So what happen to the engine????

[jthomp23777]

1998 Ford Escort 2.0. w/ 152,000. Always maintain it properly. All fluid changes and maintenance done regularly, new timeing belt at 135,000,third one since new. Just finish driving,turn it off. Went to restart and starter would just clank.Thought it was the starter, though it didn't sound like a bad starter.I removed the starter and before replacing starter I turn the crank. The engine locks up at about 180 degree turning either way. Look at timing belt, looks good. Remove valve cover, valves looks good. Any suggestions as to what could of happened to the engine. Did not make any noise than the usual engine sounds before this happened? Any ideas as to why this happen?Also found the starter to test good................

[denisond3]

The Escort engines had a history of dropping one of the inlet valve seats into the combustion chamber. This would involve the seat breaking into pieces first. The individual pieces are too big to let the piston go past top dead center. Im not saying this is what happened, but its one likely suspect. See if the spark plugs all look in good shape. If any one of them has been mashed on the end - thats a sure sign of the dreaded 'dropped valve seat. failure.
If thats what it is, an engine rebuild would be needed, or another engine anyway. The engine head can probably be fixed up by a mechanic, but it would be necessary to take the pistons out of the engine to check them out for damage - if it was a dropped valve seat.