[R56WUF]

No, it doesn’t sound like the starter motor.

I’m a bit nonplussed at the crankshaft being seized without any major symptoms. The only thing my wife described was a spinning noise but this was within the same period as described above, so nothing prolonged.

It will get fixed, whatever it is. It’s too special a car not to. Obviously depending what it is will depend on what I take as it may well prove to be an opportunity for upgrades.

[R56WUF]

The AA mannie also tried to jump the car with one of those battery pack type things but that didn’t do anything, unsurprisingly now I have some hindsight!

[MeTsU]

Have you attempted to turn the motor over by hand? Have you been able to scan the car?

[R56WUF]

Faults from the scan are

16985 - Internal Control Module Memory Check Sum Error
17530 - O2 Sensor Heating Bank 2 Sensor
17983 - Right Engine Mount Solenoid
17481 - Mass Flow Air Sensor 2
17548 - O2 Sensor Bank 2
18043 - Powertrain Databus Missing Message From A/C ECU

[R56WUF]

The car is decatted which explains some of the above.

[R56WUF]

Appreciate the replies and thoughts folks

[ahoooga]

Can you hear the starter motor engage before when it would normally turn the crank over ?
Your wife said a 'spinning sound' hence the question, and have you heard that noise yourself yet ?

[R56WUF]

I don’t believe so.

Is there an easy way of uploading a video on here as I have a video of me attempting to start the car while waiting for the breakdown provider?

[MeTsU]

I don’t believe so.

Is there an easy way of uploading a video on here as I have a video of me attempting to start the car while waiting for the breakdown provider?

Upload to YouTube and link here perhaps?

[Nobby]

You’ll need to see if there’s a problem with the cam chains and/or tensioner too. Will need rocker covers off to do that.

Does the crank move at all? If something was stopping it from moving you’d expect it to takeaway rock back and forth a little. Also take the spark plugs out and have a look down to see any debris.

Unless the head gasket has instantly let go and it’s hydraulically locked on you....