what would cause a seized engine

[swynx]

My sister just paid 900 bucks for some cheap grandmas type car. it was apparently owned by druggies as we found coke straws and such in it.

Shes told me she started it this morning. everything seemed fine. went inside. within maybe ten minutes it seized up. cant get it to rotate.

Oil and water are fine. im assuming something was put in the gas tank. any ideas what could have been put in the tank that seized it up so quick?

 

[adsm08]

Bad oil pump can do that.

 

[Brownie Mobile]

Maybe theres a mass amount of coke in the engine and thats why you paid 900 dollars for a 30 second car, maybe you can turn a profit here.

 

[RonD]

I don't think anything in the gas tank would seize it up, no start for sure but it would still turn over.

I assume there was no oil light that came on, or no one around to see it.
Failed oil pump or blocked oil passage can heat up a crankshaft bearing which can seize up the engine, but this is usually accompanied by smoke and the smell of burnt oil, which you don't mention.

Broken timing chain on an interference engine will seize it, or a broken connecting rod, but crankshaft should rotate a bit in one direction or the other.
But these are usually preceded by loud noises.

 

[straycat]

My sister just paid 900 bucks for some cheap grandmas type car. it was apparently owned by druggies as we found coke straws and such in it.

Shes told me she started it this morning. everything seemed fine. went inside. within maybe ten minutes it seized up. cant get it to rotate.

Oil and water are fine. im assuming something was put in the gas tank. any ideas what could have been put in the tank that seized it up so quick?

LOL....Bro...druggies don't take care of anything. "nuff said!!!

 

[killj0y]

Moar details, pull the plugs, check the air filter, fuel filter, listen for the fuel pump, have the battery/alternator/starter checked....

 

[gw33gp]

Many years ago I had a big rig (18 wheeler) engine seize on me. I was going down a moderate decline and the drive wheels locked up. I fortunately had the instinct to push in on the clutch to try to avoid sliding off the road. It worked.

My boss accused me of over-revving the engine while going down the hill. I knew I didn't do that and he had to eat a little crow when the engine was taken apart and a broken oil pump shaft was found.