Engine Locked up then Not

[eddiezuskin]

Hi group. Weirdest thing. First time out after being winterized. Had 2 fresh batteries, cranked starter, engine turned over for a couple seconds then just froze. You could hear solenoid kick nice and hard from strong battery and could see that starter was trying to turn motor. I put a ratchet on crank but couldn't turn it. Got busy moving in for the season and after we were done gave it another try and it started to crank a little then a little more and finally started. Only reason I can figure was too much transmision fluid in engine( I use it to fog and stall engine to winterize) and it acted as a hydrolock. I've been winterizing like that for 6 or 7 years, slowly pouring in tranny fluid as the pink stuff is running low from the 5 gallon jug and then enough to stall motor before pink stuff is empty.
Anyone experienced this?
Eddie

 

[sprink56]

I would agree you had a hydro lock. I have done what you did in the past but always loosened up the spark pugs and removed the coil wire so it would not fire.

Don't over do it or you might break a piston ring.

Sounds like you are ok though.

 

[electricaldoctor]

I'm interested in what manual you found that recomends tranny fluid to fog the engine. Not be a critic, but I've just never heard of using anything other than fogging oil or two cycle oil for fogging, this is the first and only time I've ever heard using tranny fluid.

I've been using it for 20+ years without any problems. :thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[eddiezuskin]

The first mechanic that winterized my boat had been using it for over 20 years. Besides the last engine only lasting 250 hours it didn't cause any problems:>).
Eddie

 

[electricaldoctor]

The first mechanic that winterized my boat had been using it for over 20 years. Besides the last engine only lasting 250 hours it didn't cause any problems:>).
Eddie

Why don't you just come out and say what's on your mind Eddie? We're all big boys here ... no need to ***** foot around. Because there was no 'smilie' used at the end of your comment up above, I can only assume that you were serious to insinuate that tranny fluid caused that engine to prematurely fail at 250 hours. Do you believe in the tooth fairy too? I will apologize in advance if I interpreted your reply incorrectly. :smt021

 

[tdappleman]

I've heard of small (very small) amounts of transmission fluid being used on older engines to remove carbon from the intake valves and combustion chamber. Similar to using Seafoam it gets sucked in at a very slow rate through a vacuum hose and is supposed to help. I wouldn't do it or recommend it - especially with other products on the market specifically for the purpose. When winterizing, use a fogging oil which is designed to reduce corrosion and will not cause any type of other problems when you put back into service. Hydro lock can cause way too many problems to make taking a chance worth it - rings, valves and even the head gasket could be damaged.